Image Source: North & Common
Melbourne's Northside is a foodie paradise (even Gordon Ramsay is a fan!). Whether it’s hunting down an edgy, underground bar, dining at a hatted restaurant, indulging in a Mexican feast or uncovering the city’s best coffee, no doubt you’ll find it in Melbourne’s north. Here’s just some places to hit up.
Taste more than 500 wines in former prison cells
Lovers of fine wine and great grazing food will fall in love with Olivine wine bar. Set within the Pentridge Prison’s former B Division, the impressive 100-seat wine bar sees former heritage cells reimagined into plush and moody intimate booths and a walk-in cellar door. Choose by the glass or bottle from the wine list, called the Book of Wine, conceptualised by one of Australia’s finest young sommeliers, Liinaa Berry. With more than 500 labels listed, Olivine is a must for wine lovers and history buffs alike, while signature cocktails and craft sprits also feature on the list.
A fun-filled Mexican fiesta
Benzina Cantina is a fun and funky Mexican joint built entirely from shipping containers, boasting a lively outdoor alfresco area as well as a rooftop bar for tacos and tequila in the sun. Inside, the rustic timber interiors and glowing pendants set the scene for just as much fun. Whether you’re catching up friends or seeking a good time over tacos, burritos and a spicy Margarita, Benzina Cantina promises to be a fun-filled hang out in the north.
Hatted dining in the North
Having been awarded a prestigious Good Food Hat within five weeks of opening must mean the team at North & Common are doing something right. Headed up by Chef Abhi Dey, North & Common is an elevated bistro-style restaurant - also located in B Division adjacent to Olivine –serving a seasonal menu that heroes local Victorian produce, with a thoughtful wine list to match.
When celebrity chef, Gordon Ramsay came to Melbourne to shoot his new show, Food Stars, he was spotted at North & Common and Olivine... If it has Ramsay’s tick of approval – then it’s worth a visit!
A multi-cultural melting pot
Referred to as “the beating heart of Melbourne’s north”, the Preston Market has been operating for more than 50 years as one of Melbourne’s best traditional fresh food markets. You’ll find family-run food vendors serving dishes from all over the world, think gozleme, piping hot doughnuts, spiced samosas and pizza slices. Head to the delicatessens for an array of cheeses and meats, fruiters have in-season produce and, in the seafood and meat halls hear butchers and fishmongers spruik their latest offering. Beyond just food, the market is also home to stylish stalls selling a range of homewares, gifts, wellness products and more.
Gordon Ramsay was also spotted here on his visit to Melbourne…
A craft brew paradise
Craft beer fanatics will love the popular BrewDog pub located in the new Pentridge dining and entertainment precinct. Alongside a raft of craft beers on tap is a pub-style menu to match, a ground floor dining room and den, three upstairs function spaces, and a beer garden with its own container bar and dedicated games area. BrewDog’s beer garden is a must-visit in summer!
Café and coffee culture
The north is home to many cool cafes, but Wide Open Road in Brunswick certainly stands out, solely for its industrial charm, ever-buzzing vibe and the edgy ‘northside look’ of the staff and customers. The crew roast their own coffee blend – so a cuppa of coffee is a must – and the menu serves up a decent breakfast, a selection of sandwiches and plenty of vegan options making it a perfect day-time eatery to relax and embrace the northside neighbourhood.
Stay
After a long day exploring the North’s foodie hot spots, you’re going to need a place to rest your head. At the center of it all is Adina Apartment Hotel Pentridge Melbourne, home to spacious apartment-style accommodation just a hop, skip and jump away from the north’s great food destinations.
