Guidebook for Fitzroy
Drinks & Nightlife
Classic Fitzroy pub with fabulous beer garden. They often have live music, and play the footy in the front bar if you are that way inclined.
70 locals recommend
The Standard Hotel
293 Fitzroy StClassic Fitzroy pub with fabulous beer garden. They often have live music, and play the footy in the front bar if you are that way inclined.
Another classic Fitzroy pub, great food, but make sure you are hungry as they serve country sized portions.
210 Napier St
210 Napier StreetAnother classic Fitzroy pub, great food, but make sure you are hungry as they serve country sized portions.
The Rainbow Hotel
27 Saint David StreetGreat pub, with good outdoor area.
164 Gore St
Another of my favourite local pubs, with a fireplace and pool table.
he latest of the McConnell enterprises, a great little spot for a fancy wine and bite, all reasonably priced.
53 Gertrude St
53 Gertrude Streethe latest of the McConnell enterprises, a great little spot for a fancy wine and bite, all reasonably priced.
In the vein of an Italian Enotecca with a great array of bar snacks, they do a fabulous Aperol Spritz and deep-fried olives, amongst other fab seasonal fare.
30 locals recommend
Heartattack and Vine
329 Lygon StIn the vein of an Italian Enotecca with a great array of bar snacks, they do a fabulous Aperol Spritz and deep-fried olives, amongst other fab seasonal fare.
Food Scene
Great spot for a coffee to watch the world go by, or for a bite to eat.
11 locals recommend
Madame Sousou
231 Brunswick StreetGreat spot for a coffee to watch the world go by, or for a bite to eat.
251 Brunswick St
251 Brunswick StreetGreat little cafe to eat in or take-away, also with some deli items to bring home.
Great Pizza, though it can be busy and walk in only, so consider take-away if you are hungry and pop down to the park for a picnic.
118 locals recommend
DOC Pizza & Mozzarella Bar
295 Drummond StGreat Pizza, though it can be busy and walk in only, so consider take-away if you are hungry and pop down to the park for a picnic.
This place is old school, everything you would expect from a great local Italian dining experience, with the addition of GF pasta, that friends tell me is the best they've eaten since they ate Gluten.
17 locals recommend
The Last Jar
616 Elizabeth StreetThis place is old school, everything you would expect from a great local Italian dining experience, with the addition of GF pasta, that friends tell me is the best they've eaten since they ate Gluten.
A little bit of a hike from my place, but you can jump on the 96 and you won't be disappointed.
70 locals recommend
Neighbourhood Wine
1 Reid StA little bit of a hike from my place, but you can jump on the 96 and you won't be disappointed.
Breakfast Thieves
420 Gore StAll day breakfast. What more needs to be said.
Baker D. Chirico
178 Faraday StFabulous little bakery with great breads and other treats.
Every herb, spice and salt imaginable, all available by the teaspoon.
10 locals recommend
Gewürzhaus Herb & Spice Merchants - Carlton
342 Lygon StEvery herb, spice and salt imaginable, all available by the teaspoon.
Fabulous little french delicatessen, with a great array of pates, cheeses and other delights.
18 locals recommend
La Parisienne Pâtés
17 Toorak RdFabulous little french delicatessen, with a great array of pates, cheeses and other delights.
The most delicious and rich Helados (Argentine ice-cream) I've eaten since visiting Buenos Aires. The Dulce de Leche is the real deal.
8 locals recommend
Helados Jauja
254 Lygon StThe most delicious and rich Helados (Argentine ice-cream) I've eaten since visiting Buenos Aires. The Dulce de Leche is the real deal.
Fabulous gelato, worth the wait. Also worth having a look at the gelato-machine, which has a setting called "delicious".
137 locals recommend
Gelato Messina Fitzroy
237 Smith StFabulous gelato, worth the wait. Also worth having a look at the gelato-machine, which has a setting called "delicious".
Get the lamb souva, and keep room for the chips with feta and oregano.
77 locals recommend
Jimmy Grants Fitzroy
113 St David StGet the lamb souva, and keep room for the chips with feta and oregano.
Great place for a group dinner, the set menu is exceptional value, and the cocktails are super fabulous.
9 locals recommend
The Noble Experiment Melbourne
284 Smith StGreat place for a group dinner, the set menu is exceptional value, and the cocktails are super fabulous.
Shopping
Readings Carlton
309 Lygon StOne of the greatest bookstores, music and DVD shops going.
Zetta Florence
197B Brunswick StBeautiful paper and card store. Well worth popping in.
Essentials
I buy all my fruit and veg here, always fresh seasonal produce. They have a decent selection of cheeses and organic meats as well.
11 locals recommend
The Vegetable Connection
255 Brunswick StI buy all my fruit and veg here, always fresh seasonal produce. They have a decent selection of cheeses and organic meats as well.
Great bottle shop with extensive boutique range of Australian and International wines and spirits. They also sell Koko Black chocolate, and a selection of cheeses.
Wine Republic Fitzroy
265 Brunswick StGreat bottle shop with extensive boutique range of Australian and International wines and spirits. They also sell Koko Black chocolate, and a selection of cheeses.
The local supermarket and possibly Australia's smallest Coles; but don't be deceived, it has everything you need.
105 locals recommend
Coles Fitzroy
95-103 Johnston StThe local supermarket and possibly Australia's smallest Coles; but don't be deceived, it has everything you need.
I've been told that this is the best butcher in the district; ethical meats and interesting cuts as well as all the staples. Oh, and they sell wine, what more could you want.
22 locals recommend
Meatsmith - Specialty Butcher & Wine Merchant
273 Smith StI've been told that this is the best butcher in the district; ethical meats and interesting cuts as well as all the staples. Oh, and they sell wine, what more could you want.
Handsome grey-haired butchers, top quality meat, and Opera music, what more could you want?
Donati's Fine Meats
402 Lygon StHandsome grey-haired butchers, top quality meat, and Opera music, what more could you want?
I love this bottle shop, for their selection, knowledge, and because it isn't too fancy.
Bottega Tasca
321 Lygon StI love this bottle shop, for their selection, knowledge, and because it isn't too fancy.
A sister to the pizza shop you can get all manner of Italian delights to enjoy at home here.
DOC Delicatessen
330 Lygon StA sister to the pizza shop you can get all manner of Italian delights to enjoy at home here.
Arts & Culture
Great arthouse cinema with a huge number of screens, though some of them are tiny, and charming as it is, it is perhaps overdue for a face-lift. Still very worthwhile though.
321 locals recommend
Cinema Nova
380 Lygon StGreat arthouse cinema with a huge number of screens, though some of them are tiny, and charming as it is, it is perhaps overdue for a face-lift. Still very worthwhile though.
Parks & Nature
A great place to go for a walk and run, and on a sunny day is a popular picnic spot . There is a playground for people with children, and tennis courts that can be booked by the hour if you are keen.
235 locals recommend
Carlton Gardens
A great place to go for a walk and run, and on a sunny day is a popular picnic spot . There is a playground for people with children, and tennis courts that can be booked by the hour if you are keen.