Guidebook for Footscray
Food Scene
Our favourite - best (and closest) coffee in indoor/outdoor cafe based on three shipping containers in a beautiful garden setting - three blocks from the house
32 locals recommend
Rudimentary
16-20 Leeds StOur favourite - best (and closest) coffee in indoor/outdoor cafe based on three shipping containers in a beautiful garden setting - three blocks from the house
Our favourite cafe in Footscray (pre-children!). Walking distance from our place.
35 locals recommend
Footscray Milking Station
35 Bunbury StOur favourite cafe in Footscray (pre-children!). Walking distance from our place.
Great outdoor space for the kids with heaps of toys and books (and other kids) while you read a paper, enjoy the sun and cafe food. Art gallery in the same space. A bit random and casual service adds to the charm. 15-20 minute walk along the river from our house will get your appetite up!
19 locals recommend
Andy's Remedy
45 Moreland StGreat outdoor space for the kids with heaps of toys and books (and other kids) while you read a paper, enjoy the sun and cafe food. Art gallery in the same space. A bit random and casual service adds to the charm. 15-20 minute walk along the river from our house will get your appetite up!
One of our favourite Vietnamese restaurants on main strip of Footscray with a modern take on traditional dishes - and it's also licenced. Walking distance from our place.
23 locals recommend
Sapa Hills Restaurant
112 Hopkins StOne of our favourite Vietnamese restaurants on main strip of Footscray with a modern take on traditional dishes - and it's also licenced. Walking distance from our place.
A favourite Ethiopian restaurant in Footscray, great local ethnic eatery (cash only). Walking distance from our place.
9 locals recommend
Cafe Lalibela
91 Irving StA favourite Ethiopian restaurant in Footscray, great local ethnic eatery (cash only). Walking distance from our place.
8bit
8 Droop Stlocal fast food, very popular with students
One of our favourite local Vietnamese restaurant. Our recommendation: Vietnamese pancakes. Walking distance from our place.
Thien An Restaurant
32 Irving StOne of our favourite local Vietnamese restaurant. Our recommendation: Vietnamese pancakes. Walking distance from our place.
The traditional italian Cafe in Footscray. Try the legendary Cannoli with ricotta filling. Walking distance from our place.
16 locals recommend
T. Cavallaro & Sons
98 Hopkins StThe traditional italian Cafe in Footscray. Try the legendary Cannoli with ricotta filling. Walking distance from our place.
Fantastic fresh and cheap bread rolls, the lunch queues for the Vietnamese sandwich fillings speak for themselves. Walking distance from our place.
21 locals recommend
Nhu Lan Bakery
116 Hopkins StFantastic fresh and cheap bread rolls, the lunch queues for the Vietnamese sandwich fillings speak for themselves. Walking distance from our place.
Sourdough Kitchen
172 Victoria StThe best artisan breads. Try the rhubarb-rosemary scrolls.
This is a local pub with style. It is great for lunch and dinners (reservations on weekends recommended). It has a nice backyard that is really pleasant in summer. We love coming for pizzas. 10-15 minute walk from our place.
21 locals recommend
Plough Hotel
333 Barkly StThis is a local pub with style. It is great for lunch and dinners (reservations on weekends recommended). It has a nice backyard that is really pleasant in summer. We love coming for pizzas. 10-15 minute walk from our place.
Our favourite Ethiopian restaurant in Footscray; traditional, cheap ethnic eatery. Honey wine and coffee ceremony are a must for the adventurous. Walking distance from our place.
8 locals recommend
Ras Dashen Ethiopean Restaurant
247 Barkly StOur favourite Ethiopian restaurant in Footscray; traditional, cheap ethnic eatery. Honey wine and coffee ceremony are a must for the adventurous. Walking distance from our place.
Aangan
559 Barkly StOur favourite Indian restaurant
Dosa Hut
604 Barkly StFavourite dosa place. Cheap food and quick service.
Our favorite central american restaurant. Love the tamales and sangria. usually live band. Offers salsa classes on Wednesday. Closed Tuesday
NUEVO LATINO LOS RODRIGUEZ
553 Barkly StreetOur favorite central american restaurant. Love the tamales and sangria. usually live band. Offers salsa classes on Wednesday. Closed Tuesday
West 48
48 Essex StGood cafe in West Footscray
Rated in The Age's top 10 breakfast spots in Melbourne (July 2017). A new addition to the cafe scene in West Footscray on a quiet back street. Stylish food and great coffees
9 locals recommend
Dumbo
11 Argyle StRated in The Age's top 10 breakfast spots in Melbourne (July 2017). A new addition to the cafe scene in West Footscray on a quiet back street. Stylish food and great coffees
Above average in price but always gets good food reviews -traditional pub in the heart of Footscray
34 locals recommend
Station Hotel
59 Napier StAbove average in price but always gets good food reviews -traditional pub in the heart of Footscray
Have a sit down, take away pizza, or order from upstairs Back Sally Alley's to enjoy with a drink. Walking distance from our place.
