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Dips, olives and pickles at Mama Manoush.

Collection

Where to catch up with friends for Christmas in Melbourne

Group-friendly, budget-friendly, kid-friendly, vegan-friendly or just plain friendly spots for festive catch-ups.

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Beef carpaccio, sliced as thin as tissue paper.
14/20

Arbory Afloat is the party of the summer

  • Gemima Cody
Five day aged duck with smoked hoisin and leeks.
13/20

Staircase selfies and glam barbecue at Cheek

  • Gemima Cody
Oxtail hotpot divided into spicy and not spicy, pictured with a combination beef and lamb platter and fish and meat balls.

Bring your squad to David's Hotpot

  • Dani Valent
Go-to dish: Classic cheese pizza with optional mortadella.
14/20

Pizza pies and spritzes at Capitano in Carlton

  • Gemima Cody
The oxtail ragu is so realistic it's been sent back in panic.
14.5/20

For vegan friends: Smith & Daughters' Italian favourites

  • Gemima Cody
Spanner crab with grilled flatbreads and prawn butter.
Good Food hatGood Food hat16/20

Scott Pickett's swaggy Matilda in South Yarra

  • Gemima Cody
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Go-to dish: Goolwa pipi pizza with parsley, lemon and cream.
14.5/20

Harley & Rose is a winner in the west

  • Gemima Cody
Thalis on the Kerala menu at the Rochester
14/20

Pub trivia and thali trays at the Rochey

  • Gemima Cody
The trencher
13/20

Have fun with a viking feast at Mjolner

  • Gemima Cody
Roti and Vegemite curry.
Good Food hat15/20

Rip into some off-menu roti at Sunda

  • Gemima Cody
Macadamia and wildflower honey tart.

Share-friendly Sunday lunches at Bar Liberty

  • Dani Valent
The opening flurry of snacks starring Turkish breads, hummus, and arak cucumbers.

High-end Middle Eastern banquets at new-look Maha

  • Gemima Cody
Dips, olives and pickles to start.

Or Mama Manoush's more budget-friendly banquets

  • Dani Valent
Armadale uttapam: Rice pancake with bananas, sour cherries and maple butter.

Meet your healthy pal at this wellness cafe

  • Dani Valent
Snacks at Bar Tini (clockwise from top left): Chorizo, egg, potato; compressed watermelon, mojama, almond; Half quail; a selection of cured, smoked and pickled seafood; baked viejo maestro cheese.
14.5/20

Sherry and tinned seafood at MoVida's Bar Tini

  • Gemima Cody
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Grilled sticks, shiitake mushroom calamari, and chicken and sausage.
14/20

Long drinks at Longsong bar above Longrain

  • Michael Harden
Eggs benedict with lamb.

Family-friendly brunching in the 'burbs at Riddik

  • Dani Valent
Potato focaccia, stracciatella and basil-tinged zucchini.
Good Food hat15/20

A cheeky glass of wine at Carlton Wine Room

  • Gemima Cody
The Southside Sting and good fries, served in a bag with a choice of chicken salt, salt and vinegar or barbecue.

Vegan-friendly: Cornish Arms rooftop bar or bistro

  • Michael Harden
The signature kingfish pancetta.
Good Food hat15/20

Tapas at tiny, mighty Bar Lourinha

  • Gemima Cody
Kick off with a beer and fried okra.
14.5/20

Drinks and snacks at Rumi's CBD brother Bar Saracen

  • Gemima Cody
Corn with herbs, chillies, preserved lemon and ras el hanout.
13.5/20

Half Acre is a picture perfect events space in South Melbourne

  • Gemima Cody
The classic martini served The Mayfair in Melbourne.

Top 20 bars (including new-look Bomba rooftop)

  • Gemima Cody and Michael Harden
Breakfast is the new dinner: Ruby skirt steak with endive and kipflers at Higher Ground.

The top 20 cafes around Melbourne

  • Larissa Dubecki
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The all American grilled cheese toastie at Maker and Monger, Prahran Market.

Top 20 Melbourne cheap eats

  • Sofia Levin & Anna Webster
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