23 of the best Melbourne shopping spots for a haul to remember

Melbourne has it all if you’re looking for unique gifts, innovative fashion and fascinating homewares.

Melbourne shopping is a masterclass in variety. The amount of innovative local fashion labels, independent boutiques, op-shops, unique design stores and factory outlets make this great city one of the best places for any keen shopper visiting Australia.

The head-spinning amount of choice in and around Melbourne CBD is as diverse as the city’s love of high-end restaurants, breezy cafes, creative bars and fascinating museums.

Melbourne shopping centres are some of the biggest and best in Australia, and you don’t have to walk far to find a factory outlet Melbourne locals swear by. Then you’ve got some of the most diverse shopping streets in the country, often with high-end and mid-range sitting comfortably side-by-side.

Below, you’ll find some of our favourite places to go shopping in Melbourne.

The best shops in Melbourne

1. Savers, Moorabbin

Best for: A great selection of vintage and pre-loved fashion

Melbourne’s best op shops are usually smaller and more focused, but Savers in Moorabbin takes a different approach. This superstore is vintage heaven at the best of times, with great prices and a better range than most of the other Savers stores you’ll find in Melbourne. Take along your pre-loved goods and the staff will give you a discount to use instantly.

Address: Suite 4&5/430 Warrigal Rd, Heatherton

2. Brother of St Laurence, Brunswick

Best for: Eccentric and hard-to-find vintage clothing

If you ask locals what their favourite op shop in Melbourne is, the most likely answer is this hidden gem in Brunswick. Brother of St Laurence has all types of eccentric, stylish and unique clothing for men and women. You’ll find plenty to satisfy any vintage designer lust, plus a selection of hard-to-find vinyl, some furniture and a lot of pre-loved books.

Address: 109 Brunswick Rd, Brunswick

3. Sacred Heart Mission, Fitzroy

the shop exterior of Sacred Heart Mission, Fitzroy — Spot the quaint shop on Brunswick Street. (Image: Supplied)

Best for: Some great op-shop treasures and retro art

You’ll find this Sacred Heart Mission on one of St Kilda’s most renowned streets. Head here for unique designer pieces, accessories and an impressive selection of retro art and cooking books, with stock replenished regularly.

If you can’t make it to the store in person, visit their online store. While it is a little pricier than shopping in its brick-and-mortar stores, it’ll save you from having to trawl through racks (though that is where a lot of the fun happens).

Address: 433 Brunswick St, Fitzroy

4. Il Papiro, CBD

a stationery store at Il Papiro, Melbourne — Pick up new writing materials at Il Papiro. (Image: Supplied)

Best for: Premium stationery and design-forward writing accessories

Head along to Degraves Street to find the colourful Il Papiro , a stationery store and one of the most imaginative in Melbourne. Inside you’ll find a rich stock of leather-bound journals, boxes, inks, paper, Venetian glass pans, wax seals and stamps to prove the art of physical writing is far from dead. The staff import all their goods from Florence, so artisanal quality is guaranteed.

Address: 10 Degraves St, Melbourne

5. Fazeek, Fitzroy North

wine and cocktail glasses at Fazeek, Fitzroy North — Fazeek offers colourful wine and cocktail glasses. (Image: Supplied)

Best for: Stocking up on interesting glassware and tableware

Wavy, colourful glassware that looks like nothing you’d find in any department store. Fazeek is the best shop in Melbourne if you want fascinating wine or cocktail glasses, or other unique tableware. Even if you don’t walk away with a new set for your next dinner party, the collections are so bright and attractive that window shopping at Fazeek is a popular local sport.

Address: 27-29 Best St, Fitzroy North

6. Third Drawer Down, Bulleen

items on display inside the Third Drawer Down, Bulleen — Shop for unique gifts and homewares at the Third Drawer Down. (Image: Supplied)

Best for: Unique gifts and homewares for design lovers

Third Drawer Down is one of the most popular stores in Melbourne for unique gifts and homewares. The store, located within the Heide Museum of Modern Art (there used to be another in Prahran but it’s now closed), is a light-filled hub of high-quality design at affordable prices. Inside, you’ll find high thread-count linens, pillowcases, tea towels, fabric swatches, and even socks from local and international artists.

