Melbourne is best explored by neighbourhood. I’ve written this Melbourne neighbourhood guide with visitors in mind – these are my favourite inner city neighbourhoods which I think have the most to offer for visitors and represent the things that make Melbourne such a dynamic city (not to mention, the most liveable city in the world for seven years running).

I’ve lived in Melbourne since 2015, and have loved exploring different neighbourhoods which each have their own distinct personality. The city is a good central base for visiting most of these neighbourhoods, but for more of a local feel while still saying somewhere convenient, I’d recommend staying in Prahan, Richmond or Fitzroy.

Explore More: Melbourne Travel Guide 

Melbourne CBD

The Melbourne CBD isn’t just a collection of skyscrapers and government buildings. Iconic Melbourne sights include Fed Square, Flinders Street Station, the Queen Victoria Market and Hosier Lane, which is Melbourne’s most famous laneway. The Bourke Street Mall is famous for shopping, and the city’s best laneways can be found off Flinders Lane, Little Collins Street and Little Bourke.

I’ve written a whole post about my favourite restaurants in the Melbourne CBD, but Trattoria Emilia, Oter & San Telmo are a good place to start. Unpopular opinion: the legendary Chin Chin is good, but overrated.

My favourite bars in the Melbourne CBD include Punch Lane, Kirk’s Wine Bar and Eau de Vie. If you’re taking visitors around (or you are a visitor), don’t miss the view from the Lui Bar at the top of the Rialto Tower. I love how close the bay feels from Lui Bar. In summer, Arbory and Riverland are great spots to enjoy a drink by the river. Melbourne’s CBD has lots of rooftop bars to choose from, such as Imperial Bourke Street which overlooks parliament, beautiful Siglo, Madame Brussel’s and the city’s newest rooftop bar, The Duke Rooftop, which has just opened on top of Melbourne’s oldest pub.

Southbank

Just across the Princes Bridge from the CBD, Southbank is home to Hamer Hall, the Arts Centre and the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), which I think is the best art gallery in Australia. Melbourne has Australia’s most dynamic arts & cultural scene, so it would be a shame not to see a show while you’re in town. My favourite spot for a pre or post show bite is Fatto, which also has the prettiest view of the Melbourne CBD skyline.

Carlton

Historic Carlton is one of the best neighbourhoods in Melbourne to visit. The waves of of Italian immigration to Melbourne in the 19th and 20th centuries shaped Melbourne into the city it is today, and Carlton is Melbourne’s proudest Italian neighbourhood. Carlton is home to one of Australia’s few UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Royal Exhibition Building, a 19th century pavilion. Surrounded by the beautiful Carlton Gardens, it’s a beautiful spot for a stroll or a picnic before hitting Lygon Street, which is Carlton’s version of Little Italy. There are a few tourist traps on Lygon Street, but D.O.C., Brunetti and Johnny, Vince & Sam’s are the real deal for Italian food in Carlton.

Fitzroy

cafes, cocktail bars, pubs, op shops, record stores and independent designers along the main hubs of Smith, Gertrude and Brunswick Streets. For a break from the bar scene, check out the beautiful Spanish-style conservatory garden in the Fitzroy Gardens.

Collingwood

Collingwood is one of the coolest neighbourhoods in Melbourne. Neighbouring Fitzroy, you’ll find more of the same in Collingwood as you did in Fitzroy, including excellent coffee, bars and restaurants. Sip, snack and shop your way down Gertrude Street, stopping at spots like Alimentari, Happy Valley for locally designed souvenirs or Smith Street Bistrot for a glamorous dinner reservation. If you’ve got some time up your sleeve, make a reservation at Sense of Self Bath House for a soak, sauna or cold plunge.

St Kilda

St Kilda is one of the best neighbourhoods in Melbourne for first time visitors, with With it’s bayside beaches, nightlife and bustling Acland Street, it’s no wonder that St Kilda is one of Melbourne’s most popular tourist destinations. Have a picnic on the beach and watch the sunset, or walk to the end of St Kilda pier to spot fairy penguins at dusk. Drop by the famous clown mouth facade of the historic Luna Park, side by side with the gorgeous Palais Theatre, and then get a fix at the famous pastry shops of Acland Street

My favourite spots in St Kilda are Radio Mexico and Las Tapas for dinner and Milk the Cow for wine & cheese.

Acland Street, St Kilda

South Melbourne

South Melbourne is one of the best neighbourhoods to visit in Melbourne to experience Melbourne’s market culture. Melbourne has several major markets, but the South Melbourne Market is the best of the bunch, especially for visitors. A Melbourne icon, the South Melbourne Market is jammed with a dizzying array of stalls, selling everything from street food, to fresh oysters & seafood, the perfect cannoli, pies, cheese, gozleme, arancini, locally designed jewellery, accessories and homewares, fresh flowers and more. I love visiting regularly, and it’s a go to spot for us to bring visitors. Surrounding the South Melbourne Market are streets of charming cafes, boutiques, pubs and an excellent bookstore, Coventry Bookstore.

Brunswick

Venture deeper into Melbourne’s northside to Brunswick, regarded as one of the coolest neighbourhoods in Melbourne. Brunswick is a quintessential hipster neighbourhood, much like Williamsburg in New York City or Shoreditch in London. Wander Sydney Road for cafes, bars op-shopping, live music, vegan food and Turkish homewares. In leafy Sparta Place, gather picnic suppliers at Caseus Cheese Shop or drop into Bertocello Cafe & Bar. Sicilian trattoria Bar Idda is a Brunswick institution, and wine & vinyl bar Waxflower is always a perfect spot to while away an afternoon.

Brighton

South of the city on Melbourne’s bayside, Brighton is one of Melbourne’s most affluent neighbourhoods. Visit Brighton to check out the iconic There are a handful of good places to eat and drink, like the pub Half Moon and Schoolhouse Cafe, but the best reason to catch the train to Brighton is the iconic  Brighton Bathing Boxes on Dendy Beach.

Prahran

In Melbourne’s inner south, Prahran is a popular place to stay in Melbourne for its access to Chapel Street, as well as the lovely Prahran Market (technically in South Yarra, but essentially its Prahran!). Shop on Chapel Street and the leafy Greville Street precinct, and head for lunch or a boozy brunch at The Smith, where the light-filled atrium is often decked out in incredible floral displays suspended from the ceiling.

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