Melbourne’s hospitality venues both define and capture our city’s spirit. They’re essential to its fabric. While ordering takeaway remains a good way to support your favourite cafes, restaurants and bars through this time, buying their stylish-as-hell merch is another way to share the love. From totes and mugs to T-shirts and trackies, here are our picks.
1800 Lasagne
After years running lasagnes around town in a ’91 Holden Barina, Joey Kellock opened a dedicated lasagne diner earlier this year. He spent lockdown 5.0 spreading messages of love – emblazoned on digital billboards, posters and stickers – around town. Now it’s your turn to show off your lazza love by shopping its merch range, including these sporty track pants ($100).
St Ali
Coffee and cycling go hand-in-hand, so it’s no wonder Melbourne coffee institution St Ali has released branded bike shorts ($85). If biking is not your bag, you can still show how serious you are about the good stuff with its Wide Awake cap ($35) and T-shirt ($45).
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SIGN UPSmith & Daughters
Shannon Martinez’s vegan bar and eatery with a rock‘n’roll vibe has equally ballsy merch. Shop the Vegan With Bite tee ($25.99) and a vegan salami charm ($72.99). And even your pooch can look bad-arse with the Smith & Doggos denim jacket for dogs ($57.49).
Juanita Peaches
Show your love for some of the best fried chicken in town with Juanita Peaches’ long-sleeve tee ($50). Winner, winner … you know the rest.
Fizz & Hop
Premier Daniel Andrews became an unlikely ambassador for beer last year, after his now-famous “get on the beers” quote at a Covid press briefing. Moonee Ponds bottle-o Fizz & Hop turned it into a mural on the side of the shop, but also a Get on the Beers tee ($35) you can strut around in when pubs reopen.
Leonardo’s Pizza Palace
This rollicking good-times pizzeria, from the Leonard’s House of Love crew, was recently damaged by fire. As a result, the kitchen has only temporarily opened for takeaway on weekends during lockdown. That means any extra love you can show the team right now is appreciated. Shop its range of totes ($45), tees ($40) and long sleeve tops ($50) and represent the “hottest pies in town”.
Piccolina
Piccolina’s glossy, minimalist interiors in shades of green, cream and brown are echoed in the gelateria’s chic merch range. Shop cooler bags ($32), tea towels ($25) and totes ($20).
Terror Twilight
Bring the feel-good vibes of Terror Twilight’s light-washed daytime diner to your breakfast counter with this cute Tee & Coffee mug ($30), made in collaboration with next-door unisex label Spacebound.
Frankie’s Tortas & Tacos
Frankie’s Tortas and Tacos belts out simple, yet considered, Mexican fare from a former kebab stand in Collingwood. Show off your commitment to the menu with an al pastor pork cap ($30), or a pollo Milanese tee ($35) in honour of its deep-fried chicken sandwich.
Hector’s Deli
Tell everyone how you feel about sandwiches, particularly those from Hector’s Deli, with the red Sandwiches tee ($35) and the original Richmond tote bag ($40).
Goldy’s Tavern
This charmingly refurbed pub feels like it’s been around forever. And its version of the Chiko Roll is one of many nods to bygone days. Wear your love for it with this Chiko Roll-inspired tee ($35).
Tamura Sake Bar
This jazzy Fitzroy 30-seater blends Japanese izakaya, craft sake bar and record store. So, it makes sense that you can buy custom record slip mats ($45) from its online store.
Market Lane
Represent one of Melbourne’s favourite coffee roasters with this bold market bag ($22). Made with organic cotton and dye, it’s roomy with an interior pocket for securing precious cargo.
Saul’s
In less than a year, three Saul’s outposts have landed in Melbourne. Taking inspiration from New York’s delis and diners, the local diners have developed a reputation for hearty, loaded sandwiches. And it’s teamed up with local streerwear label Ichpig on a five-piece capsule collection, which includes this snazzy black hoodie ($170).
Pidapipo
Anyone who's had to muscle their way past the snaking Lygon Street queues can attest to how popular this spot is. The gelato here is unquestionably some of Melbourne's best. And now you can tell everyone about how good it is by donning this cute pink cap ($45), designed by PAM.
Seven Seeds
From another one of Melbourne’s top coffee roasters, clear space in the cupboard for this classic diner mug ($35). And a bucket hat ($28.50) or traveller cap ($30) will protect you from the sun this hot girl summer.
Nico’s Sandwich Deli
Support Melbourne’s sanga resurgence with Nico’s home jersey. Stay fresh and fast in the blue number ($80), taking inspo from the European Premier League.
DOC
Carlton pizzeria DOC teamed up with Brunswick-born fashion label Strateas Carlucci for this limited-edition collaboration. Get the long-sleeve tee in black ($89) to mask any red sauce stains.
Rare Hare
Rare Hare is a warm, communal restaurant next door to the Mornington Peninsula’s luxury hotel Jackalope. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, though – take this whimsical tote, for example ($35).
Proud Mary
Kick around in Proud Mary’s skull windbreaker ($70), Snake & Dagger hoodie ($55) or do your weekend shop with its tote bag in tow ($25).
Padre
Enjoy your brew at home or away camping with the Padre enamel mug ($12.95). The local coffee empire also has a small clothing range including this long-sleeve tee ($44.95) and these cute socks ($12.95). And there’s even a Padre-branded ping pong set ($49.95) for slow days in lockdown.
Cibi
“Cibi” is Japanese for “little one”. But this cafe and homewares store is not so little anymore. The light-filled warehouse has a spacious, homey kitchen; and there's also a grocery section with a range of produce and pantry goods to take home. The denim tote ($135), made in Japan, is the perfect size for carrying your goodies home.