Drinks & Nightlife
Bar None
72 Auburn ParadeIt's small and cozy and a great place for a hot cider on a cold night
Another of my favourite bars - this place used to be much smaller, hence the name!
35 locals recommend
Iddy Biddy
39 Blessington StAnother of my favourite bars - this place used to be much smaller, hence the name!
Ponyfish Island
Bar in the middle of the Yarra - great spot on a nice day
Sister Bella
9 Sniders LaneTucked away bar in the CBD
Very cool bar (one side is an over-priced Thai restaurant. Head up to the top floor of this building for the Rooftop Bar for great views of the city
381 locals recommend
Cookie
252 Swanston StVery cool bar (one side is an over-priced Thai restaurant. Head up to the top floor of this building for the Rooftop Bar for great views of the city
One of my favourite, fancier bars with a rooftop.
http://www.theemeraldpeacock.com/
24 locals recommend
The Emerald Peacock
233 Lonsdale StreetOne of my favourite, fancier bars with a rooftop.
http://www.theemeraldpeacock.com/
Joel's favourite bar on Brunswick St. Head down during the day for great shopping and cafes....
78 locals recommend
Black Pearl
304 Brunswick StJoel's favourite bar on Brunswick St. Head down during the day for great shopping and cafes....
An iconic pizza place by day - busy, seedy bar by night. $4 pizzas!!
http://www.bimbodeluxe.com.au/food_drink
61 locals recommend
Bimbo
376 Brunswick StreetAn iconic pizza place by day - busy, seedy bar by night. $4 pizzas!!
http://www.bimbodeluxe.com.au/food_drink
Arts & Culture
A beautiful old art deco cinema complete with a roof top bar!
69 locals recommend
Village Cinemas Rivoli
200 Camberwell RdA beautiful old art deco cinema complete with a roof top bar!
Classic old cinema - unchanged, un-renovated! They show new and old movies (see poster in toilet!)
145 locals recommend
The Astor Theatre
1 Chapel StClassic old cinema - unchanged, un-renovated! They show new and old movies (see poster in toilet!)
You can access the permanent exhibitions for free. Check out the Great Hall to gaze up at the gorgeous lead light ceiling. My favourite galleries are the 19th-20th century art on the 3rd floor
1736 locals recommend
National Gallery of Victoria
180 St Kilda RdYou can access the permanent exhibitions for free. Check out the Great Hall to gaze up at the gorgeous lead light ceiling. My favourite galleries are the 19th-20th century art on the 3rd floor
Food Scene
This place is an old Metro Fire Brigade building converted into a pizza restaurant with a great atmosphere. Give them a call on 9831 1700 to book if heading down during the weekend.
Firechief
169 Camberwell RdThis place is an old Metro Fire Brigade building converted into a pizza restaurant with a great atmosphere. Give them a call on 9831 1700 to book if heading down during the weekend.
Collective Espresso
3 Cookson StJoel loves the coffee here (I'm a tea drinker!)
Snow Pony
95 Whitehorse RdGreat little hipster cafe!
One of my favourite cafes in the Dandenong Ranges. You can get to Belgrave by train, then you will need to take either a taxi or a bus service to Sassafrass. Allow a day to see everything...
27 locals recommend
Ripe Australian Produce
376 Mount Dandenong Tourist RdOne of my favourite cafes in the Dandenong Ranges. You can get to Belgrave by train, then you will need to take either a taxi or a bus service to Sassafrass. Allow a day to see everything...
I used to live just near here - Joel and I had our first date at this little cafe (their ginger and lemon tea is a-mazing!!)
21 locals recommend
Kotch Lane
49 Blessington StI used to live just near here - Joel and I had our first date at this little cafe (their ginger and lemon tea is a-mazing!!)
A unique little restaurant where most of the staff are volunteers. You pay however much you think your meal is worth. Funds go to the few paid staff and various community projects
40 locals recommend
Lentil As Anything, St Kilda
41 Blessington StA unique little restaurant where most of the staff are volunteers. You pay however much you think your meal is worth. Funds go to the few paid staff and various community projects
This is my favourite cake store on Acland St. It's an old family business, complete with old school cash register! Try their famous plumcake!
