Ventured out of downtown Melbourne to the burbs, thanks to our local host. Great area with that…read moreneighborhood vibe. Cool older hotel and building that's been restored very well. Service was great and the minute we sat down, the food just started coming out. Preplanned by our host but a great way to relax and try everything without having to decide. All of our dishes were full of flavor and delicious. My favorites were the sashimi, pork, scallops, and dumplings. Will be back!

I've been to Albert Park Hotel a few times mostly upstairs in their function room which also leads…read moreto an outside terrace area. The mood up here is great, the lighting is dim, the lounges are stylish and the wait staff a very attentive and their selection of cocktails are extensive. Downstairs there is another bar and outdoor area which is locate at the front of the Hotel, it almost spills out onto the street on a summers evening. You can be sure the Albert Park will be bustling on a Friday night for after work drinks and similarly on Saturdays when many functions are held upstairs, especially around Christmas time and the New Year. I have also had the pleasure of eating at their Oyster Bar and Grill that is priced well delivering and supporting the best and freshest local seafood. Their flavours and marinades are right on the money and you can tell they take pride in what they serve and how they serve it. Also, ring in the weekend with $1 oysters from 6pm to 7pm every Friday night. This Friday, they're freshly-shucked from Coffin Bay.

This nice pub is located near the train station and was our perfect stop before heading out…read more As you walk up the bar, it did seem like no one was working as other reviews noted but was eventually greeted by a nice young woman. Ordered a couple beers and ended up watching tv and grabbed a table. Tvs were very well placed and we sat while we watched and drank. Had a couple hours to killed so got comfortable and ordered food as well. Got the angus burger and fries which were solid. Nothing to jump out of your seat but was good. 4 stars for the nice environment and the availability of gambling machines.

Well, it looks as if I've hit a batch of pubs that I really don't like because I am now writing a…read morereview on The Mail Exchange. Well, I know, I've been here a number of times, but half the reason is because it sells beer and is across the road from Southern Cross Railway Station, so it is a short walk to go and catch a bus to the airport. It is sort of my 'have a beer before I go to the airport' type of pubs, despite the fact that I can have a beer at the airport and not have to worry about looking at a gazillion poker machines. Mind you, the place as a pretty classy feel about it, and there is sort of a beer garden (for the smokers) out the back, but whenever I think of this place I think of the gazillion pokie machines I see and I descend the elevator.

Next to the bustling popular Auction Rooms, is a quaint cafe with a surprising charm to it…read more The inside may seem tiny. But once you step past the counter and through the kitchen, you find a romantic outdoor courtyard area. Or you could just enter from the back lane way. That's an option too. I like that it's situated right next to somewhere so packed, because it is a good hidden alternative. I had their Beetroot Eggs, but honestly, looking at their menu and the pictures, everything looks beautiful when it comes to you. Sweet, savory, tasty, filling, Fandango has it. Staff was very friendly, even walking through their kitchen, you were greeted by a warm genuine smile. It was a very welcoming cafe, like eating in someone's home. It's cozy and charming, romantic and slow paced; Fandango has all of the factors going for it to make it a nice place for an easy brunch.

Today, Fandango reminded me not to judge a book by its cover. This little place is Auction Rooms…read moreneighbour and in my opinion it's worth walking past Auction Rooms and giving this place a try. From the street-front it looks tiny but there is a lovely courtyard out the back where I sat today and had a great time with my beautiful partner. I recommend sitting in the courtyard if you can. Let's talk about the meal itself. Firstly, I ordered my usual skinny cappucino which did not disappoint at all. I'm not sure which coffee they use but it went down very well, so top marks on the coffee Fandango. Now as for the food, I had the French Toast. I never order French Toast and not sure why I did today but I am glad that I did because it rocked! The French toast came with bacon, apple slices cooked in cinnamon or something amazing, maple butter and maple syrup. My mouth is salivating at the thought of it. See you soon Fandango!

The Guinness is great, and the prawns delicious. Couple…read morethat with great company and endless Connect Four.

This is one of those pubs that I had been past a number of times in the past. In fact it was one of…read morethose pubs where we happened to stay at the hotel that was located just down the road. Look, I have to admit that I really wasn't all that much of a fan, namely because it was pretty small, and as such it did end up being pretty cramped. Then again, that probably has a lot to do with it being a Friday when I was here. Still, it really wasn't all that great and I'd probably pass on it in the future.

