A must-read guide to the top Melbourne suburbs

Melbourne is a patchwork of many different neighbourhoods, all with their own distinctive character and things to offer both locals and visitors alike.

When you think of Australia’s capital of cool, it helps to break it all down to several key Melbourne suburbs. After all, one of the world’s most liveable cities is best thought of as a collection of neighbourhoods, all tied together by an endearing love of good food, even better coffee and an infectiously relaxed vibe.

We’ve deconstructed our idea of Melbourne to bring you the ultimate neighbourhood guide, from the CBD and surrounds to the hipster haunts of Fitzroy and Collingwood, and the beachside bliss of St Kilda and Elwood.

Melbourne CBD

Set on the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people, Melbourne CBD is the heart of Melbourne and the vibrant cultural capital of Victoria.

Mostly planned as a grid, the city centre is marked by some of Melbourne’s best restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs, as well as those world-famous laneways covered in street art.

Popular areas and landmarks in Melbourne CBD include Flinders Lane, the Little Bourke Street Chinatown Street precinct, Queen Victoria Market, Federation Square, and the State Library of Victoria.

If you’re looking for the best restaurants in Melbourne CBD, you’ll first want to tick off Tipo.00, Supernormal, Gimlet at Cavendish House, and Bar Margaux.

Head along to Rialto Towers if you want to splash on Vue de Monde, and it’s hard to go past the ambitious Reine & La Rue set in the old Melbourne Stock Exchange.

Many of Melbourne’s best hotels are scattered around the CBD including Ritz-Carlton Melbourne and QT Melbourne.

Southbank

Southbank and South Wharf are known for Crown Melbourne and skyscraping residential buildings. But the area also gets its energy from the Melbourne Arts Precinct.

Across the suburb, you’ll find galleries, theatres, studios, and arts education institutions like the National Gallery of Victoria and Hammer Hall.

You’ll know you’ve entered Southbank when you cross the bridge from Melbourne CBD to the southern side of the Yarra River Birrarung, bounded by St Kilda Road and the West Gate Freeway.

Some of the most popular things to do in Southbank include visiting the National Gallery of Victoria, seeing a show at Melbourne Recital Hall, and enjoying an elegant French feast at Bistro Guillaume, which is considered the best restaurant in Southbank.

Given its proximity to Melbourne CBD, Southbank is a good place to stay with standout luxury accommodations including The Langham Melbourne, Shadowplay by Peppers, and the swanky Crown Towers.

Docklands

Docklands became a suburb and was incorporated into the City of Melbourne municipality in the 1990s. Sweeping modernity defines the 200-hectare suburb, which clings to Victoria Harbour west of Melbourne CBD.

Docklands is now recognised for its waterfront precinct, touristy restaurants and shopping at The District Docklands.

Some of the most popular things to do in Docklands include seeing an event at the massive Marvel Stadium, which can fit over 50,000 people, taking the family to see trick art at ArtVo, and dipping into some of Melbourne’s best yum cha at Bright Palace Yum Cha. Seasonally, ice skating in Docklands is always popular amongst families.

Southbank and Melbourne CBD are better choices for luxury hotels. Docklands has mostly family-friendly accommodations like Crowne Plaza, Melbourne Marriott Hotel Docklands, and Dorsett Melbourne.

North Melbourne

North Melbourne is a great place to live with plenty of green spaces, a peaceful village vibe, and some of Melbourne’s best cafes like Auction Rooms and Small Batch Roasting Co. You can also wet your whistle at iconic pubs like Town Hall Hotel and Bobbie Peels.

The generous spread of Victorian-era shopfronts helps give North Melbourne that charming suburbian vibe while locals are still close enough to the city to feel that sense of connection and convenience.

Not many out-of-towners would choose to stay in North Melbourne unless they prefer the peaceful accommodation offered by The Larwill Studio, which has 96 designer rooms and back onto Royal Park.

Carlton

Carlton is one of the most popular inner-city suburbs in Melbourne given the stretch of quality Italian cafes and restaurants along Lygon Street. This arterial strip is the main attraction in Carlton, alongside the leafy Carlton Gardens and the on-site Melbourne Museum.

