A brand-new online guide to Australia’s favourite fashion labels, and a content hub catering for both the casually clothes curious and the sixth-dan sartorial black belt.
They know how to dress, they know how to eat, and here’s how they Melbourne.
My local is…
Annie Carroll: Albert’s Wine Bar in Armadale.
Sophie Burke: The Builders Arms in Fitzroy. As hard as I try, I just can’t quite pull myself away. They’ve perfected the fuss-to-no-fuss ratio, which keeps you there for accidental hours on end.
I know I’m in Melbourne when…
AC: I’m swaddled in my warmest coat on a wintry Saturday afternoon and I hear a siren ring out from the MCG.
SB: I’ve managed to inhabit a minimum of three food and beverage establishments in one day and it’s still light out.
In the mornings you’ll find me…
AC: Wishing I got up a little bit earlier so I could visit Baker Bleu in Hawksburn. The reality is usually a brisk walk with the dog, slurping down a coffee while reviewing Google Analytics.
SB: strolling down to Square and Compass in East Melbourne (or Squampass as our friends have donned it), wearing the same track pants for the third day in a row, sporting socks and Birkenstocks and hoping to god that no one in the fashion industry sees me, or else the jig is up. Ordering two coffees, pretending that I’m purchasing the second for my partner who is definitely not at home. If I’m feeling good I’ll stretch the walk to Bedggood and Co.
My defining food moment in Melbourne was…
AC: The first time I ate the baked Valrhona chocolate at Gimlet. Time stood still. The other is the first time I tried laksa from Laksa King in Flemington. That’s the incredible thing about Melbourne’s food scene to me – you’ve got $15 bowls of the most delicious Malaysian street food and the finest renditions of European classics all within a 5km radius.
SB: At age 18 as a fresh import from Mildura, being indoctrinated to the 3am souvlaki ritual at the intersection of Racecourse and Flemington Roads. And then in my early ’20s pretending I had money and swallowing a ‘son-in-law’ egg at Gingerboy whole. Then doing it again.
My favourite place to stock up on supplies is…
AC: Hawksburn Village. Toscano’s, Baker Bleu, Morning Market – it doesn’t get better. It’s definitely not cheap, so this is less a stock up on supplies situation and more a feast for the eyes. Can never go past the tomatoes at Toscano’s in late summer, though.
SB: Meatsmith is the ultimate driveby on the way to a barbecue. Morning Market in Fitzroy for cake, coffee and premium flowers. Alimentari to grab a large salad and pretend that I made it. Blackhearts for some fancy booze and French potato chips. I’m then broke, but very well-fed and watered.
The best new thing I’ve found is…
AC: Kafeneion on Bourke Street – best Greek food this side of the Aegean. If you haven’t been yet, get in quick – it’s only around until the end of winter.
SB: Juniper in South Melbourne: the berry and fennel cured salmon was elite – even worth the one-and-a-half hours in Saturday AFL traffic driving home.
When I want to push the boat out on a meal, I…
AC: Pair every course with a Martini.
SB: Get the good stuff from Meatsmith.
When I want to dazzle friends from out of town, I like to…
AC: Take them to Hector’s Deli for lunch, Marion for dinner and Siglo for a knock-off. The surest trifecta of satisfaction.
SB: Partake in the adult version of a pub crawl. Blood orange Mimosas at Archie’s with breakfast. A pre-lunch snack of whipped cod roe and flatbread in the courtyard of the Builders Arms. A late lunch at Marion. Once kicked off our table, we mosey over to Tamura Sake Bar. Amarillo for more snacks. Marquis of Lorne for dinner, then a jaunt into the city for a Martini at Caretaker’s Cottage. Don’t worry – it’s an equal food-to-steps ratio, it’s been officially calculated. A Belles chicken sandwich and a headache the following day.
When I want to drink something Victorian, my first choice is…
AC: Probably a pinot noir from Mornington.
SB: Anything by Fin Wines.
There’s no better value in Melbourne than…
AC: Any hot meal from Chaso’s Gourmet Deli at Prahran Market. Where else can you get a plate of meatballs and potatoes for $10 served to you by the nonna you wish you had?
SB: The Bratwurst Shop at Queen Vic Market after raiding the Borek Bakehouse sample tray.
If I could change one thing about eating and drinking here it would be…
AC: The bagel scene. Why is it impossible to get a truly delicious smoked salmon bagel with cream cheese, capers, pickled red onion and a squeeze of lemon in this town? Please don’t come at me with another complicated version of this on a subpar piece of dough. It makes me so sad.
SB: The brunch lineup.
But the one thing I hope never changes in Melbourne is…
AC: How dining out is a way of life.
SB: That all of your necessary cultural sightseeing takes place in a restaurant.
Subscribe to Homeroom’s newsletter for the latest in Australian fashion at homeroom.com.au, and follow them on Instagram @homeroomau.