Or perhaps ...

Aix Cafe Creperie 9662 2667, 24 Centre Pl, Melbourne - A favourite place to have lunch, it's cute,cosy and warm. The place is always busy and the service is personal and speedy.

Amiconi Restaurant (03) 9328 3710, 359 Victoria St, West Melbourne - Expect old-style dishes, lots of garlic and enough fuss to make you feel cared for.

Auction Rooms (03) 9326 7749, 103-107 Errol St, North Melbourne

Babble Bar & Cafe (03) 9510 6464, , 4B Izzet St, Prahran

Balencea (03) 9867 4466, 454 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne

Barbagallo Trattoria E Pizzeria 9639 6222, 103 Lonsdale St, Melbourne

Bar Humbug (03) 9642 0115, 586 Little Bourke St, Melbourne

Basement Cafe 9329 8000, 350 La Trobe St, Melbourne

Becco (03) 9663 3000, 11 Crossley St, Melbourne - Popular, well pitched, inner city Italian - very Melbourne. Good litttle bar attached. Mains around $40.

Benito's 9670 5347, , 445 Little Collins St, Melbourne - Benito's feels like an old friend. The menu at breakfast and lunch is Italian, and in the early evenings it's antipasto and wine.

Big Harvest 9348 0066, 151 Elgin St, Carlton - Big Harvest caterers moonlight here as a cafe. Everything from breakfasts to bread based items to main dishes and even desserts.

Birdie Num Nums (03) 9380 1950, 745 Nicholson St, Carlton North

Bond Street Cafe & Wine Bar 9824 1161, , 4A Bond St, South Yarra

Bottega (03) 9654 2252, , 74 Bourke St, Melbourne - The room is pleasant, the dishes are simple but well done, and are complimented by a thoughtful wine selection.

Breadwell 9650 8544, 135 Flinders La, Melbourne

Brisc (03) 9329 6652, , 364 Victoria Street, North Melbourne

Caffe Cento Venti (03) 9650 5621, 120 Collins St, Melbourne - Caffe Cento Venti has it all; a bar, a cafe, an upmarket restaurant and an outdoor area under the plane trees at the Paris end of Collins Street.

Cafe Chinotto (03) 9650 8666, Federation Square, 2 Swanston St, Melbourne

Caffe E Cucina (03) 9827 4139, 581 Chapel St, South Yarra - An institution from the day of opening in 1988. A simple trattoria which uses every centimetre of space well and stylishly.

Cafe Excello (03) 9650 0990, 99 Spring St, Melbourne

Cafe Intimo (03) 9606 0130, 439 Little Collins St, Melbourne

Cafe Italia (03) 9347 0638, 56-66 University St, Carlton - A busy, friendly place tucked away in a little lane away from the Lygon St traffic.

Cafe L'Incontro (03) 9650 9603, Swanston St cnr Little Collins St, Melbourne - A standard cafe but the position nestled next to the Town Hall makes it all worthwhile on a fine day.

Cafe Plum 9329 8867, 193 Flemington Rd, North Melbourne

Cafe Republic (03) 9820 0800, , NULL, 160 Toorak Road, South Yarra

Caffe Sienna (03) 9827 1353, Shop 2, 402 Chapel St, South Yarra - This large corner cafe on Chapel St gives good people watching.

Cafe Sweethearts 9690 6752, 263 Coventry St, South Melbourne - A real stayer, begun in 1987 and still going strong. Very popular for breakfast and with those shopping at the market opposite.

Cafe Vue 9691 3899, Normanby Chambers, 430 Collins St, Melbourne

Cafe Zappa 9699 9333, 206 Bank St, South Melbourne - Cafe Zappa is South Melbourne's lunch time Mecca. Employees of the local arts, film and television companies fight for foccacia.

The Calabrian Ristorante (03) 9347 0777, 406-408 Rathdowne St, Carlton North

Campari House (03) 9600 1574, , NULL, 23-25 Hardware Lane, Melbourne

Carlton Espresso (03) 9347 8482, 326 Lygon St, Carlton - Pizza by the slice in Lygon St served in a smart modern little cafe - good coffee too.

Caterina's Cucina e Bar 9670 8488, Basement, 221 Queen St, Melbourne - Caterina's is only open lunches, it is primarily a businessman's dining room. Service is very good.

c. c. Gaia (03) 9866 7522, 3/4 Avoca St, South Yarra - A very smart Latin American themed cafe as the Cuban salsa pouring from the and Olufson hi fi, tells us.

