20 must-have experiences on the coolest street in the world

A local’s guide to where to dine, drink and shop in Northcote, Thornbury and Preston.

A bohemian, arty, family- and dog-friendly enclave in Melbourne’s inner north, the High Street corridor that runs between Northcote, Thornbury and Preston is home to a litany of hangouts: record shops, indie cinemas, restaurants with hidden courtyards, bars housed in former churches, hatted restaurants that feature lasagne on speed dial.

Between these newer venues, you’ll find humble unmarked souvlaki joints, retro espresso rooms and Asian grocers, which hint at the Greek, Italian and Chinese communities that have long called the area home.

That High Street is almost entirely devoid of any chains, is perhaps part of the appeal for many local residents, myself included, and might just help explain why this unassuming drag was named ‘the world’s coolest street’ by Time Out in early 2024.

Beyond High Street’s bricks and mortar, it’s the welcoming vibe and pumping events scene that makes this little corner of Melbourne feel so alive. On each and every corner it seems as if you can find live music streaming out on a weekend. And festivals such as 2023’s inaugural The Eighty-Six (named after the tram that trundles up and down the street) and Northcote Rise, bring the community, with its shared love of music, even closer together.

If you’re stopping by Northcote, Thornbury or Preston, consider this your little black book of restaurants, bars, bakeries and shops.

1. 1800 Lasagne, Thornbury

No list would be complete without a nod to this local institution (if it’s good enough for Jamie Oliver…).

Not only is the food at 1800 Lasagne consistently on point, but the dimly-lit space and cosy, ‘70s-esque decor is a vibe, the staff always seem to hit that perfect pitch of down-to-earth and attentive yet not intrusive or overbearing, and the cocktails are oh so moreish.

While lasagne is their signature dish, we’d argue that some of the starters and sides have become icons in their own right (cos wedge salad, we’re looking at you). Trust us, you need to book in advance.

2. Wesley Anne, Northcote

This cavernous, grungy bar and restaurant might look run-of-the-mill from outside, but inside it’s anything but. Cross the threshold and you’ll enter the skeleton of a 160-year-old church, all stone walls, high ceilings and exposed beams. Cosy up by candlelight at one of Wesley Anne’s timber booths in winter, or make a beeline for the eclectically styled courtyard come summer.

3. Thornbury Picture House, Thornbury

A cute-as-a-button indie cinema, Thornbury Picture House lies within an art-nouveau garage dating to 1919.

Owners – and husband and wife team – Gus and Lou worked in the film industry for many years before pouring their heart and soul into this characterful venue, which prioritises independent movies, but also shows blockbusters at this single-screen cinema. They’ve even started their very own film festival, Northern Lights, which has a strong focus on local short films.

Forget the trailers: come early, take a seat in the old undercover forecourt and tuck into a negroni instead. There are hyperlocal snacks on offer too: think choc-tops from Preston and arancini from across the road at longtime local favourite Umberto’s.

4. Tinker, Northcote

Long a pitstop for Melbourne’s weekend brunch crowd, Tinker remains at the top of its game. The menu changes seasonally and tends to showcase reimagined classics; think zucchini and halloumi fritters with cucumber mint yoghurt and mango chilli relish, and eggs Benny on a cornbread waffle with apple and fennel slaw.

Doggos are also more than welcome in the courtyard or on one of the pavement tables out front, perfect for people-watching.

See also: Short Round, Thornbury.

5. Juju’s Deli, Thornbury

Juju’s has quickly become something of a cult classic thanks to its sizable focaccia sandwiches. Choose from a lineup of seven different sangas, two of which are veggie, and be prepared to queue.

6. Arepa Days, Preston

Technically speaking this vibrant little Colombian cafe sits on Preston Street, though you’ll only have to take two steps off of High Street to reach it.

A small, homely and bohemian place with just a handful of tables, Arepa Days has its very own ‘lab’ dedicated to making each arepa from scratch, its white corn sourced from Queensland.

The pockets are stuffed with all manner of delectable smallgoods, such as chargrilled chorizo, morcilla (black pudding), and bacon, as well as your regular breakfast fixings (think guacamole, eggs and feta).

But arguably the jewel in the crown of this lovely little establishment is its jars of homemade picadillo and chimichurri that adorn every table and are practically perfect smothered on almost anything.

7. Mali Bakes, Thornbury

Patchanida Chimkire is in the business of custom celebration cakes, and at her Thornbury HQ you can watch the baking team in action from the street, behind shop windows dressed with dried flowers.

Ordinarily, Mali Bakes is not open to the public. But stop by on a Saturday and you can road test cakes by the slice. Pedestrian Victoria sponge is not on the menu here – instead, you’ll find multilayered creations bursting with flavour: orange yoghurt cake filled with roasted strawberry, fresh orange and yuzu buttercream, or olive oil ricotta cake filled with blackberry and fennel jam, sea salt, and honey buttercream, for example.

Patchanida’s cakes are visually arresting too; retro, ornate, pastel-hued works of art, featuring piped icing sashes and swirls, sugar pearls and garnished with cherries.

See also: Holy Sugar.

8. All Are Welcome, Northcote and Thornbury

Such is the clamour for All Are Welcome’s baked goods, that this High Street standout found cause to open another outlet just seven minutes’ drive true north of the original.

While the latter venue in Thornbury offers the same dreamy smorgasbord of buttery baked goodness, the former, in Northcote, comes up trumps for sitting in. There’s a gorgeous nook featuring tiered timber seating outside and complimentary sparkling water on tap.