Address: 7 Templestowe Rd, Bulleen

7. Cibi, Collingwood

a Japanese homeware store at Cibi, Collingwood — Cibi is a must for those searching for Japanese homewares. (Image: Supplied)

Best for: Artisanal ceramics and homewares with classic Japanese accents

One of Melbourne’s best cafes, Cibi , also doubles as a platform for beautiful Japanese-inspired design goods and homewares. Melbourne’s most ravenous hipsters could never get enough of this immaculate cafe and store, where the retail element is found up the back and stocks incredible ceramics, homewares and furniture.

Address: 33-39 Keele St, Collingwood

8. Lightly, Collingwood

a shop selling homewares at Lightly, Collingwood — Find boho-inspired homewares and locally made pottery. (Image: Supplied)

Best for: Pieces from famous Melbourne designers made from natural materials

Lightly is another one of Collingwood’s most exciting homewares stores and an easy sell for any design lovers scouring Melbourne for unique pieces. The range you’ll find here is mostly made locally from natural materials, showcasing various Melbourne-based designers and owner Cindy-Lee Davis’ work.

Address: 3 Glasshouse Rd, Collingwood

9. Fenton & Fenton, Prahran

colourful homewares at Fenton & Fenton, Prahran — Fenton & Fenton sells chic and colourful homewares. (Image: Dave Kulesza)

Best for: Vibrant and colourful furniture and homeware

One of the most attractive shops on High Street is Fenton & Fenton , a Melbourne-based interiors label that was revived recently by investment from the Berkowitz Furniture group. Creative Director Lucy Fenton is still steering the ship, curating an incredible collection of vibrant furniture, linen, fashion, artwork, jewellery, rugs and even some taxidermy. Any homeowner in Melbourne makes this a regular stop.

Address: 471 High St, Prahran

10. dot COMME, CBD

Best for: High-end Japanese fashion

Great bars and up-and-coming bands aren’t the only reasons to head along to Melbourne’s heritage-listed Curtin House. Clothing retailer dot COMME is also a resident of the Palazzo-style building, showcasing high-end men’s and women’s fashion from the likes of Commes des Garcons, Issey Miyake, Junya Watanabe, Yohji Yamamoto and Bernhard Willhelm.

Address: Curtin House, Level 4/252 Swanston St, Melbourne

11. Hill of Content, CBD

the Hill of Content book shop Bourke street, Melbourne shopping — Score great reads for a good price. (Image: Visit Victoria/Jake Roden Photography)

Best for: Hard-to-find vintage books and new releases at affordable prices

Hill of Content is one for book lovers. Opened in the 1920s, this historic independent bookstore is a treasure trove of literature alongside new releases and best-selling fiction titles. There’s also a nice range of reading accessories and other gifts, keeping the magic of a physical book alive.

Address: Level 2/86 Bourke St, Melbourne

12. Torsa, Prahran

Best for: Big-name designers with a focus on innovative high-end fashion

Torsa is another one of Melbourne’s best fashion stores, stocking innovative designers like Isabel Marant, Boy by Band of Outsiders and Alexander Wang. The shop’s accessories are also showcased, matching the stunning quality of those big-name designers and presenting one-off pieces that’ll help you build your signature style.

Address: 497 High Street Prahran

13. Double Monk, Fitzroy

men's footwear at Double Monk, Fitzroy — Double Monk offers an array of luxury men’s footwear. (Image: Visit Victoria/Paul Philipson)

Best for: Artisanal menswear imported from Italy and the UK

Double Monk is another one of those great Melbourne menswear stores that have a large reach and a premium disposition. Luxury footwear is imported from (mostly) Italy and the UK, while there is also a huge range of local and international designers across clothing and accessories.

Address: 53 Smith St, Fitzroy

14. Clothing the Gaps, Brunswick

Best for: Art, design and clothing showcasing Indigenous makers and various techniques

As an Indigenous social enterprise, clothing label and social activist hub, Clothing the Gaps is one of the most important fixtures of Northcote now. Set on the lands of the Wurundjeri people, this store showcases a range of locally made goods from The Koorie Circle. Presenting more as a two-in-one shop where you can grab unisex streetwear, jewellery and other accessories.