Centro Ristorante Italiano (03) 9699 5904, 225 Clarendon St, South Melbourne - Since 1975 owner Pietro Caluzzi has overseen this much loved restaurant in South Melbourne. Traditional Italian dishes from Emilia Romagna

Chapelli's Bar restaurant (03) 9826 9516, 571 Chapel St, South Yarra - Spaghetti suppers when there's nowhere else open.

Chez Olivier Le Bistro (03) 9525 2273, , 121 Greville St, Prahran

Coffee Darling 9867 2488, 2 Darling St, South Yarra - Danny Colls (Cafe Racer) does it for South Yarra - great coffee simple cheap (under $10) menu and ripper situation.

Copperwood Restaurant 9347 1799, , 318 Lygon Street, Carlton

Cosi Bar Ristorante (03) 9867 3999, 68 Toorak Rd, South Yarra - It's a busy meeting place for Toorak Rd that centres around its footpath tables and the bar. At meal times the kitchen takes over and relaxed, mobile, dining prevails.

Da Noi (03) 9866 5975, 95 Toorak Rd, South Yarra - The owner/chef, Pietro Porcu is Sardinian and his food is Italian with Spanish and Arab influences. It's arguably Melbourne's best Italian food.

Da Salvatore Pizza Al Metro (03) 9663 4778, 29 Grattan St, Carlton - Owner chef Salvatore Mercogliano is famous for his pizzas - by the metre.

Dead Man Espresso 9686 2255, 35 Market St, South Melbourne

Demi Tasse 9642 3571, 550 Lonsdale St, Melbourne

Dibella Coffee Roasting Warehouse (03) 9329 2973, 19-21 Leveson St, North Melbourne

Don Camillo (03) 9329 8883, 215 Victoria St, West Melbourne - Men enjoy meeting here for coffee and ordering the pasta from a blackboard menu in "an atmosphere filled with fighting and footy memorabilia."

Donnini's (03) 9347 3128, 320 Lygon St, Carlton - Donini's have been part of Carlton for decades. Now in new Lygon St premises the food is as good as ever.

Dukes Coffee Roasters 9521 4884, 169 Chapel St, Prahran

Enoteca Vino Bar 9389 7070, 920 Lygon St, Carlton North - Enoteca Sileno's produce stall and restaurant. Beautiful product for sale and a vast range of dishes that display them.

Fandango 9329 0693, 97 Errol St, North Melbourne

Federal Coffee Palace 9662 2224, shop 22-23, melbourne gpo, 350 Bourke St, Melbourne

Florentino Cellar Bar 9662 1811, 80 Bourke St, Melbourne - The tiny tables support large plates of pasta, and the bar, the elbows of the drinkers. Dark wood lined and clubby.

Florentino Grill Room 9662 1811, 80 Bourke St, Melbourne - A classic grill-room, good ingredients simply but correctly cooked, served by professional waiters

Fratellino (03) 9826 3624, 415 Malvern Rd, South Yarra

French Quarter Patisserie (03) 9326 9099, shop 1, 570 Queensberry St, North Melbourne

Gallery 324 Pizza & Pasta Bar (03) 9827 6066, , NULL, 324 Toorak Road, South Yarra

Geppetto (03) 9417 4691, , 78a Wellington Pde, East Melbourne - Regulars love the old style Italian dishes in this well worn trattoria. The atmosphere is friendly, the setting basic.

The Globe Cafe (03) 9510 8693, 218 Chapel St, Prahran - For Australian cafe food in the funky end of Chapel St the Globe Cafe is the place to go. Good flavour balance in the well cooked dishes.

Grigons & Orr 9663 5192, Cnr Queensberry & Chetwynd Sts, North Melbourne

Grissini (03) 9645 1105, Shop3, 1 Beach St, Port Melbourne - Cosy, warm, casual and stylish, with attentive service, good Mediterranean flavours and a menu priced to suit all budgets.

Grossi Florentino 9662 1811, 80 Bourke St, Melbourne - This really is a wonderful dining room. High decorated plaster ceilings, wood panelling, the famous murals, black clad waiters - it's a classic dining situation.

Hanging Rock Picnic Cafe (03) 5427 0295, Hanging Rock Recreation Reserve, South Rock Rd, Woodend

The Hot Poppy 9326 9299, 9 Errol St, North Melbourne - Reasonably priced food, an ever changing specials board and all day breakfasts are found in this very laid back cafe

Ice Cafe Bar 9510 8788, , Shop 26, 30 Cato St, Prahran - Somewhere between a bar and a cafe this groovy place whith its ultra-smooth late night decor has a real buzz at the bar.

