Falling back in love with Melbourne
My favourite vintage + thrifting spots, where to eat/drink/stay and other things of note
Hello from Kyoto!
We’ve been in Japan for over a week (wow, what a place!!). First we were in Tokyo, then we went to Nagoya + Suzuka for the Formula 1 and this morning, we arrived in Kyoto. I’ve planted myself in front of my laptop to finally get this Substack out - it’s been so long since I’ve said Hi! Just know I’m working away in the background on fun things for this - more to come soon, including Japan tips + more. Every like, comment, share and of course, subscription means everything to me :)
For this Substack, it’s full of lovely things to do/see/eat/shop/stay in my old home, Melbourne.
Before I moved to Sydney 9 years ago, I lived in Melbourne. It’s where I met Angus, went to uni, enjoyed my late teens and early 20s. I used to the know the city inside and out. But in the near decade since I left, I’ve spent a lot less time visiting. When I do fly down, it’s either in-and-out for work commitments or spent entirely with family and friends, with very little time for exploring and it’s left me feeling a little like a tourist.
This year, when I’ve found myself in Melbourne I’ve made an effort to stay a little longer and explore a little deeper to get to know my old city again. Here’s a handful of highlights across food, shopping, accommodation etc.
Restaurants/wine bars/nibbles/takeaway/coffee/cafes etc
Fancy lunch/dinner: Gimlet – we had the time of our life here. I went with my best friends, Angus and my sister and had a total blow out, ordering every single thing we wanted, cocktail after cocktail, delicious entrees and mains, every dessert and the service was 10/10. I highly recommend the Nectarine Cavalier cocktail and I also had the best gin and tonic of my life – we went in Summer and it was seasonal and with kiwi so might not still be on offer. A pricey experience but worth it!
Other restaurants of note: still on the fancy side - Society and Lillian Brasserie were good. An old, well known fave, Marion is fantastic as is Smith St Bistrot.
Bars/arvo drink/nightcap options: Kirks Wine Bar, Bar Margaux, Her, Gilson
Cafes/Treats/Takeaway options: I go to Mabels basically every morning when I’m in Melbourne as it’s around the corner from where Angus’ parents live in South Yarra. The coffee is great, it has a lovely cute vibe, friendly staff and the most delicious baked goods. I had an incredible white choc and berry muffin and meat pie on my last trip and tbh I’m still dreaming of them both.
Alternatively, when I stay at my sister’s place in Clifton Hill, I frequent her local, Mitte Cafe. Great coffee also and delicious sausage rolls. I also love Morning Market, Green Cup (try their version of the Erewhon Hailey Bieber smoothie), Baker Bleu - I had a truly delish cinnamon babka recently from them - wow. We have a Baker Bleu in Sydney but worth mentioning the Melbourne location also.
Bench make the best iced lattes - they also serve sparkling water while you wait, chic. You simply have to get Mile End Bagels. I had it three days in a row when I went to Melbourne in January. Don’t miss Brunswick St. Alimentari, Officine Gastronomica Italiana and I’m yet to get into the Matcha scene in Melbourne but I hear Hikari is incredible.
When I was last down, we got takeaway from Taiko Sushi South Yarra, Ermou Gyros, Miss Chu - great Vietnamese - have been ordering this for over a decade! Shiva - great Indian food.
Vintage / preloved / thrifting
Reina is my idea of the perfect store. Expertly curated with beautiful preloved and vintage designer archival pieces and the interiors are to die for. I walked around discovering something exquisite at every turn. It also tickled my unquenchable thirst for vintage furniture as the store is filled with epic pieces (unsure if these are for sale too?). I picked up this Marni bag (see below) but the beauty of every visit to Reina is you never know what gem you’ll uncover and that’s the best feeling of all.
