Full of discovery and delight, Melbourne’s laneways tease the imagination long after you’ve put your weary feet up to rest. They weave through the heart of the city: cafes, bars, restaurants and boutiques, throbbing with conversation and espresso coffee. You never quite know what you’ll find around the next corner: cobblestone alleys, old beer barrel hoists and even vats of simmering organic soup. There is the air of Berlin in the street art, a touch of Paris in the umbrella-shaded cafes and, reminiscent of Rome, eateries tucked away in the most unlikely of places. Perhaps you might want a break and cross the Yarra River to Southbank - walk along the promenade, bask in the sun at a waterside bar and decide whether to go to the nearby casino or book a ticket at the Melbourne theatre company.

Locals know that Chinatown is the tried and true place to eat before hitting the nightclub scene. The place simply buzzes, and the well-preserved buildings exude a sense of Imperial China stemming from immigration over a century ago. In restaurant after restaurant on Little Bourke Street, you'll find delicious dishes such as sizzling honeyed prawns, and value for your money. Stately matrons oversee family kitchens serving up age-old recipes. The lighting may be unromantic, the patrons loud, and the service no-nonsense, but the food is sensational.

Seek and ye shall find! Prahran is a treasure hunter’s paradise of vintage stores, upscale boutiques and emporiums. Chapel Street is a one-stop shop with specialty stores selling just about everything. The famous Chapel Street Bazaar has so many curious and vintage knick-knacks that you will feel as if you're in a huge and busy museum. By contrast, at the northern end of Chapel Street, South Yarra and Windsor cater to high-end designer labels and exclusive boutiques. The community flocks to Prahran’s organic markets as a Saturday ritual, while art and film students leaf through vinyl LPs on Greville Street. The gay community also has a strong presence here. Prahran’s heritage buildings like the Reads Emporium and Prahan arcade offer a grand sense of scale and history. No matter your interest, come feel the pulse of one of Melbourne’s most loved precincts.

If you want real parmesan, cut from the block, grated over your pasta with a twist of style, this is the place. Until recently, this neighbourhood was home to the notorious ‘Carlton Crew,’ a pseudo mafia who started their day with a local espresso. They are gone, but the espresso still runs strong in this Little Italy which has something for everyone. Starched white tablecloths, candles, pizza the way they do it "back home" and maybe even a bit of amore. The number of gelato choices will leave you in a state of indecision and wide footpaths, big awnings and a sea of packed tables makes this al fresco dining experience a continental buzz. Even if you’re not eating, it’s worth the stroll just for the people-watching, which, of course, is an Italian tradition.

Fitzroy is an unusual blend of working class roots, hip gentrification, and a robust bohemian work ethic. Along Brunswick Street and its side streets, you'll find little independent shops where local clothes and furniture designers display their wares. There are specialist bookshops, funky record bars, and quality vintage clothing shops where browsing is the next best thing to buying. Gertrude Street is famous for its cuisine and art galleries, but if you want to buy an old-fashioned snooker table, there is a shop for that too. Small pubs still exist, tucked away on the corners of suburban side streets that serve up traditional Sunday roasts. Live music abounds, and the street performers play so hard you worry to tip them would ruin their concentration. Venture to the Spanish quarter on Johnston Street and you may even find street dancing. It is all happening amidst off-beat street murals and the shuffle of a very funky neighbourhood that embraces both old and new.

South Melbourne hosts the city’s oldest continuous market, founded in 1867. Rows of neatly arranged fruit, vegetables and flowers splash yellows, greens and reds along the entire perimeter, where the whole neighbourhood gathers for Saturday feasts. Inside the hall, shoppers hover over the mouth-watering displays of delicatessens and specialty food shops. Further in, a bazaar full of giftware, clothing, and kitchen utensils completes the scene. Take a break to walk the wide and shady streets and stroll along the Victorian-era heritage terrace houses. But return to the market in time for some paella, simmering in three large frypans on the footpath and served straight onto your plate.