I’ve asked some people with insider knowledge for their Melbourne Must-dos, to compile our edit of places to eat, shop, and see.
Ted Baker’s Lauren recommends: Movida for tapas, Chin Chin for Asian, Mamasita for Mexican, Meatballs, Gill’s Diner, Wonderbao, and Sushi Monger.
Kelly Thompson recommends: Spring St Grocer for gelato, and of course her husband’s restauarant, The Town Mouse. For shopping, Vintage Garage (near Lost & Found) on Smith Street for vintage kimonos priced around $40 upwards.
Thread’s Megan also liked: Coffee Exchange, Incu for menswear, Brunswick for Sunday afternoon browsing, and Hotel Windsor to stay at.
Thread Photographer Diane Pantoja says you must see the street art in Hosier Lane.
Below: Gill’s Diner
Below: Coffee Exchange, Little Collins Street.
Pictured below: Fried Eggs at The Hardware Societe, in Hardware Lane
Below: The Town Mouse. Read more about it on Thread here.
Below: Sushi Monger
Below: coffee in Rustica Sourdough – Bakery & Cafe | 402 Brunswick Street
Ex-pat New Zealander and now Melbourne local, Donna Harvey, has some great plus-size fashion knowledge and shares some of her top tips with us. “I do a lot of outlet shopping here, because I love sales!” Donna says.
My favourite places are:
Harbourtown – harbourtownmelbourne.com.au
They have 3-4 good plus-size stores here (City Chic and Crossroads for younger, Katies and Autograph for older/more work basic pieces). There are some really great shoe stores here too- like Betts and Novo. The only downside is there are a few empty shops. I would put them on the same tier as Dressmart. Easy to get to via the City Circle Tram which is free. There are other Harbour Towns in other major Australian cities, and a really nice lingerie store here, which carries a huge range of sizes.
Spencer Outlet Centre – www.spenceroutletcentre.com.au
New to Melbourne, Spencer Outlet Centre opened in December 2013, with lots of great brands; some the same as Harbourtown, but Sportscraft and Witchery are highlights. It has lots of homeware outlets. Check out Brand Secret, with lots of well known brands for good prices, including designer handbags, and Harris Scarfe. This is definitely the ‘classiest’ of the three outlet centres and is very close to Southern Cross Station, so a plus for visitors.
UHFO – Uni Hill Factory Outlets uhfo.com.au
UHFO is by far the biggest factory outlets I have ever seen, with so many shops. The only downside is that it’s quite far from the CBD, but doable via tram for an afternoon. It has the second City Chic outlet store in Melbourne.
There is also the DFO www.dfo.com.au/south-wharf
Apparently the most popular place for shopping, but I’ve never been there. Some pretty big names there, and just across the river from the CBD, so also close for visitors.
Below: Hotel Windsor’s historic tiled staircase.
Below: Brunswick Street.
Megan Robinson,
16 February 2014
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