Tuesday 13 October 2026Stories from 8 cities
Photos @wendeatz
12 new places in Melbourne worth the trip this spring
From a Springvale cheesesteak to souffle pancakes in Box Hill. Everything we'd actually cross town for, grouped by where you'll be.
What's on this week
Everything on
Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens Spring Plant Sale
The Growing Friends' spring sale of plants propagated from the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne.
Free
Cat Lovers Festival
Victoria's biggest cat festival, with the Kitten Lady live, pat-a-cat, a breed showcase and adoption groups.
From $22
Melbourne Dog Lovers Festival
Victoria's biggest dog festival, with pat-a-pooch, a breed showcase, dog sports and an adoption zone.
From $22
Ocker by Na Djinang Circus
A free roving First Nations-led circus show that lays a portable railway track through Fed Square as it goes.
FreeJust spotted
Everything new
1915 Lanzhou Beef Noodles
Hand-pulled beef noodles with a spicy kick for $16.90, in the Chadstone food court. 100% halal.
CDMX
Fast tacos that are actually good. The cheesy birria tacos are the move.
SEAR by Tung Thit
A philly cheesesteak with a sauce that tastes like bò kho, and a cà phê sữa đá that comes in a bucket.
Lagotto
A long, considered dinner. Start with focaccia and vegemite butter, don't skip the green lasagne.
Too Tired
The coffee is the reason to go. Earl grey tea syrup in a latte, somehow it works.
Dwelling
A little taste of Malaysia, the comforting kind. The beef rendang is $17.
Cuff
A Flinders Lane brunch spot where the caramelised brioche dessert steals the show.
Panda Hotpot
Fresh ingredients, deep broth, and a room that feels like a night out.
Side quests
All side questsCities
Every Sunday, free
The Sunday Letter
Everything we spotted this week, in one short email. Written by people, never sold on.