Australia Day is the time of year to come together and bask in the glory of all things Australian. Rockpool Dining Group will be supercharging the festivities with a fair-dinkum lineup of food and drinks offerings at each venue. Enjoy a sizzling summer BBQ at The Argyle from 11.00am, with seared snags, lamb chops and a shrimp skewer off the barbie, then get ready for a true blue boogie at 9.00pm courtesy of DJ Tigerlily. All Bavarian outlets (The Bavarian, Beerhaus & Munich Brauhaus) are serving up a limited-edition Aussie-style schnitzel, loaded with beetroot, pineapple, bacon, egg and cheese. Enjoy a Vegemite pizza for $20 at Fratelli Fresh, washed down by a Tim Tam Rita at El Camino Cantina – a creamy blend of tequila and caramel liqueur, topped off with the beloved biscuit.

Via Alta Willoughby is embracing the spirit of the new year with an exciting new menu concept. In true Italian style, dishes are designed to share and will be keeping in line with the feast fashion showcasing familiar Italian flavours and ingredients. The venue will step away from the traditional entree/main menu format to remove restrictions, allowing guests to either choose their own selection or leave their dining experience in the trusted hands of Nicolo Damiano and the team with two set sharing feasts of their top dishes. Not to worry, the shakeup doesn’t extend to the beloved blackboard options with daily changing specials and Via Alta signature dishes which will remain a proud feature.

The Australian Open is in full swing but that’s not the only tennis-related event to get excited about. Social Serve is back for 2019 and ready to smash their goal in supporting people with disabilities accessing sport. Taking place at the Lyne Park Tennis Centre, Rose Bay on the 19th January, you can expect a stellar lineup of gourmet eats and cocktails like aperitivo platters and Aperol spritzes, alongside energizing music and a fun day of outdoor activity. Whether you’re a bright-eyed beginner or the next Federer, you can take part in a social game of tennis for a great cause. All tickets come with a free Spritz on arrival with the first 50 signee players to receive a free Lacoste cap for being a good sport. Tickets can be purchased here.

January has arrived and its officially time to start honouring those New Year’s health resolutions. While it might seem daunting, the team at Boost have a new range of kombucha-infused drinks on hand to help. The health elixir is all organic and brewed by Amplify kombucha, packed with probiotics, good bacteria and organic acids which promote good gut health. The new komboostcha range is blended up with the special brew, whole fruit and ice, and is vegan, dairy free and wheat free to ensure everyone can have a sip. Current flavours include berry lemon, mango orange pash and watermelon lychee.

Modern Peruvian restaurant UMA has officially landed in Perth, courtesy of executive chef Alejandro Saravia. The hotel has also welcomed a new watering hole with cocktail bar BAR UMA set to become a city hot-spot for relaxed day drinking, pre-show cocktails and late night socialising. Seamlessly blending the coast of Peru with WA’s seaside lifestyle, UMA puts a fresh spin on Peruvian cuisine, championing Saravia’s culinary specialty, ceviche. The menu takes guests on a journey through Peru, beginning with raw and cured ceviches, seasonal vegetables and Peruvian paddocks filled with high-end beef, lamb, and chicken. Begin your evening with a pisco sour at BAR UMA, head next-door to UMA for a culinary adventure unlike any other before heading back to BAR UMA for a nightcap. Sound like your perfect evening? Be sure to reserve a table now.

E’cco Bistro is kicking off the new year with an all new lunch special from Tuesday-Saturday throughout January. Perfect for those midday munchies or a stylish lunch meeting, guests are invited to select a delectable entree and main to satisfy their appetite throughout the working week. Featured dishes include the zucchini flower with beetroot and haloumi and the vongole and chorizo broth with patatas bravas. The best part? All of this can be enjoyed for a mere $39pp, so it won’t break the bank. If you’re looking for a sweet libation to wash it all down before heading back to the office, Ecco’s extensive wine list has a boutique selection of standout drops both nationally and internationally. Desserts and sides can be ordered at an added cost, with chef Gert Pretorius recommending the favoured buttermilk panna cotta with strawberry and rhubarb.

