Destination style A stroll down Melbourne’s Gertrude Street
WE EXPLORE AUSTRALIA’S MOST EXCITING DESIGN AND STYLE DESTINATIONS
Treasures await just a short tram ride from Melbourne’s CBD, along bustling Gertrude Street in Fitzroy – an iconic strip packed with some of the best bars, boutiques and restaurants Melbourne has to offer. What’s more, as a mainstay of the city’s oldest suburb, the street is dotted with sites of historical significance reflected in the architecture and cobbled side streets. One to savour.
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1. Marion Wine Bar
Oenophiles and novice wine drinkers alike are in safe hands at one of celebrated restaurateur Andrew McConnell’s suite of venues on Gertrude Street. The handsome dining space boasts exposed brick walls, copper accents and raw materials. Come for the wine list and stay for the seasonal menu, as it’s a perfect stop for a drink or dinner. Visit: 53 Gertrude Street.
Bookmark: marionwine.com.au.
2. Tamura Sake Bar
Drop in here for izakaya-style delights. A menu full of old favourites awaits – from agedashi tofu, gyoza cooked in homemade chilli oil, and miso eggplant, to yakitori and wasabi octopus – all set to a soundtrack of hand-picked vinyl by owner Fumi Tamura. Visit: 43 Gertrude Street.
Bookmark: tamurasakebar.com.
3. Belles Hot Chicken
With the taste of fried chicken still fresh on his lips, chef Morgan McGlone returned to Australia after working in Nashville to open Belles Hot Chicken in 2014. Retro-style booths line the dining room, where you can settle in and try to resist the urge to order absolutely everything on the menu.
Visit: 150 Gertrude Street.
Bookmark: belleshotchicken.com.
4. BUILDERS ARMS HOTEL
WELCOME TO A GERTRUDE STREET INSTITUTION. BUILT IN 1853, THE BUILDERS ARMS HAS LIVED MANY LIVES, INCLUDING AS A KEY SOCIAL AND POLITICAL MEETING PLACE FOR THE LOCAL ABORIGINAL COMMUNITY. NOW OWNED BY ANDREW McCONNELL, IT’S THE PLACE TO BE ON A SUNNY SUNDAY AFTERNOON, WATCHING GERTRUDE STREET GO BY WHILE ENJOYING DELICIOUS SCOTCH EGGS (BELOW). VISIT: 211 GERTRUDE STREET. BOOKMARK: BUILDERSARMS HOTEL.COM.AU.
5. Poodle
Launched last November, the dining spaces at Poodle unfold over multiple levels against an interior scheme by Bergman & Co that stars a timber art deco bar. Sip their signature cocktail, the Wet Poodle.
Visit: 81-83 Gertrude Street.
Bookmark: poodlefitzroy.com.au.
6. Ladro
Italian eatery Ladro has consistently served topnotch pizza since opening 18 years ago. Open for brunch, lunch and dinner, grab a table, a pizza and a bottle of wine, then sit back and relish in the convivial atmosphere. Visit: 224 Gertrude Street.
Bookmark: ladro.com.au.
“EACH PIECE AT SUKU HOME IS AN ODE TO TRADITIONAL INDONESIAN CRAFTSMANSHIP” ~ KATRINA O’BRIEN, ACTING EDITOR
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7. Takeawei Ceramics
Adorned with a brilliant mural by local artist Rowena Martinich, the exterior teases at the pastel wonderland and wobbly shaped ceramics inside. The director and designer of Takeawei Ceramics, Chela Edmunds, opened it last year, and her Airbnb rental above the shop is also a launching pad for exploring the street and city beyond. Visit: 120 Gertrude Street.
Bookmark: takeawei.com.
8. Smart Alec Hatters
Michael Albert and Mary Lou Scally, the owners of Smart Alec, have created hats for locals and visitors to Fitzroy for 35 years. The walls are lined with a hat for all heads, from panamas to top hats, berets to bowlers, boaters and fedoras. Smart Alec celebrates old-school cool, harking to a time when a look wasn’t complete without the right chapeau. Visit: 235 Gertrude Street.
Bookmark: smart-alec-hatters.myshopify.com.
9. Le Labo
The unassuming shopfront of cult perfumery Le Labo superbly captures the air of laidback cool that the French-American brand is famous for. The apothecary-like interior scheme places the olfactory experience centre stage. Each bottle is part of a batch blended on site and comes with a customised label, ensuring you walk away with a truly signature scent. Visit: 183 Gertrude Street.
Bookmark: lelabofragrances.com.au.
10. Leonard St.
Designer and founder Amanda McCarthy’s fashion collections are made up of playful pieces in sophisticated silhouettes, with Amanda’s artistic background being the thread that connects all of her bright and beautiful pieces. Everything is made in Melbourne, too, with a firm focus on ethical and sustainable manufacturing.
Visit: 132 Gertrude Street. Bookmark: leonardstreet.com.au.
11. Northside Records
Down the end of Gertrude Street, where the 86 tram turns into Smith Street, lies Northside Records. A must for lovers of funk, soul, reggae and hip-hop, prepare to lose an afternoon flicking through owner Chris Gill’s impressive collection.
Visit: 236 Gertrude Street.
Bookmark: northsiderecords.com.au.
12. SUKU HOME
SPLASHED WITH BRIGHT PATTERNS CREATED USING THE INDONESIAN DYEING PROCESS OF BATIK, LIFESTYLE BRAND SUKU HOME’S BEDDING AND SLEEPWEAR REFLECTS FOUNDER AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR CHRISSY LAFIAN’S HERITAGE. FEATURING CHAIR BOI-DESIGNED BLUE SHELVING AND COUNTER, ANDI RAIHAN CURTAINS, AND A VIBRANT RUG BY STACIA HADIUTOMO, THE SPACE IS A VISUAL FEAST. VISIT: 128 GERTRUDE STREET.
BOOKMARK: SUKUHOME.COM.