A local's guide to Yarraville

If you’re in the mood for Mexican, Village Cantina (30 Ballarat St) offers generous servings and (almost) too much choice – so make sure you come with an appetite. While the quesadillas and burritos are not to be ignored, the real hero is the taco menu – though narrowing down your order from the extensive list of options is tough.

Despite its prominent location next to the Sun, Pizza d’Asporto (2-6 Ballarat St) is surprisingly easy to miss if you aren’t seeking it out. “It’s just really good, easy, quick family fare,” the staff at Sun Bookshop tell us. The service is exceptionally friendly, and as the name suggests, this eatery has a big focus on pizza. They’re made with thick, doughy bases and the choice of toppings is extensive. But, if pizza’s not your thing, the pasta menu is almost just as varied and exciting.

Love dumplings? Chi Bao (46 Anderson St) is another Sun Bookshop staff favourite. “Everything you order on that menu is amazing”. It’s true – there is a huge choice of hearty and delicious noodle and rice dishes, but make sure to try some of the dumplings and baos – all of which are made by hand in-house. There are also great vegetarian and vegan options.

Then there’s Café Terroni (18 Ballarat St). With homemade pasta, recipes drawn from regional Italy and rustic feels, it’s a local favourite for good reason.

Slightly further away from the main food hub is Navi (83B Gamon St). The 25-seat, contemporary Australian fine-dining restaurant has an ever-changing set menu, with eight and five-course options available. Chef and owner Julian Hills is across every part of the restaurant – right down to the plates, which he made by hand himself. One thing to note on the food though: try not to fall in love with a particular dish because chances are you might not see it again.

Even further away, in deeper suburban Yarraville, is Mishra’s Kitchen (18 Wembley Ave). The venue does delivery and take-out, but if you feel like dining in, it is well worth the slightly longer journey. Tucked down the end of a quiet street, this cheerful restaurant boasts some of the best Indian food in Melbourne. A local tip: even if you are a seasoned chilli eater who thinks they can handle the hottest of the hot – order the mild option. Seriously.

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Yarraville has plenty of options to suit all different moods, so take your pick based on how you're feeling.

Barkley Johnson (11 Anderson St) is a cosy and friendly deli and wine bar located right in the heart of things. The former barbershop is the perfect place to relax with a glass of wine and a board of bar snacks – though sometimes it can be hard to get a seat because it gets busy.

The Railway Hotel (35 Anderson Street) is everything you want from your local pub. With a packed menu of classic pub meals, it’s a great place to spend a weekend afternoon, or to grab a bite after seeing a film at the nearby cinema.

If you’re looking to wind down in a relaxed setting, Yarra Lounge (7 Ballarat Street) has friendly service, tapas, a delicious cocktail menu, and is located in a great spot by the street park.

This one can be very easy to miss if you’re not looking for it. Johnny’s Emporium (Level 1, 18A Anderson St) despite the address, is actually accessible via stairs on Ballarat Street. Opened in 2018, the bar and function room is spacious and airy, and from its first-floor location, offers a great view over Yarraville. The menu is eclectic with a mix of Asian-inspired snacks, bar classics like fries and calamari, and churros for dessert. It also has a big cross-section of drinks, and has committed to “exclusively serve 100 per cent Australian independent craft beers, searching the country far and wide for beers that are fresh and exciting”.

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Not too far away from that is The Cornershop (11 Ballarat St). Operating since 2007, it’s a much-loved spot in the main park strip right by the cinema – and the staff at the Sun Bookshop tell us they order food from them a LOT. They have a decadent brunch menu, with most of their ingredients sourced from Victorian producers, and make some of the best coffee in Yarraville. It can get a little busy, but if there are no tables available, they’ll take your name, and you can explore the nearby shops until they give you a ring.

Dad and Dave’s Café (29 Birmingham St) is a kitsch and cosy former milk bar, right next to the train station. It has all your brunch favourites, plus a whole lot of bakery goods, with one of the best vegan menus in the neighbourhood.

Another one near the train station is the light and airy Coracle (63 Anderson St). The Sun Bookshop staff tell us "it’s a personal staff favourite for their incredible Asian fusion café food – it’s just second to none".

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We’ve mentioned them a lot through this guide, but it’s because the Sun Bookshop (10 Ballarat St) is simply an absolute gem. Located off the foyer of Sun Theatre, right in the hub of Yarraville village, it’s a small but well-stocked bookstore that has all the latest and best titles as well as a knowledgeable staff who can help steer you in the right direction if you’re feeling a bit indecisive. Nearby there is also the Younger Sun, which specialises in children’s books.

Need to stock up on groceries and essentials? Plump Organic Grocery (24 Ballarat St) has been running since 2002 and is a one-stop shop for fresh food and fair trade groceries.

If you’re looking up to brighten a space with some greenery, check out Mosey (97 Anderson St). Whether you are a nervous first-time plant parent looking for something simple or an experienced green thumb, the team there can sort you out. It’s also just a really relaxing place for a browse, though it is hard to walk out without a new ceramic pot, or a hanging plant you promise not to kill.

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On the first and third Saturday of every month, there’s the Yarraville Village Farmers Market. The list of stallholders is constantly changing, but you can be guaranteed good coffee, good food and a choice of fresh produce from local farmers.

If you're someone who enjoys heritage buildings – or the odd bit of eccentric architecture – the streets of Yarraville Village are great for an exploratory walk.

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