Carlton has a strong student population due to its proximity to both RMIT and Melbourne University. Many of Melbourne’s finest cafes, bars, and restaurants are in Carlton. Some popular spots include Carlton Wine Room, Di Stasio Pizzeria, Kazuki’s, Seven Seeds, The Lincoln, and Brunetti Carlton Cake Shop.

Anyone looking for things to do in Carlton will find the suburb’s greatest treasures on Lygon Street. Don’t leave without taking a tour of the 19th-century Royal Exhibition Building, where some of Melbourne’s biggest events and seasonal markets take place.

Although there are few places to stay in Carlton, the best choice is Zagame’s House, a boutique hotel with 97 rooms.

East Melbourne

East Melbourne is located between Fitzroy and Collingwood to the north, Richmond to the east, and Melbourne CBD to the south. It is a well-connected suburb and one of the best places to stay and relax.

The popular suburb is marked by wide, tree-lined streets peppered with head-turning Art Deco houses. However, the main points of interest are the Victorian-era Fitzroy Gardens and the Treasury Gardens. Both help make East Melbourne one of the greenest areas in the city.

Sports fans from all over Australia are familiar with East Melbourne since it’s home to the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Yarra Park. This famous sports arena hosts cricket matches, AFL games, rugby matches, soccer games, and sometimes live music concerts by big artists.

Base yourself in East Melbourne by checking into Park Hyatt Melbourne, which is only a short walk from Fitzroy Gardens. If you want to live like a local, grab a meal at Di Stasio Citta, which is a short walk from the eye-catching Old Treasury Building.

Elwood

Elwood is youthful, spirited and charming. What was once an ugly swamp is now one of Melbourne’s most attractive suburbs, flecked with fascinating Art Deco apartments and capped with a picturesque beachfront promenade.

Known for its tight-knit community and relaxed cafe scene, visitors come to Elwood when they want to find some peace. Walking around feels like visiting a different city. It’s a change from the hustle of inner-city living, offering something slower and meditative – often powered by a daily dip at Elwood Beach.

Those looking for the best Elwood cafes should take brunch at Repeat Offender or Little Sunflower Cafe. You can also shop at small boutiques like Muku and South Village Trading. Be sure to take a self-guided architectural tour around the streets, many of which are named after famous poets, and then stock up on fresh produce at Elwood Farmers Market.

To soak up all Elwood has to offer, you’ll want to live like a local and stay in some of these beautiful apartments like Serene Coastal Haven or Poets Retreat.

Footscray

Noted for its cultural diversity, the hard-working Footscray Community Arts Centre, and the vibrant Footscray Market, this western suburb is a hub for adventurous foodies who mostly drive out for the area’s exceptional Vietnamese and African restaurants.

A buzzing sense of creativity and culture keeps Footscray front and centre for visitors who want something vastly different for the inner suburbs of Melbourne. Although the hospitality scene out here is every bit as strong as it is in places like Collingwood and Fitzroy, with plenty of cafes, bars, pubs and restaurants to keep visitors busy for days.

Food and drink highlights include Ollie’s Deli, Hotel Westwood and West Footscray Wines. Although you could pick the first venue you see and still walk away agreeing that Footscray is one of Melbourne’s greatest gifts to both locals and visitors.

Fitzroy

When you think of hipsters in Melbourne, Fitzroy would be the first suburb that comes to mind. This highly influential spot is home to an insatiably creative community, constantly turning the suburb’s red-bricked warehouse spaces into innovative cafes, bars, restaurants and art galleries.

You’ll find the world-famous Lune Croissanterie out here, but there’s much more to Fitzroy’s hospitality scene than superlative almond croissants and exceptional cups of coffee.

The best bars in Fitzroy like The Everleigh and Black Pearl are also some of the world’s most recognised, while pubs like The Napier Hotel and Marquis of Lorne still thrive as icons for Victoria.

Then you’ve got the restaurants and cafes, teasing out a great variety of cuisines and price points from premium like Cutler & Co and Bar Liberty, straight through to more affordable at hotspots like Evie’s Disco Bar and Frankie’s Tortas and Tacos.

