This place has an awesome atmosphere. Red velvet drapes, dim lights, red velvet booths, the ultimate place to spend a Friday night in cold, wet Melbourne. During summer you must head up two flights of stairs to experience the tropical beer garden - you won't believe such a place exists in the middle of a concrete jungle. The Carlton caters for all seasons!
For years I walked straight past the front doors on Bourke street not realizing that just through those doors and up a flight of stairs is the amazing place and it's quite big do. Great to take friends from out of town for a night out. So don't be fooled thinking this is some old man's pub in central Melbourne. Oh, they serve food here too. I've eaten here and it's good, it's your usual fare of parmigiana etc but it's done well. Enjoy.

Approximate cost: $9 for a glass of wine

This place was an awesome find. Vietnamese tapas style. We spent $67 on dinner and wine for two. $28 of that was on a bottle of Mr Smith red, so I think the value was excellent. We really enjoyed the prawn and crab Hanoi net spring rolls, and so we ordered another serving of those. Very tasty. Dont forget to roll them up in the little lettuce leaves!
Apparently this place is swarming with office workers at lunch time, we went for dinner, an early dinner and it was perfect. We grabbed a table out the front which are these little plywood tables and the seats are little milk crates with a plywood top, very cute and surprisingly comfortable. To order you have a pencil and a paper menu you fill in and take to the cashier. Simple. You can grab the menu online before you go. Great place to go and we will be back again.

Approximate cost: $13 for main meal but there are tapa style dishes for about $7 each

This is the old Mesh Cafe inside the passports and immigration building but has just been fully refurbished and is now called Mr Speaker. Must try the Turkish chicken pide (does contain pineapple) and it is good value at $6 for the CBD. Staff are friendly. I buy my lunch or breakfast from here regularly. Nasi does most of the cooking and she is really nice and makes great food with a warm smile. The coffee is very popular and so is the man making them! Although the coffee is too strong for my liking, although many are a fan of the coffees. Good range of food for a quick bite and now the renovations are nearly complete it will be a lovely place to sit and enjoy with friends.

Approximate cost: $6 to $8.50

This place is the mother of all gyms! I've used the sleeping pods and they are awesome only thing is you need time to use them and we've all forgotten how to take time out for ourselves to relax- me included! The gym costs $27 per week and for me that's a lot as I am quite a bargain chaser... But I think this place is WORTH it! Love everything everyone has said about this place, only wish it was closer to home or open 24hrs! Really the stand out are the staff, Richard Branson knows what he is doing cos the staff are always happy and always extremely helpful. Bonus, no contracts. Joining fee of $179 from memory and you can hold your membership if you are going in holidays for more than a month etc. I guarantee you will not regret joining this gym, it is an oasis in the Melbourne CBD.

Approximate cost: $27 per week

I think I broke my own record for the amount of oysters I could put away in one sitting. I was brought here for my birthday as a surprise and didn't know how much cost but did the sneaky afterwards and was surprised that it was around $75. I expected it to be more! You have everything you want here to eat like a King or Queen! Endless sashimi, endless prawns, endless oysters, endless chocolate fondue and strawberries! Endless everything ! Sorry. I can only talk about the seafood, Japanese and desserts as I didn't leave room for anything else. Try to get a window seat because the view of Melbourne CBD is breathtaking and enjoy even the foyer into this amazing 5 star hotel... Who knows which celebrity you might brush shoulders with on your way to this well priced, but very refined, buffet! The website has some special offers and prices go up to $90 to $100 as of November 2012 so get in before then!

Approximate cost: $75 until November

Eating here is a culinary delight as you get to experience textures and tastes you haven't had before. The waiters explain the story of each dish before it is served and it does seem a little cheesy and over the top at times that I find myself chuckling on the inside. Amazing food, dim lights, romantic. The desert is amazing! Although in saying that our waiter placed a tray of what looked like dirt, he the sprinkled rose essence on the dirt whilst explaining the story of Aphrodite and how the desert represented her.. All I thinking was how I was supposed to eat the aromatic rose dirt! Luckily it was just part of the experience of lifting the senses of smell and he took it away and brought out our actual dessert. The dessert was unlike anything I have eaten in my life with edible flowers, ice cream, ganache and other bits I cannot even explain to you.

Approximate cost: $Fine dining

Owner Ken Tang is one funny guy and I have been grabbing my bacon and egg sandwhiches for breakfast for work for the past 4 years. Great Chinese teas and awesome roasts every day. Not a flashy place but the food tastes home made and prices are ok.

My partner brought me and my family here for dinner and as we had been to the Press Club a few times we had high expectations for this one. I love love love Hellenic Republic so much more! The taramasalata was to die for. All of the food was superb and the atmosphere is much more relaxed. Dessert was out of this world! I want to be there right now and have the banquet other reviewers are talking about.

Approximate cost: $Reasonable

We've only ever had nibbles here but mostly come for pre-drinks before heading out dancing. The atmosphere is lovely and relaxed, everyone is chatting away and having a good time. We've always had a good time here although it can be difficult to get a spot as it gets busy.

You must be here and have a table when the Crown fires go off on the hour, you'll have front row seats from your table and you'll even feel the heat on your face! I love this place in summer as the sun goes down. The food is good and the prices are very reasonable for this side of town. The ambience is brilliant out side on a balmy evening and you cannot beat that Crown fire show to impress your date! The service is sometimes a little slow and sometimes meals don't come out together but it's never really hindered me in going back. But it definitely is more of a summer hang out for me.

Approximate cost: $15 - $25