Guidebook for Collingwood
Food Scene
I've visited this cafe over 200 times. Some of the best coffee (and tea) in Melbourne. And terrific food too. Arrive early at weekends to avoid queues.
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Proud Mary
172 Oxford StI've visited this cafe over 200 times. Some of the best coffee (and tea) in Melbourne. And terrific food too. Arrive early at weekends to avoid queues.
A really comfy cafe with great food and cakes. I love the cherry pie. On cold days you can sink into a comfy sofa in front of a log fire. Open from 7am. Queues on weekends.
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South of Johnston
46 Oxford StA really comfy cafe with great food and cakes. I love the cherry pie. On cold days you can sink into a comfy sofa in front of a log fire. Open from 7am. Queues on weekends.
I love the Japanese-style cafe food here, and the almost luminous sencha They also serve great coffee. Very different to your usual cafe offering and worth a visit. Opne from 9am Sat. Closed Sun/Mon.
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Mina·no·ie
33 Peel StreetI love the Japanese-style cafe food here, and the almost luminous sencha They also serve great coffee. Very different to your usual cafe offering and worth a visit. Opne from 9am Sat. Closed Sun/Mon.
We're right next door. I prefer the Denis with crinkle cut chips.
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Huxtaburger Collingwood
106 Smith StWe're right next door. I prefer the Denis with crinkle cut chips.
Great for a cheap Malaysian-style lunch or dinner. Skewers are great as is their beef randang.
Masak Masak
230 Smith StreetGreat for a cheap Malaysian-style lunch or dinner. Skewers are great as is their beef randang.
They do a famous BLAT for breakfast and terrific coffee in what is a classic hole-in-the-wall backstreet location.
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Cafe Rosamond
They do a famous BLAT for breakfast and terrific coffee in what is a classic hole-in-the-wall backstreet location.
Melissa Cake Shop
118 Smith StQuite simply the best spanakopita in town.
The sister of Mina-no-ie in Peel Street, famous for their Japanese breakfast, green tea muffins and excellent coffee. And the shop that sells amazing Japanese designer homewares. Worth a walk.
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CIBI
33-39 Keele StThe sister of Mina-no-ie in Peel Street, famous for their Japanese breakfast, green tea muffins and excellent coffee. And the shop that sells amazing Japanese designer homewares. Worth a walk.
This is one of the best casual high end restaurants in Melbourne run by my mate Scotty. You'll want to book long before you arrive. Also try his Northcote outpost The Estelle.
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Saint Crispin
300 Smith StThis is one of the best casual high end restaurants in Melbourne run by my mate Scotty. You'll want to book long before you arrive. Also try his Northcote outpost The Estelle.
Very f-ing hot deep fried chicken and natural wines. What's not to like?
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Belles Hot Chicken
150 Gertrude StVery f-ing hot deep fried chicken and natural wines. What's not to like?
A cult French restaurant run by an eccentric Frenchman. It has an amazing atmosphere and sometimes live music. People just love this place.
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La Niche Cafe
67 Smith StA cult French restaurant run by an eccentric Frenchman. It has an amazing atmosphere and sometimes live music. People just love this place.
Smart and fancy with food by local rockstar chef Andrew McConnell. Book in advance and great for a special meal.
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Moon Under Water
211 Gertrude StSmart and fancy with food by local rockstar chef Andrew McConnell. Book in advance and great for a special meal.
Anada Bar & Restaurant
197 Gertrude StAbsolutely terrific tapas. Open Sunday nights too.
French restaurant and bar in a quirky building that is a former brothel. The food is really good and they have a selection of natural wines. Worth a detour.
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Hell of the North
135 Greeves StFrench restaurant and bar in a quirky building that is a former brothel. The food is really good and they have a selection of natural wines. Worth a detour.
Eat in or take out cheap contemporary souvlaki from local celebrity chef George Colombaris. I love the grain salad.
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Jimmy Grants Fitzroy
113 St David StEat in or take out cheap contemporary souvlaki from local celebrity chef George Colombaris. I love the grain salad.
One of the best restaurants in Melbourne. You'll need to book way in advance at weekends. $$$$$$
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Cutler & Co
57 Gertrude StOne of the best restaurants in Melbourne. You'll need to book way in advance at weekends. $$$$$$
The real deal, French crepes. Pretty good too and great value. Very popular.
