Tucked within a striking heritage building on Faraday Street, this beloved establishment is a pillar of Carlton’s dining landscape. Designed to share, the menu is replete with simple, seasonal dishes that work beautifully with wine, served within a comfortable yet decidedly slick interior.
Paying homage to traditional Chinese culinary techniques, Lagoon Dining is already a Melbourne favourite despite being one of Carlton’s newest restaurants. The generous ‘Feed Me’ option features a medley of well-executed dishes including charcoal roasted char siu, oysters with hot sauce and soy milk pudding.
A Melbourne icon with a 150 year old lineage, King and Godfree is woven into the very fabric of Carlton. A self-proclaimed ‘multitasker’, the spirited food and wine precinct encompasses the original continental deli along with a rooftop bar, Italian restaurant, gelateria, cellar and beyond.
A lively rooftop bar overlooking lush canopies and city vistas, Johnny’s Green Room is the crowning glory of the King and Godfree dining precinct. Sit back and relax with their signature Negroni as you bask in the vibrant atmosphere, with a soundtrack spun by beloved community radio station, Hope Street.
Screening a discerning selection of art-house and commercial films along with international film festivals, Cinema Nova is dedicated to preserving the magic of a night at the movies. A stylish terrace cocktail bar awaits you for a post-movie debrief, or head downstairs for coffee and cake at Brunetti.
Husk is a trove of artisans objects and beautiful wares; a curation of fine scents, apparel, homewares, art and jewellery. Housing pieces from the world’s most celebrated designer brands along with the creative director’s eponymous label, Kirrily Johnson, this sophisticated store is nothing short of a sensory feast.
Established in 1969, Readings Carlton is officially the ‘Best Book Shop in the World’ as crowned at the prestigious London Book Fair in 2016. With its architecturally designed space, world-class selection of books and vinyls, unique array of gifts and inviting ambience, it’s easy to see why.
A visit to Lygon Street is not complete without a scoop of Italian gelato. Offering traditional, small-batch gelato made with fresh fruit, locally sourced ingredients and imported Italian equipment, Pidapipo might just be Melbourne’s quintessential ice-creamery.
Moments from your doorstep, Argyle Square is a tree-lined park and piazza perfect for leisurely afternoons in the Carlton sun. Equipped with a striking bronze solar clock, traditional handcrafted pavers from Trento and rows of luminous steel columns, here, the Italian influence is ever-present.
A World Heritage Site established in the late 19th century, Carlton Gardens is one of our city’s most sublime picnic destinations. Take a stroll through its grand tree-lined avenues, revealing beautiful ornamental lakes, perfectly manicured flower beds, a majestic fountain and the magnificent Royal Exhibition Building.
An oasis of sunny lawns and century-old trees, Lincoln Square is another beloved outdoor space utilised for many purposes by the Carlton community. Once the home of Melbourne’s first ever public playground, today, the square offers a refurbished playground structure made from sustainable building materials.
One of the world’s oldest remaining exhibition pavilions, the Royal Exhibition Building stands tall as a striking example of Victorian era architecture. The landmark destination plays host to a roster of community events including gala dinners, fashion shows, art exhibitions and beyond.
Argyle Square is moments from two of Australia’s most esteemed tertiary institutions, RMIT and Melbourne University, imbuing the neighbourhood with a historic yet innovative feel. With an array of leading primary and secondary schools also at arm’s reach, residents will enjoy endless options when it comes to education.
Carlton’s efficient and extensive public transport system makes getting from A to B effortless. Catch the tram into the city, or across to Fitzroy and Collingwood, or jump on the train from Melbourne Central for lengthier trips around town.
Where history and wellness interlace, Argyle Square is surrounded by a host of heritage-listed sporting clubs and fitness centres including Carlton Gardens Tennis Club, Melbourne City Baths and Fitzroy Pool. For the scholarly at heart, the State Library is also nearby, or spend the day exploring fascinating displays at the Melbourne Museum.
With an exceptionally high walk-score of 99 out of 100, Argyle Square’s location is a ‘walker’s paradise’ in which daily errands do not require a car, and almost every task can be completed on foot. The suburb is also a ‘rider’s paradise’ with a perfect transit score of 100.