Since moving south from Brisbane more than eight years ago, Taf Chiwanza has made exploring Melbourne’s food scene a personal mission. It’s not hard to understand why. “The overall quality of the dining is what stands out,” he says. “It’s hard to have a bad meal in Melbourne.”

Discovering the best restaurants in Melbourne often comes down to word of mouth and personal recommendations, says Taf: “The Melbourne dining scene comes alive when you unearth the ‘if you know, you know’ places.”

That passion for uncovering the places others miss eventually led to a business idea. Now as the CEO and co-founder of Secondz, a restaurant discovery platform powered by recommendations from industry experts and local tastemakers, Taf has created the perfect starting point for anyone wanting to find a good meal.

Read on to discover his top recommendations for where to eat in Melbourne over a two-day trip – from must-visit cafes, bars and eateries to some of the city’s best experiences.
 

Day one: tradition meets experimentation

Combining two of Melbourne’s great loves – food and art – Residence at the Potter Museum of Art at the University of Melbourne is an incubator for new food ideas. “At Residence, a new chef is appointed to take up residency each year,” explains Taf. “So you can experience vibrant and vulnerable dishes from an up-and-coming chef bringing their vision to life.”

Open for dinner throughout the week, the historical red-brick building becomes a laid-back cafe during the day. Taf has several favourite dishes, but “you can’t go past the roast chook, black garlic, chilli and iceberg sanga”, he says.

Wondering what to do in Melbourne next? Why not start with one of the city’s must-dos: the always-innovative NGV International. Pop in to see the latest temporary exhibition, wander the international collections encompassing painting, sculpture, ceramics, fashion and furniture, or take a guided tour for a deeper dive into the stories behind the art.

Taf recommends keeping the international theme going with a pre-dinner drink at Le Pub, a cosy bar and bottle shop a short walk from the NGV. “The staff are super knowledgeable and there’s a great selection of wines,” he says. And it’s not just for wine-lovers. “They also have their own Le Pub beer, which is clean, crisp and refreshing.”

Any weekend away in Melbourne should include dinner at Ishizuka, says Taf.  A highlight of Melbourne’s food scene, this beautifully designed fine-dining Japanese restaurant specialises in kaiseki, a multicourse experience governed by season, pace and restraint. “I can’t go past the duck with eggplant puree and shiso vinegar sauce, or the Kumamoto wagyu claypot rice with miso soup and pickles,” he says.

“It’s the perfect date-night spot. Inside the beautifully designed, minimalist Japanese space, it will feel like it’s just the two of you.”

Day two: the world in one city

There’s no better way to start the day than with the char siu bacon-and-egg roll at Korean Japanese cafe Moon Mart in South Melbourne. “It’s similar to a traditional bacon roll, but the bacon is extra thick and juicy,” says Taf. He also recommends the hoe-deopbap (a rice bowl with raw New Zealand salmon, tuna, shiso and a soy-cured egg yolk). “It is so good, and very different to what I’d usually have for breakfast.”

Any visit to South Melbourne must include a stop at the South Melbourne Market, where you’ll find fresh produce as well as providores, cafes, bakeries and many fashion, craft and homewares stalls. Don’t miss SO:ME Space, dedicated to independent designers and craftspeople. It’s the perfect place to pick up a souvenir, unique piece of clothing or a gift.

From the market, the beach bordering Albert Park is just a few blocks away. Stroll along the sand to the relaxed Pipis Kiosk. Depending on the weather, dine in on Sydney Rock oysters and pan-seared John Dory or enjoy lunch in the sunshine on the beach. “The takeaway fish and chips at Pipis are incredible,” says Taf. “Worth the trip alone.”

Head back into the city and on to Fitzroy to browse the eclectic boutiques in Gertrude Street before stopping by moody The Moon, a Collingwood bar where you can find more than 20 wines available by the glass. 

Around the corner is “one of the most exciting recent openings in Melbourne”, says Taf. Acclaimed chef Tom Sarafian’s Zareh celebrates the delicious flavours of the Middle East, but it’s more than that. “When you walk through those doors, you enter another world full of joyous flavours, smells and experiences,” he says. “The staff are so passionate and welcoming. While you’re there, you just forget about everything else.”

Tom took three years to perfect his now-famous hummus, so purchase a jar to take home. It will be a tangible memory of an unforgettable trip to Melbourne.

Looking for more food recommendations? Secondz is available for download on Apple and Google Play.