Melbourne is best explored by neighbourhood. From the laneways of the Melbourne CBD to historic Carlton, to creative hotspots Fitzroy & Collingwood, to the beaches of St Kilda and Elwood, there is so much to discover across Melbourne’s neighbourhoods.

The distinctive character & vibe of many of Melbourne’s inner city neighbourhoods means they each offer a different way to experience the city.

I’ve lived in Melbourne for nearly ten years, and have written this concise guide to Melbourne’s best neighbourhoods for visitors, to share ideas for where you might want to visit in Melbourne on your next trip.

1. Melbourne CBD

The Melbourne CBD (central business district) is the best, most vibrant and most beautiful CBD in Australia, and is a must-visit for visitors to Melbourne.

In the Melbourne CBD, you’ll find many of the best restaurants in Melbourne, the best shopping, and dozens of the laneways that make Melbourne famous. You could spend at least a full day in the Melbourne CBD.

See, Do, Eat

• Check out Hosier Lane, Centre Place & Degreaves St
• Browse books at Hill of Content & Paperback Books
• Stroll the “Paris end” of Collins Street, between Swanston & Spring St

2. Carlton

Carlton is one of Melbourne’s most historic and charming neighbouhoods, best known for being home to Lygon St, which is Melbourne’s Little Italy.

Carlton is home to many of the best Italian restaurants in Melbourne, as well as numerous Italian cafes, delis and bars.

Carlton is also home to one of Australia’s few UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Royal Exhibition Building, a 19th century pavilion. Surrounded by the beautiful Carlton Gardens, it’s a beautiful spot for a stroll or a picnic before hitting Lygon Street, which is Carlton’s version of Little Italy.

See, Do, Eat

3. Fitzroy

Fitzroy is one of the coolest neighbourhoods in Melbourne, and home to the city’s best boutique shopping, bars & restaurants.

Wedged between Carlton and Collingwood, Fitzroy is a considered to be the creative heart of Melbourne. It’s a lively, walkable neighbourhood with seemingly infinite bars, pubs, boutiques, cafes and live music venues. Converted warehouses rub shoulders with elegant Victorian townhouses, making it one of the most sought-after neighbourhoods in Melbourne.

Despite the soaring rents, like many trendy northside neighbourhoods, Fitzroy is proudly grungy, and Melburnians wouldn’t have it any other way.

See, Do, Eat

• Picnic in the pretty Fitzroy Gardens
• Stroll Smith & Gertrude St to find the best cafes, pubs & shops
• Dinner at Bar Liberty, one of Melbourne’s best wine bar restaurants

4. Collingwood

Collingwood has been named the coolest neighbourhood in the world, thanks to it’s high density of independent art galleries, boutiques, bars & restaurants.

Collingwood is Fitzroy’s twin neighbourhood, and even shares lively Smith St with it’s neighbour (one side of the street is Fitzroy, the other is Collingwood).

If you’ve got some time up your sleeve, make a reservation at Sense of Self Bath House for a soak, sauna or cold plunge.

See, Do, Eat

• Coffee & brunch at Proud Mary, one of the best coffee roasters in Melbourne
• Explore Smith St & Johnston St, Collingwood’s two major thoroughfares
• Dinner at Smith St Bistrot, one of the newest restaurants from celebrated Melbourne chef/restaurateur, Scott Pickett

5. St Kilda

St Kilda is Melbourne’s iconic beachside neighbourhood, and one of the best neighbourhoods to visit in Melbourne during the warmer months.

St Kilda is famous for St Kilda Beach and Acland St, which is the main shopping street in the neighbourhood. The most iconic part of St Kilda is the view of Luna Park & the Palais Theatre, which give St Kilda a retro charm.

See, Do, Eat

• Swim off the end of the new St Kilda Pier, or visit at night to spot Little Penguins
• Catch a show at the Palais Theatre, one of the most beautiful old theatres in Melbourne
• Have dinner & drinks at Hotel Esplanade (The Espy). Go for a pub meal, or dine at hidden restaurant Mya Tiger followed by cocktails upstairs at The Ghost of Alfred Felton

6. South Melbourne

South Melbourne is one of the best places to visit in Melbourne, for the iconic South Melbourne Market.

Melbourne has several major markets, but the South Melbourne Market is the best of the bunch, especially for visitors. The Queen Victoria Market is more popular because it’s in the city, but the South Melbourne Market has the best food and atmosphere.

Surrounding the South Melbourne Market are streets of charming cafes, pubs and an excellent bookshop, Coventry Bookstore.

See, Do, Eat

7. Brunswick

Brunswick is a creative and multicultural neighbourhood on Melbourne’s northside, known for its pubs, live music and bars.

Wander Sydney Road for cafes, bars op-shopping, live music, vegan food and Turkish homewares. In leafy Sparta Place, gather picnic suppliers at Caseus Cheese Shop or drop into Bertocello Cafe & Bar.

See, Do, Eat

• Have lunch or dinner at Bar Idda, a charming Sicilian trattoria
• Crawl Sydney Road, Brunswick’s main drag
• Stop for wine & a snack at Waxflower, a wine & vinyl bar

8. Elwood

Elwood is a leafy bayside neighbourhood, offering a more peaceful alternative to rowdy St Kilda.

Elwood is one of the best neighbourhoods in Melbourne to hit the beach & enjoy the great outdoors, whilst being less touristy (and rowdy) than St Kilda. The leafy beachside suburb has a very laidback vibe, and has a number of cute cafes and restaurants.

See, Do, Eat

• The Elwood Foreshore is a popular spot for walking, jogging & cycling
• Point Ormond is a small hill with one of the best views over the bay to Melbourne CBD – it’s insanely popular for sunset picnics in warmer months
• Have brunch in Ormond Village at Plain Sailing or Arlo, or get a proper Italian gelato from Bianco Latte

9. Prahran

Prahan is a bustling inner city neighbourhood on Melbourne’s southside, known for its nightlife and shopping.

Prahan is a hive of activity, especially on Chapel St and in the Greville St precincts. Spend a morning in Prahran by browsing the Prahran Market, shopping on Greville St and having lunch at one of Prahran’s dozens of cafes.

Prahran is located between South Yarra and Windsor, with Chapel St running through all three neighbourhoods.

See, Do, Eat

• Have breakfast at the Prahran Market
• Shop on leafy Greville St, a pretty precinct just off Chapel St
• Have dinner at Entrecote, an ultra glam French restaurant

10. Richmond

Richmond is one of Melbourne’s oldest inner city neighbourhoods, and the city’s nightlife hotspot for bars, pubs & live music.

Richmond is right on the edge of the Melbourne CBD, and home to the MCG. The neighbourhood is busy by default, but truly comes alive on game days during footy season, when fans fill the pubs in Richmond pre and post game.

Church St is a good spot for cafes, pubs and high end furniture & interior stores. Swan St is the main drag for nightlife, and will be pumping until the early hours.

Avoid Victoria St, which is one of the most dangerous streets in Richmond due to drug use.

See, Do, Eat

• Catch live sport or a gig at the MCG
• Get brunch at Top Paddock, one of Melbourne’s very best cafes
• Hit the Prince Alfred beer garden, one of the best beer gardens in Melbourne

Further Reading

• The Ultimate Melbourne Travel Guide
• Itinerary: 3 Days in Melbourne for First Time Visitors
• 25 Best Italian Restaurants in Melbourne
• Fitzroy Neighbourhood Guide
• Collingwood Neighbourhood Guide
• Carlton Neighbourhood Guide

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