I went here for brunch this time with two friends. My extra hot skim cappucino was creamy,…read morechocolatey at optimal temperature and with the perfect wake me up. My shakshuka eggs were delicious and the dish is a large portion of three baked eggs in fresh tomato sauce with grilled eggplant and spices. It comes with some thick doughey turkish bread. I think it was just lacking spice. My friend ordered chickpea toast which was well spiced. The other friend ordered eggs with green peppers (they are literally large chillies and you get lots of them). He enjoyed his dish but got tiresome of the peppers. Service is quite slow and after we had eaten, my friend paid via credit card and we were left waiting for at least 10 minutes. When we went to the counter, they asked us which table we were sitting at having completely forgotten they still had my friend's credit card. We had to repeat our order and make our payment. I guess on Sundays they are quite busy due to the market being on. Food is worth going for!

We kind of stumbled upon this place on a wednesday night and wow! we couldn't have chosen a better…read moreplace for dinner! We were super fortunate to have come on the last Wednesday of the month (Turkish Banquet Dinner) which is a special monthly dinner that consists of a 7 course dinner of the chef's collection for an amazing $30!! unbelievable. Due to it's bang for your buck deal, it usually gets booked out super quick. VERY fortunately, there was one spare table that was calling our names that night. At a price of $30, I was expecting super small and simple dishes to come out as 7 proper courses is just not imaginable - I was wrong. Food after food (incredibly delicious and creative) kept coming out until we almost fell off our chairs from food coma and shock from amazement. The friendly staff, delightful turkish decorated atmosphere on top of the variety of dishes... all added up to a fantastic dining experience. I'm still yet to try it out on a normal night but I can imagine it being just as scrumptious. Tip: If you are going to go for the Banquet Night, I'd suggest booking quite in advance!

Amazing view. Excellent services. Food is very good, we ordered wagyu & it was very good.read more

Wonderful old Melbourne pub. Beautiful indoor and outdoor seating, beer garden, live music, steak…read morenight!! Lots of great neighbourhood stuff going on. But the most important thing by far... the best pint of Guinness I have had in Melbourne. Yes it's really the best.

I wouldn't necessarily call this a hidden gem, if Friday nights are anything to go by. Then again,…read moreit does happen to be a city pub, so of course people are going to flock here for afterwork drinks. The thing is that I suspect that when one place gets pack, the workers go on the hunt for a better place, they find one, but eventually that gets packed as well. Anyway, as a pub this place is actually pretty cool, the service friendly, and of course they do have a decent range of beers on tap.

$10 margaritas on Wednesday and Thursday is an absolute steal, especially when you realise the…read moreTequila used isn't cheap and nasty. Throw in a couple of decent tacos at $5 each and you've got yourself a fun night out without needing to sell your first born. I love the vibe of this small and happening Tequila and Taco bar. There's barely enough seats for 20 people and the staff are welcoming, fun and make you feel like you're part of the party. The house-mad salsas are tasty, though I'd love a little salt on the table to adjust the seasoning of the tacos which were a little under-done to my taste. For a quick and friendly neighbourhood bite in a part of town that is sorely lacking for good nightlife options, Hello Jose is terrific.

Who doesn't love a dose of Mexican food and tequila? Well, maybe tequila isn't for everyone but you…read moreprobably secretly enjoy it or haven't realised it yet. Hello José brings classic Mexican street food with market-fresh ingredients and quality tequila to the North Melbourne area in the form a quaint hole-in-the-wall-style taqueria bar. Combining a crazy playlist that jumps around various genres of the music of the 90s and early 2000s and creative, comical Mexican and beach themed wall artwork, the whole place just screams fun and reminiscent of beach bars in Mexico itself. Built around the bar and kitchen area, seating is a handful of small tables, benches and bar seating inside, a small courtyard out the back and some more tables out on the front footpath. The small size of the venue adds a touch of intimacy to the experience. The food menu is simple but well executed. Tacos, tostaditas, chargrilled corn, quinoa and black bean salad and churros are the options. The tacos are star of the show with the choice of pork belly, chicken, beef, fish and black bean. Tortillas are hand-pressed fresh each day and ingredients are sourced from the Queen Victoria markets across the road. The pork belly tacos with its crushed crackling is an easy favourite. And at $5 each it's hard to say no to more. The churros come with the choice of chocolate or chilli chocolate for some added heat. No Mexican food adventure would be complete without some tequila, good thing you have the choice of twelve different tequilas with a selection of blanco, reposado and añejos on offer. There is also a range of Mexican beers, wine, sangria, horchata and margaritas. A standout is the spicy margarita which has an added spice hit of jalapeño juice. Also of note is the house-made horchata (rice water, cinnamon and vanilla) with some added tequila. Service is great with the staff providing friendly banter to everyone. Hello José brings some quality, honest Mexican street food in a fun and laid back environment to the North Melbourne area and is sure to please all who venture in.