41 locals recommend
Monarch Cakes
103 Acland StThis is my favourite cake store on Acland St. It's an old family business, complete with old school cash register! Try their famous plumcake!
Fonda Mexican
144 Chapel StReasonably priced yummy Mexican food
An old convent set in beautiful grounds. Some great little businesses, including a bakery, bar, cafe and gallery...check out the website: http://www.abbotsfordconvent.com.au/taxonomy/term/99
280 locals recommend
Abbotsford Convent
1 St Heliers StAn old convent set in beautiful grounds. Some great little businesses, including a bakery, bar, cafe and gallery...check out the website: http://www.abbotsfordconvent.com.au/taxonomy/term/99
This is a gorgeous spot with a cafe, BBQs and a chance to float along the Yarra on a hired little boat. See website for details: http://www.fairfieldboathouse.com/?_page=4
106 locals recommend
Fairfield Park Boathouse & Tea Gardens
Fairfield Park DriveThis is a gorgeous spot with a cafe, BBQs and a chance to float along the Yarra on a hired little boat. See website for details: http://www.fairfieldboathouse.com/?_page=4
Right next door to Cookie. Delicious, reasonably priced Thai! I know the owners, Lek and Graeme McCrabb. I can't promise you mates rates but they will definitely look after you!
Pad Thai Restaurant
246 Bourke StreetRight next door to Cookie. Delicious, reasonably priced Thai! I know the owners, Lek and Graeme McCrabb. I can't promise you mates rates but they will definitely look after you!
Delicious dumplings!! You'll find lots of young people here - locals and travelers. It has a great atmosphere and worth lining up for if it's a busy night!
8 locals recommend
Shanghai Village 蘇杭名小吃
112 Little Bourke StreetDelicious dumplings!! You'll find lots of young people here - locals and travelers. It has a great atmosphere and worth lining up for if it's a busy night!
Everything Else
Provence Artisan Bakers/ Cafe
919 Burke RdI just love anything French!
Great park next to the cricket ground. A couple of laps of the ground is a great idea for convenient exercise!
William Angliss Reserve
130 Rathmines RdGreat park next to the cricket ground. A couple of laps of the ground is a great idea for convenient exercise!
Shopping
Take the train to Glenferrie station to visit this amazing bookstore with a great cafe, 'Bread and Jam For Frances'
8 locals recommend
Readings Hawthorn
687 Glenferrie RdTake the train to Glenferrie station to visit this amazing bookstore with a great cafe, 'Bread and Jam For Frances'
This is a great music store (specializing in vinyl), with a cafe and beer garden. Live music usually happens Thurs through to Sunday (see website for details)
http://purepop.com.au/IndexFrameset.html
That Burger Joint St Kilda
221 Barkly StThis is a great music store (specializing in vinyl), with a cafe and beer garden. Live music usually happens Thurs through to Sunday (see website for details)
http://purepop.com.au/IndexFrameset.html
Chapel Street Bazaar
217 Chapel StAmazing collection of vintage goods (though pretty pricey!)
You will find an eclectic mix of items here - a fun, lively shopping experience to the backdrop of talented buskers' tunes!
61 locals recommend
Camberwell Sunday Market
Market PlaceYou will find an eclectic mix of items here - a fun, lively shopping experience to the backdrop of talented buskers' tunes!
Target
15 Station StGreat market with a lively atmosphere!
Essentials
Woolworths Camberwell
57 Station StHandy supermarket
Sightseeing
I haven't been to Eureka Tower yet, but everyone tells me the glass viewing deck is amazing! It's $18.50 AUD per adult, or $14 student.
537 locals recommend
Eureka Tower
7 Riverside QuayI haven't been to Eureka Tower yet, but everyone tells me the glass viewing deck is amazing! It's $18.50 AUD per adult, or $14 student.