My second stop after saying goodbye to my loves in Brisbane was Melbourne. I spent two days traveling Melbourne solo, and decided if it was ever in the cards I would love to live in this city. It is the perfect mashup between the vibe of the Pacific Northwest in the States, a more creative big city and a beach town. All things I adore!
Where to Eat:
Alpha Ouzeri – Finding a great Greek restaurant is a little bit like my personal foodie Unicorn. I will try any Greek food you put in front of me with all the enthusiasm in the world, but more often than not it doesn’t live up to my expectations. Alpha Ouzeri is my new favorite Greek food of all time! I am so so so happy I happened to wander into this absolute gem! Order responsibly and you can find delicious options for any diet.
Chin Chin – A suggestion from one of the people I met in Brisbane and apparently a Melbourne hotspot according to my Uber driver, it was so creative and extremely delicious! The fare is Southeast-Asian fusion accompanied by a creative drink menu that you can either order with your meal or while you wait for a table in the downstairs bar called Gogo Bar. I ordered an amazing seafood ceviche and a soft-shell crab curry that was to die! If you are willing to splurge a few extra calories, order the corn ice cream dish. It’s hard to explain but so amazing to eat!
What to do:
Walking city – First and foremost, Melbourne is a walking city. I didn’t come across a single destination that was over a 20 minute walk from anywhere else in the city. Throw on some comfy shoes and walk everywhere you want to go. Easy peasy!
Run the Royal Botanical Garden – If and when I live in Melbourne, this will be my hangout in the summers. It’s free to walk or run through, has so many little hidden paths and alleys, and is a perfectly curated place to enjoy the outdoors. I would suggest running to the gardens, spend time running or strolling through them and then jogging home. Obviously, depending on where you are staying it could be a short run or a longer jog, it’s definitely something you shouldn’t miss.
Yarra park workout – Per almost every city I go to, this is my token workout park. It is settled beneath the Melbourne Cricket Grounds, and perfect for any outdoor workout. Added bonus, check out a Cricket match. I didn’t have the chance to go to a match, but I watched practice and it seemed fascinating. It’s on my list for my next trip.