If you want to live like a local, stroll down the main hub of Gertrude Street to find many designer shops and independent retailers, take some time out in the historic Fitzroy Gardens (preferably with something from Lune Fitzroy in your hands) and catch a gig at Bad Decisions.

Collingwood

There is a lot to see and do in Collingwood. As one of the most recognised suburbs in Melbourne, this inner-city suburb gets by with its rich industrial heritage clashed with trendy apartments, a swam of popular galleries, and more cafes, restaurants and bars than visitors would know what to do with.

And yet Collingwood is much more than its vibrant arts and culture scene, sporting some of Melbourne’s most innovative projects including Collingwood Yards, numerous vegan restaurants and hipster haunts like Stompings Grounds Brewery.

There’s always something happening in Collingwood, whether it’s a new menu at Smith & Daughters or a party at one of Melbourne’s coolest wine bars, Hope St Radio. And while there are no high-end hotels in Collingwood, there are still many options for accommodation including lyf Collingwood Melbourne, Quest Collingwood, and Veriu Collingwood.

Coburg

Positioned 30 minutes outside of Melbourne CBD, Coburg is one of the coolest suburbs in Melbourne with plenty of cafes, bars and restaurants lining the main drag of Bell Street.

The infectiously relaxed vibe and interesting developments have drawn plenty of attention to this outer suburb over the past few years, nodding to its distinctive buildings and friendly atmosphere.

Key to this is the development at Pentridge Prison, which has been turned into a lifestyle precinct complete with a venue from BrewDog, a cinema, restaurants, wine bars and a quirky Adina Apartment Hotel.

Yet there’s plenty to do outside of the former prison. Some of the best cafes and restaurants in Coburg include Bluestone American BBQ, Half Moon Cafe, and the Post Office Hotel which does up some fantastic old-school pub grub. Time your visit to Coburg Night Market or Coburg Farmers Market on the weekends, and then back that up with a visit to the vintage-minded Coburg Drive-In cinema.

South Melbourne

South Melbourne sits above Albert Park and just below Southbank, positioned close enough to the CBD for convenience but far enough to form its own identity.

A big part of this is the iconic South Melbourne Market, which is the suburb’s most prized feature and a hub of activity for some of the best independent businesses in town.

Take a dip at the peaceful South Melbourne Beach to start the day, and then check out one of the many cafes that make South Melbourne a bustling hospitality hub. ST. ALi Coffee Roasters has a spot out here, and then you have stalwarts like The Kettle Black and Hector’s Deli taking care of the brunch crowd.

When the sun drops, the tightly packed collection of South Melbourne restaurants have dinner sorted. Favourites like Park Street Pasta & Wine, Woods Yard and Half Acre are all world-class while underrated gems including Peko Peko and Tempura Hajime.

If you’re looking for accommodation in South Melbourne, the Clarendon is a nice, affordable spot that’s only a few minutes walk from where South Melbourne Market is every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 

Box Hill

Box Hill is one of the best suburbs in Melbourne for affordable Asian food, ranging from Vietnamese and Thai to Indian. The strong cultural roots out in this suburb, which is just under a 50-minute drive out of the CBD, give Box Hill a strong sense of identity and a friendly atmosphere.

It’s worth booking in for a night or two at The Chen and exploring this highly underrated gem. Box Hill restaurants are famously inexpensive, authentic and delicious so pick just about anywhere and you’re going to have a good night. Highlights include Tien Dat, Katori, and David & Camy Dumpling and Noodle Restaurant.

Kensington

Kensington lies just 4km north-west of Melbourne CBD with a modest population of just under 11,000 people. The unique inner suburb is most recognised for its distinct heritage character and communal spirit, centred around the village-esque shopping hub near Kensington Station.

The suburb’s charm is credited to the small businesses that line Macaulay Road, Henry Street and Stubbs Street, many of which are well-designed with vibrant exteriors. The bright blue building that hosts La Tortilleria is a great example, not only pitched as one of the best Mexican restaurants in Melbourne but also one of the most beautiful.

