My favourite commercial gallery in Melbourne, Utopian Slumps represents a group of early to mid career Australian and New Zealand artists. Exhibitions are always intriguing and the opening nights are great for people watching.

Melbourne is one of the coffee capitals of the world so the standard is very high. There are heaps of good cafes around, but sitting on top of the pile is at Brother Baba Budan. Specialists in single origin coffee from quality international coffee beans. When ever I’m in the city, this is where I get my caffeine fix. Usually it’s a smooth silky Caffe latte that goes down way too easily. The quirky ceiling made from chairs is worth a look too.

Besides being covered in the street art that is synonymous with Melbourne, the laneways also lead to some of the city’s best cafes, shops and restaurants, and are always worth taking time to explore.

This Hare Krishna restaurant has a rotating menu of delicious, inexpensive vegetarian food. The atmosphere is always peaceful and the perfect place to sit is by the window overlooking Swanston St. I recommend the eggplant lasagne if you see it in the window display!

Milk Toast has the best muffins in Melbourne, they often sell out before 9:30am. My favourite is raspberry and chocolate if I can get one in time.