Jacinta Bowler

From the riches of 'Marvellous Melbourne' to being designated "slums" in the 1950s, Carlton has lived thousands of lives. Today, the suburb is a mixture not only of cultures but of the past and the present – mixing timeless restaurants and cafés that have existed for half a century with innovative venues pushing the boundaries. Jump to a section: EAT DRINK COFFEE SHOPPING THINGS TO DO What’s Carlton known for? Carlton is one of Melbourne’s best-known suburbs because of Lygon Street. Although there’s plenty else to see in this jam-packed neighbourhood, Lygon Street is home to Melbourne’s Little Italy and is where you can get some of the best authentic Italian in the city. Carlton is also well known for the historic Carlton Gardens, Royal Exhibition Building and the Melbourne Museum. Why do the locals love it? We talked to Mark Rubbo, the managing director of Readings (Carlton’s best-known bookshop), who has been a Carlton regular for decades. “Carlton is a wonderful neighbourhood to hang out in with its wide tree-lined streets and Jewish, Italian and artistic heritage,” he says. On a sunny day, you might see couples picnicking in the middle of these streets on the nature strip, kids running around the Carlton Baths, or teens eating gelato at one of the many gelaterias. How do I get to Carlton? Carlton is very easy to get to. It’s the suburb just north of the eastern part of the CBD, and many attractions are walkable from the city or Parliament Station. If you wanted to tr