Shopping centres

15. Emporium

two women walking outside a fashion boutique at the Emporium, Melbourne — Peruse the fashion boutiques at the Emporium. (Image: Visit Victoria/Robert Blackburn)

Best for: Casual fashion and games at Fortress Melbourne

QV Melbourne and Melbourne Central may both be friendlier on the wallet, but if you’re shopping in the heart of Melbourne you’ll want to head on over to Lonsdale Street.

Emporium Melbourne , opened in 2014, is a luxury shopping centre with plenty of clothing stores and design boutiques. Find big-ticket names like Calibre, Chanel, Aesop, Jac + Jack, MJ Bale, Michael Kors, RM Williams, Polo Ralph Lauren, Zimmermann and Veronika Maine.

Stocking up on the latest fashion trends is why locals would usually head straight for this five-floor shopping mecca, which has over 200 stores and plenty of nearby boutiques in the immediate area.

Address: 287 Lonsdale St, Melbourne

16. Chadstone

the high ceiling of Chadstone, Melbourne shopping — Sleek, contemporary architecture meets luxury retail. (Image: Tourism Australia/Visit Victoria)

Best for: Big designers, plenty of dining options and entertainment brands

Melbourne’s legendary shopping mecca. Chadstone is the largest shopping centre in Australia, and one of the Southern Hemisphere’s most comprehensive. With over 500 stores and a recent $70 million expansion, it’s hard to walk away from this impressive shopping hub without some major finds.

All the big-name designers are here. You’ll find Bottega Veneta, Givenchy, Acne Studios, Adidas, an Apple Store, Balenciaga, Bang & Olufsen, Breitling, Cartier, Kenzo Paris and many other big names across just three floors of retail and entertainment space.

When you’re done shopping, The Social Quarter at Chadstone, one of the more recent expansions, also hosts Archie Brothers arcade, Strike Bowling and other entertainment brands. There’s a Hoyts as well, and multiple dining options – both casual and premium.

You can even stay at the attached hotel: Hotel Chadstone Melbourne – M Gallery .

Address: 1341 Dandenong Road, Malvern East

17. Block Arcade

the grand interior of Block Arcade, Melbourne shopping — The heritage-style Block Arcade is an architectural gem. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Best for: Unique boutique stores, high-end jewellery and Melbourne’s famous tea rooms.

This heritage shopping arcade has plenty of character in the heart of Melbourne CBD. Not much has changed since it first opened in 1893, aside from the retailers themselves, which swapped designer names for artisanal boutiques and the famous Hopetoun Tea Rooms .

An architectural marvel and one of Melbourne’s most sightly tourist attractions, Block Arcade is best experienced with a guided walking tour. But if you just want to duck in and out, browse retailers including Haigh’s Chocolates, Basement Discs, Bell & Ross, Camper Shoes, Sol Alpaca and Mr Wares.

Family-owned jewellery shops like French Jewelbox are why the majority of locals would flock to Block Arcade. You can find incredible one-off pieces here.

Address: 282 Collins St, Melbourne

18. The Strand

the retail precinct at The Strand, Melbourne — The Strand features classic architecture and boutique stores. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Best for: Historic architecture and a small variety of fashion and design shops.

Following a $20 redevelopment, The Strand Melbourne is easily one of the city’s flashiest and most exciting retail precincts. You’ll find this colourful collection of boutiques on Elizabeth Street, instantly recognisable from its row of colourful glass fins.

The diverse list of retailers takes a broad scope and you’ll find mid-range sitting next to high-end across mostly footwear, accessories and fashion – with a few cafes to break things up.

Acne Studios is also found here, for anyone who doesn’t want to trek out to Chadstone. As are Asics, Dinosaur Designs and Cos. It’s a small collection, but quality reigns over quantity.

Address: 250 Elizabeth St, Melbourne

19. Queen Victoria Market

the Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne — Pop by the Queen Victoria Market for artisan goods. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Best for: Unique local retailers and artisans selling high-quality goods.

