The next time you’re on the 86 tram, don’t just look out the window and watch the world go by. If you’ve got a spare moment, hop off at Gertrude Street and take a stroll. With heaps of cafes, art galleries and shops, there’s so many things to see and do on this one road in Fitzroy. From morning to night, and in no particular order, here are some awesome things to check out.
1. Arcadia Café & Bar
Where: 193 Gertrude St, Fitzroy VIC 3065
Start the day with brunch from Arcadia. Open from 7am to 3pm all week, this spot serves up coffee from Fitzroy’s own Industry Beans, as well as local beers on tap, cocktails and curated wines. Enjoy a wide range of locally sourced food, with plenty of vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options. Bring your dog along too, and spoil them with something off the doggy menu.
2. Archie’s All Day
Where: 189 Gertrude St, Fitzroy VIC 3065
Enjoy a hearty breakfast or lunch at Archie’s All Day. Open all week from 8am to 3pm, Archie’s serves up plenty of delicious things to eat, like hotcakes, fried chicken & waffles, and burgers. Pair your meal with coffee, smoothies, beer, wine and cocktails.
3. Morning Market
Where: 59 Gertrude St, Fitzroy VIC 3065
Pop in to this delightful corner store for seasonal produce, baked goods, groceries and flowers. After you do your shopping, grab a coffee or a sweet treat and enjoy it with street-side seating. Morning Market is open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, and 8am to 3pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
4. Northside Records
Where: 236 Gertrude St, Fitzroy VIC 3065
This gem has been open since 2002, and has a wide range of soul and funk, especially on vinyl. But, they have heaps of other genres too, including hip hop, disco, dubstep, dancehall and reggae. Specialising in vinyl, Northside Records has new releases, second-hand goods and rare pieces.
5. Rosella Dining Room and Bar
Where: 229 Gertrude St, Fitzroy VIC 3065
The former Bar Rosella, now known as Rosella Dining Room & Bar, has found a home on Gertrude Street. Perfect for lunch, dinner and after-work drinks, Rosella will transport your taste buds to the south of Italy. Try their popular spaghetti all’assassina, share cheese and cured meats with friends, and sip on their range of small-batch wines.
6. This Is No Fantasy
Where: 108/110 Gertrude St, Fitzroy VIC 3065
This gallery on Gertrude Street was established in 2010 by Dianne Tanzer and Nicola Stein. Pop into the dynamic space for solo shows, curated exhibitions and artist projects. The gallery promotes contemporary artists in Australia, and participates in international art fairs and public projects. This Is No Fantasy is open Tuesday to Friday, from 11am to 5pm, and on Saturday, from 12 to 5pm.
7. Rose Chong Costumes
Where: 218 Gertrude St, Fitzroy VIC 3065
This fun and unique establishment has an extensive collection of costumes, vintage items, couture, masks, prosthetics, wigs and more. Whether you’re looking to hire something for a fancy dress party, a sophisticated vintage event or an industry hire, the stylists at Rose Chong will help bring your vision to life. They currently run by appointment only, and are open from 9am to 6pm on weekdays and 10am to 5pm on Saturday.
8. Poodle Bar & Bistro
Enjoy flavoursome European dishes at Poodle Bar & Bistro. Sit inside the art deco-inspired public bar, or unwind in the spacious courtyard. Indulge in oysters, caviar, vol-au-vent, vintage beef scotch from the charcoal grill and more delicious bites. Pair your meal with a refreshing cocktail.
9. Rocco’s Bologna Discoteca
Where: 15 Gertrude St, Fitzroy VIC 3065
This fabulous venture from the Poodle team got us through the pandemic with their hefty takeaway subs. Earlier this year, Rocco’s opened their permanent location on Gertrude Street. Now, you can sit down for lunch and dinner and tuck into their Original Meatball Sub or their Originario Bologna Sandwich. There’s also Bone Marrow Garlic Bread, crudo, pasta and more to try.