Local favourites include the rustic White Rabbit Record Bar and Cassette, the latter being a cafe by day and a wine bar at night with an admirable zero-waste ethos.

West Melbourne

With the majority of residents living in apartments, you’ll typically find students and young families walking around the pleasant streets of West Melbourne. Shaped by the Maribyrnong River, the Yarra River, and Moonee Ponds Creek, this inner suburb offers great walking trails and a much slower pace than the nearby CBD.

Bring your picnic basket and set up in Flagstaff Gardens before catching a show at Festival Hall or checking out one of many creative spaces found scattered around the streets.

With many parts of West Melbourne still industrial in character, you’ll find many cafes and restaurants carved into mixed-use buildings or re-shaping heritage spaces. Anyone looking to eat in West Melbourne has plenty of options laid in front of them, from the curry-loving haven of Kare to Udom House and 279, which specialises in flavoured rice balls.

St Kilda

St Kilda is the most beautiful suburb in Melbourne, hinged on the iconic image of St Kilda Beach’s vibrant promenade.

Institutions like The Espy, Luna Park and the heritage Palais Theatre give St Kilda its worldly reputation, while the magnetic communal spirit keeps visitors coming back for more.

Most of the suburb’s vintage-minded lifestyle is centred around St Kilda Beach, near which lie the picturesque St Kilda Sea Baths and the weekly St Kilda Esplanade Market.

Make sure to visit around mid-February for the two-day St Kilda Festival if you want to preview all this glorious suburb has to offer in a short time.

But if you have a few days, it’s worth checking into some St Kilda Accommodation like the Tolarno Hotel or the Mercure and exploring this proudly unique part of Australia.

Your scope of St Kilda restaurants should extend beyond fine-dining institutions like Stokehouse, Cafe di Stassio and Donovans, with casual charmers including Radio Mexico, Cicciolina and the lively Ichi Ni Izakaya.

South Yarra

You’ll find South Yarra to the south of the Yarra River and the east of leafy St Kilda Road.

Known mainly for its generous spaces like The Domain Parklands and Fawkner Park, the suburb is one of Melbourne’s most idyllic and locals here are known for their very active lifestyle.

South Yarra’s most definitive feature is the 123-hectare Domain Parklands, a collection of green spaces and institutions, including the Royal Botanic Gardens, the Shrine of Remembrance, Sidney Myer Music Bowl and the King’s Domain.

Yet there’s also an extensive retail precinct on the South Yarra end of Chapel Street, with everything from designer shops to trendy bars, including two cinemas. Despite its name, you’ll also find Prahran Market in South Yarra, selling a great variety of fresh produce and premade meals with stalls like Maker & Monger and Hagen’s Organic Butcher.

Popular South Yarra restaurants and cafes include Ned’s Bake, Tivoli Road Bakery and The Stables of Como while there are also plenty of trendy South Yarra hotels such as Ovolo South Yarra and The Olsen, marking this densely area as one of Melbourne’s best suburbs.

Parkville

Parkville is home to major hospitals and research facilities like Royal Melbourne and Royal Children’s Hospital. As such, the pleasant Melbourne suburb has a large student population and is similar in vibe to nearby North Melbourne.

Royal Park is a big reason for this. As Parkville’s defining feature, the access to this large, leafy park is one of the major reasons the suburb is idyllic for both locals and visitors. This is where you’ll find the massive Melbourne Zoo as well, so you’ll likely spot plenty of families pacing around as well as a small army of picnicers when the sun is out.

Parkville is quite bare when it comes to Melbourne’s famed hospitality scene, although cafes Mornin’ Vietnam and Parkside are great choices. For dinner, Moja Duck Restaurant & Bar is one of the more underrated Chinese restaurants this side of Melbourne.

Fisherman’s Bend

Fisherman’s Bend is Australia’s most ambitious urban renewal project with around 480 hectares of space just a stone’s throw from Melbourne CBD. Located within the suburb of Port Melbourne, it’s often referred to as the best example of Melbourne’s future with university campuses, green spaces and many apartment complex being planned over the next few years.

