Agile
A-Z of Collins Street, part II
09 February 2017
In our second blog post, Melbourne blogger Danielle Bruce @eatmystreet rounds off her definitive A-Z guide to the best Collins Street has to offer.
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This wonderful Art Deco (1932) building has recently been opened for tours that are run in conjunction with the 1932 Café. This stunning building was built in depression era Melbourne and quickly became a symbol of success and economic recovery with its amazing gothic façade and the inclusion of Melbourne’s first escalator. Visit the building for a champagne brunch and a formal tour.
220 Collins Street
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Newspaper House Mosaic
Napier Waller was a leading neo-classical mural painter and is responsible for more than ten important murals in Melbourne and his most popular is the 1933 mosaic “I’ll put a girdle around the earth, on the wall of Newspaper House.”
You can find out more about Waller in the T&G Building’s Hidden Art blog post.
247-249 Collins Street
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Treat yourself to a decadent spread of oysters and French champagne, available every Friday at Sofi’s Lounge at the Hotel Sofitel.
25 Collins Street
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The pho at Pho Nom is both legendary and delicious at this hawker-style restaurant. Looking for other street food style lunch ideas? Join the queue at N.Lee Bakery for their much-loved Vietnamese pork roll.
567 Collins Street
422 Collins Street and 4/61 Little Collins Street
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Try the Queen Bee (vegetarian) burger at Royal Stacks, or the “Prince Harry” with butter lettuce, American cheddar, Swiss cheese and horseradish, shallot, gherkin and mayo. Whichever burger you decide on, you will definitely want to wash it all down with a Royal Stacks shake, made with freshly churned frozen custard.
470 Collins Street
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The meticulously restored theatre was first built in 1929 and is the bustling epicenter of live theatre in Melbourne. Recent shows include ‘We Will Rock You’ and ‘Matilda’. The New Year kicks off with ‘Circus 1903’ before the ‘Book of Mormon’ storms into town.
191 Collins Street
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Fancy a jug of Sangria shared with friends? Then wander up the narrow staircase at 11 Collins St to find Mamasita, a Melbourne favourite for contemporary Mexican food. The daiquiri is also very popular at this very busy restaurant.
1/11 Collins Street
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Melbourne loves tapas, so why not indulge in a tapas feast at the Longroom, a gorgeous, bustling space with fabulous service and some seriously tasty food. Located in the basement of what once housed Melbourne’s first department store, Georges, the Longroom is a hidden treasure, featuring private booths and lounges, where the tapas feast can be enjoyed Tuesday to Thursday.
162- 168 Collins Street
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Look down while walking along Collins Street and you will find yourself a lovely surprise. The extremely popular Fall from Grace Bar is downstairs from State of Grace. French Bistro Phillipe and the atmospheric Harley House are both below street level. Enter for unique atmosphere and hidden cellars.
477 Collins Street
115 Collins Street
71 Collins Street
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Vue de Monde offers up some of the best dining in the country as well as 360 degree views of the city. Headed up by the darling of Melbourne’s food scene, Shannon Bennett, Vue de Monde in the Rialto Towers is an experience not to be missed. You might also like to stop for a drink at the impressive Lui Bar.
Level 55 Rialto Towers, 525 Collins St
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Wlodarczak
Gaze in wonder at the digital photo collage by international artist Gosia Wlodarczak in the foyer of the Hotel Sofitel. The Sofitel building is also home to two beautiful tapestries by Marie Cook featuring Australian native plants.
25 Collins Street
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X marks the spot for street art
A step in a different artistic direction will land you with views of Melbourne’s street art. You can access some great examples in the laneways off Collins Street. For a map to help you uncover the best of the best, visit thatsmelbourne.com, or check out our Hidden Art blog here.
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Want to visit the hottest restaurants and bars on Collins Street? Then get ready to wait in line. Fall From Grace and Mamasita will most likely require you to join a queue. The historic “Bank on Collins” and Ms Collins Bar will see you jostling with the crowds. But you only live once, so why not do it anyway?
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Ermenegildo Zegna is one of the more recent additions to the high fashion scene in Melbourne. Visit for ethically sourced, Italian style luxury menswear. Other notable fashion houses at the Paris End of Collins Street include Dior, Hermes, Georgio Armani, Dolce and Gabbana and so much more – all within steps of the T&G Building.
1/45 Collins Street
