Finding your way down Flinders Lane

12 July 2017

Flinders Lane, located behind the T&G Building, has long been considered a vibrant hub of culture, cuisine and coffee at the heart of Melbourne.

From award winning restaurants to colourful street art, there is something for everyone, day and the night.

Below are our top ten picks to do and see on Flinders Lane.

1) Dukes Coffee Roasters: A short stroll from the T&G Building is Duke’s Coffee Roasters, a café that puts environmental and social sustainability at the heart of their business. A stand out on the Melbourne coffee scene, this café is located in the community‐owned Ross House on Flinders Lane. They provide local coffee and specialty blends from across the world, all while maintaining the sophisticated reputation they’ve built with their original sister cafe in Windsor.

2)  Chapter House Coffee: Serving some of Melbourne’s best coffee, this little café is well-known for its fresh produce, artisan coffee and home‐made treats. We recommend the salted caramel lamington–  it’s worth the stop!

3)  Café Kinetic: Café Kinetic is a must stop for great coffee, rated in Melbourne’s top 100 cafés. A quick five‐minute walk from the T&G Building, peruse the large variety of fresh foods available, from ready‐made sandwiches to cakes and slices. If you’re looking for something a little hardier,  head out back for a larger selection of sandwiches, salads, yoghurt and pasta dishes served in a large and inviting dining space.

4)  Terra Rosa: Located in the historic Swiss House building on Flinders Lane, this rustic Italian restaurant features exposed brick decor and chandeliers. A warm and inviting bar awaits you as you walk in the door, making Terra Rosa a must stop for lunch or dinner.

5)  Saké: Open past midnight Monday to Friday, this modern Japanese restaurant proves a great location for after work dinner and drinks—and only a quick five minutes from the T&G Building. All Saké restaurants serve sushi and sashimi, but Flinders Lane has a dedicated sushi bar, complete with its own kitchen team and sushi chef. Round out your meal with Japanese beers, whiskies, sake and a range of flavoured “shochus”, the national spirit of Japan.

6)  Chin Chin: Arguably one of the most dined-at restaurants in Melbourne, Chin Chin is a top choice for locals and visitors alike. This amazing Thai eatery comes with a fair warning – there may be queues. Your best bet is to put your name down at the bar and head somewhere for a drink; downstairs at GoGo Bar is a great option. If you’re going in for lunch it’s a quick walk back to work at the T&G Building.

7)  Flinders Lane Gallery: The small, contemporary gallery holds two exhibition spaces highlighting always-incredible display pieces of emerging and successful Indigenous Australian artists. The artwork is on a three‐week rotation meaning there is always something new to see, with a few large shows throughout the year.

8)  Meatball & Wine Bar: An inner‐city phenomenon since inception, this restaurant concept has spread to four locations across Melbourne and is an undeniably mouth‐watering culinary stop. The meatballs come in all varieties including pork, beef, chicken, fish and vegetarian. The staff is more than happy to help you select the best bottle of vino to accompany your plate of bite-sized goodness.

9)  Garden State Hotel: One of Melbourne’s newest bars, this massive multi‐level stop is great for almost everything you want, all in one location – from breakfast and lunches, to dinners and bar snacks. The venue is perfect for Friday night drinks, team events or Christmas-in-July parties.

10)  ACDC Lane: The internationally renowned ACDC Lane (yes, named after the band), is only accessible from Flinders Lane, making it a natural extension of the inviting Lane. Its walls are adorned with street art and it has some of the best bars and clubs Melbourne has to offer. Standouts are Mary Fortune, Rose Garden, Bambu, and the globally renowned Cherry Bar – famous for putting Melbourne’s live music scene on the international stage.

There are endless amazing cafes, restaurants and stores worth a visit on this beautiful eight‐block stretch of Melbourne within easy walking distance from the T&G Building.

Shannon Morrison is Director, Writer & Social Media guru for Melbourne-based digital content company Mighty Social Word. When he’s not taming the internet, he’s hitting Melbourne’s streets for everything coffee, food and live music. Follow him on Twitter @sa_morrison. All images were supplied by Shannon.