The Brutalist Haven
Food scene
French restaurant for a special lunch or dinner. There is restaurant dining inside, a few small tables outside for dining or drinking and a separate indoor bar for drinks. The barman makes a perfect classic martini and they have a lunch menu Monday to Friday, as well as other evening specials. Great wine list too.
17 locals recommend
Fredericks
247-249 Bridge RdFrench restaurant for a special lunch or dinner. There is restaurant dining inside, a few small tables outside for dining or drinking and a separate indoor bar for drinks. The barman makes a perfect classic martini and they have a lunch menu Monday to Friday, as well as other evening specials. Great wine list too.
French restaurant in Swan Street with indoor and outdoor dining. Impeccable French food in a classic setting.
26 locals recommend
Noir
175 Swan StFrench restaurant in Swan Street with indoor and outdoor dining. Impeccable French food in a classic setting.
A Melbourne institution for Greek food. Traditional Greek dishes, for sharing. Start with the trio of dips.
10 locals recommend
Agapi
262 Swan StA Melbourne institution for Greek food. Traditional Greek dishes, for sharing. Start with the trio of dips.
Best coffee in the area and very close to the apartment – only one minute walk away. It’s set up for take away but there are a few small tables inside.
Midi Coffee
45 Wangaratta StreetBest coffee in the area and very close to the apartment – only one minute walk away. It’s set up for take away but there are a few small tables inside.
In the back streets of Richmond Hill is a very local ‘milk bar’ established in the 1960’s, now serving a Mediterranean brunch menu. Great food, coffee and atmosphere.
29 locals recommend
Rowena Corner Store
44 Rowena ParadeIn the back streets of Richmond Hill is a very local ‘milk bar’ established in the 1960’s, now serving a Mediterranean brunch menu. Great food, coffee and atmosphere.
Popular brunch spot in Swan Street. Great coffee and good with indoor and outdoor dining.
19 locals recommend
Cheeky Monkey
103 Swan StPopular brunch spot in Swan Street. Great coffee and good with indoor and outdoor dining.
If you fancy a morning stroll, about 15 minutes walk from the apartment is Top Paddock which serves up some of the most inspired brunch dishes in Melbourne.
161 locals recommend
Top Paddock Cafe
658 Church St
If you fancy a morning stroll, about 15 minutes walk from the apartment is Top Paddock which serves up some of the most inspired brunch dishes in Melbourne.
Best pub food in the area with upstairs dining and outdoor terraces both upstairs and downstairs.
17 locals recommend
Union House
270 Swan St
Best pub food in the area with upstairs dining and outdoor terraces both upstairs and downstairs.
Classic pub food menu, popular with the younger set for evening or weekend drinks.
13 locals recommend
Harlow
447 Church St
Classic pub food menu, popular with the younger set for evening or weekend drinks.
This is our local and we love it! Just a few minutes walk from the apartment you’ll find this classic pub which is super cosy in winter when the fire places are burning.
22 locals recommend
London Tavern Hotel
238 Lennox StreetThis is our local and we love it! Just a few minutes walk from the apartment you’ll find this classic pub which is super cosy in winter when the fire places are burning.
Best delivery & take away pizza. Just 2 mins walk from the apartment if you want to pick up or ensure they arrive warm. Try the Inferno for something spicy or the classic margarita.
7 locals recommend
Homeslice Pizza
321 Lennox StBest delivery & take away pizza. Just 2 mins walk from the apartment if you want to pick up or ensure they arrive warm. Try the Inferno for something spicy or the classic margarita.
TEMPORARILY CLOSED OCT 2022: Awesome modern vietnamese restaurant which also serves the very best take away banh mi. Lemongrass chicken is the best!
25 locals recommend
Anchovy
338 Bridge RdTEMPORARILY CLOSED OCT 2022: Awesome modern vietnamese restaurant which also serves the very best take away banh mi. Lemongrass chicken is the best!
Classic lo fi vietnamese serving up the best pho in Melbourne in a busy, fast turnaround restaurant. About 20 mins walk away in Victoria Street.
59 locals recommend
I Love Pho
264 Victoria StClassic lo fi vietnamese serving up the best pho in Melbourne in a busy, fast turnaround restaurant. About 20 mins walk away in Victoria Street.
Music Venue
The Corner is one of Melbourne's most celebrated live music venues. Its rowdy, 800-person bandroom has hosted some of the world’s biggest music stars, including Mick Jagger, David Gilmour, The White Stripes, Ben Harper, Crowded House and Queens of the Stone Age.
The pub has been a live music venue since the 1940s, and current owners Tim Northeast and Mathew Everett (who are also involved in the Northcote Social Club) have been at the helm since 1995.
There’s a small late-night menu of burgers and snacks to keep you jumping during gigs. Come earlier and the offering is more extensive, from classic parmas and steaks to larger shared dishes such as smoked pork hock and 12-hour beef short rib.
The greenery-filled rooftop is an outstanding place for an afternoon drink, so long as you’re not too picky about beer. Carlton Draught, Melbourne Bitter, Fat Yak and Mountain Goat Steam Ale are the main pours here, alongside wines and basic spirits.
131 locals recommend
Corner Hotel
57 Swan StThe Corner is one of Melbourne's most celebrated live music venues. Its rowdy, 800-person bandroom has hosted some of the world’s biggest music stars, including Mick Jagger, David Gilmour, The White Stripes, Ben Harper, Crowded House and Queens of the Stone Age.
The pub has been a live music venue since the 1940s, and current owners Tim Northeast and Mathew Everett (who are also involved in the Northcote Social Club) have been at the helm since 1995.
There’s a small late-night menu of burgers and snacks to keep you jumping during gigs. Come earlier and the offering is more extensive, from classic parmas and steaks to larger shared dishes such as smoked pork hock and 12-hour beef short rib.
The greenery-filled rooftop is an outstanding place for an afternoon drink, so long as you’re not too picky about beer. Carlton Draught, Melbourne Bitter, Fat Yak and Mountain Goat Steam Ale are the main pours here, alongside wines and basic spirits.
City advice
Getting around
Richmond Train Station
Only a couple of mins walk from the apt is Richmond Train Station with regular trains which take you to Flinders Street - Melbournes main station - in only 4 minutes, or Parliament Station in 3 minutes. Take the train to Parliament and eat at the European or one of the many restaurants in Flinders Lane or China town.
Getting around
Trams
From Swan Street, number 70 tram is a short trip into Flinders Street and on to Docklands. If you're travelling with kids, it stops right outside the Melbourne Aquarium.
Don't miss
Hot Air Balloons at sunrise
If you're awake at sun rise, look out for the Hot Air Balloons which seems to float right over the apartment.