Food scene
This was our local cafe when we lived at number 48. They're lovely and the coffee is excellent. I still make sure I pop in for a coffee and a cheesie (pao de queijo) a few times a week.
Bossa Nova Brazilian Restaurant Café
156 Elgin StreetThis was our local cafe when we lived at number 48. They're lovely and the coffee is excellent. I still make sure I pop in for a coffee and a cheesie (pao de queijo) a few times a week.
Fantastic little cafe by day/wine bar & tapas style bites by night.
They make delicious ciabattas for lunch - there's always a vego and a meat option, and the coffee is excellent.
30 locals recommend
Heartattack and Vine
329 Lygon StFantastic little cafe by day/wine bar & tapas style bites by night.
They make delicious ciabattas for lunch - there's always a vego and a meat option, and the coffee is excellent.
The yummiest Japanese breakfast & lunch options - excellent little cafe (it won best in Melbourne!) that is a firm favourite with all the locals.
8 locals recommend
ima Japanese Cafe
1 Elgin StThe yummiest Japanese breakfast & lunch options - excellent little cafe (it won best in Melbourne!) that is a firm favourite with all the locals.
On a sunny Melbourne afternoon, this is absolutely the best place to be in Carlton. Incredible Mexican food and delicious drinks, with shaded outdoor seating - or you can act like a proper Melburnian and get takeaway and sit on the nature strip.
Taquito
350 Drummond StreetOn a sunny Melbourne afternoon, this is absolutely the best place to be in Carlton. Incredible Mexican food and delicious drinks, with shaded outdoor seating - or you can act like a proper Melburnian and get takeaway and sit on the nature strip.
A bit further afield, Bon Ap' is my favourite place in Fitzroy to stop for a coffee and a pastry. The croissants are some of the best in Melbourne (made to be eaten, not photographed), and the coffee, of course, is excellent.
16 locals recommend
Bon Ap' Petit Bistro
193 Brunswick StA bit further afield, Bon Ap' is my favourite place in Fitzroy to stop for a coffee and a pastry. The croissants are some of the best in Melbourne (made to be eaten, not photographed), and the coffee, of course, is excellent.
One of the top restaurants in Australia - exceptional service, incredible wine list, and delicious food. Not a budget night out, but if you don't want to go all in, you can stop by for lunch - have a coffee and a couple of shared plates and you will still get the Wine Room experience.
27 locals recommend
Carlton Wine Room
172-174 Faraday StOne of the top restaurants in Australia - exceptional service, incredible wine list, and delicious food. Not a budget night out, but if you don't want to go all in, you can stop by for lunch - have a coffee and a couple of shared plates and you will still get the Wine Room experience.
Super cool little wine bar on Rathdowne St. It's about a 10 min walk from number 48 - great food and wine and a fun vibe.
73 locals recommend
Gerald's Bar
386 Rathdowne StSuper cool little wine bar on Rathdowne St. It's about a 10 min walk from number 48 - great food and wine and a fun vibe.
Upstairs on Nicholson St - it's a moodily lit wine bar/restaurant that serves up consistently delicious food, erring on the side of heartiness.
70 locals recommend
Neighbourhood Wine
1 Reid StUpstairs on Nicholson St - it's a moodily lit wine bar/restaurant that serves up consistently delicious food, erring on the side of heartiness.
A Vego Pub! If you're veg and looking for hearty fare and a few pints, this is the place...
7 locals recommend
Green Man's Arms
418 Lygon StA Vego Pub! If you're veg and looking for hearty fare and a few pints, this is the place...
Yoga
A good studio if you like a Vinyasa Flow style of practice. Lovely teachers and a beautiful studio that provides all equipment so is ideal for out-of-towners.
16 locals recommend
Good Vibes Yoga
116 High StA good studio if you like a Vinyasa Flow style of practice. Lovely teachers and a beautiful studio that provides all equipment so is ideal for out-of-towners.
The most beautiful studio, run by incredibly kind, dedicated, and knowledgeable teachers. If you have a regular yoga practice and are looking for a studio while you're on holiday, I highly recommend AYCM.
**The studio provides equipment.
Ashtanga Yoga Centre of Melbourne
110-112 Argyle StThe most beautiful studio, run by incredibly kind, dedicated, and knowledgeable teachers. If you have a regular yoga practice and are looking for a studio while you're on holiday, I highly recommend AYCM.
**The studio provides equipment.
Sightseeing
The museum is a particularly diverting destination if you are in town with kids. There are excellent installations, a rainforest section with native birds and frogs, and a dedicated kids' sensory playroom for 0-6-year-olds.
593 locals recommend
Melbourne Museum
11 Nicholson StThe museum is a particularly diverting destination if you are in town with kids. There are excellent installations, a rainforest section with native birds and frogs, and a dedicated kids' sensory playroom for 0-6-year-olds.