Where to find Melbournians in their natural habitat?
The ‘burbs is where it’s at. The Queen Victoria Market, located just outside the north-west corner of Melbourne’s CBD, attracts tourists from far and wide. But in the nearby streets of North Melbourne, a plethora of local eateries beckon.
1. Otherside Coffee
Start your day with one of the best coffees in town. Hidden down one of North Melbourne’s ubiquitous laneways, Otherside sits in the corner of an old warehouse. I’ve tried many coffees from the surrounding cafes, and Otherside is top of the list. I’m surprised they’re not busier, but it suits me!
Offering takeaway coffee and toasties, it’s a quiet morning moment, served with a smile. I love the Truffle Mushroom toastie; there’s just enough truffle flavour shining through, without it being too overwhelming. With three pocket parks all within a 5-minute walk, you can relax and enjoy your coffee and toastie while people-watching.
Weekdays: 7am – 2pm, weekends: 8am – 2pm
2. Small Batch Roasting Co.
Just a short stroll across Howard Street and down another laneway, and you will arrive at Small Batch Roasting Co. They have daily coffee blends, as well as a selection of beans to take home. My go-to is the Golden Ticket roast, which is full-bodied and smooth.
The cabinet offers a select choice of pastries. I am partial to their canelés and wattleseed pain au chocolats. After 11am their display fills with fresh sandwiches, perfect for an easy lunch-time bite. There are a few benches and seats to enjoy your treats onsite, or head to a nearby park.
On your way to a picnic or afternoon soiree? Their fridge features local wines and beers. We love grabbing a bottle to take to the local park to enjoy with friends. They also stock a few deli items like local cheeses and Melbourne-produced Acide pickled goodies (the bread and butter zucchini is a must try!).
Weekdays: 7:30am – 4pm, Saturday: 8am – 2pm
3. Austro Bakery
Austro Bakery is an out-of-the-way artisan bakery, hidden down a quiet, residential street, three blocks from North Melbourne’s high street, Errol Street. They are only open from 8am – 1pm on Fridays and Saturdays so you need to plan your trip as they can sell out fast.
From the moment you step inside, you’ll see why it’s a top spot. There is an endless array of savoury and sweet baked goods, from elegantly decorated cupcakes and Vienna coffee scrolls to lemon and ricotta-infused tarts and a towering rack of ever-changing, sweet and savoury focaccias. With a seasonal menu, it’s hard to have a repeat fave but I have loved everything I’ve had.
Pull up a chair in the sunshine when you can’t wait to devour, or takeaway a tray (or two!) of deliciousness. It is well worth the detour.
Friday and Saturday: 8am – 1pm
4. Whitebark Wine
A glass of wine and sharable snacks is my preferred way to spend an afternoon or evening. It’s a great way to sample several dishes in a social, relaxed atmosphere. Three of my favourite places to do this are Whitebark Wine, Boire and Sakedokoro Namara.
Whitebark Wine is owned by local legends Sandra and Josh. Sandra, a trained sommelier, is immensely knowledgeable about wine. Alongside the familiar chardonnay and pinot noir, you’ll find chenin blanc and nebbiolo. If you’re not sure which to choose, she’ll happily explain the tasting notes.
The food is all about local produce, often from within the state, as well as from around Australia and New Zealand. Kangaroo, wallaby, and Murray cod are often featured on their ever-changing menu, along with a variety of Long Paddock’s amazing cheeses.
My favourite dishes are any with cheese (I’m a simple gal), and I’m quite partial to the kangaroo options. If you want to round the night out with a sweet treat, their Milo biscuit cake is the perfect finish.
Monday (Limited menu): 4pm – 11pm, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday: 4pm – 11pm, Saturday & Sunday: 3pm – 11pm
5. Boire
Around the corner from Whitebark, is Boire. Like Whitebark, their focus is on locally farmed and fished produce. They serve small plates during the evenings, but are also open for lunch a few days a week, serving daily changing sandwiches.
The menu is Mauritian-inspired, thanks to the heritage of the chef Nagesh Seethiah. It’s a contemporary take, served through fresh, local Australian produce. Boire is the casual little sister to the more sophisticated Manzé, located right across the road, which serves a more comprehensive set menu.