10. Takeawei
Where: 120 Gertrude St, Fitzroy VIC 3065
Discover colourful ceramics and textiles from designer Chela Edmunds. Enjoy handmade mugs, tableware, planters, vases and more. Stay cosy with their blankets and loungewear, and keep your home fresh with their range of incense and candles. Takeawei also runs pottery classes, and you can stay the night in a one-bedroom apartment above the store. Takeawei is open from Tuesday to Sunday.
11. Australian Print Workshop
Where: 210 Gertrude St, Fitzroy VIC 3065
This unique venue has been a part of Melbourne for over 40 years. Check out exhibitions in the public gallery and learn all about printmaking with their education programs. At Australian Print Workshop, both emerging and established artists have the support they need to create original, fine art prints. Artists have access to a range of printmaking equipment and expertise, with a workshop, an access program and other helpful services. The gallery is open to visit from Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm.
12. Builders Arms Hotel
Where: 211 Gertrude St, Fitzroy VIC 3065
This historic landmark had its first stones laid in 1853. Now part of Andrew McConnell’s Trader House group, Builders Arms Hotel is perfect for all occasions. It features a classic bar, a bistro, private dining spaces and a charming courtyard. Enjoy a drink from their extensive list, including beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages. Then, tuck into some fancy pub fare, such as the famous fish pie, which is stacked with snapper, smoked trout, prawn and sorrel. End your outing on a sweet note with a lovely dessert. The historic public house is open every day, from 12pm to late.
13. Cutler & Co
Where: 55/57 Gertrude St, Fitzroy VIC 3065
The flagship fine dining restaurant of Andrew McConnell’s Trader House venues, Cuter & Co opened in a former metal works factory in 2009. Choose something from the à la carte menu, or let the chef do the talking with the degustation-style, four course Chef’s Seasonal Menu. You’ll find seasonal ingredients and contemporary Australian cuisine, highlighting pristine seafood, heritage meats and local produce. For something more leisurely, opt for their Sunday lunch experience, with snacks, appetisers to share and your choice of main and dessert.
14. Cottage Industry
Where: 67 Gertrude St, Fitzroy VIC 3065
This vintage-inspired store was established on Gertrude Street in 2008. This shop by Pene Durston features a wide range of functional and handmade goods, created from the studio down the road. If it’s not handmade, it’s something fair-trade, ethical or artisanal. Find a wide variety of evolving stock, from clothing, to home décor. Cottage Industry is open from 10:30am to 4pm, Wednesday to Friday and 10:30am to 3pm on Saturday.
15. Evie’s Disco Diner
Where: 230/232 Gertrude St, Fitzroy VIC 3065
This inclusive diner will take you back to 1980s New York. Feast on American comfort food and vegan-friendly dishes, with hot dogs, burgers and more. Take it up a notch on the weekends with their boozy bottomless brunch packages. Quench your thirst with cocktails, alcoholic slushees, sparkling, sodas and more. There’s heaps of fun to be had too, with DJs, a colourful dance floor, trivia and drag events. Evie’s Disco Diner is open Wednesday to Sunday.
16. Marion Wine Bar
Where: 53 Gertrude St, Fitzroy VIC 3065
Pop into this intimate wine bar for a nice tipple, with a rotating range of local wine and drinks from around the world. Pair it with oysters, crudo, flat bread, dessert and more for an indulgent time out. Marion is open from 5pm to late from Monday to Thursday, and 12pm to late from Friday to Sunday.
17. The Everleigh
Where: Level 1/150-156 Gertrude St, Fitzroy VIC 3065
The Everleigh has served up cocktails on Gertrude Street for over ten years. This intimate speakeasy will transport you back to the Golden Age of drinking, with a small but ever-rotating range of classic cocktails. The Everleigh has won several accolades over the years, including Best Victorian Bar of the Year in 2019, and a place on The World’s Best Bars list in 2013 and 2014. This bar is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 5pm to 1am.