Collingwood & Abbotsford
Around Australia Collingwood is mostly known for its football team, but come visit and you'll discover a vibrant suburb with humble working-class roots. Surprisingly this suburb which has always been a little rough around the edges is now one of the most fashionable and desirable suburbs – at least north of the Yarra. The old industrial warehouses are being converted into modern, fashionable workplaces, or make way for new apartments. Creative businesses are migrating towards Collingwood and more and more bars, restaurants and cafes seem to open up every day – the suburb is exploding in popularity. Smith St is Collingwood's hub. Though technically one side of the street belongs to Fitzroy, it won't matter one bit to a local, as Smith St has always been considered to be Collingwood as a whole, so some liberties have been made in the selection of businesses to feature here. Walking around Smith St, you'll see an effortless mix of the 'haves' and 'have-nots', all occupying the same space. At lunch time, you are quite literally spoiled for choice, with selections ranging from burgers, pizza, Mexican and many Asian cuisines up for grabs – all easy on your wallet. The cafes in this suburb are some of the best in Melbourne – let alone Australia – all making a trip to Collingwood a must.
The Gem
Shopfront Coffee
The Robert Burns
United Measures
Wabi Sabi Salon
Plug 7 Records
Blackhearts & Sparrows
Neko Neko
Allpress Coffee
Trang Bakery & Cafe
Loose Leaf
Huxtaburger
Happy Valley
Easey's
The Craft & Co
Collingwood Children's Farm
Beer Mash
Aunty Peg's
Akasiro
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Wabi Sabi Salon
- Address
- 94 Smith Street
- Website
- Visit Website
Wabi Sabi is a Japanese world view representing beauty that is "imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete" – a beautiful concept though Wabi Sabi Salon's cuisine is far from imperfect or incomplete! Nestled in a busy Smith St location, it is a small and unassuming Japanese restaurant that never disappoints. Locals love the lunch time take away sushi options – some of the best I've had in Melbourne (no sushi after-taste from cheap fish, this is the real deal), or sit down lunch specials such as their famous bento boxes, pictured below. Try the crumbed salmon, it's incredible.