Just a short tram ride down Lygon Street in Carlton is Melbourne’s ‘Little Italy’. Melbourne’s first espresso machine arrived at one of the Italian-owned cafes in the 1950s, and Lygon Street’s food culture was born. No wonder Michael Harden wrote a book dedicated to this section of Lygon St.

Irresistible sweet treats including Italian cakes and gelati, and enticing aromas of espresso and pasta lead you along the footpaths, where double-storey Victorian terraces are crammed with endless cafes and restaurants serving traditional and contemporary Italian food and a smattering of other cuisines.

Lygon Street is also home to excellent designer stores for fashion and homewares, galleries and bookshops, cinemas and a vibrant nightlight. Lygon Street is also famous for its annual Festa- a celebration of everything Italian and one of Australia’s largest outdoor street festivals.

Nearby Brunswick Street, Fitzroy is eclectic and edgy, with art street benches, book stores, quirky retro shops, young designers, cafes, restaurants and specialty stores selling everything from Free Trade coffee to beautiful perfumes and body treats.

Continuing past Brunswick Street, Smith Street and Gertrude Street are also laying claim to an emerging food, fashion and designer culture, with tiny intimate enotecas and bars, noted new restaurants and plenty of budget-friendly multicultural cafes. Linking Smith and Brunswick streets is Johnston Street, Melbourne’s Spanish quarter with a range of tapas and flamenco bars.