If the thought of work lunches is making the return even harder, Stuck on You has got the solution. Their new 3-Piece Bento Boxes are designed to get you excited about the simplicity of packing lunch. This nifty design has streamlined a handful of designated compartments for all your snacking needs. The separated compartments make it easy to pack naked food, with some designs offering sections for each meal for an easy to follow experience. It’s time to shift the mood when it comes to preparing lunch on the go, so head over to the website to make your own.

South Melbourne’s beloved foodie and shopping market has made its 2019 debut, running every Thursday night until the 28th February. It’s set to be the market’s biggest year yet with even more food vendors slinging their delights from roving food trucks and impressive marquees. To amp up the atmosphere, guests will be treated to two performances by live bands each night with a mix of indie, RnB, pop and rock. For those needing to work up an appetite beforehand, shopping stalls from the likes of Merchants of Change, TheSuperCool Kid, Lost in Seasons, and #Collaborate Store will make an appearance, showcasing a unique range of fashion, homewares and artisan goods. If you’re dying to know some of the vendors, we can confirm that the croissant queen Agathe Kerr from Agathe Patisserie will be in attendance, along with Fruits on Coventry, Greek Street Food and Happy Camper Pizza. This summer twilight event is an unmissable event for foodies and shopaholics alike so head down this Thursday for your fix.

Saké Restaurant & Bar Manly may be the new kid on the block but it certainly know hows to make a splash. To celebrate summer, you can sip back and relax with $10 spritzes and gin bowls every Monday-Wednesday between 5 and 6pm. $99 bottles of Veuve Clicquot will also be up for grabs for those looking to make it a special evening. Pair these with a bar menu of delicate Japanese dishes for less than $19 and we can’t think of anywhere else we’d rather be spending these balmy summer nights!

The health kick is in full swing at Three Blue Ducks, with their Rosebery outlet making 2019 the year of eating your greens (in the tastiest way possible). Start your mornings on the right foot with their breakfast offerings including avocado toast or a breakfast poke bowl with a green juice or green tea all for just $15. You can stay true to your 2019 goals of eating better and saving money all in the one place, so drop by on your way to work or on your Saturday morning stroll for a delicious fix that’ll leave you filling full and fulfilled.

Japanese wagyu beef has officially landed down under to the delight of hatted and fine dining restauranteurs across the nation. Retailing for a whopping $500 a kilogram, the cut has been fairly described as the “Rolls Royce of beef”, with the unrivaled flavours and texture now accessible to try in Australia. Wagyu requires that the cattle are born and raised domestically in Japan, with the animals care and wellbeing of the upmost importance. Japanese livestock exporters are excited to work closely with Australian farmers to grow the existing market for wagyu, offering diners the opportunity to experience wagyu from all over the world.

Returning in full force for its 13th year, the Wairarapa Wines Harvest Festival will be taking place on the 9th March 2019 in New Zealand’s Pinot Noir capital. Unsurprisingly, the festival is a popular event on the summer calendar, drawing inquisitive crowds keen to sample the area’s top drops and regional produce. Set against the backdrop of the Ruamahunga River in the Gladstone wine region, there’s no better placed to champion the efforts of local winemakers and producers. Vineyards will pair up with regional restaurants to create outstanding dishes that compliment each other perfectly. This year will have a greater focus on entertainment throughout the day, featuring live music and artistic displays which cater to all tastes. Only 1 hr and 15 from Wellington, the festival is the perfect day out with a chance to meet the makers, sample the fare and enjoy the summer sun.

Tennis and drink lovers rejoice, the Canadian Club Racquet Club is returning to the Australian Open at Birrarung Marr for its fourth year! This is Melbourne’s perfect clubhouse, serving up thirst-quenching drinks to be enjoyed in a lively atmosphere. For those watching the waistline this summer, Canadian Club has recently released a zero sugar offering, meaning you can use up the excess calories at the Huxtaburger and Hunky Dory food pop-ups! With local DJs hitting the decks an an after party at The Emerson on the 19th January, it’s the ultimate spot to catch all the live sporting action. The event is running from the 14-27th January.