Il Bacaro (03) 9654 6778, Shops 4 & 5, 168-170 Little Collins St, Melbourne - The epitome of Italian style and flavour. A gem of a place, cosily chic or crowded, depending on your girth.

Il Duca (03) 9417 4243, , 132 Wellington Pde, East Melbourne - A long standing business with a strong business clientele, lunch and dinner. The setting is straight forward.

Il Gambero Restaurant (03) 9347 5791, 215 Lygon St, Carlton - Long running Italian restaurant in Lygon St. Serving pizza, pasta and other dishes to the passing parade.

Il Nostro Posto (03) 9670 9939, , NULL, 60 Hardware Lane, Melbourne

Il Vicolo (03) 9347 0444, 50 Grattan St, Carlton - The best and by far the most comfortable, Carlton Italian restaurant. The specials are often worthy of note. Covered courtyard.

The Italian 9654 9499, , 101 Collins St, Melbourne - The Italian has moved half a block to swanky new, multi-layered premises, at the rear of 101 Collins St. Coffee bar on Flinders La, restaurant above.

Italy 1 (03) 9654 4430, , 27 George Pde, Melbourne - In a narrow laneway, off the Paris end of Collins Street, is Italy 1, a small and intimate restaurant

Journal Canteen 9650 4399, Shop 1 Level 1, 253 Flinders la, Melbourne - The new venture by Con Christopoulos (Degraves, European, Supper Club) is a smart modern cafe decorated as a reading room.

Kanteen 9827 0488, The Pavilion, 150 Alexandra Ave, South Yarra - On the banks of the river in South Yarra is Kanteen - a few table and a tent surround a strategically placed amenities block - caters for cyclist, joggers and others.

Kush Bar Restaurant (03) 9826 4677, 427 Chapel St, South Yarra - A happening place, with rear courtyard and sunny disposition in the mornings, and thoughtfully constructed food.

La Notte (03) 9663 6861, , 140-146 Lygon St, Carlton

The Lawson Grove Shop 9866 3640, 181 Lawson Gve, South Yarra

Lento 9827 7541, 304 Toorak Rd, South Yarra

Liaison monaco house, 22 Ridgway Pl, Melbourne

Little Lygon 9663 7011, , NULL, 220 Lygon Street, Carlton

Little Peninsula (03) 9670 2020, , 308 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne

Locanda Cucina (03) 9662 0511, , NULL, 186 Exhibition Street, Melbourne

Lucattini (03) 9662 2883, , NULL, 22 Punch Lane, Melbourne

Luce Rossa (03) 9663 3437, Level 1, Oddfellows Hotel, 33-35 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne

Lucia's Place (03) 9642 0943, 433 Little Collins St, Melbourne

Ludo (03) 9670 9488, 118 Queen St, Melbourne

Lygon Food Store (03) 9347 6279, 263 Lygon St, Carlton - A Lygon St institution. Now you can go beyond the shop to a small, clean, bright area and enjoy very good panini made up from the shop's products.

Made (03) 9372 6429, 60 Pin Oak Crescent, Flemington

Madonna's Pizzeria (03) 9644 1311, , NULL, 40 Crockford Street, Port Melbourne

Mamma's Boy shop 13, 1 Little Collins St, Melbourne

Masani Restaurant & Catering 9347 5610, 313 Drummond St, Carlton - With its big central fire-place Masani's large open dining room is a cosy winter dining place. Good Italian food 'off' Lygon St - at a price.

The Mess Hall 9654 6800, 51 Bourke St, Melbourne

Mezzo Bar and Grill (03) 9650 0988, , 35 Little Bourke St, Melbourne

Mr Tulk 8660 5700, State Library of Victoria, 328 Swanston St, Melbourne

Negroni's Bar & Grill (03) 9614 1319, , NULL, 477 Collins Street, Melbourne

Nick's Bar (03) 9670 4506, 207-211 Queen St, Melbourne - Nick's is not new. It's an old-style trattoria with traditional Italian food served by friendly staff.

Noisette 9646 9555, 84 Bay St, Port Melbourne

North Cafeteria 9348 1276, 717 Rathdowne St, Carlton North

Ortigia 9670 0774, Shop 1, 443 Little Collins St, Melbourne - Mostly take-away this very popular pizza lunch spot at the legal end of town

Pasta Rustica (03) 9663 8125, , 148 Lygon St, Carlton

Pellegrini's 9662 1885, 66 Bourke St, Melbourne - This classic Italian espresso bar is a joy and a treasure. Unchanged in decades and still serving large, honest dishes.

