Melbourne suburb guide

Naturally you’ll want to start your day with a coffee, so make a beeline for Two Birds One Stone. A bright, airy café serving sophisticated breakfast and lunch fare. Once you’ve refuelled, explore the array of boutiques which extend from South Yarra through to Prahran and onwards to Windsor. Once you’ve shopped ’til you’ve dropped, make your way to Prahran Market, Australia’s oldest continuously running food market in operation since 1864. Today the market prides itself on its wide range of quality and organic produce, fresh sustainable seafood and hard-to-find specialty goods. Then there’s the coffee. Specialty roaster Market Lane Coffee offers a variety of single origins and brewing methods, as well as free public coffee tastings each Saturday.

For dinner, there’s the buzzing Hawker Hall, which offers a menu of more than 50 dishes inspired by the hawker hubs of Singapore and Malaysia – think satay, beef rendang and fried squid. The neighbourhood is also home to swanky cocktail bars, such as Two Wrongs, a lavish venue mixing knock-out cocktails and clever bar snacks, while The Alps has become the go-to for its excellent wine selection.

As for permanent activities, Federation Square is home to the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI). Since opening its doors in 2002, ACMI has cemented its reputation as one of the world's leading moving image centres and is dedicated to screen content in all its forms, including cinema, gaming, TV and digital culture. At Federation Square you'll also find the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, housed within The Atrium. It's the world's first major gallery dedicated exclusively to Australian art and includes photography, prints and drawings, fashion and textiles, decorative arts and a suite of galleries dedicated to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. 

There are countless cafés tucked within the laneways opposite Flinders Street station. Federation Wharf links Federation Square with Melbourne's picturesque Yarra River via a series of historic "vaults" that date back to the 1890s. You can discover Melbourne from the Yarra River on a city river cruise, or hire a bicycle and explore the city's beautiful parks and gardens. Join an Aboriginal guide from the Koorie Heritage Trust for a cultural walk along the Birrarung (Yarra River) to explore beautiful art installations as well as significant sites that date back thousands of years.

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head to Industry Beans for lunch, a converted warehouse on Rose Street. This specialty coffee roaster serves single origin and blended coffee using a variety of methods. Pair your coffee with a pick from the innovative brunch menu. Alternatively, sit outside at Grub Food Van on Moor Street, an eclectic café decked out with picnic tables, a 1965 Airstream van and garden gnomes. For dessert, you can’t leave Fitzroy without lining up for what is often lauded as the world's best croissant (it's worth the wait!) from Lune Croissanterie. Marvel at the state-of-the-art Lune Lab where diners can sample the latest experimental flavours.

Melbourne is considered one of the world's leading street art cities and many Fitzroy buildings are splashed with large murals, transforming the suburb into a free public gallery. Head to Wood Street to see works by renowned photorealist painter Smug or Leicester Street to see The Bogan, a collaborative work by artists Sofles, Smug and Adnate. Keep your eyes peeled for Rone’s large-scale female portraits, which are celebrated around the world. Delve deeper into Melbourne street culture on a guided tour led by some of the best street artists. Finish the day with a DIY bar crawl starting at Naked in the Sky, the rooftop bar above Naked for Satan, and watch the sun set above the city. Move on to Bad Frankie to sample a selection of boutique Australian spirits where a friendly bartender will happily talk you through the extensive menu. If you're feeling a little hungry, there's a menu of toasted sandwiches (known as jaffles in Australia), with delicious fillings such as poached chicken or corned beef. End the night at Black Pearl, a buzzy cocktail lounge.

St Kilda's signature shopping experience takes place every Sunday, when the St Kilda markets take over the Esplanade. More than 100 stalls showcase the work of Melbourne designers, jewellers and milliners. 

Once you’re ready for your next meal, Mr Wolf on Inkerman Street has some of the best pizza in Melbourne. More exotic flavours are on the menu at Lau's Family Kitchen on Acland Street. The tasty treats on the menu include everything from salt and pepper calamari to sweet vinegar pork loin. If you want to make it a meal to remember, head to local landmark Donovans, overlooking the ocean on Jacka Boulevard. Donovans has a been a special occasion favourite ever since it opened, admired as much for its elegant beach house decor as for its superb seafood. St Kilda's bars come in all shapes and sizes, but few are as quirky as Milk the Cow. While its decor reveals a cheeky sense of humour, the bar pays serious attention to both its wine and cheese selections. If you prefer quaffing cocktails, try Love and Dysfunction on Grey Street. Choose between the old-school front bar and the intimate lounge, with Art Deco murals and sink-into sofas. 

There are plenty of entertaining ways to pass your afternoon, from a gig at the Art Deco Thornbury Theatre, an independent flick at the Thornbury Picture House or the Palace Westgarth Cinema, and a quick browse of the new and old vinyl collection at Thornbury Records. Northcote Social Club is a serious destination for Melbourne’s indie-music scene, supporting music acts from interstate and abroad with regular gigs. Finish your experience with a cozy wine at Joe’s Shoe Store, a converted old shoe shop. If you get hungry – order a pizza from the delicious Pizza Meine conveniently located right next door and they’ll deliver it straight to you at the bar.

As any local would know, the only place to be when the mercury rises is the local swimming pool. Brunswick City Baths have been around since 1914 and are still a beehive of activity during the summer months. Alternatively, you can cool off with a nice cold beer at one of the many drinking holes in the area. Union St Brewers bake their own bagels and pour their own brew, while Brunswick Mess Hall is a more traditional beer bar in a historic atmosphere. Thunder Road Brewery is the home of Brunswick beer, an award-winning local brew. While Mi Corazon Tequila Bar offers a tequila and mescal tasting masterclass.

If it’s a meal you want, the food options don’t fall short. Hellenic Republic is a traditional taverna setting with the feel (and taste) of homemade Greek cuisine. All Day Donuts serve a delightful array of donut flavours, from lime brulee, jaffa, and strawberry cheesecake, and Juanita Peaches serve doughnuts by day, fried chicken by night. And as for entertainment, you cannot turn a corner without the sounds of live music echoing through the streets. From The Penny Black, to the Spotted Mallard and The Howler, whichever night you end up in Brunswick, there is bound to be a live gig happening somewhere.