As the famous song goes, when we were “going to the chapel,” it was time to get married.

Melbourne’s iconic Chapel Street is a long-term love afair for many Australians and a tourist ‘must’ for the perfect dose of the culture capital.

In 1850, one of Melbourne’s original churches was in the inner suburb of Prahran. It was afectionately known as “The Chapel.” The thoroughfare that it was built on would go on to be named ‘Chapel Street.’

Despite decades of ups and downs in retail, and most recently the world’s longest lockdowns in Victoria, this retail mecca that cuts through South Yarra, Prahran and Windsor, continues to reinvent itself with an ever-evolving ofering to visitors and locals alike.

Come with an appetite. The eateries are never ending.

Celebrity TV Chef Shane Delia’s Maha East, opposite Windsor Train Station, opened its doors a few years ago  and the beauty of this restaurant, compared to its sister CBD location, is the ‘a la carte’ option instead of the degustation menu. The food is spectacular.

Chris Lucas, of Chin Chin fame, has his local eatery Hawker Hall right in the middle of the trendy part of town. It is very difficult to get a table at this buzzing modern Asian restaurant, so book early for their scrumptious barramundi fillet. It’s a similar vibe (and still hard to get a table) at the popular Mr. Miyagi. Their salmon Nori tacos are to die for.

At the other end of the street is Caffe E Cucina. You will be hard -pressed to find a more authentic Italian institution in this foodie heaven city. The rumoured favourite spot of local Melburnian Kylie Minogue is a  very small and intimate space, and just like a restaurant in a secret Rome alley, has sexy sounding Italian accents everywhere.

If Japanese food is your fav, Tokyo Tina is the place to head. With private dining rooms and private karaoke, there are a lot of the “cool kids” here. The food is simple and fresh, the cocktails great and the vibe fantastic.

Abacus  Bar  and  Kitchen  and  Rustica are the two hot spots for breakfast and brunch with a very open warehouse type atmosphere with lots of space and décor greenery. Beware – there are often long queues.

For a lighter green smoothie or acai bowl, there is nowhere better than Green Cup.

Jungle  Boy  is  one  of  Melbourne’s,  best  kept  secrets. Boston Sub is a tiny food store serving American sandwiches – and when you enter through the freezer door – yes the freezer – then boom – you land into a New York style bar.

Pubs are plenty – and always busy – with indoor and outdoor seating – and often with live music – including:

The Imperial, The Union or the more upmarket The Temperance.

For the real party crowd, Revolver is THE iconic nightclub of Melbourne. This isn’t for the faint hearted. People continue to stream out of this club at 7am.

Planning your next visit and looking for somewhere to stay? The popular Art Series chain of hotels has its centrepiece – The Olsen.

Almost directly opposite, is the Como Hotel. Back when it first opened, it was the first real plush hotel outside of the CBD area.

The iconic Jam Factory, once a brewery, is now pretty much empty aside from the Village cinemas. It is undergoing a significant redevelopment to create a new retail, hospitality and residential space.

Speaking of jam, it’s the traffic kind that causes the most headaches in the area. Walking and trams are probably the best way to get around.

No day in Melbourne is complete without cofee. Local Batch Cofee – is a standout– and that’s a tough call given the city’s cofee reputation.

The staf are so welcoming and very easy on the eye – who doesn’t like window shopping on Chapel Street? (especially if you have completed my ‘to do’ list and have no money left!)