From a distance, the Waterside looks like the hanging gardens of Babylon, 2026 version. Topping a historic old boozer in green-shrouded terraces, the Techne makeover of the Flinders Street landmark is certainly something to behold. Alfresco lovers have their work cut out for them exploring the multi-venue venue. The central ground floor beer garden is a place to go old school, with Melbourne Bitter, pizza and potato cakes with spanner crab all on offer. Meanwhile, up on level three, Southeast Asian restaurant Past/Port’s rooftop has live music, disco cocktails and on-theme snacks like beef tartare-dressed prawn crackers. 508 Flinders St, Melbourne; watersidehotel.com.au

Cosplay an escape to the country with a table at this colonial-era boathouse just six kilometres from the CBD. Built in the days of carriages and crinolines, it’s since been gussied up for the modern era with a multi-million-dollar reno that installed oodles of outdoor options overlooking the picturesque eucalypt-fringed Yarra. An easy-breezy menu matches the surroundings, with charry woodfired pizzas done the Italian way, a bucket of king prawns with tangy marie rose for dipping and several fine examples of the burger oeuvre. Hire a rowboat after lunch to work off that extra basket of fries. 1 Boathouse Rd, Kew; studleyparkboathousekew.com.au

A study in synaesthesia, this Williamstown waterfront grand dame proves the inviolable connection between beach views and salty snacks. The Basque-inspired menu delivers silky leek croquetas, fried zucchini flowers with saffron aioli and charry proteins kissed by the flames of the custom-made grill. The 1930s Art Deco pavilion has been tarted up into a place fancy enough for a special night out, but it’s still casual enough that flip-flops and small children won’t feel out of place on the broad tiered deck. Perfect coastal versatility – choose your speed, and ballast the boat with vermouth, pisco sours and sangria. 26 Esplanade, Williamstown; sebastianwilliamstown.com.au

There are few better ideas on a sunny Melbourne day than grabbing a streetside table at this backstreet bluestone bolthole. Where the hours will take you is anyone’s guess, although the small plates and small producers ethos is a north star, backed by a wine list that provides an ever-shifting study in the definition of ‘interesting’. Espresso and crumpets with house ricotta and honeycomb rule the AM, while things shift up a gear to the likes of soulful pastas from midday. The always-Shazamable playlist and the spectacle of cyclists whizzing along the Napier Street bicycle superhighway add their own charms. 359 Napier St, Fitzroy; napierquarter.com.au

If Melbourne hosts the Olympics again, our exhibition sport could be people-watching outside the Crown complex, with Marmont as the official playing field. Opened by Grant Smillie – local boy made big in LA – and named after that city’s legendary Chateau Marmont, it inhabits its prominent riverside corner with the brashness of a Tinsel Town blow-in and a So-Cal menu to match the dream of sunny skies. A seat on the terrace is your ticket to ride: crab pretzels, bug rolls amped up with Old Bay seasoning, and a corn bread with peach butter that unashamedly straddles the divide between savoury and sweet. Ground Level/8 Whiteman St, Southbank; marmontbar.com

All four levels of Chris Lucas’ ode to Parisien sophistication at the top end of Bourke are swoonworthy in their loveliness but (sincere apologies to levels one, two and three) the creme de la creme is the rooftop terrace. La Terrasse, as it’s more formally known, boasts a centrepiece 50-year-old maple tree and a ‘last days of Versailles’ vibe, thanks to the peacocking crowd. But who would wish for revolution when there are oysters and Champagne, lobster and leek croquettes, mini beef bourguignon pies and a Le Club sandwich to turn a sunny afternoon or balmy evening into a cinematic idyll? 23 Bourke St, Melbourne; maisonbatard.com.au

Catch the sunshine vibes of tortas and quesadillas in this astroturfed Yarraville cerveza garden and rooftop deck. The lengthy margarita menu – based on more than 50 tequilas, mezcals and raicillas – is reason alone to visit for an afternoon-into-evening session, but save some space for an excellent taco line-up that swings from pulled pork and pineapple (fruity!) to tempura prawns with `slaw and jalapenos (crunchy!) and birria beef numbers for dipping into a brash savoury sauce (messy!) Kids are also welcome at this reliably friendly festa, with their own stripped-back menu of Mexican faves. But you’ll all be wanting churros for dessert. 238 Whitehall St, Yarraville; hotelmexico.com.au

Supersizing the boho-British wine bar has brought dividends for Geralds’ baked-on tribe of luvvies and the newcomers who will be drawn to its un-shouty but impeccably attired interiors. The shift to Lygon Street has also opened up the chance of grabbing some vitamin D in the courtyard, where trellised vines and stone paving could convince the punters (after a few martinis and a vermouth chaser) that they’ve been deposited somewhere near Geralds’ San Sebastian bar. No one ever left Geralds thirsty, but take a hint from the on-brand quail scotch egg with Cumberland sauce: snacking here is highly recommended. 920 Lygon St, Carlton North; geraldsbar.com

The Di Stasio stable is no stranger to good design, but the courtyard at this Carlton pizza palazzo is a masterclass in it. Crunch along the gravel walkway and enter a cloistered world where high stone walls girdle a Vatican-worthy collection of statuary while a 17th-century stone fountain plinks away merrily in the background. If you’re not jonesing for a slice of mastunicola all’aragosta (lobster pizza with lardo and housemade fior di latte) by the time you get settled at a table, check for a pulse. Go deeper into the Roman holiday experience with bolognese-oozing arancini and a bar-raising carbonara. 224 Faraday St, Carlton; distasio.com.au

The glitzy good looks of this glam rooftop eyrie are raised to epic proportions by the retractable glass roof that covers half the space and takes only a minute to close when Melbourne does its weather thing. Don’t be surprised to see staff wearing sunglasses; it’s bright up here on the 24th floor (or is that the general shininess of the crowd?) The menu’s Southern Californian tilt makes perfect sense – fried lobster rolls; wagyu sushi; Old Bay-spiced rotisserie chicken, blue cheese sauce and pickles; and supermodel steaks off the woodfired grill. Just order Champagne, dahling, and revel in the good life. Level 24/627 Chapel St, South Yarra; beverlyrooftop.com.au