HOT SPOTS in Carlton, Melbourne (inner north)

Abla's Lebanese Restaurant - 109 Elgin St. Ph: 9347 0006

Balzari - 130 Lygon St. Good Italian food in a street with plenty of mediocre Italian. Ph: 9639 9383

Birdie Num Nums - 754 Nicholson St, North Carlton. Excellent inexpensive food. Ph: 9380 1950

Brunetti - 198 Faraday St. A sensational place for coffee, cake, breakfast. Ph: 9347 2801

Cafe Zum Zum - 645 Rathdowne St. Good middle eastern food. Ph: 9348 0455

Chin Chin's at Koto Moon - 647 Rathdowne St Carlton North. Ph: 9349 4545. Great Thai curries, and other Asian dishes.

Doc - 295 Drummond St. Great pizza. Ph: 9347 2998 (They don't take reservations)

Esposito - 162 Elgin St. Excellent seafood dishes and bar. Ph: 9347 9838

Jimmy Watson's Wine Bar - 333 Lygon St. An institution. Ph: 9347 3985

Koko Black - 167 Lygon St. Delectable chocolate. Ph: 9349 2775 www.kokoblack.com

La Luna - 320 Rathdowne St, North Carlton. Cured meat, rabbit sausages, grass fed bee. Ph: 9349 4888

La Porchetta - 392 Rathdowne St. The original restaurant. Ph: 9347 8906

Lemongrass - 176 Lygon St. Good quality Thai food. Ph: 9662 2244

Lygon Foodstore - 263 Lygon St. Serves some of the best coffee in Melbourne. Ph: 9347 6279

Mrs Jones - Drummond St. Good food, not cheap. Ph: 9347 3312

Nyonya Malaysian Restaurant - 191 Lygon St. Ph: 9347 8511

Rathdowne Street Food Store - 817 Rathdowne St. Great food, pastries, atmosphere and food to go. Ph: 9347 4064

Shakahari Vegetarian Restaurant - 201 Faraday St. An institution. Ph: 9347 3848

Toto's Pizza House - 101 Lygon St. Another old timer. Ph: 9347 1888

Via Veneto Restaurant - 234 Lygon St. Ph: 9663 3151