Northcote

“A touch of innovation without being scary or confronting” is how owner-chef Scott Pickett describes the menu here, and he’s bang-on.

Enter for hand-rolled layered leek and cheese pastries, vegetarian moussaka and clay pots filled with slow-cooked meat. When the dishes arrive, they’ll be spread out across the table, because everything is for sharing.

One of the best curry spots in town. There's also a location in Flemington.

This compact 25-seater flips beef and plant-based cheeseburgers, and serves southern fried chicken and vegan Cocowhip sundaes.

A family-friendly pizza joint that takes menu cues from its larger sibling up the street, and is happy for you to BYO.

Eat with your hands in Northcote.

Authentic Sicilian gelato that's guided by tradition but not bound by it.

A vast light-filled eatery from the crews who brought us first-rate cafes Bawa and Sloane Ranger.

This cafe with a hidden kids’ area welcomes dogs and serves breakfast gnocchi and sticky-date hotcakes.

A bright cafe with healthy on the mind.

A retro-inspired lunch spot.

Superfoods, charcoal “lemonaid”, probiotic sodas and nutrient-rich salad bowls are the game at this family-friendly cafe.

Veg-forward food offerings, a stash of unusual wines and punchy cocktails in unassuming, warm surroundings.

Six food trucks, 35 beer taps and 699 of your closest friends.

The ideal place for a couple of quiet pints.

A 19th-century church turned barnyard style bar with music always playing, in Northcote.

A tasteful venue for a relaxing drink on the edge of Northcote.

It’s froths and no fuss, every day of the week.

Ever tried stretchy Turkish ice-cream?

Lovingly handmade, unique pieces that shy away from mass production runs and favour a little bit of personal history

Freshly baked sourdough, single origin coffee and Nancy Wilson on the record player.

A second-hand bookstore with a new feel.

A colourful underwater-themed vintage and costume shop in the north.

Vintage furniture, imported directly from Europe.