Couples walk by the Yarra River at the Southgate Restaurant, Dining, Arts and Leisure Precinct // Couples walk by the Yarra River at the Southgate Restaurant, Dining, Arts and Leisure Precinct(Tourism Victoria)

Tourism Victoria

Couples walk by the Yarra River at the Southgate Restaurant, Dining, Arts and Leisure Precinct

Home to the popular Melbourne Food and Wine Festival which recently celebrated its 20th Anniversary, Melbourne is without a doubt Australia's top food destination with international names confirming their allegiance.

Some of the world's best chefs swear by this foodie city. Author of No Reservations, acerbic travelling celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain once said, 'I'd rather eat in Melbourne than Paris,' while even London-based Australian celebrity chef Jill Dupleix namechecks this culinary conscious city saying, "Every great country has one city that is its foodie heart, its 'stomach'. In France, it is Lyons. In Italy, it is Bologna. In Australia, it is Melbourne."

So, if you want a tip on food and drink trends that are about to go global, look to Melbourne. Here's what's hot in the city...

Read on for Melbourne's top food and drink trends for 2012.