Widely regarded as the cultural capital of Australia, there’s always plenty to do in Melbourne – whether you’re a local looking to see more of your own city, or an interstate dweller on a trip down south.

While you can find boutique hotels, avo toast, shopping centres and manicured gardens in most cities, there are certain places and activities that are quintessentially Melbourne. Here’s how we would spend a jam-packed weekend getting the most out of the city.

Day one

Ask a Melburnian how to start your morning and they’ll likely steer you towards their personal favourite of Melbourne’s many cafes. If you’re also after a pastry with your caffeine, be sure to hit up Lune (the signature croissants are worth the line to get in, we promise). The flagship store is in a converted warehouse in Fitzroy (you can’t get more Melbourne than that), but if you’re in the CBD, you can also pop into the sleek Collins Street location. The menu is condensed, but all the favourites are still there –like pains au chocolat, almond or ham and Gruyere croissants, and sugary lemon-curd cruffins.

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Still hungry? Us too. For brunch (or second brekkie), head to Raya for modern and imaginative cakes and pastries inspired by Malaysian, Singaporean and Indonesian cuisines. The crowd-pleasing ondeh cookie is a sweet green morsel made with pandan cookie dough and palm sugar, and covered in coconut.

Now you’re fed, it’s time to discover some of the city’s lesser known cultural attractions. Located in the heart of Melbourne’s Chinatown, take a tour of the Museum of Chinese Australian History to learn more about the rich heritage of Australia’s Chinese community. It’s spread out across five floors, with highlights like the world’s biggest processional dragon (or dai loong).

The museum is also a good starting point for a walking tour of Chinatown. Book a guided tour or follow your nose and meander through the historic laneways, taking in the Victorian buildings (once home to clubrooms, cabinet makers and lodging houses) and vibrant archways, as well as the scents of yum cha restaurants, dumpling houses, hotpot joints and more.

After a day of walking around the city, you might want a seat – and a drink. Getting into the late arvo, it’s also a great time to check into your hotel for the night. Next Hotel on Little Collins Street is part of Hilton’s Curio Collection, a set of hand-picked boutique hotels in some of the world’s most sought-after destinations. Each one offers a unique personality and architecture, and world-class dining experiences to match.

Upstairs you’ll find La Madonna, Next Hotel’s restaurant and bar. Perched on the third level, it’s a good spot to watch the city light up and enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail. You can also try a gin cocktail flight created in collaboration with Melbourne Gin Co and inspired by the city. If you’re ready to settle in for the night, order a selection of small plates or go big with aged porterhouse steak with black-garlic butter.

Otherwise, head back out on the town, starting with a short stroll to Sunda on Punch Lane. Here, the pan-Asian menu takes cues from Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. Then, end the night at Her, a late-night, five-storey venue with a ground-floor bar, the vibey Music Room listening bar, and a buzzing rooftop with views across the city.

Day 2

Once you’re ready to tackle your second outing in the city, a short walk downstairs will lead you to Ingresso, a street-side outpost for La Madonna, slinging everything you might need the morning after a big day (and night). There’s coffee, of course, as well as house-made cakes and pastries, and hefty sangas to keep you going for the rest of the morning – from a classic bacon and egg roll to chef Adrian Li’s signature Hainanese rooster roll, with free-range chicken poached in tangy ginger and spring onion, served in a hotdog bun with cucumber, chilli and dashi sauce.

It wouldn’t be a trip to Melbourne without a touch of retail therapy (even if it is just window shopping). Yes, you can shop anywhere, but there’s something luxurious about Melbourne retail – especially at the top end of Collins Street, affectionately known as Melbourne’s “Paris end”. Those with an affinity for high-end luxury can hit up outposts for leading fashion labels including Dion Lee, Golden Goose, Anna Thomas, YSL, Moncler and more. Conveniently, it’s just a short walk around the corner from Next Hotel.

And if you’re keen to absorb more culture, check out the nearby Tolarno Galleries on the corner of Little Collins and Exhibition streets. It’s a Melbourne institution in the 1930s-era Centenary Hall building, featuring regular exhibitions of leading contemporary Australian artists.

We’re almost at the end of your weekend. Soak up your final hours in Melbourne with a drink at Caretaker’s Cottage, a tiny bar in a former bluestone worker’s cottage in the heart of the CBD. There’s always a lively crowd, and the venue has a relaxed British pub vibe. Whether it’s with a classic cocktail or a pint of Guinness, it’s time to toast the end of your eventful weekend in Melbourne.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Hilton.