At a glance: Fugazza

Go to Fugazza and order the eggplant parmigiana Fugazza. That's pretty much all you need to know.

 Tucked away on Hardware Lane, this delicious little lunchtime secret is a delight. Delicious fresh toasted focaccias are their specialty and although they come in half sizes, trust us, loosen the belt buckle and opt for the full size. Then have a nap when you get back to work.

At a glance: Bagelworks

Bagels are undergoing somewhat of a resurgence lately as Melbournians discover the delicious, affordable simplicity of fresh bagels.

With bagel shops popping up all around Melbourne, Bagelworks is a welcome addition to Little Collins Street. Of course offering fresh bagels made daily and cold pressed juices, we were most surprised by the high quality of coffee on offer - which we honestly didn't expect from a bagel shop. Worth a visit on your next lunch break.

At a glance: Krimper

In true Melbourne style, Krimper is tucked away in a little alley way.

The decor is deliberately kept simple, resulting in a rough and rustic industrial warehouse vibe which creates a very unique character. 

The menu has great options and also includes an all day breakfast. We opted for 2 items from their lunch list which set us back around $20 each. We thoroughly enjoyed our dishes of Barramundi and Purple Carrot. Both were cooked well and presented beautifully.

At a glance: Raw Trader

Raw Trader is a café specialising in, wait for it, organic, raw, vegan, vegetarian, paleo, gluten free, dairy free and sugar free desserts and treats. Oh, and coffee. 

We were therefore very keen to head down and see what impact abiding by all of these "restrictions" would have on the treats on offer. The raspberry and white chocolate cake we sampled was very pleasant with a low level of sweetness and wonderfully smooth texture - it definitely tasted natural and nutritious. Although on the pricey side, worth a try. 

At a glance - Captain Baxter

Taking inspiration from Asian street food which is known to be fresh, flavourful and made from the best ingredients, Captain Baxter's menu is designed to be shared in a social environment with delicious cocktails in hand. We recommend the Pornstar Martini - A simply delectable combination of passionfruit & vanilla, served straight up with a shot of Prosecco on the side. Captain Baxter's Fried Salmon tail yellow curry with chilli oil, tapioca crisp and roasted peanuts was lovely. The deep fried salmon paired beautifully with the delectably rich and creamy yellow curry. 

At a glance - Donovans

Donovans offers modern dining with a focus on using the best of local produce amidst a relaxed vibe with fireplaces and sofas plus a terrace with ocean views. Donovans' Handmade Gnocchi was an absolute showstopper. It was a superb dish showcasing flawlessly executed “melt in your mouth" gnocchi accompanied by tender, wonderfully flavoursome braised duck leg, earthy roasted chestnuts and organic Australian Raclette cheese. A luxurious, indulgently comforting dish that left us craving more. 

At a glance - Lona

Situated in the heart of St Kilda and boasting one of St Kilda’s largest outdoor dining areas, be prepared for Lona’s unique experience of high quality Pintxos, wines, cocktails, pink neon lights and fun. Lona's Flinders Island salt grass lamb ribs were tender, falling off the bone, juicy and packed with flavour.  

At a glance - Claypots Seafood Express

Seafood Express by Claypots is a popular seafood joint in the St Kilda area. The menu features a wide array of seafood specialties that are fantastic value for money. The entire menu is also available to takeaway if you prefer to enjoy them in the leisure of your home. Claypots Seafood Express' Steamed Blue Swimmer Crabs and Mussels with Indian Spiced Tamarind were lovely. We loved the spicy kick from the sauce.

At a glance - Bay City Burrito

Bay City Burrito is taking burritos to another level serving the best, healthiest and most authentic food to Melbourne. Bay City Burrito's Mexican Tortilla soup with avocado, sour cream, cilantro, sweet corn, jack cheese and tortilla chips on the side was heart-warming simple comfort food done well.

At a glance - Rococo

Rococo Acland Street’s atmosphere is both seductive and vibrant, with a focus of social dining and shared experiences. Set amongst some of Melbourne’s most loved sites,  Rococo continues to attract diners from all over Melbourne some 10 years later. Rococo's slow cooked ricotta gnocchi was delicious. We loved the depth of flavour from the use of san marzano tomatoes, basil, garlic, mozzarella and fresh herbs with the crispy pangrattato adding a great textural element.

At a glance - Abbey Road Café

Influenced by the owners Greek Cypriot heritage, Abbey Road Café delivers fresh home-style food, fantastic drinks, soul moving music, friendly efficient service and a crackling good time. Abbey Road Café's  served up a winter must - traditional cottage pie, beef mince and Australian garden peas topped with a cheesy mash, served with a garden salad. It was good ol' hearty food, perfect for winter.

At a glance - Big Mouth

Big Mouth is a relaxed watering hole with vintage chandeliers, dishing up breakfasts, share plates and burgers. Big Mouth's whole baby snapper was as pretty as a picture and tasted even better. We loved the crisp fried baby snapper served with mussels, prawns and calamari in a luxurious seafood sauce.