One of the oldest and best butchers in Melbourne, Peter Bouchier and his team, including son Tom (pictured), stock an incredible range of lamb, pork, beef and chicken, as well as cured and dry-aged meats and small goods. They also operate the meat deli at David Jones in the city. The staff know meat inside out and are more than happy to give you cooking tips and suggestions. www.petergbouchier.com.au

Owned by Phil Hude (pictured), this wine store is an Armadale institution, championing small brands, artisanal producers and other vinous curiosities. Take the wine appreciation course (also pictured) if you can: you’ll learn more about the grape than you ever thought possible. www.armadalecellars.com.au

It’s the neon yellow “cheese” sign that will alert you to this hidden gem’s presence. The cheeses are seasonal, aged on-site, meaning that you’re getting them at optimal ripeness. But don’t just come for the dairy products: the sandwich bar is more than worthy of a lunchtime visit, too. hwww.springstreetgrocer.com.au

These cats out in Kew provide high quality, high welfare, free-range produce and seafood and have the locals gagging as a result. If you can’t make it out to Kew, they deliver, too. Sam Canning (pictured) knows precisely what he’s doing. Get in on it. www.armadalecellars.com.au

When Plump opened in 2002, it helped to revitalise Yarraville Village, and in the years since it’s become a staple of the community. Offering good, sustainable produce, it’s a step above your usual supermarket fare and it’s where you want to go to stock up before tackling your next delicious. recipe. www.plump.com.au

Established in 2006 by Paul and Jessica Ghaie – siblings with a thirst for all things fermented – Blackhearts & Sparrows is stocked with a wide range of hand-selected products from Australia and abroad. Everything gets tasted by the team before it hits the shelves, with the small, unique, weird and wonderful their stock in trade. www.blackheartsandsparrows.com.au

Leo Donati has worked as a butcher in Carlton since the early 1960s, selling high quality fresh and cured meats. A bona fide legend of the trade, he’s one of Melbourne’s great treasures and the first stop for the city’s Italian-Australian community when it comes to meat. www.facebook.com/pages/Donatis-Fine-Meats

Melbourne’s first late night licensed cheese shops are the pinnacle of dine-in or take-away dairy goodness. While you should definitely consider going in, sitting down, and exploring this fromagerie’s 150-strong cheese list, don’t forget that you can also just drop in and pick up a selection for you next special event. Prepare yourselves for the best kind of food coma. www.milkthecow.com.au

With one foot in the world of chocolate and one in that of specialty coffee, Mörk Chocolate is something you’ve probably tasted a hundred times before, given that the very best use their wares for your favourite hot chocolates. If you want that experience for yourself, then this is where you should be stopping off on the way home. www.morkchocolate.com.au

Lygon Street, right? The beating heart of Italian-Australian Melbourne. It almost shouldn’t make sense that a French delicatessen should have thrived down that way for so long. But thrive it has, and there’s no question as to why. The girls here know their French cheese inside out and back to front and their foie gras and baked goods offerings aren’t half bad, either. www.facebook.com/La-Parisienne-Pâtés