Piadina 9662 2277, rear, 57 Lonsdale St (Behind Bluebag), Melbourne

Piccolo Mondo (03) 9650 9064, , NULL, 240 Lygon Street, Carlton

Picnic (03) 9866 7988, shop 2, 60 Toorak Rd, South Yarra

Pizza Napoli (03) 9654 7127, , NULL, 122 Russell Street, Melbourne

The Pound 9826 1114, 5/ 566 Chapel St, South Yarra - Sit on a crate like seats on a footpath just off Chapel Street, look at the grooviness of The Pound. The service is friendly, sometimes, and the menu short but tasty.

Q Eleven 9645 7311, 303 Coventry St, South Melbourne - Modern cafe food using largely organic produce in this cafe near the South Melbourne Market.

Rathdowne Tavern (03) 9348 1133, 184 Rathdowne St, Carlton - An unpreposessing facade conceals a modern white-painted interior with both bar and restaurant. Italian food - mains under $24.

R. Bar Restaurant (03) 9646 0707, 67 Beach St, Port Melbourne

Residential Cafe (03) 9381 2388, , 499 Lygon St, Carlton North

Sarti (03) 9639 7822, , 6 Russell Pl, Melbourne - A lovely rooftop space with courtyard serving simple but well executed dishes. There's also a cheaper bar menu.

Scopri (03) 9347 8252, 191 Nicholson St, Carlton

Scugnizzo 9670 5622, , 558 Little Bourke St, Melbourne

Sicilian Orange 9510 1051, , 115 Greville St, Prahran

SMXL Little Bourke 9642 8611, 542-544 Little Bourke St, Melbourne

Society (03) 9639 2544, , 23 Bourke St, Melbourne

Solarino 9663 2636, , Shop 7, 273 Little Collins St (Up Howey Pl), Melbourne

Sosta Cucina (03) 9329 2882, 12 Errol St, North Melbourne

Sotto e Sopra (03) 9602 2285, , NULL, 353 Little Collins Street, Melbourne

Spoonful 9521 5212, 543 High St, Prahran - Standard (read creative), but high-quality fare available to eat in or take away at this eclectically decorated cafe and produce store.

Subito (03) 9827 1680, 400 Chapel St, South Yarra

Sud 2 (03) 9826 2277, 299 Toorak Rd, South Yarra

Sud Food & Wine Bar 9670 8451, , 219 King St, Melbourne - Tablecloths and a quality setting give this deep room, with its banquette seating, a sense of formality.

Superfino 030407773754, 275 Flinders La, Melbourne

Switch Board 03, 11 & 12 Manchester Unity Arcade, 220 Collins St, Melbourne - A pair of tiny holes-in-the-wall tucked away at the back of the Manchester Unity - coffee and goodies.

Tamani (03) 9866 2575, 156 Toorak Rd, South Yarra - Quick Italian bistro which has been serving a staple of pastas, minestrone and simple dishes to children and their parents for decades.

Tazio Birraria And Pizzeria (03) 9654 9119, 66 Flinders La, Melbourne

Terrace Bar & Bistro 9098 1755, , The Cullen, 160-164 Commercial Road, Prahran

The Commercial Bakery 8631 5900, rear, 360 Little Collins St, Melbourne

Tiamo 2 (03) 9347 0911, 305 Lygon St, Carlton - Nestling right beside Tiamo Coffee, the emphasis here is more on food, more tables for eating.

Tiamo Restaurant (03) 9347 5759, 303 Lygon St, Carlton - It's still packing them in. The bohemians of old, the students of now, the locals and the Lygon St tourists. Tiamo looks after them all.

Treviso (03) 9670 8833, 4 Bank Pl, Melbourne

Two Fingers 9663 0202, 27 Russell St, Melbourne

Universita Bar Restaurant (03) 9347 2142, 257 Lygon St, Carlton - A long-established business on Lygon Street, be it for breakfast espresso standing at the bar or seated upstairs at lunch for one of the traditional Italian dishes.

Wheat (03) 9642 0288, 534 Lonsdale St, Melbourne

Zucca (03) 9348 2881, 176 Rathdowne St, Carlton

Zucchero Espresso Bar 9866 8474, 81 Davis St, South Yarra