1. Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery – Bellbrae, Great Ocean Road

Perched along the iconic coastal route, this beloved spot welcomes visitors with handcrafted chocolates, freshly churned ice creams, and a touch of countryside charm. Set within lush gardens, the venue features a café, retail store, and hands-on chocolate-making classes—a true treat for both kids and grown-ups.

2. The Timboon Ice Creamery – Timboon, Great Ocean Road Region

A long-time family favourite, Timboon Ice Creamery is known for its small-batch scoops made with fresh local milk and cream. With 24 flavours to choose from and a relaxed, family-friendly vibe, it’s the perfect pit stop on a road trip through Victoria’s hinterland.

3. Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery – Yarra Glen, Yarra Valley

Nestled among rolling vineyards, this destination blends indulgence with scenic charm. Guests can enjoy complimentary tastings, watch chocolatiers at work, and savour house-made ice creams while taking in the valley views. It’s a sweet escape for families, couples, and anyone craving a little luxury.

4. Pidapipó Gelateria – Carlton & Melbourne CBD

A Melbourne institution, Pidapipó is all about artisanal gelato made in small batches using seasonal ingredients. With playful flavours and an upbeat vibe, it captures the joy of Italian gelato culture with a distinctly Melbourne twist.

5. Gelato Messina – Fitzroy, Melbourne

Known for pushing the boundaries of flavour, Gelato Messina is a cult favourite that has become synonymous with inventive gelato. Each creation is made entirely from scratch—from the base to the mix-ins—delivering an authentic and experimental take on Italian dessert craftsmanship.

6. Agathé Pâtisserie Petite – Royal Arcade, Melbourne CBD

Tucked inside Melbourne’s historic Royal Arcade, Agathé Pâtisserie is a haven for lovers of classic French baking. From buttery croissants to airy éclairs and exquisite fruit tarts, every creation showcases the artistry of Parisian pastry-making right in the city’s heart.

7. Tipo 00 – Melbourne CBD
For a refined finish to an Italian meal, Tipo 00’s signature “tipomisu” is a must. This sophisticated take on the classic tiramisu layers rich mascarpone with espresso and chocolate, capturing Melbourne’s love for elevated simplicity and indulgent flavour.

From creamy scoops and rich truffles to flaky pastries and coffee-soaked desserts, Victoria’s dessert scene is pure celebration. This World Dessert Day, indulge in something sweet and discover why Victoria continues to set the bar for culinary creativity and craftsmanship.

Meliá Pattaya Hotel is reimagining the city’s dining scene with a global culinary line-up that combines authenticity, creativity, and sustainability. From Cantonese fine dining to Nikkei fusion and Mediterranean-inspired beachfront fare, the resort’s diverse restaurants are redefining what it means to dine at an urban resort on Thailand’s Eastern Seaboard.

“Authenticity is at the heart of everything we do,” said Peter Laird, Director of Food & Beverage at Meliá Pattaya. “Each restaurant has its own story, but all share the same values, respect for ingredients, creativity rooted in tradition, and a commitment to genuine hospitality.”

At the heart of the resort’s offerings is Yitong, a modern Chinese restaurant and sky bar where Cantonese finesse meets Sichuan spice. Its menu celebrates the art of shared dining, featuring traditional wood-smoked Peking Duck, hand-crafted Dim Sum, and Sichuan hot and sour seafood soup. The focus on local produce, from Royal Project vegetables to freshly caught seafood reflects a wellness-inspired approach to cuisine. Signature cocktails like Kuaile De (gin, goji berry, honey, cava) and refreshing mocktails such as Year of the Snake (kiwi, lemongrass, pear) complement the experience, all enjoyed against panoramic views of Pattaya Bay.

Bringing a cosmopolitan twist to the resort’s culinary story, DEN introduces Pattaya to the vibrant world of Japanese-Peruvian Nikkei cuisine, one of the most exciting global dining trends. The menu combines Japanese precision with Latin flair, offering dishes like tiradito with yuzu and aji amarillo, miso-marinated cod with quinoa salad, and matcha tres leches. With its playful yet precise approach, DEN captures the essence of modern fusion done right.

