One of the things we really like to do is to go out for meals! Where do we like to go? Well............Living in Melbourne is ideal if you like to eat out. This must be the restaurant and good eating capital of the world, we think. :-)

        Melbourne has many suburbs and central areas just crammed with great places to eat - at whatever price you are prepared to pay.

        We like the ones which provide plenty of yummy dishes at reasonable prices. A relaxed and friendly atmosphere is important too.

        Melbourne has a tradition of restaurants licenced to B.Y.O. (bring your own liquor). We prefer to buy our wines at a bottle shop and use these restaurants.  Most of the fully licenced restaurants are a little more 'up-market' and charge higher prices for their wines.

        What do you like? Italian? Asian? Middle Eastern? French? Mexican? Indian? (well, I guess that's Asian too, but different).  You'll find them all in Melbourne.

        Most hotels have a bistro or carvery with meals at good prices and drinks at 'pub' prices. Many of these have entertainment in the evenings - usually for people younger than we are!

      SOME OF OUR FAVOURITE PLACES
        Most of our favourite restaurants are in the western or north-central areas of Melbourne.

         If you're in Melbourne, you need to visit Carlton - Lygon and Brunswick Streets - for a huge variety of restaurants to choose from.

        ITALIAN: Sam's Cafe, 344 Keilor Road, Niddrie. Friendly informal atmosphere. Pasta and pizza. Good, prompt service. B.Y.O. No dish over $10.
                      Enzo & Mario's Pizza House, 489 Keilor Road, Niddrie. Our favourite for take-away pizza. Also good for eating in. B.Y.O.

        ASIAN:  Imperial Garden, 365 Buckley Street, Essendon. A favourite of our daughter and son-in-law. We liked it too. B.Y.O.

        INDIAN: Ameer Tandoori Restaurant, 15 Leake Street, Essendon. Our son, Dave introduced us to this one. It's local, good service, and we enjoy the food. BYO.

        GREEK:  Jim's Greek Tavern, 32 Johnston Street, Collingwood. Our introduction to Greek food. We haven't been there for some time, but it's always been worth the visit.

        TURKISH:  Adana Restaurant. 848 Sydney Road, Brunswick. We've tried a few others along this Turkish restaurant strip, but always come back to this one. Friendly family atmosphere. Plenty of inexpensive, delicious food. B.Y.O. Belly dancer visits on some evenings and that's fun.

        SPECIAL!   The Colonial Tramcar Restaurant. For a special occasion and a great evening. The Tramcar takes you on a tram ride around Melbourne and suburbs while you are served with a delicious meal. Leaves from South Melbourne.

        There are many others we have visited over the years, but not recently.

           
        We'd like to know your favourites too - anywhere, just in case we visit sometime.
        International Eating suggestions. Check them out.