While Queen Victoria Market is usually best known for its food and drink options, there are still a fair few locally-minded shops spread across the controlled chaos. You’re guaranteed to come across some great vintage finds and unique gifts at this bustling set-up of stalls and shopfronts.

Some of our favourite retailers at Queen Victoria Market include Akuna Pearls with a range of freshwater pearls; Albert’s Knitwear with great knitted winter clothes; Aleppo Style with silk and cashmere scarfs; high-end footwear artisans B&S Footwear; leather goods specialist Italian House of Leather; and the Japanese-inspired Kiana Mei Designs.

Pro tip: Head along to Queen Vic as early as you can (it opens at 6 AM on Tuesday and Thursday through Saturday) to avoid the inevitable crowds.

Address: Queen St, Melbourne

Shopping streets

20. Chapel Street, South Yarra and Prahran

Best for: A long strip of Melbourne’s best shopping spanning two suburbs and plenty of variety.

As one of the most famous shopping streets in Melbourne, spanning a few suburbs, Chapel Street is a long, winding collection of some of the finest retailers, restaurants and cafes in Melbourne.

It’s advisable to start at the St Kilda end of Chapel Street and work your way up, as some of the best boutiques are located on that side of the strip. This includes the vintage-minded Shag with great prices and unique finds, the classically stylish Nique and local favourite FinerRings.

Inch on up and there’s another outlet from Dinosaur Designs, the vibrant Gorman, and the luxurious Scanlan Theodore.

21. Gertrude Street, Fitzroy

Gertrude Street in Collingwood — This charming street has long been a treasure trove of unique fashion. (Image: Visit Victoria/Emily Godfrey)

Best for: Independent boutiques and hipster fashion

Running from Carlton Gardens through Fitzroy, Gertrude Street is emblematic of Melbourne’s trendy crowd, known for its hipster fashion, grungy bars and fantastic restaurants like Poodle Bar & Bistro.

Several independent stores of note lie across this strip, such as the treasure trove that is Cottage Industry with its knitted goods; The Standard Store with its curated collection of worldly fashion; Handsom with sophisticated menswear; the long-standing Signet Bureau with its upscale independent fashion; Rose Chong with its unique costumes and wild clothing; and About Space with unique lighting fixtures and other home decor.

22. Royal Arcade, CBD

the grand ceiling inside the Royal Arcade, Melbourne — The longest-standing arcade features vintage and fashion boutiques. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Royal Arcade is a heritage-listed arcade in the heart of Melbourne. It’s the longest-standing arcade in the country, wearing its history proudly with ornate details and old-world Italianate architectural details.

It’s the perfect frame for many one-of-a-kind retailers in Melbourne, curating local jewellers, vintage and fashion boutiques, as well as some great cafes to break things up.

Grab some fresh kicks from The Archive Store; find some unique goodies at Curiosity Merchants; dress for the occasion at Moku; satisfy your love of design at Paper Republic; and follow your nose straight to the iconic Santa Maria Novella. And if you’re an astrology enthusiast, make sure to pop by Spellbox for all types of mystical finds, including daily tarot reads and spiritual guidance.

Address: 335 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000

Factory outlet in Melbourne

23. DFO South Wharf

Best for: Great prices from some big labels next to the waterfront

As the most recognised of all the best fashion outlets in Melbourne, DFO South Wharf is still a wise stop if you’re looking for some new threads but don’t quite know what you want. The range here is incredible, stocking big names at great prices. You’ll surely score some great finds across the likes of Academy Brand, Adidas, Adairs and Adventure Megastore. It’s a mixed bag in here, which is why Melbourne locals always flock straight to DFO’s retail precinct before having a waterside feed.

Address: 20 Convention Centre Pl, South Wharf

Makers, bakers, artists, chefs, crafters – Ballarat and its surrounds are overflowing with creative spirits. All dedicated to keeping traditional skills alive for a city that is humming with artful energy.

Modern makers: a new generation of artists and artisans

“Keeping craft alive is a noble cause,” says Jess Cameron-Wootten, a charming and passionate master leathercrafter and cordwainer, who handmakes traditional leather boots and shoes in Ballarat’s old Gun Cotton Goods Store.

