Drinks & Nightlife
Whatever kind of drink or environment you're after, Fitzroy has it. The streets are dotted with sharp wine bars, dozens of great pubs, two of the best cocktail bars in the world, a whisky specialist with table service and of course, a plethora of small, unpretentious bars. And the best bit? They’re all walking distance from one another.
The Rooks Return
201 Brunswick StGreat cocktails and vibe
Great food pub, good craft beer selection and a sensational kitchen.
103 locals recommend
Napier Hotel
210 Napier StGreat food pub, good craft beer selection and a sensational kitchen.
Black Pearl
304 Brunswick Stits been voted the 26th best cocktail bar in the world (honest!)
Right next door, the Standard is a long-standing Fitzroy favourite. The leafy beer garden is the largest in in the area. The Standard is the perfect spot to settle in with a few quiet beers in the afternoon, perhaps with a bit of live music, and to soak up the informal, relaxed atmosphere.
70 locals recommend
The Standard Hotel
293 Fitzroy StRight next door, the Standard is a long-standing Fitzroy favourite. The leafy beer garden is the largest in in the area. The Standard is the perfect spot to settle in with a few quiet beers in the afternoon, perhaps with a bit of live music, and to soak up the informal, relaxed atmosphere.
At this world Class bar, the focus is on top quality cocktails, and a lively and
local ambience. Its popular, sophisticated and open till late.
78 locals recommend
Black Pearl
304 Brunswick StAt this world Class bar, the focus is on top quality cocktails, and a lively and
local ambience. Its popular, sophisticated and open till late.
Food Scene
There's no better place to take the pulse of Melbourne's restaurant scene than in its oldest suburb. Everything fresh and exciting seems to be happening here or in adjoining Collingwood, from cheerful Japanese joints to sophisticated wine bars. Here are our favourite places to sit and have a full, leisurely meal.
Fantastic bakery with East European influences. Sensational coffee, cakes and breakfasts.
65 locals recommend
Babka
358 Brunswick StFantastic bakery with East European influences. Sensational coffee, cakes and breakfasts.
Le Gourmet Cakes
271 Brunswick StGreat value cake and coffee shop, fantastic service
Bon Ap is different to most French places in town. Chef Arnaud Mallet keeps it simple. Early on there are croissants, toasted sandwiches, sweet and savoury waffles. Later, charcuterie and snacks such as olives and pickled veg, and a full menu and wine list for the evening.
16 locals recommend
Bon Ap' Petit Bistro
193 Brunswick StBon Ap is different to most French places in town. Chef Arnaud Mallet keeps it simple. Early on there are croissants, toasted sandwiches, sweet and savoury waffles. Later, charcuterie and snacks such as olives and pickled veg, and a full menu and wine list for the evening.
Rustica
402 Brunswick StBest bakery in the area
Lune Croissanterie
119 Rose StThe best croissants in the world!
If you want to explore fine dining in Fitzroy, the degustation is the way to go. It runs to $150 per head for six courses, with optional matched wines (our preference) selected from the vast, progressive list. Sunday lunches offer a shared set menu for $75 per head.
84 locals recommend
Cutler & Co
57 Gertrude StIf you want to explore fine dining in Fitzroy, the degustation is the way to go. It runs to $150 per head for six courses, with optional matched wines (our preference) selected from the vast, progressive list. Sunday lunches offer a shared set menu for $75 per head.
The kitchen works with flavours and techniques from Laos, Cambodia, India, Malaysia, Burma and Thailand. There are plenty of crowd-pleasers in the mix, such as crispy pork belly, beef rendang and pad thai. The layout creates an intimate feel, use the well-trained staff to guide you through the menu.
Village People Hawker Foodhall
127 Brunswick StThe kitchen works with flavours and techniques from Laos, Cambodia, India, Malaysia, Burma and Thailand. There are plenty of crowd-pleasers in the mix, such as crispy pork belly, beef rendang and pad thai. The layout creates an intimate feel, use the well-trained staff to guide you through the menu.