7 locals recommend
Slice Girls West
4 Yewers StHave a sit down, take away pizza, or order from upstairs Back Sally Alley's to enjoy with a drink. Walking distance from our place.
A favorite no frills Vietnamese restaurant 2-3 blocks from home. Good cheap Vietnamese favourites (Pho/noodle soup) and quick service.
Pho Tam Restaurant
9 Leeds StA favorite no frills Vietnamese restaurant 2-3 blocks from home. Good cheap Vietnamese favourites (Pho/noodle soup) and quick service.
Drinks & Nightlife
Our favourite bar - and it's close! Stylish and super friendly with a great artistic vibe to the decor.
28 locals recommend
Back Alley Sally's
4 Yewers StOur favourite bar - and it's close! Stylish and super friendly with a great artistic vibe to the decor.
Craft beer brewing comes to Footscray! Hidden away in a warehouse among warehouses. Food trucks serve dinner snacks. Open Friday - Sunday.
15 locals recommend
Hop Nation Brewing Co.
107-109 Whitehall StCraft beer brewing comes to Footscray! Hidden away in a warehouse among warehouses. Food trucks serve dinner snacks. Open Friday - Sunday.
Just around the corner is this stylish restaurant / bar
recommended for carnivores as the menu is heavy on meat
good range of (pricey) cocktails and local beers available
28 locals recommend
Up in Smoke
28 Hopkins StJust around the corner is this stylish restaurant / bar
recommended for carnivores as the menu is heavy on meat
good range of (pricey) cocktails and local beers available
In between Vietnamese, Chinese shops and insurance brokers you find this tiny escape to France. Enjoy great French wines, cheese and food. Booking strongly recommended. Check opening hours as they change frequently. Walking distance from our place.
12 locals recommend
Small French Bar
154 Barkly StIn between Vietnamese, Chinese shops and insurance brokers you find this tiny escape to France. Enjoy great French wines, cheese and food. Booking strongly recommended. Check opening hours as they change frequently. Walking distance from our place.
Footscray favourite. A quirky bar which is open every night until late. On weekends they often have live music in the Gallery room
12 locals recommend
Dancing Dog Cafe
42A Albert StreetFootscray favourite. A quirky bar which is open every night until late. On weekends they often have live music in the Gallery room
A traditional pub in Footscray. Try Taco Tuesdays. Walking distance from our place. Has bands, comedian other entertainment throughout the week. Walking distance from our place.
20 locals recommend
Reverence Hotel
A traditional pub in Footscray. Try Taco Tuesdays. Walking distance from our place. Has bands, comedian other entertainment throughout the week. Walking distance from our place.
Hipster heaven. Get your beard trimmed while listening to cool groves and having a beer (or playing pool).
10 locals recommend
Chip's Loft
116a Hopkins StHipster heaven. Get your beard trimmed while listening to cool groves and having a beer (or playing pool).
If you want a late night drink in Footscray and some DJ tunes this is the place to go. Due to licensing most (all?) places close at 11 pm. This is the rare exception! Walking distance from our place.
37 locals recommend
Littlefoot Bar
223 Barkly StIf you want a late night drink in Footscray and some DJ tunes this is the place to go. Due to licensing most (all?) places close at 11 pm. This is the rare exception! Walking distance from our place.
Entertainment & Activities
Small iconic theatre that does not only play blockbuster movies. Check out cry baby sessions if you got a little one.
Cash only.
126 locals recommend
Sun Theatre Yarraville
8 Ballarat StSmall iconic theatre that does not only play blockbuster movies. Check out cry baby sessions if you got a little one.
Cash only.
Westside Yoga
77 Charles StOur favourite yoga studio
Royal Issan Thai Massage
107A Victoria StreetIf you look for relaxing authentic thai massage this is the place to go.
Hours of entertainment for children.
Check out indoor playroom for rainy days
134 locals recommend
Melbourne Zoo/Poplar Rd (Parkville) station
Hours of entertainment for children.
Check out indoor playroom for rainy days
Good entertainment for children and cafe for grown ups.
Wander / bike along the Yarra river and explore the Abby.
