A celebration of the restaurants, bars, cafes, pubs, and markets that have helped shape Melbourne’s unique cultural identity.

From the immensely popular creator of Old Vintage Melbourne and Old Vintage Melbourne, 1960-1990, here are profiles of around 120 of Melbourne’s culinary institutions, drawing on original research, historic photography, and direct contributions from the venues themselves and their families. Some are iconic and enduring, such as Grossi Florentino, Pellegrini’s, and France-Soir, while others have long since closed but remain etched in Melbourne’s memory, such as Cafe Scheherazade, Coles Cafeteria, and even Dine-In Pizza Hut.

Each entry combines images radiating nostalgic warmth alongside Chris Macheras’s landmark informed historical text.

A celebration of the restaurants, bars, cafes, pubs, and markets that have helped shape Melbourne’s unique cultural identity.

From the immensely popular creator of Old Vintage Melbourne and Old Vintage Melbourne, 1960-1990, here are profiles of around 120 of Melbourne’s culinary institutions, drawing on original research, historic photography, and direct contributions from the venues themselves and their families. Some are iconic and enduring, such as Grossi Florentino, Pellegrini’s, and France-Soir, while others have long since closed but remain etched in Melbourne’s memory, such as Cafe Scheherazade, Coles Cafeteria, and even Dine-In Pizza Hut.

Each entry combines images radiating nostalgic warmth alongside Chris Macheras’s landmark informed historical text.