The heart and soul of Melbourne is in its thriving neighbourhoods. Spend a day exploring these inner-city pockets to experience the culture, food and community spirit endemic to the area. Follow our itinerary or get inspired to build your own adventure. Brought to you by Visit Victoria.

Brunswick
The main artery of this multicultural suburb is Sydney Road – it’s where you’ll find Melbourne favourite Dejour Jeans, makers of custom denim at great prices, and A1 Bakery, a Middle Eastern grocery, café and bakery. But don’t dismiss the smaller arteries running off the main road as you’re likely to find some gems.

Start the morning with a brew and some brekkie at Code Black Coffee Roasters and pick up some freshly roasted beans to take home. Wide Open Road is the perfect spot for lunch with its all-day brunch menu offering traditional breakfast staples, such as buttermilk pancakes with lemon curd ricotta, and lunch favourites (enter the crispy fried chicken burger). Towards the east is the Centre for Education and Research in Environmental Strategies (CERES), a not-for-profit community hub on Merri Creek. Its organic grocery, nursery, café and regular workshops and courses are only a few examples of what this centre provides to the community. The Brunswick Mechanics Institute is another must-visit local hub fostering creativity and providing the community with a vibrant cultural program of events.

In the evening, stop by Amelia Shaw for a pre-show drink and snack before catching a show or live music at Howler. Keep things casual and grab a burger at Beatbox Kitchen (pictured below) or a fragrant meal at Persian restaurant Rumi.

Windsor
Sometimes mistaken for Prahran, Windsor is the often-overlooked younger sibling with a lot to offer. Parallel to Chapel Street is Artists Lane – a haven for street artists. A visit to Windsor deserves a stop at Tokyo Tina, a Japanese restaurant that occasionally throws a little Korean into the mix, to satisfy any stomach rumbles. And a visit to Windsor wouldn’t be complete without catching a flick at The Astor Theatre. This grand old cinema plays cult classics, new movies and old favourites on its single screen. A drink and dinner at Mediterranean restaurant Neptune Food and Wine (pictured below) won’t go astray after all this exploring.

Collingwood
To Melbourne’s north-east lies this nightlife hot spot, but don’t discount a daytime visit to see the galleries and street murals. The eye-catching Adnate Mural is a 20-storey piece featuring the faces of four locals, by artist Arden Watson-Cropley – and is the tallest in the southern hemisphere. Order a coffee at the window of Plug Nickel and if time is no issue, stay for a soba noodle salad. A six-weekly exhibition rotation, featuring different artists, keeps things fresh at Grau Projekt – and the one-off cocktails created in collaboration with the artists go down nicely as well. For a food focus, set your sights on Chotto Motto for gyoza, and Hotel Jesus (pictured below) for in-and-out Mexican. If a drink is what you need, then Nighthawks is perfect for a low-key beverage.

Footscray
A melting pot of cultures, this suburb is home to hidden bars, international food and a strong arts-and-culture scene, with the Footscray Community Arts Centre one of the big pioneers. The centre collaborates with artists and communities through programs such as ArtLife, which engages with artists who have disabilities, and the Indigenous Cultural Program. Check out their website for a program of the centre’s events and exhibitions. The new kid on the block is Harry and Larry’s General Store where fresh produce is sourced from suppliers out west and on the Mornington Peninsula. For a good bowl of steaming pho, head to Saigon Pho on Nicholson Street, or if you’re hungry for an Eritrean feast, Little Africa is your best bet. Tucked into a warehouse on Yewer Street is pizza joint Slice Girls West (pictured below) and its upstairs neighbour Back Alley Sally’s – where you can unwind from the day with a slice of pizza and a beer.   

This article was brought to you by Visit Victoria.