Along the guiding line of the Yarra and Merri Creek, Melbourne’s inner north is filled with character.
It’s a haven of hobby farms, community gardens and warehouse conversions, along with coffee shops, record stores and some of the best vintage shops around. In fact, there are so many great local businesses in our beloved shopping mecca that it can be hard to know where to start.
That’s why we’ve teamed up with American Express to put together this handy guide to shopping small in the inner north. With it, you’ll be able to navigate the boutiques of Gertrude Street, the warehouses of Smith Street and the vintage shops of Sydney Road as if you were a local. As a bonus, all of these shops and eateries will let you pay with a swipe of your American Express Card.
The 86 tram will take you from the CBD, along Gertrude Street in Fitzroy, before turning left onto Smith Street. After trundling through Collingwood, the tram continues up Northcote’s High Street. For Sydney Road, jump on either the 19 tram or the train headed for Upfield. Once you’re there, you’re best to wander on foot.
There’s a reason this area has an arty reputation and you can’t miss soaking in the work of the dozens of creatives that call the inner north home. Browse one of the many galleries, pick up some locally designed wares, catch a gig at the pub and wash it all down with a locally brewed beer.
The inner north is choccas with shopping strips. There’s the ever-popular Brunswick and Smith streets, Sydney Road cutting through Brunswick and Coburg, and Northcote’s High Street, which extends into Thornbury and beyond. Keep an eye out for the side streets though, as gems like Lune and Project Forty Nine are slightly off the beaten track.
When the sun’s out, nothing screams ‘inner north’ like a picnic at Edinburgh Gardens, or one of the many patches of greenery dotted through the area. McCoppins Clifton Hill is just down the road or the 11 tram will drop you in front of a strip of local shops for some picnic fare.
THE SHOPPING LISTS
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RestaurantEtta
60 Lygon Street, Brunswick East
The team has collectively worked at Attica, Cutler & Co, The Roving Marrow and Rosetta.
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PubMarquis of Lorne
411 George Street, Fitzroy
Drink down on the street, dine at the second floor restaurant or soak up some rays on the rooftop.
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BarThe Standard Hotel
293 Fitzroy Street, Fitzroy
The bar offers a comforting retro vibe while huge beer garden is a breezy little oasis that's well worth the search.
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BarThe Everleigh
Upstairs, 150-156 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy
Experience the hedonistic pleasures of the 1920s in Fitzroy's hidden cocktail den.
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BarCarwyn Cellars
877 High Street, Thornbury
This Thornbury stalwart has been sating northside thirsts for over a decade.
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ShopThe Fishmonger's Son
703 Nicholson Street, Carlton North
After the closure of a 100-year-old family seafood business, another family legacy has taken its place.
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ShopBlackfinch
110 High Street, Northcote
Bespoke jewellery handmade with ethically sourced Australian stones at a Northcote design studio.
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Shop20th Century Scandinavia
79 Lygon Street, Brunswick East
Across two showrooms, this family-run business imports and restores quality mid-century design pieces from Europe.
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Pachamama Wholefoods + Kitchen - CLOSED
74-78 Sydney Road, Brunswick
This Brunswick grocer is now selling fresh, healthy and organic cafe fare.
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ShopMutual Muse Brunswick
171a Sydney Road, Brunswick
This Sydney Road consignment store is battling fast fashion one linen jumpsuit at a time.
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ShopGreener House Nursery
95 Sydney Road, Brunswick
A community-minded store for indoor plants, pots and accessories, plus care advice, workshops and gallery nights.
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ShopHenry Lee Barbershop
145 Johnston Street, Collingwood
A friendly community space where you can stop by for a trim, a cold beer and a chat.
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ShopSpares Store
368 Smith Street, Collingwood
This Smith Street store has independent and limited-run labels across mens streetwear and accessories — and its own gallery space.
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ShopNicholas & Alistair
387 Johnston Street, Abbotsford
Step inside this Abbotsford showroom to discover high-end vintage furniture and design pieces in a gallery-like space.
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ShopHabbot Shoes Studio Store
2 Robert Street, Collingwood
Cute and comfortable shoes designed in Melbourne and made in Italy.
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CafeA Minor Place
103 Albion Street, Brunswick
An unassuming cafe with some of the best haloumi in the north.
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ShopThe Standard Store
159 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy
Supplying chic global fashion to Gertrude Street.
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ShopSpaceCraft
225 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy
An ever-changing space that combines gallery and retail.
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ShopPickings and Parry
166 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy
A one-stop shop for all your menswear and grooming needs in Fitzroy
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ShopRose Chong Costumes
218 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy
The only costume shop in Melbourne you need to know about.
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ShopAmerican Vintage Clothing Co
133 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
With over 100 different styles and the largest collection of American vintage clothing in Melbourne, go no further for your next Grease-era inspired outfit.
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ShopLygon St Nursery
245 Lygon Street, Brunswick East
You can shop both indoor and outdoor plants at this cute Brunswick East spot.
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ShopCurious Grace
1 Parslow Street, Clifton Hill
This Scandi-inspired furniture store is filled with sleek pieces by Australian and international designers.
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CafeOneyada - CLOSED
239 Victoria Street, Abbotsford
A breakfast offshoot from the team behind much-loved Abbotsford restaurant Jinda Thai.