On my first trip to Vintage Sole I found two immediate wardrobe classics. Firstly, the illusive vintage Levi 501s and a vintage pair of Salvatore Ferragamo ballet flats. It’s rare to find a pair of vintage shoes that a) you love and b) that fit! – And actually same goes for denim. The simple joy of unearthing a rare find that you love never gets old.
Stumbled across this one while out walking in Collingwood when I had a few free hours. I found so many things to try on but had to restrain myself. I ended up buying this thin pale yellow jacket:
Others to check out: Goodbyes & Swop
Both of these places are a more elevated thrifting experience. I’ve had more luck in Swop but Goodbyes is worth a look because you just never know (my sister has found some great bits here) but during my last visit, I found lots of fast fashion which isn’t what I’m after. But they do have some older goodies and some more high end options scattered throughout.
Toorak Op Shop - Carters Avenue
A classic opshop, you do have to hunt your way through so make sure you have some time up your sleeve but everytime I go I come away with something. Given the Toorak location - the quality is quite good/interesting. My last visit I walked away with this cute skirt.
Not Melbourne but still Victoria – here’s some hidden gems I’ve discovered a few hours out of Melbourne:
Ballarat - Antiques Goods and Chattles and The Dressing Room Recycled
Daylesford - Mill Markets
Non-second hand shopping – a collection of my favourite brands
Lee Mathews/Gertrude St Market
I’ve seen this all over social media for so long but hadn’t found the time to visit on previous trips. For years I’ve been a Lee Mathews fan and the mix of vintage art, furniture and knick knacks (all quite reasonably priced!) alongside the beautiful LM fashion and other beautiful homewares and trinkets is my idea of heaven. We need a version of this concept store in Sydney asap.
Kowtow, Fitzroy
One of my favourite New Zealand brands, Kowtow has a new store in Melbourne (lucky ducks) so I made my way to the Gertrude store to check it out and see more of the Kowtow collection in person. Kowtow has quickly become one of my favourite brands. They recently went entirely plastic free – no small feat. And having owned a bunch of their pieces for years, I can vouch that these items stand the test of time. Stellar quality and timeless styles.
High St, Armadale
Head to High St in Armadale for the new Sir and St Agni stores and Grace Melbourne alongside classics like Bassike, Lee Mathews, OPSF, Desordre, Bianca Spender etc. There’s also Country Road, COS + more. Plus some cute cafe spots if you get hungry. Fun fact, when I was at uni I used to work at a cafe just off High St - this is where I met Angus (he was a customer) and he subsequently fell madly in love with me.
Handsom, Fitzroy
I’m a sucker for good denim and a statement collar and Handsom do this so well. Think I need to pick up this dress.
Millie Savage, Fitzroy
I’ve been eyeing off a few Millie Savage pieces online for quite sometime. Specifically these and these. Will be bookmarking these for our upcoming May anniversary (Angus if you’re reading this, take note). Stepping into the Millie Savage universe in the flesh was a treat. The interiors perfectly match the brand’s fun, funky and fresh aesthetic.
Friends with Frank, Richmond
I could live happily in head-to-toe Friends with Frank. Shop my current favourites here. Elegant, well-made basics, knitwear, jackets, pants – every single piece could easily make their way into my wardrobe and be wheeled out season after season. You can find their first showroom in the back streets of Richmond and its clean style makes their gorgeous clothing pop.
Where I’ve enjoyed staying:
Have stayed here a few times now and the service is impeccable, they have a brilliant and extensive buffet breakfast and it’s overall a great experience.
This is a more boutique offering. Love this location, very comfy beds, has everything you need.
Where do you love to go in Melbourne? Let me know in the comments or send me a message! As I always like to do in any city I’m in, I walked a lot. Melbourne is a lovely city by foot. Armadale, Fitzroy, Collingwood, the CBD, Clifton Hill, Richmond - get walking, you can’t go wrong.
Thanks for reading!
More Smooth Brain Thoughts soon,
Ali xx
Major shout out to Secondo in South Yarra for second hand fashion shopping. It’s my favourite shop of all.
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