bakeryMar 21
Pat Allan

Over the years, whenever I hear friends are coming to #Melbourne for the first time, I offer then a list of emailed recommendations. Finally, I've turned that into a little website:
https://pat.melbourne

It's not an exhaustive list of all the good spots - but it's a list of places/things that _I_ love.

pat.melbourne

Mar 20 at 11:44pmWeb
Show threadPat AllanMar 20

I’d purchased that domain for this purpose almost a decade ago. Nice to finally put it to use!

Also, the code's available online if anyone wants to use it for inspiration. Don't get your hopes up, I've just done the minimal amount of work to get something shipped. 😅
https://codeberg.org/patallan/pat.melbourne

pat.melbourne

pat.melbourne

Codeberg.org
Show threadkarolinaMar 21
@pat nicely done 👏🏻 that’s why I got okayplaces.com last year; to put all my curations up somewhere. but I haven’t managed to publish it yet 🫠
Show threadPat AllanMar 21
@fox thank you ☺️ and I look forward to seeing all the Okay Places once you get around to it. 😁
Show threadMary-AnneMar 21
@pat
Thank you for this, I fully agree re Journal Cafe but it's showing up as a North Melbourne address? (hope this isn't too pedantic :)
Show threadPat AllanMar 21
@siftinsand not too pedantic at all! Was a copy-paste error from Twenty & Six - but I've just fixed it up :) thank you ☺️
Show threadwaferbabyMar 21
@pat Nothing in Coburg?! Outrageous!
Show threadPat AllanMar 21
@d I am almost never in Coburg - I can only recommend what I know. 😅
Show threadwaferbabyMar 21
@pat Time to come try True North!
Show threadMark GlossopMar 21
@pat saved, bookmarked and stored in all the places I might think to look for it when then time is right 🙃
Show threadvia unreachableMar 22
@pat what's the deal with this mysterious vegetarian ramen at Cafe Ogawa - can you just ask and they'll make it for you? (and do you know what style of broth it is?)
Show threadPat AllanMar 22

@oddline they've mentioned it on their Instagram posts, so it's not a secret, just hasn't been printed in their menu yet. So yes, you can just ask them - I'm not sure of the style of the broth, but here's a photo.

Do note that you can't book, so it's walk-ins only. When you arrive, you put your details in their tablet, they'll send you a text so you can monitor your place in the queue and can wander elsewhere in the meantime. Sometimes they stop accepting people on the queue (it was 7:30pm or so last night) as last orders is 9pm. Which is to say: maybe go on a weeknight, and on the earlier side.

Show threadJustified Ancient of MoominMar 22
@pat interesting that you recommend Fluffy Torpedo in Brunswick but not A1 Bakery or Tibas
Show threadPat AllanMar 22

@ThermiteBeGiants I can only recommend what I know well - I've only made it to Tibas once, and maybe not yet to A1 Bakery, at least, not in recent memory. My Brunswick knowledge these days is patchy.

I had a decade living in the CBD until relatively recently, so that's why most places are there - and now I'm in Flemington and building up my preferences in that part of town.

Show threadPat AllanMar 22
@ThermiteBeGiants and also, gelato is a big love of mine, which is why there's a relatively significant number of gelato places listed. ☺️
Show threadJustified Ancient of MoominMar 22
@pat Yeah, Luther’s Scoops is a solid recommendation but I’m surprised at Fluffy Torpedo - that place has seriously weird vibes
Show threadMike [SEC=OFFICIAL]Mar 22
@pat just in time for @CuriosityBlue getting here next week!
Show threadPat AllanMar 22
@mike @CuriosityBlue perfect timing, given the comedy festival's just about to kick off too! https://freelancing-gods.com/2026/03/02/micf-2026
MICF 2026 Recommendations

Some recommendations for the 2026 edition of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, as per the almost-yearly tradition.

Show threadMike [SEC=OFFICIAL]Mar 22
@pat I'm extremely aware, heh - this is the first time in a decade I don't have any show commitments myself and can actually go and see anything I want. 😎
Show threadPat AllanMar 22
@mike nice 😁 do you have any particular shows earmarked as must-see?
Show threadMike [SEC=OFFICIAL]Mar 22

@pat I haven't made plans yet, heh - I am on leave from work after Friday and there'll be a fair bit of winging it from there depending on what friends I bump into on a given night.

Always recommend hitting the Exford for the After Party though, it's usually pretty wild and good in the first week for finding shows you might want to see or avoid based on how someone does there, heh.

I'll have Opinions next week, for sure.