Located at the edge of Hipsterville you’ll find a barn-like eatery that’s become a favourite for a number of Melbourne social clubs including The Beard & Flannel Co., Fixie’s Unlimited and the infamous Super Nintendo Atari Alliance. All that jazz aside, in late 2010 the once Irish themed pub changed hands and became known as Gasometer – an ode to the former gas works operation that once resided across the road. More recently though they’ve started to establish themselves as a popular live music venue; this coupled with affordable brews and American Diner inspired dishes has this Northside pub packed to the brim on most nights. Their menu caters to both the carnivores and Planeteer’s (vegos) with dishes like Smoked Buffalo Tofu Strips to BBQ Pulled Pork Nachos. It was impossible for us not to order the Smoked Cheese & Bacon Burger that came on a traditional sesame seed bun with a 200g wagyu beef pattie, house smoked cheddar accompanied with lettuce, tomato, topped with crispy bacon and 1000 Island sauce. Oh and in true American fashion, served with a pickle spear and a choice of potato salad or crunchy fries on the side.

With a narrow entrance on Chapel St, it is easy to miss the Speakeasy, but if you know where to look, the white welcoming décor and the front wooden communal table make it easy to pin point. With more room in the back, there is good potential to cater for larger crowds and the outside terrace also makes it easier to enjoy the upcoming summer rays and down a few bevvies with mates. The menu is quite simple, catering to all tastes and cravings, from pork to duck, to vege and fish – they’ve got breakfast, lunch and dinner covered. Having been open for a few months, and creating a bit of buzz around Melbourne, Speakeasy is on its way to contradicting its namesake. We sat down for lunch one lazy Sunday afternoon and ordered the Speakeasy Beef Burger which came on a glazed brioche bun with a beef pattie, cheese, lettuce, ketchup, mayonnaise and fat cut chips.

Smack bang in the middle of Melbourne’s CBD with the erratic foot traffic of Swanston St at its door, you’ll find Caboose Canteen. Living next door (for added protection one thinks) to its sister eateries Three Below and La Vita Buono, it differentiates and prides itself on being a place for local CBD workers to enjoy a hearty meal during/after their daily grind. After a few tweets and photos sent our way we thought we ought to get the inside scoop on the Caboose Burger before their no.1 fans, the Occupy Melbourne protesters, took it mainstream. Before us sat a familiar looking Caboose Burger that came on a toasted sesame brioche bun with chopped wagyu steak, tomato relish, barbecue sauce, lettuce and a side of fries.

When you arrive, what greets you is an imposing black exterior that leads inside to a large feature wall covered in graffiti, and judging by the chill dudes behind the counter, it was probably graffed by them. Its the kind of place where you’ll find most locals ordering by just walking in, nodding and saying “The usual thanks”. They may be “New School” by appearence but its in their methods of cooking that the “Ol’ School” part of their name really becomes apparent. Of highest praise amidst the neighbourhood are their chips, which are hand-cut and deep fried for just the right amount of time, making them nice and crunchy. Chips aside they offer a pretty familiar Fish’n'Chip shop menu, ranging from battered fish to Chiko rolls. We, of course, went for the Hamburger of 100% Angus Beef, lettuce, tomato, onion, a sesame-seed bun, and then added cheese, egg and bacon for good measure.