For those craving local flavours, Sanehh Sarae celebrates Thailand’s coastal and countryside tastes. Drawing inspiration from Bang Saray’s fishing villages and the spice gardens of the East, the restaurant features classics such as green curry with river prawns, crispy soft-shell crab with chili jam, and tom yum seafood made from the morning’s fresh catch.

Down by the beach, Lay Beach Club brings the relaxed rhythm of the Mediterranean to Pattaya’s shores. Guests can enjoy seafood paella, burrata with heirloom tomatoes, and hand-shucked oysters with shallot mignonette, paired with cocktails like the Blue Tides (vodka, coconut, pandan syrup, blue coconut foam) and The Wave Rider (gin, rose syrup, aloe, lime). The setting, combined with its seasonal, ingredient-led menu, offers an indulgent yet laid-back coastal dining experience.

Meliá Pattaya’s commitment to sustainability shines through every aspect of its culinary program. The resort emphasises local sourcing, waste reduction, and composting initiatives while partnering with regional farmers and fishers to ensure responsible operations.

“We’re constantly expanding our plant-based offerings and sourcing as locally as possible,” added Laird. “It’s not just about taste, it’s about ensuring that every meal we serve supports our community and reflects a more mindful approach to modern hospitality.”

With each restaurant offering its own story, from the skyline views at Yitong and the global flair of DEN to the Mediterranean charm of Lay Beach Club, Meliá Pattaya has positioned itself as one of the region’s most exciting culinary destinations, bringing the world’s flavours together under one roof.

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi’s acclaimed ‘Rendez-vous’ dining series returns this month with an exclusive two-night collaboration between two culinary masters. Chef Takagi Kazuo of the 2-Michelin-starred Kyoto Cuisine TAKAGI in Japan will join forces with Le Beaulieu’s Chef de Cuisine Charles Degrendele to present a refined four-hands dinner that blends Kyoto artistry with classic French haute cuisine.

Renowned for his mastery of Kyo-ryori, the traditional cuisine of Kyoto, Chef Takagi has held two Michelin stars for 15 consecutive years. His signature style focuses on balance, purity, and seasonal expression, offering an experience that is as elegant as it is thoughtful. The special menu at Le Beaulieu will highlight this refined approach, paired seamlessly with French techniques and ingredients selected by Chef Charles.

Guests can look forward to exquisite creations such as Sushi bonbon (tuna, salmon, dill), Crabe (Vietnamese crab, Hokkaido scallop, dashi jelly, kikuna), Poulet Jaune (French yellow chicken “Albufeira,” smoked potatoes, quenelles, roasted jus), Boeuf (Wagyu beef tenderloin, bamboo shoot, dashi, Japanese pepper sauce), and Îles flottante (vanilla custard, baked egg whites, salted caramel).

The exclusive dinners will take place on October 31 and November 1, from 6:00 PM to 10:30 PM at Le Beaulieu. Accor+ Explorer members can enjoy 10% off the dinner menu and 15% off wine pairings. As seating is limited, advance reservations are strongly recommended.

Le Beaulieu, the hotel’s flagship restaurant with a 124-year legacy, is celebrated for its contemporary French fine dining rooted in tradition and quality. Its ‘Rendez-vous’ series, launched in May last year, showcases Michelin-star guest chefs collaborating with Chef Degrendele to craft memorable culinary experiences, making it one of Hanoi’s most sought-after dining events.

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi also continues to earn international recognition. The MICHELIN Guide recently named it one of only 13 hotels in Vietnam to receive the prestigious MICHELIN Key distinction, noting its timeless heritage and world-class dining.

As the Rendez-vous series returns, this collaboration between Kyoto and Parisian culinary finesse reaffirms Metropole Hanoi’s standing as a destination where gastronomy, art, and culture harmoniously meet.