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Breizoz French Crêperie
Gertrude StreetThe real deal, French crepes. Pretty good too and great value. Very popular.
Love this place. Pam loves their chargrilled octopus which is sold by the metre (actually per 100 grams). Worth crossing town for. Try and sit at the kitchen bar.
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Casa Ciuccio
15 Gertrude StLove this place. Pam loves their chargrilled octopus which is sold by the metre (actually per 100 grams). Worth crossing town for. Try and sit at the kitchen bar.
Min lokal
422 George StA hipster name and vibe. Very popular.
For a drink or food, this has an amazing view into the treetops and over Smith Street. You can drop in for a drink and/or food and it usually has happy hour specials.
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Panama Dining Room
231 Smith StFor a drink or food, this has an amazing view into the treetops and over Smith Street. You can drop in for a drink and/or food and it usually has happy hour specials.
This is probably my favourite burger joint in Melbourne and on Smith St. It's tasty and well constructed - i.e. won't fall apart in your hands. And it has so much more on offer.
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Rockwell and Sons
288 Smith StThis is probably my favourite burger joint in Melbourne and on Smith St. It's tasty and well constructed - i.e. won't fall apart in your hands. And it has so much more on offer.
Shop Ramen
329 Smith StFairly decent ramen and bao. Great value.
Phamily Kitchen
374 Smith StNew school vietnamese.
The European
161 Spring StBreakfast, lunch or dinner you'll need to book.
Try lunchtime, a Sunday or weeknight to avoid the huge queues. Chin Chin serves mainly Thai and pan Asian food. There is a funky bar where you can wait below.
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Chin Chin
125 Flinders LnTry lunchtime, a Sunday or weeknight to avoid the huge queues. Chin Chin serves mainly Thai and pan Asian food. There is a funky bar where you can wait below.
Rosa's Kitchen
22 Punch LaneAmazing Sicilian food. Great value. Nice wine list. Even nicer owner - Rosa.
If you want to try Thai, this is the place on Smith Street. The wine list is small yet perfectly formed. Garden out back. Booking recommended.
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Easy Tiger Smith St.
96 Smith StreetIf you want to try Thai, this is the place on Smith Street. The wine list is small yet perfectly formed. Garden out back. Booking recommended.
Storm in a Teacup
48A Smith StTea. And cocktails.
Trippy Taco
234 Gertrude StVegetarian tacos.
Bistro K
366 Smith StreetEat the Korean food Don't bother with the wine.
Spanish. Yes Spanish food and decent paella. It's a popular spot and worth booking at weekends.
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Robert Burns Hotel
376 Smith StreetSpanish. Yes Spanish food and decent paella. It's a popular spot and worth booking at weekends.
Solid produce and ok coffee from the guys who brought us Birdman eating.
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Backstreet Bar & Grill
152 Kerr StSolid produce and ok coffee from the guys who brought us Birdman eating.
Probably the most popular cafe in Melbourne famous for its soft shell crab roll. There are queues at weekends. But they do also have a food truck you can find.
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Hammer & Tong 412
412 Brunswick StreetProbably the most popular cafe in Melbourne famous for its soft shell crab roll. There are queues at weekends. But they do also have a food truck you can find.
Everything Else
Great for a browse around their new and second hand cookbooks. This is one of Melbourne's best independent bookstores.
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Books for Cooks
115-121 Victoria StGreat for a browse around their new and second hand cookbooks. This is one of Melbourne's best independent bookstores.
Being a space for emerging contemporary artists, the wrk can be challenging. Worth a visit.
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Gertrude Contemporary
21-31 High StBeing a space for emerging contemporary artists, the wrk can be challenging. Worth a visit.
My first choice for pizza locally. There is long wait for takeaways on weekend evenings.
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Ladro Gertrude
224 Gertrude StMy first choice for pizza locally. There is long wait for takeaways on weekend evenings.
It's difficult to find a time when people aren't queueing for their famous gelato. Pam says go the salted caramel. I prefer plain old strawberry.
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Gelato Messina Fitzroy
237 Smith StIt's difficult to find a time when people aren't queueing for their famous gelato. Pam says go the salted caramel. I prefer plain old strawberry.
Chemist Warehouse Collingwood
244 Smith StThe cheapest painkillers in town.
Club 80
Another local gay club right on the doorstep. Open from noon.