As such, you’ll find inklings of progress as development continues to roll on for the suburb. Right now, the suburb is best thought of as an extension of Port Melbourne with standout cafes and restaurants including Noisette, communal cafe Balderdash, and Rubira’s.

Brighton

Aside from seeing those colourful Brighton bathing boxes all over Instagram, many outside of Melbourne know little about this upscale suburb beyond Brighton Beach. While it could be seen as a more boutique alternative to St Kilda, Brighton has a strong sense of identity that’s distinguished by more than just those golden sands and the idyllic Brighton Pier.

Comprising both Brighton and Brighton East, the area provides plenty of pleasant bayside walks. When the mood for shopping hits, head to Church Street to check out some luxury boutiques and then take your pick from one of many chic cafes and restaurants, including The Little Ox, Sons of Mary and Aromi.

Popular bars in Brighton, such as a Mothers Milk and Half Moon, are known for keeping the nightlife afloat. However, the best time to experience Brighton is during the day. The sparkling beachfront vistas make it one of Melbourne’s most inspiring areas.

Abbotsford

Much like Footscray and Box Hill, Abbotsford is renowned for its mix of cultural heritage. However, if you had to pick just one flavour that dominates the streets of this inner-city suburb, it would be Vietnamese.

Some of the best Vietnamese restaurants in Melbourne can be found all around Abbotsford, which lay north-east of the CBD, bounded by Collingwood, Richmond and Clifton Hill.

On weekends, visit the historic Abbotsford Convent or take the whole family to Collingwood Children’s Farm. The range of workshops, exhibitions and markets make Abbotsford a great place to both live and visit.

If you’re looking for the best cafes and restaurants in Abbotsford, head to Julie, at the Covent, bury yourself in the moody atmosphere of Dr Morse, or relax with an Italian-style brunch at Frankie Says.

Northcote

Northcote’s wellness scene has fast become one of the most appealing features. Walk around High Street and you’ll find the main strip teeming with yoga studios, spas and health food shops.

The locals mirror that sense of serenity, giving Northcote a very calming atmosphere that’s only broken up by the energy of institutions like Northcote Social Club, Open Studio and the Wesley Anne.

The vintage Westgarth Cinema is one of many hidden gems in this suburb, while restaurants tend to favour international cuisines like Ethiopian at Mesob and Indian at Base Camp. 

Brunswick

Brunswick is known as one of the most hipster areas in Melbourne, aligning with Fitzroy and Collingwood when it comes to a mish-mash of generational trends. The multitude of shops, restaurants, cafes and bars can feel endless from Brunswick East to Brunswick West.

Yet in between the definitive cool factor is one of Melbourne’s most soulful neighbourhoods. Brunswick is known for its friendly locals, community gardens and organic shops, including local institution and perfect chill-out spot CERES Community Environment Park.

Brunswick has a strong Middle Eastern population, reflected in the multitude of eateries like Tibas Lebanese Restaurant and the popular A1 Lebanese Bakery. Between that, it’s all about hitting the pubs for locals, from Howler to The Cornish Arms Hotel on Sydney Road to check out the area’s exceptional live music and craft beer scene.

Recover from a big night at Brunswick baths and hit the more modest cafes like Wide Open Road and Ona Coffee – two of the best coffee shops in Melbourne. If you want to base yourself here for a few days, there aren’t many options on where to stay in Brunswick although visitors love the Brunswick Tower Hotel for affordable accommodation.

Albert Park

Most recently, Albert Park has become world renowned for the Albert Park circuit – the home of F1 Melbourne. Yet there’s much more to this pleasant bayside suburb, which is sandwiched between Port Melbourne and Middle Park.

Albert Park restaurants have particularly stepped up in the past few years, with charmers like Misuzu’s and Italian Artisans as well as institutions such as the tiny Pipis Kiosk and the 19th-century Albert Park Hotel.

You’ll find mostly young families strolling by the waterside while walking the suburb’s leafy streets, thriving in the peace and quiet away from Melbourne’s more exciting neighbourhoods.

When the F1 isn’t on, this suburb is where you’d go to escape the crowds and eat some great food.

Now read our guide to visiting Melbourne.