The best city stays start – and end – at the hotel bar, and they also incorporate a tasty experience (or two) in between. Here are the top picks for aperitifs, nightcaps and gourmet adventures across Australia, from those who know best.

Melbourne

It boasts more than 100 hatted restaurants and a bounty of laneway boltholes, but it’s a sandwich shop in Carlton that currently has foodies flocking to Melbourne. Sangaweech, by the Sooshi Mango comedy trio, has had queues trailing down Lygon Street since its late February opening. It turns out a lot of people are hungry for panini packed with love and salami.

Whether you’re craving a Nonna-style “sangaweech” or have haute cuisine on the itinerary, Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street will put you at the head of Melbourne’s laden table. 

Bask in the hotel’s 1930s charm as you prepare your palate for the night ahead at The Douglas Club. Bar manager Noah Esposito suggests The Skytrain cocktail, which heroes Pisco and Aperol and boasts hints of hibiscus and pineapple, as the perfect “pre-dinner tease”.

Sydney

An eye-catching $800 million build and spirited seagull patrol dogs combine to elevate the dining experience at the new Sydney Fish Market, making it a key drawcard for a Sydney staycation. Prepare to be swept up in the sheer scale and vibrant theatre of this impressive market, where mountains of fresh seafood and a dizzying array of delicious bites beckon. 

After gorging on prawns and waterfront views in one of Sydney’s newest venues, you can jump on the light rail and return to a stylish suite at Hilton Sydney, stopping first at one of the city’s iconic venues. 

Marble Bar in the hotel’s basement is an ornate speakeasy dating back to 1893, which has since been dismantled, moved and rebuilt in its current location. Whether you’re there for mid-week live jazz, or legendary R&B band Brown Sugar on a Friday night, you’re in for something pretty special, according to bartender Aman Karmacharya. 

“You can’t help but look at the marble walls, the artwork, the bar tops, and wonder what they’ve seen and heard over the decades,” Karmacharya says. 

“And then there’s the live music crowd – that energy every weekend is something else.”

Darwin

Known for crocs and rugged wilderness, Darwin also has a refined edge, and you can get a taste of it at Hilton Darwin’s Palm Court Bar & Lounge. 

An icy cocktail in the bar’s sleek surrounds is just the thing to cool your palate after a fiery laksa at the iconic Mindil Beach Sunset Market. Home to a large Southeast Asian diaspora, the Top End is Australia’s laksa capital, and according to Palm Court bartender Ryan Hansen, the spicy noodle soup tastes best at sundown.

“The Mindil Markets showcase the iconic Darwin sunset over the Timor Sea and a vibrant mix of street food from around the globe, live music, and a lively market ambiance,” Hansen says. 

“Together with a drink at Palm Court, they create a perfect balance, allowing guests to experience the essence of Darwin in one evening.”

Hobart

Australia’s smallest state punches above its weight in quality produce, and DoubleTree by Hilton Hobart food and beverage manager Brandon Lindsey describes Hobart’s Salamanca Market as a “deep dive into the island’s culinary soul”. 

The hotel is a short stroll from this Saturday morning gourmet hotspot, where Ma Bruny Oysters delivers the ultimate farm‑to‑plate experience. 

“Their oysters are less than 24 hours out of the water, freshly shucked and incredibly juicy,” Lindsey says. 

Back at the hotel, you’ll find more locally sourced delights on the menu at the relaxed brasserie-style Leatherwood Bar & Kitchen. Start with sourdough slathered in housemade butter featuring kunzea, a native bush herb, and don’t miss the beef tartare, showcasing grass-fed Tasmanian Cape Grim beef.

Perth 

The inner-city suburb of Northbridge is known for its creative edge, and DoubleTree by Hilton Perth Northbridge will put you in the centre of the action. 

From there, it’s a stroll to The Art Gallery of Western Australia, mural-painted alleyways, vintage stores along William Street, and festivals in Northbridge Piazza.

You can also enjoy live music with a dash of artistic flair at the hotel’s Curate Bar, which describes its cocktail menu as a “liquid art gallery”, inspired by the likes of da Vinci and Banksy. 

Bartender Ismail suggests the House of Henney, with its combination of truffled cognac, Jack Daniels Honey, D.O.M Bénédictine and rhubarb bitters summoning the earthly glow of a Van Gogh landscape. 

“My menu recommendation would be our Mt. Barker chicken roulade, paired with the smokiness of a House of Henny,” Ismail adds. 

“For dessert, our pistachio tiramisu is where it’s at.”

Plan your next flavour-led getaway with Hilton.