Windsor

Pop into this warm, retro-feel restaurant for weeknight dinners of 72-hour-fermented focaccia, handmade pasta and woodfired meats. On weekends, party in the basement with amaro cocktails and DJs spinning Italo disco.

Dining at Chris Lucas’s third Japanese restaurant is an immersive experience. There’s a daily sushi, nigiri and crispy rice menu; sake-based cocktails; and neo-noir AI-generated images on the walls.

Colourful, neon-lit and always a party. Go for Japanese fusion including salty edamame, crunchy karaage and the ever-popular salmon and nori taco. Plus: frozen and fruity cocktails, sake and umeshu, and a tight Japanese whisky list.

Henrietta is not a “grab your chook and go” situation. If the $2.5 million fit-out doesn’t draw you in, the garlicky aroma of toum, fresh bread and fire-grilled chicken surely will.

Short for “small eco-footprint”, this pizzeria is mostly vego – but when there is meat, it’s locally sourced. It’s also completely glass-free (all drinks are poured from a tap), and staff can deliver your pizza to nearby Victoria Gardens.

A late-night sub shop with a tropical-themed cocktail bar hidden behind a coolroom door.

Healthy fish and chips on the go.

This is the third Farro pizzeria, and it delivers the same level of polish as its siblings. Step inside for great Italian cocktails, an extensive range of pizzas – all of which can be made gluten-free or vegan – plus pastas and antipasti.

Bimbo Deluxe pioneered the beer-and-$4-pizza formula. Lucky Coq replicates it just as well.

Creative Californian-Japanese food among 1960s Japanese art and modern, plush surroundings.

A Chapel Street stalwart you can rely on.

At this frozen desserts store by pastry chef Christy Tania, bestselling ice-creams include the pavlova and cookies and cream flavours. But don’t miss out on the range of ice-cream cakes, babkas and macarons either.

A beautifully-designed cafe backed by Dukes Coffee Roasters.

A gleaming 100-litre still sits at the centre of this red-accented bar and restaurant. It’s where distiller (and chef) Carlo Tran makes the gin you’ll find in your Asian-inspired cocktails – most of which are on tap. Pair them with pan-Asian dishes such as chargrilled prawns, beef rendang, deconstructed bao and karaage chicken.

Everyone (and their dog) is welcome at this bar, inspired by a short-lived Italian micronation from the ’60s. BYO food, enjoy Victorian brewers on tap, have a glass of natural wine and hang out with the locals.

This two-storey joint is warmly lit and moody, with long timber tables and cosy booths. Order Mediterranean-style share plates, choose a bottle (or three) from the wall, and tuck in with your favourite people. Neptune seats up to 105 people.

Hit this airy warehouse for natural wine and limoncello slushies on tap, pop-up kitchen takeovers, late-night DJ sessions and rotating artist residencies – all courtesy of Nic Coulter, co-owner of the adjacent Neptune Food & Wine.

Channel your inner flapper to live jazz, cabaret and drag performances, with a Charlie Chaplin cocktail in hand at this art-deco lounge.

Pizza and tequila meet head-on at this local haunt serving up late-night eats and tequila that’s meant for sipping, not slamming.

A late-night dining spot with a playful but serious cocktail program.

An upstairs bar housed in the converted attic above Fonda Windsor.

Speakeasy-style bar and restaurant with a knack for pouring good whisky.

This bold and glitzy vintage store is one of Melbourne's most iconic. It showcases retro pieces from many eras, be it an ’80s leather jacket, a ’60s day dress or a contemporary rhinestone-encrusted number. Plus, plenty of bright shoes, bags and accessories to complete your look.

With sandstone, dark timber and reclaimed terracotta, the first shopfront for trans-seasonal womenswear label Elka feels almost like a luxury villa in Spain or Italy.

The playful-luxe label has an outpost in Windsor selling its signature jewellery, sunnies and hand-loomed apparel, plus pieces from other designers.

Bespoke suits and shirts from extremely well dressed tailors.

Casual daywear and accessories from Elwood Apparel Co.

More kinds of wine and beer than you can imagine – and you're welcome to drink in-house.

A local corner-shop deli with a few seats for lunch.