Collingwood Police Station
1 Eddy CtIn case you need the rozzers. Fitzroy station is nearer.
Fitzroy Police Station
13 Condell StThese are your closest rozzers.
There's a bunch of cafes, a Children's Farm, a Farmers's Market every 2nd Saturday, the Slow Food Farmers Market every 4th Saturday from 8am-1pm. And you can walk to the Yarra River.
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Abbotsford Convent
1 St Heliers StThere's a bunch of cafes, a Children's Farm, a Farmers's Market every 2nd Saturday, the Slow Food Farmers Market every 4th Saturday from 8am-1pm. And you can walk to the Yarra River.
Shopping
There's usually an exhibition on here and you can browse and buy works from local artists.
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Australian Print Workshop Inc.
210 Gertrude StThere's usually an exhibition on here and you can browse and buy works from local artists.
Great coffee. I love their meatballs. The sister of Smith Street Alimentari, they sell great takeaway food for reheating.
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Alimentari Brunswick Street
251 Brunswick StGreat coffee. I love their meatballs. The sister of Smith Street Alimentari, they sell great takeaway food for reheating.
Organic supermarket also serving some takeaway food such as soups.
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Aunt Maggie's Fitzroy
188 Gertrude StOrganic supermarket also serving some takeaway food such as soups.
Drinks & Nightlife
Grace Darling Hotel
114 Smith StGreat for a beer. Food is okay.
One of the few kitchens in the area open after 10pm. You can order pizza until 2am. There re some great craft beers on tap.
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Foresters
64 Smith StOne of the few kitchens in the area open after 10pm. You can order pizza until 2am. There re some great craft beers on tap.
If you want to try local wines by the glass or bottle this is a great place to start. They also do carry out. The food menu is short but excellent. And there is a garden out back.
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Gertrude Street Enoteca
229 Gertrude StIf you want to try local wines by the glass or bottle this is a great place to start. They also do carry out. The food menu is short but excellent. And there is a garden out back.
Two Row
My friend Tiff runs this great little craft beer bar on the other side of Johnstone St.
Amazing casual bar food from chef Scott Pickett. He also runs St Crispin on Smith St.
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Estelle
243-245 High StAmazing casual bar food from chef Scott Pickett. He also runs St Crispin on Smith St.
The best place to slip out of your wet clothes and into a dry martini. Rated as one of the world's best bars. It used to suck me in and spit me out several negronis and many $$$$s poorer later.
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The Everleigh Melbourne
150-156 Gertrude StThe best place to slip out of your wet clothes and into a dry martini. Rated as one of the world's best bars. It used to suck me in and spit me out several negronis and many $$$$s poorer later.
A grungy old pub made fancy by rockstar local chef Andrew McConnell. The food and drink are terrific but pricy. Also try Moon under Water.
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Builders Arms Hotel
211 Gertrude StA grungy old pub made fancy by rockstar local chef Andrew McConnell. The food and drink are terrific but pricy. Also try Moon under Water.
Don't linger downstairs but go up to the rooftop bar for amazing views of the city and some decent drinks. Food is ok.
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Naked For Satan
285 Brunswick StDon't linger downstairs but go up to the rooftop bar for amazing views of the city and some decent drinks. Food is ok.
This is my favourite pub. Legendary fish tacos. Good cheap booze. And great rockabilly nights. A bit of a walk and packed at weekends.
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The Gem Bar and Dining
289 Wellington StThis is my favourite pub. Legendary fish tacos. Good cheap booze. And great rockabilly nights. A bit of a walk and packed at weekends.
Wet on Wellington
162 Wellington StA gay sauna
The Peel Hotel
46 Peel StA very popular and well known gay nightclub
Sircuit Bar
103-105 Smith StAnother gay club just across the street. Men only.
Yah Yah's
99 Smith Stfamous Melbourne live music venue across the road.
A great upstairs bar across the street. Often with a food van out back.
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Mr Wow's Emporium
97B Smith StA great upstairs bar across the street. Often with a food van out back.
Above grungy Black Pearl, you need to ring the buzzer to get in. This is slick and sophisticated and one of the best bars in Melbourne. Try a white negroni.
The Attic
304 Brunswick StAbove grungy Black Pearl, you need to ring the buzzer to get in. This is slick and sophisticated and one of the best bars in Melbourne. Try a white negroni.
