Coffee, food, art and music – Melbourne at its best
Melbourne Art Week kicks off next week with an exciting line up of exhibitions, events and performances including the headline event: the Melbourne Art Fair at the Southbank Arts Precinct.
With over 500 artists exhibited over 30 venues, there will be plenty to do and see after work, with live music and DJs performing at key events across the week.
While the other capital cities are certainly catching up in the arts and culture stakes, Melbourne still leads the charge. The city is home to some of the best galleries in Australia, including the dedicated Southbank Arts Precinct which is soon to be home to Australia’s largest contemporary gallery as well.
Melbourne is also well-known for its iconic laneways and street-art, along with its many small bars, great restaurants and café culture. In fact, Melbourne is one of the best coffee cities in the world – ranking alongside the likes of Rome and London.
We get plenty of opportunities to sample the best of Melbourne, because we know that the ‘lifestyle factor’ is important for people when they’re choosing where to live. For apartments particularly, a top restaurant or coffee place downstairs can add significant value and appeal, so this is one of the factors we look into in our own property selection process.
So if you’re planning to wander through the inner city next week and take in a bit of art, music and culture, here’s some of our favourite places to stop, recharge and refuel.
Ironfish Melbourne favourites
1. BEST COFFEE IN MELBOURNE
Aunty Peg’s, Collingwood
More than just a good coffee – this is an education! Ranked Number 1 by Beanhunter, Aunty Peg’s will serve you up an amazing coffee brewed by your one-on-one barista.
2. BEST BREKKY IN MELBOURNE
Top Paddock, Richmond
A lovely relaxed venue for breakfast or brunch, where the food looks too beautiful to eat (but that shouldn’t stop you) and the coffee is perfect.
3. BEST LUNCH IN MELBOURNE
Impeccably styled interiors, excellent coffee, super-modern, bespoke menu with twists on the traditional (think confit lamb sausage roll, cucumber pickle, garlic, anchovy mayo).
4. BEST DRINKS BEFORE DINNER / CASUAL DINING
Stop for a drink or stay on for dinner at this chic little French bistro set right across from the Melbourne Botanic Gardens. ‘Apero Hour’ is every day from 4pm-6pm.
5. BEST RESTAURANT IN MELBOURNE FOR DINNER
Thirty-eight Chairs, South Yarra
An amazing authentic Italian restaurant, with daily home-made pasta and shared antipasti. A perfect spot for a cosy winter meal.
Melbourne Art Week runs from 30 July to 5 August. Find the full line up of events, talks, workshops here.
Property investment Melbourne
If you’d like some more info on how the lifestyle factor impacts your property investments or would like to know more about the Melbourne property market, its fundamental market drivers and performance data, please download our latest market report.