12 locals recommend
Collingwood Children's Farm Farmers Market
3067 St Heliers StGood entertainment for children and cafe for grown ups.
Wander / bike along the Yarra river and explore the Abby.
White Dog Studio
167 Hyde StreetYoga and pilates studio
Our son loves to go on Safari, highly recommended in conjunction of Werribee Mansion / Rose gardens.
161 locals recommend
Werribee Open Range Zoo
K RoadOur son loves to go on Safari, highly recommended in conjunction of Werribee Mansion / Rose gardens.
Bike path running from the bottom on Donald Street will take you (mostly off roads) all the way to Werribee touring through coastal landscapes.
Federation Trail
Federation TrailBike path running from the bottom on Donald Street will take you (mostly off roads) all the way to Werribee touring through coastal landscapes.
This swimming pool suits everybody. Warm water exercise pool, kids area with slides and water fountain and 25/50 m pool for laps. Great on rainy days. Extended opening hours 7 days a week. Entrance 6.50, small kids free.
18 locals recommend
Maribyrnong Aquatic Centre
1 Aquatic DrThis swimming pool suits everybody. Warm water exercise pool, kids area with slides and water fountain and 25/50 m pool for laps. Great on rainy days. Extended opening hours 7 days a week. Entrance 6.50, small kids free.
Shopping
Fresh fruit and veggies, spices, deli, meat and fish for a good price less then 5 min walk from our home.
118 locals recommend
Footscray Market
18 Irving StFresh fruit and veggies, spices, deli, meat and fish for a good price less then 5 min walk from our home.
Around Gertrude Street / Brunswick Street / Johnston street you will find plenty of small local artisan shops, trendy cafes, restaurants and bars.
98 locals recommend
Gertrude Street
Gertrude StreetAround Gertrude Street / Brunswick Street / Johnston street you will find plenty of small local artisan shops, trendy cafes, restaurants and bars.
This is the iconic Melbourne Market where you find almost everything you can think of. If you are after bargains go Sunday afternoons. Closed Monday and Wednesday
957 locals recommend
Queen Victoria Market
Queen StreetThis is the iconic Melbourne Market where you find almost everything you can think of. If you are after bargains go Sunday afternoons. Closed Monday and Wednesday
Second hand clothing, books, toys, kitchen and everything in-between superstore in Footscray for bargain hunters.
61 locals recommend
Savers
330 Sydney RdSecond hand clothing, books, toys, kitchen and everything in-between superstore in Footscray for bargain hunters.
Comprehensive shopping mall. Target, BigW, Kathmandu, David Jones, Seed, Body Shop, Lincraft, ToysRUs, Myer, Apple, Woolworth, T2 to name but a few.
Frequent bus connection from Footscray.
40 locals recommend
Highpoint Shopping Centre/Wests Rd station
Comprehensive shopping mall. Target, BigW, Kathmandu, David Jones, Seed, Body Shop, Lincraft, ToysRUs, Myer, Apple, Woolworth, T2 to name but a few.
Frequent bus connection from Footscray.
Essentials
Coles Footscray
Paisley StreetColes is a standard supermarket with extended opening hours.
Well stocked pharmacy next to Coles with extended opening hours 7 days a week.
Priceline Pharmacy Footscray Plaza
18 Albert StWell stocked pharmacy next to Coles with extended opening hours 7 days a week.
Parks & Nature
extensive trails along the river for running, walking or biking, historic botanic gardens, playgrounds and cafes as you go along.
40 locals recommend
Footscray Park
40 Maribyrnong Blvdextensive trails along the river for running, walking or biking, historic botanic gardens, playgrounds and cafes as you go along.
Altona Pier
EsplanadeGreat beach 20 min drive, accessible with Melbourne metro
Williamstown Beach
Nice beach, easily accessible by car or Melbourne Metro
Arts & Culture
Learn about the history of Australia as a history of immigration
96 locals recommend
Immigration Museum
400 Flinders StLearn about the history of Australia as a history of immigration
Changing exhibitions.
Free access (but pay for special exhibitions)
1737 locals recommend
National Gallery of Victoria
180 St Kilda RdChanging exhibitions.
Free access (but pay for special exhibitions)
ACMI
Flinders StreetFree
In walking distance from our home. Mostly local artists (often former refugees or Aboriginal people) exhibit and / or perform. See local program for details.
31 locals recommend
Footscray Community Arts Centre
45 Moreland StIn walking distance from our home. Mostly local artists (often former refugees or Aboriginal people) exhibit and / or perform. See local program for details.