Now, being on the second floor I don't think it's going to win any awards for highest parma, but the sun was shining, the view of our gorgeous city was grand and the pint of Stone & Wood in my hand was ice cold. Happy days. The only thing that could improve this scene? A decent parma.

Back down the stairs we trotted and placed our orders at the bar. I was delighted to confirm that it'd be no problem taking our meals on the deck, so we headed back up and basked in the Melbourne sun while waiting for our meals to arrive.

I mentioned Stone & Wood but there are plenty of other beer options on tap at the Rat. From VB to Two Birds to Mountain Goat to Schofferhofe German wheat beer - There's something to suit everyone's fancy.

15 minutes after ordering I heard footsteps on the stairs ... The parmas were here!