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BarThe Elysian Whisky Bar
113 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
Only rare whiskies and independent distilleries make the cut at this cosy Fitzroy bar.
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RestaurantMama Manoush
175-177 Lygon Street, Brunswick East
You've been invited to Mama's house for a feast of fresh, authentic and traditional Lebanese food.
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BarLittle Andorra
555 Nicholson Street, Carlton North
A charming Carlton North wine bar where you pull up a stool for a drink and a snack every day from 2pm.
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BarDunning Kruger - CLOSED
436 Lygon Street, Brunswick East
Pair cocktails and slices of house-made pie at this Brunswick bar.
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RestaurantTakeaway Pizza
535 High Street, Preston
Across the road from its OG venue, the Dexter team has opened a takeaway pizza joint that doubles as a by-the-slice wine bar.
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CafeProject Forty Nine - CLOSED
107 Cambridge Street, Collingwood
It’s a little slice of Beechworth in the suburbs.
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RestaurantRyne - CLOSED
203-205 St Georges Road, Fitzroy North
Acclaimed chef Donovan Cooke is offering up a modern riff on classic French flavours.
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CafeNomada Cafe y Tapas - CLOSED
412A Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
A Fitzroy cafe where you can eat croquettes and churros for breakfast.
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BarAbsinthesalon - CLOSED
82 Rose Street, Fitzroy
Fitzroy's Parisian-themed drinking den dedicated to the green fairy.
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RestaurantFonda Collingwood
236 Smith Street, Collingwood
Melbourne's cheap and colourful Mexican chain takes over two storeys on Smith Street.
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CafeLune Croissanterie
119 Rose Street, Fitzroy
Prepare to queue — these are some of the best croissants in Melbourne, if not the world.
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BarThe Rose Fitzroy
406 Napier Street, Fitzroy
The Fitzroy mainstay has a new lick of paint and an upstairs wine bar.
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RestaurantMESOB Ethiopian
213 High Street, Northcote
Shovel hearty stews and flatbread straight from plate to mouth.
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RestaurantDexter
456 High Street, Preston
Hot, sugary brisket doughnuts await you at Preston's no-rules BBQ place.
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BarRice Paper Scissors
307 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
Enjoy all the Asian fusion food at Rice Paper Scissors' new Fitzroy venue.
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RestaurantThaiger Rabbit
391 Victoria Street, Abbotsford
A quirky Thai oasis in the middle of Victoria Street.
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BarThe Stone Hotel
298‒300 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
A brand new pub for Fitzroy's busiest intersection.
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BarArchie's All Day
189 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy
From your morning coffee to your midnight nightcap, Archie's has you covered.
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RestaurantGelato Messina Fitzroy
237 Smith Street, Fitzroy
How do you know it's summer? You're standing in the queue at Messina again, dummy.
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ShopThe Rose Street Artists' Market
60 Rose Street, Fitzroy
A life raft in times of peak gift-giving.
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ShopBlackhearts & Sparrows
131 Lygon Street, Brunswick East
A boutique wine store with a difference.
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ShopThird Drawer Down
93 George Street, Fitzroy
A perfectly nonsensical collection of weird gifts, unique homewares, and everything in-between.
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ShopSomebuddy Loves You
193 Smith Street, Fitzroy
Smith Street's Somebuddy curates a collection of some of the best local designers around.
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RestaurantNorthern Git
757 High St, Thornbury
Sophisticated British comfort food adds a much-needed destination to Thornbury's dining options.
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BarThe Raccoon Club
145 Plenty Rd, Preston
With a strict 'no dickheads' policy (that they take very seriously), it really is about drinking better, not more.
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RestaurantKumo
152 Lygon Street, East Brunswick
Izakaya-style dining at the Brunswick end of a worldly Lygon Street.
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BarThe Spotted Mallard - CLOSED
314 Sydney Road, Brunswick
Great burgers in a classic Brunswick grunge-pub.
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CafeAdmiral Cheng Ho
325 Johnston Street, Abbotsford
Whether it's virtue or flavour you're after, The Admiral has you covered.
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CafeFifteen Pounds
21-23 Railway Place, Fairfield
Just like the rest of us, Fairfield survives on seriously good brunch and killer coffee.
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BarPabu Grill & Sake - CLOSED
190 Smith Street, Collingwood
Serving sake rather than beer, Collingwood's newest pub is distinctly Japanese.
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CafeEveryday Coffee
36–38 Sackville Street, Collingwood
To provide consistently outstanding coffee might sound complicated, but these boys are doing it everyday of the year.
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CafeNorth Carlton Canteen
1008 Lygon Street, Carlton North
Near the 24-hour florist and the steeply priced milk bar, North Carlton Canteen is the sort of place everybody wishes they had as their local.
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BarLos Hermanos
339 Victoria Street, Brunswick
Los Hermanos has found a niche somewhere between the taco trucks of the north and the classier acts of the inner city and south-side.
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CafeSouth of Johnston
46 Oxford Street, Collingwood
Wholesome brekkie offerings, couches and free Wi-Fi. What's not to love?
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BarHell of the North - CLOSED
135 Greeves Street, Fitzroy
You could easily pass by the bluestone home on Greeve's Street, off uber-chic Smith, were it not for the canary yellow door.
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