Taylor Swift’s ‘Taylor-made’ guide to eating and drinking in Melbourne

Hey Tay Tay. Looking for the ultimate long-lunch spot or a late-night feed post show? Here’s how to eat and drink like a Melbourne local while you’re in town.

Taylor Swift, here is your ‘Taylor-made’ guide to eating and drinking in Melbourne.

Hi Taylor,

Welcome to Melbourne, it’s been waiting for you.

As a mutual lover of Italian food (aren’t we all!), or perhaps sushi is more your style, then consider my Taylor-made guide to eating and drinking during the Melbourne era of your Eras Tour.

PS: And if you ever need a personal restaurant guide — I’m your gal.

Pasta pros Tipo 00 are responsible for many memorable meals.

Because you liked Via Carota …

You’ll love Tipo 00

New York celebrity magnet Via Carota prides itself on hearty and traditional Italian fare. If you’re partial to pasta and red sauce, then Tipo 00 will be beyond your wildest dreams good.

Run by Andreas Papadakis, Luke Skidmore and Alberto Fava, the pasta pros make everything in house using the namesake flour, with bouncy soft focaccia and calamari and bottarga flecked squid-ink tagliolini firm faves.

Honourable mentions: Al Dente Enoteca, Caterina’s Cucina e Bar.

Long lunching at Di Stasio Citta is one of our city’s favourite pastimes. Picture: Mark Stewart

Because you liked Emilio’s Ballato …

You’ll love Di Stasio Citta

You’re not shy of a girl gang lunch with Sophie Turner and Blake Lively, so let hospitality pros Mallory Wall and Ronnie Di Stasio woo you with up-market Italian in a chic setting. Start with one of those lipsmacking anchovies wrapped in sage, twirl sunny tagliatelle heaped with fluffy crabmeat or plump sweet scallops beneath a buttery rubble of parmesan breadcrumbs. Make a statement at Di Stasio Citta or pretend you’re in Tuscany at Di Stasio Pizzeria in Carlton.

Honourable mentions: Grossi Florentino, Grill Americano

Society is the playground for Melbourne’s elite. Picture: Peter Tarasiuk

Because you liked Zero Bond …

You’ll love Society

Chris Lucas’s Society may the public playground for Melbourne’s “it-crowd”, though it’s also home to a suite of equally luxe private dining rooms to get away from it all. Chef Luke Headon’s snack game is strong: did someone say lobster tarts and ocean trout crumpets?

Picking sweets from the impressive dessert cart is another must. You’ll also have access to the world-class cellar, stocked by wine pro Loic Avril, and expert cocktails by Orlando Marzo.

Honourable mentions: Vue de Monde

Go all out and order the steak at Gimlet. Picture: Peter Tarasiuk

Gimlet Melbourne has one of the grandest dining room’s in the city.

Because you liked Brasserie Foquet’s New York …

You’ll love Gimlet

Gimlet is truly one of the city’s most stunning dining rooms. And while not traditionally French, you’ll get a Euro-meets-New York feel with heaving platters of lobster and steak, smart snacks, superb wine and a seriously good late night burger within earshot of the MCG.

Honourable mentions: Reine and La Rue, French Saloon, France Soir,

Clubby, moody, excellent Japanese — Yugen Dining in South Yarra is worth your time. Picture: Sam Davis

Because you liked The Waverly Inn …

You’ll love Yugen Dining

Yugen Dining doesn’t necessarily share The Waverly Inn’s luxe comfort food brief, though is responsible for some seriously delicious and high-end Japanese cooking, at the hands of ex-Vue de monde chef Stephen Nairn and sushi florist Alex Yu. Plus it has the moody, clubby, underground vibe down to a tee.

Honourable mentions: Phillipe

Fire up your tastebuds at this sleek flame-powered city wine bar.

Because you liked Parcelle Wine Bar.

You’ll love Embla

If fire-powered wine bar Embla was good enough for President Barack Obama during his Melbourne tour, then it’s suitable for the Queen of Pop. As a fellow wine-nerd, you’ll enjoy the locally-led drinks list alongside flame-kissed eats. You must try the bread. I hear you like Sancerre (French sauvignon blanc) and pinot grigio, but have you tried Dal Zotto prosecco from the King Valley? Why not also try a tipple from Victoria’s pinot grigio royalty, Kathleen and Kevin McCarthy, from Quealy Wines on the Mornington Peninsula.

Honourable mentions: Kirk’s Wine Bar, City Wine Shop, Toorak Cellars