My mate in…
Good vibes only conversations with people from all over about their ‘go to’ places for a drink or food. The focus isn’t on what is fanciest or most impressive. It’s on what people genuinely enjoy and so go back for more. Have a listen and try out the places if you can. Jaz will also create bonus episodes to share positive food and drink experiences as she adventures through life. Don’t expect a formal review. Just descriptions of cool places with yummy food and drinks.
Episodes
My mate Sarah in Brunswick East, Melbourne, gives a shout out to her go-to for stacked burgers, live music, and good vibes: The Beast. This is a bar with all the goods: wings, a soul night, and live comedy.
Looking for other good places in Melbourne to grab a drink?
6. Side Quest x CBD, Melbourne x Beneath Driver Lane
1. Northcote, Melbourne x South Crescent & Kelvin
My mate Tony in Wagga describes his go to place for a dinner out with friends. Indian Rasoi consistently serves up delicious curries time after time and you can even BYO wine.
Looking for a place in Wagga to grab a drink and enjoy some live music?
4. Wagga Wagga x Tilly's
In Amsterdam's city centre, Moak is an American pancake joint with throwback New York hip-hop vibes. Line up for some stacked up sweet or savoury pancakes, coffee, and juice.
You can see the menu and the delicious pancakes I had, as well as some street pictures of my adventures near Maok at the My Mate In... blog.
If you pop over to Belgium from The Netherlands, and want to complement your pancakes with waffles, I got you: B...
My mate Mya in Canberra paints a pretty picture of Rose 'N' Brew, a cafe and açai bar in Tuggeranong. Seems like the perfect place to hang out, enjoy a piece of cake, and snap a pic or two in this beautifully pink space.
Other places you might like to try in Canberra:
Episode 19. Canberra x Salvadoran Pupusas
Episode 10. Canberra x Burns Club (Kambah) & The Public Place (Chisholm)
Episode 7. Canberra x Brew Bar...
My mate Don in Canberra shares with us the scoop on a well-loved food institution. For two and a half decades the same food stall has provided consistent comfort to Canberrans. Every Sunday at the Southside Farmers Market you can get your hands (and mouth) onto delicious pupusas and tamales at the El Salvador food stall.
Other yummy food to try in Canberra
Episode 10. Canberra x Burns Club (Kambah) & The Public Place...
Touchwood is a great coffee and breakfast spot on Bridge St in Richmond, Melbourne.
Interested in trying other Melbourne cafes? You might like Ellis' Belly in Northcote.
Looking for a cosy, comfortable place in Northcote, Melbourne, for a coffee and a pastry?
Ellis' Belly is a relatively new addition to the Northcote cafe scene, based on Simpson St not far from Dennis Station.
Next door is the Art Guide Bookstore.
Looking for other cafes to try in Northcote? One of my favourites is South Crescent Cafe - hear more in episode 1. These two cafes are just a train stop apart.
This time around, I have another Side Quest episode about a place I found on my own adventures in Nashville, USA. I want to tell you about The Legendairy Milkshake Bar. Yes, legendairy - d a i r y. You’ll find this milkshake bar in downtown Nashville. The milkshakes are legendary because they aren’t your standard flavour options, like chocolate, strawberry, or caramel. They are a whole dessert in, on and around a glass. Ex...
Today, I want to talk to you about Flint. Flint is a restaurant on the Fitzroy side of Smith Street in Melbourne. Here, the focus is on fire. The food is flamed or smoked. Think charred meats and smoked fish. This is the kind of place that you go if you want a really nice fancy experience that’s really relaxed and comfortable.
I want to talk to you about Wafelhuis van Hecke. It’s in Antwerp, Belgium. I had the pleasure of visiting this waffle house at the end of January 2025. Winter time in Belgium calls for warm comfort food. And the two things at the top of my list were waffles and fries.
Click here for images to accompany this episode.
Here is a quick side quest episode about a cafe you'll love if you are into breakfast, coffee, anime and painting: Flinch Coffee and Play.
Update: The Flinch team invited us back insisting we try the pancakes. The looked and tasted amazing! They come in all different flavours. We had a lemon tart style one and a plain one. See pictures of the statues for painting and pancakes here.
The transcript for this episode was checked...
In this episode, I catch up with my mate in Brisbane, Jess. Jess tells me about three of her favourite local places:
- A ribbery in South Brisbane called Big Roddy's Rippin Rib Shack
- A whisky bar in South Brisbane called Cobbler
- A bar in Mitchelton called The Woods Neighbourhood Bar
In this episode, I catch up with my mate in Sydney’s Inner West, Brendan. Brendan tells me about two of his favourite local places and throws in some honourable mentions as well.
Brendan’s two favourite places:
- Chinese restaurant in Ashfield called New Shanghai.
- Middle Eastern restaurant in Stanmore called Emma’s Snack Bar.
Honourable mentions:
- Italian deli in Rozelle called Lombardo.
In this episode, I catch up with my mate in Canberra, Thane. Thane tells me about two of his favourite local places.
First up, Thane talks about a Scottish club in Kambah called Burns Club and in particular, The Star Buffet there. Thane likes this place because it has:
· A magical variety of international cuisine to choose from
· Something for everyone and it is all you can eat
· Really efficient staff meaning ...
In this episode, I catch up with my mate Kelly from Boston. Kelly tells me about three Boston institutions steeped in history that are a must-eat when she is visiting her hometown. You can really hear the pride in this episode - Kelly sells Boston well!
First up, Kelly talks about her favourite seafood restaurant called Union Oyster House. Kelly likes this place because of the:
· Quintessential New England seafood expe...
In this episode, I catch up with my mate Erica in Blackheath, the Blue Mountains. Erica tells me about two of her favourite places to go.
The first is Erica’s favourite restaurant called Ates, which does Mediterranean cuisine.
Erica and her partner Martin like this place because of the:
· Sourdough bread from the wood fire oven
· Slow-cooked meats
· Value for money
· Great options for people that can’t eat ...
In this episode, I catch up with my mate Stew in Canberra. Stew tells me about three of his favourite places to go to.
The first is Stew’s daily café choice called Brew Bar in Tuggeranong. Stew likes this place because it has:
· Great coffee
· Delicious muffins (raspberry and white chocolate / blueberry)
· Good service
· Managers that treat their staff well.
In this Side Quest I ventured to Beneath Driver Lane, an underground bar at 3 Driver Lane in the Melbourne CBD. Highlights include:
- Live blues music
- Wide selection of whiskeys
- Candle-lit and lots of people around adding to the atmosphere.
Click here for images to accompany this episode.
In this Side Quest I ventured to Belles, a Nashville inspired hot chicken diner, at 150 Gertrude Street in Fitzroy, Melbourne. Highlights include:
- Nashville style hot chicken and sides (mac and cheese, loaded fries).
- Sweet iced tea with rye
- Atmosphere.
Click here for images to accompany this episode.
I catch up with my mate Ann in Wagga. Ann tells me about a good bar for after work drinks with friends called Tilly’s at 109 Baylis Street. Highlights include:
- Thursday afternoon happy hour
- Good for groups and has cocktail jugs and nibbles to share
- Live music
- Heated balcony
- Music bingo
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