The tastiest guide to where to eat this weekend in Melbourne

LUNCH with stunning marina views, a Sunday brunch with bottomless rose and a unique Melbourne milk bar are among Dan Stock’s picks for the best eating around town this weekend. Here’s where to dig in.

Fatto’s Spring Sunday bottomless brunch.

LOOKING for somewhere different to eat around Melbourne this weekend?

From Williamstown’s best views to bottomless rosé (tis the season), here are the picks for the best eating around town this weekend.

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ROOM WITH A VIEW

Pier group pleasure

Earlier this year Williamstown’s much-loved Anchorage was reborn as Pier Farm, and though the marina views remain as stunning as ever, the room is now a bright-whitewashed breath of fresh air.

Snaffle a table outside — or in the windows — and hit the menu that, while leaning into the water, has something for everyone. There’s oysters and prosciutto with melon to start, a few pastas, and steak, spatchcock or crumbed cotoletta for those skipping the fish — though I wouldn’t — for it’s expertly treated and elegantly cooked.

The whole fish of the day is as good as the view at Williamstown’s Pier Farm. Picture- Nicole Cleary

The classic calamari fritti is great. A lovely mix of all the squid bits, lightly dusted and quickly fried, they’re at once salty and tender and crunchy. It’s the chopped pickled banana chilli, however, that’s tossed through the rocket leaves underneath that elevates this dish from fine with welcome puckering punch.

There’s a few pasta dishes — prawns tossed with garlic through spaghettini; linguine tossed through the catch of the day — while the worldly cellar has lots of interesting, if expensive, drinking to go with.

The room, view and service all add up to a package that’s as appealing on this side of the bay as Stokehouse is on the other. Pier Farm has long lazy lunch written all over it.

34 The Strand, Williamstown. pierfarm.com.au

COOL IN COLLINGWOOD

Calling last orders (for now)

It heralded Smith St’s burgeoning cool cred, a restaurant that blurred the lines between casual and fine dining but always served up the delicious.

But fans of Scott Pickett’s Saint Crispin better hurry on in before the end of the month if they want to enjoy one last meal before he hands over the space for the next 12 months to the next gen of hospitality talents. From early November, four rotating residents will take over Saint Crispin for three months each with their own pop-up restaurant concept.

The existing Saint Crispin team will look after front of house while current head chef Stuart McVeigh will mentor the new kids in the kitchen.

Until then, there’s still a couple of weeks to get stuck into such Saint Crispin faves as the smoked eel churros with mascarpone, the Aylesbury duck with red cabbage, the sweetbreads and, of course, the hand-rolled macaroni that’s been on the menu since opening five years ago. Don’t delay.

300 Smith St, Collingwood. saintcrispin.com.au

The sleek and cool Saint Crispin will close for 12 months to make way for the next gen of hopso heroes from next month — so get in now for the famous hand-rolled macaroni. Picture Rebecca Michael.

FOR SOME QUIET TIME OUT

Read all about it

In the city this weekend and need a bit of some peace and quiet time out?

Head to the newly refurbished State Library where, at the new Russell St “welcome zone”, you’ll find Guild, Melbourne’s first dedicated almond milk bar.

Guild joins Readings bookstore in the stunning open-plan lobby of Australia’s oldest library, where 70-odd seats are available for those wanting a coffee or milkshake, use the internet or grab a bite — salads, pastries and sandwiches (all made off site) the mainstay of the menu.

And those almond milk shakes? With flavours including honeycomb, Prana chai, and Mork dark chocolate, they’re as rich and rewarding as trawling the shelves here.

Guild at State Library Victoria. slv.vic.gov.au

Guild at the State Library is where you’ll find Melbourne's first dedicated almond milk bar.

FOR A BOOZY BRUNCH

Pretty in pink

The sun is shining, the clocks have turned, which means one thing: it’s time to drink pink.

It’s rosé season and there’s no better way to become reacquainted with our blushingly beautiful old friend than over brunch.

It’s time to think drinking pink and Fatto’s spring Sunday bottomless brunch is a top spot to do so

Every Sunday this month, Fatto at Southbank is hosting a bottomless brunch where the rose flows and the food follows fast — think salmon tartare, spaghettini with prawns, and barramundi with smoked yoghurt.

Sit on the terrace and drink in one of the best city views while sipping rosé. Now that’s a day that’s looks pretty in pink.

Bookings essential (brunch offered for tables of four-plus, $75 a head).

fatto.com.au