Ballarat was recognised in 2019 as a UNESCO Creative City of Craft and Folk Art, and today it’s a place where craft traditions converge with contemporary needs. Nothing quite captures this convergence as a visit to Wootten , the workshop and store of Jess Cameron-Wootten and his partner Krystina Menegazzo.

heritage buildings in Ballarat — Ballarat’s streets are lined with heritage buildings. (Image: Matt Dunne)

Jess’s father was an artisan bootmaker, or cordwainer. Now Jess and Krys and their small team of artisans continue the tradition, but with a modern spin. The company’s boots and shoes, made completely from scratch, are renowned for their quality and longevity. Wootten also craft shoes, bags, belts, leather aprons, wallets and more.

Cosy beanies, gloves, alpaca socks, “unbreakable” shoelaces and various other goods – many from local craftspeople and small-scale makers – fill the shop’s shelves. “We’re always happy to support a mate,” says Jess. “People love to see the workshop and where things are made. Our clients care about quality and sustainability,” Krys comments. The company slogan ‘Made for generations’ says it all.

Ruby Pilven’s ceramics at Ross Creek Gallery. (Image: Tara Moore)

For Ruby Pilven, craft is also in the DNA – both her parents were potters and with her latest porcelain ceramics, Ruby’s young daughter has been helping add colour to the glazes. “I grew up watching my parents in the workshop – I’ve always been doing ceramics,” she says, although her Visual Arts degree was in printmaking. That printmaking training comes through particularly in the rich layering of pattern. Her audacious colour, unexpected shapes and sudden pops of 12-carat gold are contemporary, quirky – and joyful.

You can see Ruby’s handcrafted ceramics, and work by other local and regional artists, at Ross Creek Gallery , a light-filled space surrounded by serene bushland, across from the mudbrick house her parents built in the 1980s. A 10-minute drive from Ballarat, it’s a tangible link to the region’s well-established craft traditions.

How Ballarat is preserving the past

artisans making crafts at the Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades, Ballarat — The Centre for Rare Arts & Forgotten Trades holds workshops to preserve crafts and skills.

While tradition is ongoing, there’s a danger that many of these specific type of skills and knowledge are fading as an older generation passes on. Step forward the Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades .

The seven purpose-built studios occupy a fabulous modern building adjacent to Sovereign Hill, with state-of-the-art facilities, enormous windows and landscape views across to Warrenheip and Wadawurrung Country.

artisanal works at the Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades, Ballarat — Check out artisanal works at the Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades.

Practising artisans run hands-on workshops. Fancy making your own medieval armour? Or trying your hand at blacksmithing, spinning wool, plaiting leather, weaving cane or craft a knife? Book a class and learn how. “It’s about creating awareness and also sharing knowledge and skills before they are lost,” explains Deborah Klein, the centre manager.

A city steeped in food and flavours

Chef José Fernandez preparing American streetfood at Pancho — Chef José Fernandez creates vibrant South American street food at Pancho. (Image: Ballarat Tourism)

One skill that hasn’t been lost is that of cooking. Ballarat’s burgeoning gastronomy scene runs the gamut from an artisan bakery (the atmospheric 1816 Bakehouse) to cool coffee shops, speakeasy cocktail bars and distilleries to fine-dining venues. But I’m still surprised to find Pancho , José Fernandez’s South American street food restaurant, serving fried cheese tequeños, fiery fish tacos, Argentinian grilled chicken.

The room is as lively as the food – a whirl of colour filled with gifted and thrifted paintings, photos, tchotchkes (trinkets), plants. There’s a Mexican abuela aesthetic going on here. Even before the music and mezcal kick in, it’s fun. Heads up on the drinks menu – an authentic selection of mezcal, tequila, South American wines and Mexican cerveza.

a cocktail at Itinerant Spirits, Ballarat — Enjoy a cocktail at Itinerant Spirits. (Image: Ballarat Tourism)

