Enchanting Yarraville

This might seem a strange title, particularly considering the stigma this patch held in Melbourne for all those decades.

From the industrial 50s to the Westgate Bridge construction in the 70s, Yarraville hasn’t been tightly held forever. What has changed in this exciting little locale is… well, everything. Except the co-existence of the trucks, the refineries and the locals.

Yarraville Village during a pop up park event
Source: World Landscape Architect

The Village

The ‘village’ as the locals call it, is a cute array of shops on a perfect crossroad. Anderson Street and Ballarat Street form the heart of the village.

A ridiculous number of cafes, bars, restaurants and pubs reside in this tight space and whether it’s a balmy summer evening, a crisp winter’s night or a slow Sunday afternoon, the village is abuzz with diners in every little corner.

It’s one of the only locales where a restaurant can be booked out completely on a Monday or Tuesday night.

Cafes and Restaurants

The eateries span many nationalities and cultures; from authentic sushi boats at Kawasaki where the chef also prepares sushi to order from behind the glass bench, to great Indian fare at Tandoori Times (with a ten page menu to add to the excitement).

Nobody who likes their wine can go past Barkley Johnson, a beautifully enticing, old fashioned wine bar and deli where the wine list is drawn up and suspended from the ceiling on butchers paper every day. The wines are diverse and always a perfect blend of French, Italian, New Zealand and local. The cheeses are just incredible.

Bopha Devi gets such a good rap in The Age Good Food Guide that it’s near-on impossible to get a seat, and Fidama and sister-cafe, L’Uccelino offers some of the most perfect dishes… fabulous for any date night.

Source: The Sun Theatre

Entertainment

Nothing can be better on lazy cold winter Sunday afternoon than a mulled wine at the Yarra Lounge (if of course you are into mulled wine.) But the Sunday afternoon options are endless; a movie at the enchanting Sun Theatre (a six-boutique-theatre in original Art Deco style), or a slow degustation of great tapas at DigAPony, a walk through the Yarraville Gardens or a longer stroll to Yarraville’s Cruikshank Park.

What can’t be summed up in a short write-up about this adorable village is the quirky nature of the shops, the friendly locals and the crazy little streets that take one line of traffic at a time.

Yarraville’s eclectic collection of locals are fascinating to behold, and the well-established Greek community is inherant in the quality food and produce available in all of the boutique stores. At Easter time the Greek candles, luscious halva and bright coloured Easter goodies scream out at the local IGA.

The Yarraville Gardens Farmers’ Market
Source: Everguide

The Architecture

The beautiful Victorian weatherboards that the locals so love are absolutely enchanting for all who enjoy Melbourne’s architecture.

Cars line the residential streets because most of the houses were constructed around the turn of the century when people didn’t have cars. Many skinny little house blocks have just a twenty foot frontage and these superbly renovated single fronted Victorians draw attention from all who love this period.

For any baby boomer who remembers a stigmatised, poor little town on the ‘other side of the Yarra’, it’s time to venture west and be surprised. This town represents regentrification at its finest. And at only six rail stops from the city, it’s an easy place to visit.

For more information about Yarraville, read our suburb profile here

Points of Interest in Yarraville, Postcode 3013

Yarraville Sun Theatre
Yarraville Community Centre
Yarraville Yoga Centre
Yarraville Farmer’s Market
Maribyrnong City Council