A wine bar serving terrific simple food. You can drink in or absorb the atmosphere of Spring Street outside. It has a top notch selection of wines you can also takeaway.
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City Wine Shop
159 Spring StA wine bar serving terrific simple food. You can drink in or absorb the atmosphere of Spring Street outside. It has a top notch selection of wines you can also takeaway.
Siglo
161 Spring StOne of the best rooftop bars in town. Also stocks cigars.
For late night food or booze, The Supper Club is a late night institution. On warm nights visit Siglo on the roof.
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The Melbourne Supper Club
161 Spring StreetFor late night food or booze, The Supper Club is a late night institution. On warm nights visit Siglo on the roof.
Funky rooftop bar. Think fake grass, garden furniture and bars staff in tennis kit. Sunday afternoons are very female friendly.
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Madame Brussels
59 Bourke StFunky rooftop bar. Think fake grass, garden furniture and bars staff in tennis kit. Sunday afternoons are very female friendly.
This bar really is hidden in a laneway, sister to the Eau de Vie in Sydney. One of Melbourne's best.
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Eau De Vie
1 Malthouse LnThis bar really is hidden in a laneway, sister to the Eau de Vie in Sydney. One of Melbourne's best.
Just opposite, is one of the best wineshops in town stocking a large range of boutique (including natural) local wines, beers and ciders. If you want to try unique local wines ask the staff to help
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Blackhearts & Sparrows
131 Lygon StJust opposite, is one of the best wineshops in town stocking a large range of boutique (including natural) local wines, beers and ciders. If you want to try unique local wines ask the staff to help
Essentials
Family run, quirky and friendly supermarket with Turkish specialities such as Baklava. A great alternative to Woolworths and sometimes entertaining too.
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Sonsa Markets
216-218 Smith StFamily run, quirky and friendly supermarket with Turkish specialities such as Baklava. A great alternative to Woolworths and sometimes entertaining too.
Our huge local supermarket with a cheap liquor shop attached. I prefer Sonsa Foods for groceries and Smith Street Cellars for booze.
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Woolworths Fitzroy
243 Smith StOur huge local supermarket with a cheap liquor shop attached. I prefer Sonsa Foods for groceries and Smith Street Cellars for booze.
A small locally owned booze store with tonnes of different local beers, ciders, wines and spirits. Look out for locally made gin. Cleanskin wines are decent here.
Smith Street Cellars
195 Smith StA small locally owned booze store with tonnes of different local beers, ciders, wines and spirits. Look out for locally made gin. Cleanskin wines are decent here.
Probably the best seafood shop in Melbourne, these guys supply many of Melbourne's top restaurants and also have a retail outlet. If you want fish worth the 5 minute walk.
Ocean Made Seafood
29 Robert StreetProbably the best seafood shop in Melbourne, these guys supply many of Melbourne's top restaurants and also have a retail outlet. If you want fish worth the 5 minute walk.
Gelato out front, providor indoors and down the steel spiral staircase is the best cheese shop in Melbourne.
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Spring Street Grocer
157 Spring StGelato out front, providor indoors and down the steel spiral staircase is the best cheese shop in Melbourne.
A bakery that also does takeaway food - soups, pizza and the pies are a favourite. There'll be a queue at lunchtime.
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Fatto a Mano
228 Gertrude StA bakery that also does takeaway food - soups, pizza and the pies are a favourite. There'll be a queue at lunchtime.
Arts & Culture
Fehily is a commercial gallery usually have exhibition openings on a Saturday afternoon where you can grab a glass of wine, some nibbles, and see some of Australia and NZ's better contemporary art.
Fehily Contemporary
Fehily is a commercial gallery usually have exhibition openings on a Saturday afternoon where you can grab a glass of wine, some nibbles, and see some of Australia and NZ's better contemporary art.
One of Australia's better commercial galleries representing some of Australia's top and artists, including Jeffrey Smart.
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Australian Galleries
35 Derby StOne of Australia's better commercial galleries representing some of Australia's top and artists, including Jeffrey Smart.
Parks & Nature
A great park to hang around during lazy summer afternoons. Nearby is the Fitzroy swimming pool which has DJ sessions on Sunday afternoons.
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Fitzroy Gardens Playground
Wellington ParadeA great park to hang around during lazy summer afternoons. Nearby is the Fitzroy swimming pool which has DJ sessions on Sunday afternoons.