Overview

Embark on a culinary journey along Fitzroy and Collingwood's Smith and Gertrude Streets. Explore this arty and eccentric inner-city 'burb, with its bars known for drag bingo and queer nights and packed restaurants driving the area's cultural boom. 

1. IDES

Take your tastebuds on an unconventional, yet sensational trip at IDES. Enjoy a six course degustation that has landed IDES a prime spot in the Good Food Guide 2023 and awarded a star from The Australian Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide. Sip fine wine and savour five-star quality food in an unpretentious setting. 

2. Marion

Marion is a treasured Fitzroy wine bar where you can just pause for a moment and enjoy good food and wine in good company. Must-order dishes include the fluffy flat bread served with fromage blanc, mussels with 'nduja and baked vodka pasta.

3. Easey's

All aboard the nostalgia train at Easey's. This tasty temple of old-school Melbourne transport pays homage to the old orange plaid seats from days of commuter yore. Kick back with a Melbourne bitter and burger, or rise and shine 'easey' like a Sunday morning with brekkie at the Zone 1 Cafe. 

4. Builders Arms Hotel

A tried and true Gertrude Street icon, Builders Arms Hotel is the place to go for elevated gastropub fare. Keep things light with tasty sharing plates or go all out and treat yourself to top-quality steaks from the grill menu. Struggling to choose your order? The famous fish pie is a no-brainer.

5. Hotel Jesus

Muchas gracias to the younger sibling of Mamasita. Hotel Jesus is a no-frills tacqueria with an expansive taco menu. From beef brisket and fried fish tacos to traditional desserts like churros and a vanilla and caramel flan, there's something for every palate. Don't forget to wash it all down with a spicy marg or a kombucha mule.

6. Tamura Sake Bar

Head to Tamura Sake Bar (part izakaya, part record store) for delicious Japanese eats, craft sake and smooth vinyl. Cosy up with friends and settle in for an evening of relaxed sake-fuelled feasting at this popular Gertrude Street spot.

7. Trippy Taco

Take a pilgrimage to Mexico, veggo style, with a trip to Trippy Taco. What the space lacks in size it makes up for with personality, with an overflowing menu of tacos, quesadillas, burritos and tamales. 

8. Anada 

Cross the border into Spain and discover the region known for its bullfighting and flamenco dancing with a food and drink experience at Anada. This tiny pocket of Andalusia in the heart of Fitzroy serves sensational tapas and moreish raciones. Mas, por favor. 

9. Gaea

This intimate 16-seat degustation restaurant may be small in size, but it really packs a punch when it comes to the exquisitely curated dishes on offer. The ever-changing, seafood-focused menu at Gaea showcases Head Chef Mo Zhou's imaginative take on European techniques. Choose from the six or eight-course menu option and prepare to be blown away by each flavour-packed, meticulously prepared dish.

10. Shop Ramen

Just like it says in the window, Shop Ramen does noodles, buns and pie. And it does them well. This is a hard-slurping, cheap and cheerful favourite with locals. Pull up a stool and tuck into delicious soups with handmade ramen, steamed buns with special sauce, and all kinds of sweet ice cream pie.

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