Boire’s menu has rotating weekly specials, as well as seasonal changes. Dishes I’d go back for seconds of include their house-pickled olives (a unique but morish combination of turmeric, chilli, and garlic with pickled onions), oysters with a green chilli mignonette, and their crispy school prawns.
Monday to Saturday: 12pm to 3pm, 5pm – late
6. Sakedokoro Namara
Sandwiched between an upmarket Korean chicken joint and a speciality coffee shop, it is easy to miss Sakedokoro’s minimalist frontage.
As you enter, the wall of sake bottles above the bar seems never-ending. Their sake flight is a great idea for those who aren’t sure which type of sake they prefer or just want to taste a range of flavours. The bar staff will happily guide you to a drink to suit your tastes. I recommend the sake flight to friends when they visit – it’s perfect for those who are new to sake and a whole lot of fun!
A small food menu complements the drinks. You can choose your own tapas, or trust in the chef and order the Chef Omakase (meaning “I’ll leave it up to you”). As well as tapas, they have ramen, donburi, and a range of small plates. My ‘always-order’ is the grilled Unagi (eel). Tsukemono (Japanese-style pickles) and the stir-fried lotus roots are must-eats too!
Thursday – Saturday: 5pm – late
7. Central Club Hotel
Central Club is a few blocks down from Sakedokoro, opposite the Queen Victoria Market. A favourite among the locals, it recently reopened after a full renovation. Irish publican Vinny certainly knows his stuff when it comes to wine, and his weekly Instagram videos is where he recommends current wines, and talks up the weekly specials, such as Tuesday’s half-price wine night.
Yes, ANY bottle of wine for half-price.
We love ordering a good bottle of pinot noir to enjoy with our meal. It’s a great night to bring friends, as is Thursday night where you can enjoy their steak night special: a Porterhouse with sides for only $27.
In addition to the great value specials, we love coming down for Happy Hour for their $12 margaritas. Best enjoyed with a side of chips, these bold and zesty drinks are one of our go-tos for an afternoon beverage.
Tuesday – Saturday: 12pm – late (Lunch: 12pm – 3pm, Dinner 5pm – 9pm)
8. Town Hall Hotel
A North Melbourne institution, offering genuine, low-key pub vibes. Don’t be fooled by the grungy exterior; Town Hall is a welcoming, comfortable place with excellent pub food. Every time we’ve been, we’ve loved what we’ve eaten, and the drink prices can’t be beaten.
It’s also one of the few places you don’t have to struggle to hear over the background noise thanks to the old-school carpet and eclectic mix of art, paintings and record covers that adorn the walls. It’s great for a cosy meal in winter – the ribs, chicken parma, cheeseburgers and roast of the day are some of our top comfort meals we enjoy with friends.
Monday – Thursday: 4pm – 11pm, Friday: 12pm – 1am, Saturday: 3pm – 1am, Sunday: 3pm – 11pm
9. Pho Victoria
A local favourite, Pho Victoria is an authentic, family-run Vietnamese restaurant. We order takeaway from here at least once a fortnight and when friends drop by for a casual dinner we eat in.
Top picks: We cannot go past an order of the yummy chicken – it’s Asian-style fried chicken with a zingy lemony sauce that we drizzle all over. You’ll want a whole serve to yourself. Other go-tos are the entrée-sized wonton soup, followed by the grilled pork and spring roll Vermicelli noodle salad.
The chicken fried egg noodles (crispy) is a great ‘meat and veggies’ option, as is a serve of the Chinese broccoli with garlic sauce. Service is fast and friendly, yet you can linger without feeling rushed. Heads up, they are not licensed – serving soft drinks and Vietnamese-style drinks only.
Open 7 days: 11am – 4pm, 5pm – 9:30pm
10. Palette.atnight
Palette serves coffee, pastries and brioche sandwiches by day, but at night the small space transforms into a late-night dessert bar. It can be hard to find somewhere that offers quality coffee after 3pm in Melbourne – this is the spot!
Serving Korean-style croffles and dessert brioches, along with speciality drinks, it’s a cosy late-night spot.
The desserts are quite large, so they are perfect after a light or early dinner. We often order 2-3 different desserts and share to experience the range of flavours. We love the Biscoff brioche, honey mascarpone brioche French toast, and brown cheese croffle (trust me!).
An iced chocolate or iced strawberry is the perfect complement.
Open 7 days: 7pm – 11pm
