Melbourne’s charm lies in the continued existence of places like Crossley Street, where the venerable Pellegrini’s stands guard over long-term tenants and newcomers plying everything from bespoke shirts to vintage curios.
Start off with an espresso from Pellegrini’s, credited with beginning Melbourne’s love-affair with coffee, as you flick through a book chosen from Paperback Books over the road.
If you’re around Crossley Street later in the day you may prefer to kick off with a glass of top-shelf wine selected by an approachable sommelier at Von Haus plus a bite chosen from the snacks menu.
A rare treat for shoppers is that men and women are both catered for on Crossley Street. Men can have shirts and suits tailored at Charles Edward, Master Shirtmaker or C. Maimone Tailor, and get a no-nonsense short back n’ sides from Windsor Hair Salon.
Ladies can look the part with designer dresses from Blonde Venus, drool over display jewels at Gallery Funaki and adorn themselves with foodie jewels from Lucy Folk’s boutique.
De Mille’s Art Deco lamps, antique toys, sixties figurines, marcasite and bakelite gems are worth lingering over.
Finish your Crossley Street adventure by choosing between fine dining at Becco, plates of pasta with no ceremony at Pellegrini’s, or Asian street food dripping with style at Gingerboy.
Crossley Street is located off Bourke Street, between Exhibition and Spring streets in Melbourne’s CBD.