In the inner city, any laneway could hold the perfect cup of coffee, and a vintage bargain is always just a short tram ride away.
From the lush greenery of Carlton Gardens, through the tram-filled streets of the CBD and over the river to the aisles of South Melbourne Market, there are hidden gems to be found all over Melbourne.
To help you uncover the best ones, we’ve teamed up with American Express to pull together a selection of the businesses that give Melbourne its character — and that you can shop small at. Start on Lygon Street, make your way through the city’s laneways and arcades and finish with oysters and croissants at the market. All of these shops and eating spots will welcome you — and your American Express Card — with open arms.
All roads lead to the CBD. Flinders Street Station is a good starting point to wander on foot, or a train to Melbourne Central will drop you right in the middle of the action. Trams are free in the CBD but remember to touch on when on the 57 to North Melbourne or the 109 to Port Melbourne Beach.
Despite what you may have heard, print isn’t dead — and we’ve got the bookshops to prove it. Get lost in the shelves of The Paperback or Metropolis, before walking up to Carlton Gardens to find a spot to read under a shady tree next to the Royal Exhibition Building.
If the street name has ‘Little’ or ‘Lane’ in it, it’s a goer. From Flinders Lane to Little Collins and Little Bourke streets, the CBD is waiting to be explored. Otherwise, stroll down Coventry Street to the South Melbourne Market, or choose from the many family-run restaurants on Lygon Street.
Melbourne’s Chinatown is the oldest Chinatown in the Southern Hemisphere. Running along Little Bourke Street, between Swanston and Spring, the area dates back to the gold rush days of the 1850s and is home to institutions like Supper Inn.
THE SHOPPING LISTS
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RestaurantHeroes
188 Bourke Street, Melbourne
A multi-level hawker-style barbecue and karaoke joint in the CBD.
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RestaurantDi Stasio Citta
45 Spring Street, Melbourne
Part art gallery, part Italian restaurant, this CBD is the second outpost of St Kilda's Cafe Di Stasio.
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ShopThe Paperback Bookshop
60 Bourke Street, Melbourne
The quintessential bookshop where you can buy all the books you're looking for — as well as all the ones you weren't.
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ShopMetropolis Bookshop
252 Swanston Street, Melbourne
A quirky book haven tucked inside Curtin House.
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BarBar Ampere
16 Russell Place, Melbourne
End your night with French aperitifs and raclettes at this Parisian-style bar.
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BarPonyfish Island
Southgate Pedestrian Bridge, Melbourne
The long-standing bar now has a Miami-inspired fit-out, summery cocktails and, for the first time ever, tap beers.
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ShopLucy Folk Jewellery
1A Crossley Street, Melbourne
The Melbourne-based designer combined her love of travel and skills as a goldsmith to create this nomadic lifestyle brand.
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ShopThe Paw Principality
60 Errol Street, North Melbourne
All natural pet products for your beloved four-legged friends
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ShopBooks for Cooks
115-121 Victoria Street, Melbourne
An independent bookstore with over 40,000 titles dedicated to food and wine
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ShopHeartland Records
420-422 Victoria Street, North Melbourne
A North Melbourne institution for vinyl lovers.
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ShopGewurzhaus Herb & Spice Merchants Carlton
342 Lygon Street, Carlton
Gewürzhaus will spice up your life with more than 350 different herbs, spices, salts, peppers, sugars and teas.
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ShopMartin Fella Vintage
556 Queensberry Street, North Melbourne
Select vintage pieces handpicked by the man himself.
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BarMagnum + Queens Wine - CLOSED
274-278 Coventry Street, South Melbourne
This South Melbourne wine boutique and bar offers a carefully curated list of stellar wines.
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RestaurantAgathe Patisserie
322 Coventry Street, South Melbourne
Pastries worth standing in line for.
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Bambu Asian Eating House
92/116 Cecil Street, South Melbourne
A great spot to refuel after a busy day of shopping.
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ShopPaperpoint
259/261 Coventry Street, South Melbourne
A South Melbourne paper and stationery haven just waiting to be explored.
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