The Time Out City Life Index surveyed around 15,000 people from 32 global, cosmopolitan cities, and collected information on a variety of factors like accessibility to public transport, and even the friendliness of the locals. The poll revealed that Melbourne is the happiest city in the world, and we agree! From state of the art infrastructure to gorgeous landscapes, brilliant food, and a vibrant arts and culture scene, Melbourne is without a doubt, blessed with the best of everything. There’s something happening around every corner, at any time of the day or year. There is something for everyone in this diverse, multi-cultural city of ours, and there’s so much to explore!
As a little ode to this fabulous city that we call home, we would like to revisit some of the unique factors that make Melbourne such a magnificent city!
Fine dining for everyone
When it comes to food, Melbourne is one of the most inclusive cities in the world. You can find cuisines from all across the world. Most joints even carry vegan options, a rarity in many parts of the world. If you’re in the mood for some authentic Spanish cuisine, you can hop into Movida, if you find yourself craving some traditional Peruvian food, hop into Pastuso for a quick bite, if it’s some good old-fashioned barbeque that you crave, Bluebonnet Barbeque will not disappoint and of course, Asian fusion restaurants are a dime a dozen (Chin Chin, Rice Paper Scissors and Supernormal – to name a few of a our favorites). Another notable feature of the Melbourne dining scene is that you can even find Michelin star-quality food for less than $10!
An eclectic fusion of art and culture
We believe that Melbourne is the cultural heart of Australia. Home to The Arts Center, Malthouse, and the National Gallery of Victoria, the arts and culture scene in Melbourne is a unique blend of tradition and cultural influence. If you’re a fan of theatre, Melbourne is the place to be, catching a show at The Edge should be on the top of your list. You can also explore the indigenous, aboriginal arts at the Koorie Heritage Trust, and if you prefer contemporary schools of art, there’s always the beautiful, Heide Museum of Modern Art which sprawls across 15 breathtaking acres. And then there is the mind-bending street art at Hosier Lane.
The friendliest locals you’ll meet
Need we elaborate? Melburnians are friendly, full of energy, and are always happy to help! For visitors, it’s not hard to mix with the locals and meet likeminded people, after all, you’re in the happiest city in the world!
Festival fever, all year round
There’s always something to do in Melbourne. If you’re a festival-goer, you can take your pick from some of the finest festivals that the world has to offer. From curated experiences to larger than life installations, this is one aspect of Melbourne that truly makes it special. With Melbourne, you get more than your average festival. Our festivals cater to different art forms and mediums of expression. If you’re a fan of comedy, attend the Comedy Festival in April, for the lovers of light there’s the luminous White Night festival in February, and let’s not forget Melbourne Festival in October! And that’s not even touching upon the iconic Sporting events – The Melbourne Cup, The Australian Open, The Melbourne Grand Prix, The Boxing Day Test and on and on we go!
Nightlife that puts other cities to shame
From old school tunes at Toff in Town to the underground techno scenes at Revolver, if you haven’t emerged from one of the watering holes like the Laundry Bar in the wee hours of the morning, you haven’t really experienced the real nightlife of Melbourne! There is something to do, literally every night of the week! There are some amazing karaoke joints for the easy-going folks of Melbourne too if you’d like to call it an early night.
The style capital of Australia
Walk through the streets of Melbourne and you will witness some of the most well-dressed people that you will ever see. The residents of Melbourne carry their style on their sleeve. Each outfit expresses a sense of individuality and tells a story. From street style to luxury brands, when it comes to fashion, there is nothing you can’t find in this fabulous city. It’s also home to some of the finest tailoring experiences, so if you’re in town for a few days, the bespoke experience is a must-try, if you get our drift!
From fine dining and art to a vibrant theatre scene and friendly locals with a great sense of style, it’s no wonder that Melbourne is officially the happiest place to be. There’s so much to love with in this city, and we’re so glad that we get to call this gorgeous city home.
