Melbourne

In-between the hard-court action, savour the city’s great restaurants, bars and cafés.

Australian Open

20 January to 2 February; Melbourne Park, Melbourne CBD; ausopen.com

Melburnians love their sport but there’s something special about the Australian Open. Staged at a time of year when the streets are alive with locals enjoying the tail end of the holiday season, this tennis grand slam doubles as an unofficial two-week-long summer festival. Around 780,000 people are expected to flood Melbourne Park (below), a 15-minute walk from Federation Square, between 20 January and 2 February. As well as all the racquet action there’s live music and entertainment and a series of dégustation dinners created by superstar chefs. Outside the gates, meanwhile, Melbourne will be putting on its own show...

The best breakfast

Tucked under the Sofitel,

Pope Joan (popejoancity.com) brings a bucolic taste of Britain to Melbourne’s CBD. The menu devised by Yorkshire transplant Matt Wilkinson recalibrates the classics with prime produce. This is where to get a bacon and egg roll you’ll never forget, while smart brunch dishes like sardines with wild greens and fennel on toast deserve a papal blessing.

The best lunch

The CBD’s newest Italian stallion,

Marameo (marameo.com.au) has a slick minimalist design and a terrace made for the laziest of midday meals. The $15 lunchtime express cacio e pepe is a winner but you’ll want to kick back a while longer with the cheeky on-trend menu that offers the likes of a wagyu tartare cannoli, tuna sashimi with veal mayo and a delicate raspberry tart that accessorises winningly with Aperol Spritz.

The best dinner

Channelling a traditional French brasserie through the moody hues of 1960s New York, citycentre newcomer Bar Margaux (barmargaux.com.au) brings the feel-good regulars of escargot, steak tartare and souffle. Better yet, it’s open until at least 3am and serves an excellent late-night menu, including lobster croque monsieur, for a post-match feast.

The best bar

It appears each spring like an exotic beach club holidaying on the Yarra. This season, the

Arbory Afloat pontoon bar and restaurant (arboryafloat.com.au) has upped its magnificent ante by adding a swimming pool and a pastel-hued theme plucked straight from 1970s Miami (above). Book ahead for a spot lounging in your own private poolside cabana or simply swing onto Arbory’s casual-chic lower deck where the bubbles flow freely and the menu heads South America way.