The spirit is willing, so after lunch we head towards the gold rush-era Ballarat train station and across the line to the old 1860s Goods Shed for Itinerant Spirits . At one end, a massive German copper still looms behind a wall of glass. The fit-out embraces deep olive-green tones, original bluestone walls, steamer trunks as coffee tables, heritage timber floors, oversized lamp shades and cognac-hued modernist leather seating.

the Itinerant Spirits Distillery & Cocktail Bar, Ballarat — The distillery operates from an old goods shed. (Image: Ballarat Tourism)

Gallivanter Gin, Vansetter Vodka and Wayfarer Whiskey – the key spirits distilled – star at the bar. The spirits are crafted using grains from the Wimmera Mallee region, and native botanicals foraged in the Grampians. Seasonal cocktails are inspired by local people and places (I loved The Headland, inspired by Sovereign Hill and flavoured with old-fashioned raspberry drops). Sample the spirits, and join a cocktail masterclass or a distillery tour. It’s a seductive setting – you’ll likely find yourself ordering a charcuterie platter or pizza as the evening progresses.

The Ballarat stay combining history and luxury

one of the rooms at Hotel Vera, Ballarat — The rooms at Hotel Vera have a contemporary style. (Image: Ballarat Tourism)

New lives for old buildings keeps history alive. Vera, Ballarat’s boutique five-star hotel, has taken it to the next level: it’s a palimpsest, a subtle layering of early 1900s and 1930s Art Deco architecture with a sleek new wing. There are seven spacious suites, each a dramatically different colour, with designer chairs, blissful bathrooms. High-end pottery and hand-picked artworks imbue the spaces with personality.

Vera’s intimate, award-winning restaurant, Babae, is subtly theatrical with sheer drapes and gallery lighting, its bespoke timber furniture and brass-edged marble bench setting the stage for food with a sharp regional focus. “We have goat’s cheese from a local supplier, handmade granola from local Vegas & Rose, truffles from nearby Black Cat Truffles, fresh food from our garden, and regional wines,” says joint owner David Cook-Doulton.

Celebrating the local makers, bakers, growers and producers, and the master chefs who work their magic is all part of the rich tapestry that links Ballarat’s history to its vibrant present.

A traveller’s checklist

Getting there

It’s 90 minutes from Melbourne, either on the Western Freeway, or hop on a V/Line train from Southern Cross Station.

Staying there

Hotel Vera is a centrally located Art Deco boutique hotel. Consider Hotel Provincial , which feels like a sleek country house, but with its own restaurant, Lola.

a contemporary room at Hotel Provincial, Ballarat — Hotel Provincial has country house vibes.

Eating there

dining at Mr Jones, Ballarat — The table is set at Mr Jones. (Image: Tony Evans/ Visit Victoria)

Culinary whiz Damien Jones helms Chef’s Hat winner Mr Jones Dining with quiet assurance. His modern Asian food is deceptively simple with deep, intense flavours. Low-key, laid-back ambience, lovely staff, thoughtful wine list.

Cocktails are definitely a thing in Ballarat. Reynard (fox in French) is foxy indeed, a clubby space with top-notch cocktails and small bites. Grainery Lane is extravagantly OTT with its massive 1880s bar, myriad chandeliers, brass gin still, Asian-inspired food and lavish cocktails.

dining at Grainery Lane, Ballarat — Dining at Grainery Lane.

Playing there

a laneway filled with artworks in Ballarat — An artful laneway in the city. (Image: Ballarat Tourism)

Check out local design legend Travis Price’s wall murals in Hop Lane with its colourful canopy of brollies, or in Main Street. The Art Gallery of Ballarat’s off-site Backspace Gallery showcases early-career artists in a stylish, contemporary space. First Nations-owned and run Perridak Arts connects people to place, bringing together art and crafts in this gallery/shop.

a woman admiring artworks at Perridak Arts Gallery — Perridak Arts is a First Nations-run gallery. (Image: Tony Evans)

The wineries of the Pyrenees are close at hand with their welcoming cellar doors and robust reds. Join a behind-the-scenes tour at the Centre for Gold Rush Collections .

Don’t forget the giant bluestone Kryal Castle , ‘the land of adventure’, for a little medieval magic, and not just for the kids: get ready for Highland-style feasting, jousting, even overnight stays.