A foodie’s walking tour of Melbourne

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Melbourne's hospitality greats give their top tips of where to go and what to order when you're wandering the streets of their beloved city.

Salvatore Malatesta, founder, St. ALi and Sensory Lab

When it comes to produce, Malatesta heads straight for Queen's Harvest at the Queen Victoria Market. "If you're looking for specific produce, they have fresh horseradish, black garlic and a wide array of mushrooms," he says. For dinner or lunch, he suggests Osteria Ilaria in the CBD: "I just can't go past their prawn pasta and natty wine list – it's inventive, yet classic."

Kenneth Chan, marketing manager, Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street

Chan's must-do is Pidapipó in Carlton. "Pidapipó serves the best artisanal Italian-style gelato; I'm always excited to look at their menu board," he says. "I love the bacio and pistachio. If the board features rockmelon and watermelon flavours in summertime, or persimmon flavour in autumn/early winter, don't think – just go for it."

Mike Patrick, co-owner, Fancy Hanks

At La Tortilleria in Kensington, Patrick suggests sorting yourself out with a "mezcal cocktail or a killer marg on the front porch of this amazing little gem." His food order? "A 'Gringa' quesadilla filled with al pastor pork, cheese, pineapple and salsa."

Louise Naimo, restaurant manager, Ishizuka

Naimo likes to eat the world in her city, heading to Manzé in North Melbourne for Mauritian-style eats. "It's Mauritian food with a Melbourne wine bar tilt – incredibly tasty stuff," she says. "The wine list is short but excellent, and the small room means that you end up getting into conversations with your neighbours."

Jacqui Challinor, executive chef, Nomad Melbourne

Challinor has dessert on her mind: "The chocolate Basque cheesecake at Beatrix in North Melbourne," is her pick of the puds.

Anthea Loucas Bosha, CEO, Food and Drink Victoria

"For a quintessential Melbourne experience, you'd have to start at Pellegrini's for a coffee and perhaps a watermelon granita. Treat yourself to a bowl of house-made gnocchi by owner David Malaspina – he only cooks it on a Friday," says Bosha. "A croissant from Lune Croissanterie is always a good idea. Down the hill, a cocktail and bar snack at Gimlet might be a great next stop."

Simon Blacher, creative director, Commune Group

Lebanese restaurant Abla's in Carlton is Blacher's go to. "It has been around longer than I have been alive, yet it never gets old," he says. For Vietnamese he heads to Flemington to Hem 27: "There are so many amazing Vietnamese noodle soups other than pho. Hem 27 do an amazing deep dive into all the lesser known, yet amazing, bowls. Pro yip: try the Bún Thang Hanoi."

David Zhou, founder, David's and Oriental Teahouse

For delicious baking, Zhou likes Luncheonette in Kensington. "It's a small bakery-cum-café with lovely staff and good crumpets," he says. But for a special dinner, he heads to the CBD, "Supernormal is always my choice. It's consistently good."

Get to the city for Melbourne's most iconic eats this summer, from alfresco laneway dining and riverside pop-ups, to rooftop bars and street food markets. Visit whatson.melbourne.vic.gov.au or follow @whatsonmelb on Instagram and Facebook.