It looks like we've got our first 40-degree day of summer on the way. Take this as your sign to check your air con is working and ready to go. Here's what's going on on a much more manageable mid-twenties Thursday.

The Headlines

• Yesterday, we brought you the best cafes of the year. Well, today, we take it from day to night. The 20 most popular restaurants of Melbourne in 2024 list is here, and some stunning spots have obviously made the cut. If silly season isn’t an excuse to blow the usual budget and treat yourself to some caviar and champagne at Gimlet, then we don’t know what is.

• Speaking of cafes, Brunswick has been blessed with another new place to add to your list. McIver’s Coffee & Tea Merchants, who you might recognise from its current home in Queen Vic Market, has opened at 284 Barkly Street. The menu boasts 20 of the brand’s very own regular coffees with five specials on rotation and a bunch of different teas to choose from too.

• When we do get the 40+ degree days, the last place you're going to want to be is in a sweaty tent. If the idea of a weekend in the bush is still appealing to you though, you're in luck—Victoria is home to loads of bougie glamping spots. Here's a list of the very best spots on offer, from more budget-friendly holiday parks in Castlemaine to some luxurious finds down the peninsula. Most of them are less than two hours away from the city too, ideal for a one- or two-night escape. Despite the luxury, we can't promise anything on the spider front though, good luck.

Where to Eat and Drink

With four locations across the city, Hector’s Deli has quickly become a beloved staple of Melbourne’s vibrant café scene. It's a charming milk bar-turned-sandwich shop, offering a variety of fresh, fried, and toasted sarnies. The perfect lunch pick for both your Richmond work from home or CBD office days, you can pre-order to skip the lunch-break queues—if only more places were so clever. Their merch selection is quite fun too if you happen to have misplaced all your other sandwich slogan tees.

Where to Live

When will landlords learn that there are other cheap sofa options out there that aren’t ugly black leather? Spoiler: a few colourful Kmart cushion covers aren’t enough to mask it either. Anyway, if you can look past the seating choices, you and one lucky friend could bag the two spare rooms in this St Kilda flat. One of the rooms does have two single beds in it, though, so you’ll have to flip a coin to see which lucky one gets that. Core selling point: football on the TV, definitely on purpose for the photo.

Where to Work

Calling all wannabe kids' party hosts—and honestly, please don’t all shout at once. Kingpin is looking for people willing to look after over-excited kids while they celebrate their birthday running around a laser tag course. The main requirement for the job is the ability to be, to quote, the “Face of FUN,” so if you think you’ve got it in you to smile through the squeals, go for it. Handbag essential: paracetamol.

Where to Go

If you’re looking for a wholesome Christmas activity this evening, East Brunswick Village is hosting a huge festive night market. 70 stalls will take over the suburb’s streets alongside carol singers and, obviously, loads of food and drink vendors. Some of the local restaurants are whipping up one-off festive-themed dishes especially for the occasion—love the dedication. We’re sure Savers has plenty of cheap Christmas jumpers (or t-shirts) if you want to really fit in with the crowds.

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