One of Melbourne’s best gastro pubs, the cuisine is a blend of French technique with Australian barbecue. Chef Sean Donovan uses a red-gum wood-fired barbeque is used to grill a variety of meat, chicken and seafood with a sensational collection of wines and beer.
13 locals recommend
Fitzroy Town Hall Hotel
166 Johnston StOne of Melbourne’s best gastro pubs, the cuisine is a blend of French technique with Australian barbecue. Chef Sean Donovan uses a red-gum wood-fired barbeque is used to grill a variety of meat, chicken and seafood with a sensational collection of wines and beer.
Entertainment & Activities
Cinema Nova
380 Lygon StA huge variety of arthouse movies to choose from.
The great MCG cricket ground. All the cricket and AFL action only a 20 minute walk from the front door.
976 locals recommend
Melbourne Cricket Ground
Brunton AvenueThe great MCG cricket ground. All the cricket and AFL action only a 20 minute walk from the front door.
Parks & Nature
World Heritage listed gardens surrounding the exhibition buildings at the end of the street.
235 locals recommend
Carlton Gardens
World Heritage listed gardens surrounding the exhibition buildings at the end of the street.
Beautiful rolling gardens on the way to the MCG, on a 10 minute walk.
40 locals recommend
Old Treasury Building
20 Spring StreetBeautiful rolling gardens on the way to the MCG, on a 10 minute walk.
An excellent zoo, with an astonishing collection of animals. Great for a day out with the family. Jazz after dark at the zoo is a great way to spend a summer evening.
139 locals recommend
Melbourne Zoo/Poplar Rd station
An excellent zoo, with an astonishing collection of animals. Great for a day out with the family. Jazz after dark at the zoo is a great way to spend a summer evening.
Essentials
Coles Fitzroy
95-103 Johnston StJust around the corner.
Shopping
Largo Butchers
178 Grange RoadBest butcher for miles!
An artists market with a great variety of things to choose from, plus coffee!
137 locals recommend
The Rose Street Artists' Market
60 Rose StAn artists market with a great variety of things to choose from, plus coffee!
A busy inner city shopping strip, with quirky shops, cafes, live music venues and excellent restaurants.
32 locals recommend
Collingwood
A busy inner city shopping strip, with quirky shops, cafes, live music venues and excellent restaurants.
Local Activities
World heritage protected Exhibition era palace and gardens.
11 locals recommend
Exhibition Building station
World heritage protected Exhibition era palace and gardens.
Melbourne Museum is around the corner, located in the Carlton Gardens. It is the largest museum in the Southern Hemisphere, and is consistently ranked as one of the most popular tourist attractions in Australia.
162 locals recommend
Melbourne Museum station
Melbourne Museum is around the corner, located in the Carlton Gardens. It is the largest museum in the Southern Hemisphere, and is consistently ranked as one of the most popular tourist attractions in Australia.
Cinema Nova is a 10 minute stroll. It is the most popular independent cinema in the southern hemisphere, with 16 theatres showcasing the best in quality indie, Australian and arthouse film. An essential part of the Lygon Street scene, Cinema Nova is a part of Carlton’s cultural fabric and offers Melbourne more films and in-cinema events than any other exhibitor.
321 locals recommend
Cinema Nova
380 Lygon StCinema Nova is a 10 minute stroll. It is the most popular independent cinema in the southern hemisphere, with 16 theatres showcasing the best in quality indie, Australian and arthouse film. An essential part of the Lygon Street scene, Cinema Nova is a part of Carlton’s cultural fabric and offers Melbourne more films and in-cinema events than any other exhibitor.
Melbourne's theatre scene offers a wealth of entertainment, from blockbuster musicals to cutting-edge performances and late-night cabaret shows. Most of the Theatre district is within a short tram ride from Fitzroy, with the fabulous Princes Theatre only a 10 minute walk.
81 locals recommend
Princess Theatre
163 Spring StMelbourne's theatre scene offers a wealth of entertainment, from blockbuster musicals to cutting-edge performances and late-night cabaret shows. Most of the Theatre district is within a short tram ride from Fitzroy, with the fabulous Princes Theatre only a 10 minute walk.