Expect a mix of savoury and sweet pastries, with a lean towards recipes from the Caucasus, as well as good coffee and plenty of provisions to take home (think loaves, cheeses, butter and spreads).

It’s owned and run by Russian-American Boris Portnoy, whose CV includes experience at Michelin-starred restaurants where he worked as head pastry chef.

9. Before March, Northcote

Sporting a minimalist aesthetic that would look at home in any Scandi capital, Before March is hyper-focused on cultivating a collection of high-end, little-known labels built to last a lifetime, with a focus on classic tailoring and functional clothing.

This small, bright and airy store also zeroes in on brands that embrace the principles of slow fashion by using natural fibres, deadstock fabrics, oeko-tex-certified textiles and recycled materials.

10. Green Horse, Northcote

A boutique devoted to organic, sustainable and fair-trade fashion, beauty and homewares, it’s hard to leave Green Horse without finding a little something you ‘need’. The store stocks a coterie of finds from ethical powerhouses, many of which are Australian-owned and operated, such as bags by Bellroy, toiletries by Leif and clothing by Kowtow.

11. Comune Gallery, Northcote

Specialising in ethically made Australian pieces, the experience at this High Street store is a far cry from what you’ll find at Melbourne’s malls.

The clue is in the name (hint, ‘gallery’), and the ornamental artworks on display are handmade and original, often by local jewellers. Beyond the contemporary fine jewellery exhibited, customers at Comune can also commission bespoke rings, necklaces, earrings and bangles.

12. Mutual Muse, Northcote

This Northcote consignment store regularly wins rave reviews for its inclusive sizing, carefully edited seasonal collection, and refusal to sell anything from a fast fashion chain.

Beyond clothing, you can peruse second-hand sunglasses, jewellery, shoes and accessories.

The shop itself is also a beautiful space to wander: the changing room’s brick walls are doused in a smoky pistachio green; pendant lights hang from the ceiling; and a mesmerising painting by First Nations artist Adam Leng sits in pride of place above the shop counter.

See also: Use-Ta! a Thornbury store selling pre-loved clothing for babies and kids, as well as maternity wear.

13. Casa Nata, Thornbury

Find me a better Portuguese Tart outside of Portugal and I’ll eat my Akubra.

Drinks aside, Casa Nata sells nothing but these moreish little treats, sunny circles of custard freckled with black caramelised sugar and encased in crunchy, yielding shells of puff pastry. Watch the pastry chefs in action from behind the glass, as you devour one (or three).

14. Big Dreams, Northcote

A self-described ‘children’s emporium’, Big Dreams is a wonderland full of toys, clothes, toiletries and books sourced from some of the globe’s best boutique labels. Their curated collection includes eco-friendly names and old-school games.

15. Northcote Social Club, Northcote

A pub for all occasions, is there nothing NSC can’t do? Live music is a defining feature of this Northcote stalwart, but the pub grub served here is well beyond your average boozer, the menu spanning from a classic Angus beef burger to crispy skin barramundi with a lemon and chive butter dressing, to vegan-friendly coconut and eggplant kasundi, plus daily specials and plenty of options for kids.

There are plenty of different areas to settle in for a drink too. A cosy front bar with windows overlooking High Street and a beer garden out the back which features a deck in full sun, a raised little balcony that resembles a treehouse or cubby and a larger undercover area too.

16. Rowdy’s Records, Northcote

There’s certainly no shortage of record shops in this neck of the woods. In fact, you’ll find another four almost within arm’s reach of Rowdy’s Records.

But this little corner store that sells new and used vinyl plus tapes, easily has the most ambience, not to mention plenty of merch, from tees to books. Occasionally you’ll find a live gig happening in the ‘bookstore’ at the back too.

17. Carwyn Cellars, Thornbury

Beer lovers should make a beeline for this independent bottle shop and beer garden, which is something of a northern landmark. Carwyn Cellars has long championed craft producers, purveying both the best in Australian lagers, ales and stouts, as well as hard-to-find international labels across its two dozen-plus taps.

Carwyn frequently runs collabs with local brewers, as well as events and beer subscriptions and gift boxes. While this Thornbury venue is renowned for its beer offering, there’s a fine selection of wine and spirits available too.

18. Welcome to Thornbury, Thornbury

A food truck park meets sun-drenched beer garden meets arcade, Welcome to Thornbury is an obvious crowd-pleaser. Kids, dogs, young, old: everyone’s welcome at this inner north oasis, which comes alive on summer evenings.

Pull up a pew outside under a striped parasol, pint in hand, and you might enjoy live music as the sun settles below the horizon and the string lights flick on.

19. Preston Market, Preston

Backing onto High Street, this sprawling indoor market is not some chic, sleek space. Rather, Preston Market is a lively, well-loved local institution that proudly parades the area’s rich multicultural heritage, with most of the traders continuing the legacy of their small family business.

Here you’ll find Croatian-run deli counters, a handful of Asian grocers, a Greek fishmonger as well as Turkish borek, hot jam doughnuts and an Indian stall that turns out devilishly good samosas. Despite repeated threats of redevelopment, locals have banded together to ward off unwelcome change at this rustic spot, which dates back to the 1970s.

20. Field Black, Northcote

You’re never far from a good coffee in this neck of the woods. But if you’re after a consistently great flat white or long black, then you’ve come to the right place.

Owned and run by cousins Andra and Andy, Field Black is a triple threat, delivering on coffee, decadent brunch dishes and a personable, warm welcome.