When he’s not leading the Pies out onto the ‘G or dominating in defence, you’ll find Collingwood captain Darcy Moore chasing down Melbourne’s best eats, drinks and caffeine fixes. From low-key coffee joints to late-night wine bars, the footy superstar has built up a solid list of local favourites.
We teamed up with the legends at Toyota to find out where Moore hits when he’s off the field and heading out in his hometown. Turns out, skippers make immaculate food tour guides. With the all-electric Toyota bZ4X handling the city streets and Moore handling the recs, let's plug in.
Hope St Radio, Collingwood
It only makes sense for Collingwood’s captain to have a firm favourite on the club’s home soil. Located just off Johnston Street, the ultra-cool, community-focused wine bar Hope St Radio is justifiably loved by both locals and those further afield (including Dua Lipa and Troye Sivan, no less).
“It’s very fun for a drink and a late-night session by the fire in the courtyard of Collingwood Yards,” says Moore. There’s a low-intervention wine list to keep the party going, and ever-changing seasonal share plates from the kitchen. Thankfully, the “insane focaccia” that Moore always finds himself ordering has a permanent spot on the menu.
Tedesco Osteria, Red Hill
When it comes to heading out of town, Moore is making tracks straight to this cosy Italian fine diner in Red Hill. A tiny space seating just 30, for Moore, it's the farm-to-table menu and warm, cosy space that makes it a winner.
Focused on showcasing the rich produce grown on the Mornington Peninsula, Tedesca is the brainchild of chef-owner Brigitte Hafner, who’s developed a set menu dining experience that's based around seasonal ingredients and cooked with an Italian-centric approach. The dining experience in Moore's words? "Incredible."
Embla, Melbourne CBD
Darcy’s go-to city spot is not too different from Melbourne in winter: dark, moody and effortlessly romantic. After nearly 10 years of consistently great service, sips and share plates, Embla remains one of Melbourne’s more reliable wine bars for a glass of something interesting and some seriously tasty grub.
“So much of the menu is cooked on an open flame,” Moore shares, referencing head chef Dave Verheul’s wood-fired toasts topped with all sorts of flavours, chargrilled proteins and smoked vegetable plates. Date night has never looked better.
Cam’s Kiosk, Abbotsford Convent
Tucked into the peaceful grounds of the Abbotsford Convent, Cam’s is one of Moore’s favourite escapes from the city chaos. This cafe-wine-bar hybrid strikes the perfect balance between casual and quality, slinging piping hot coffees and brunch classics during the day, and refined Italian plates by night.
Darcy agrees, “Cam’s is great for a comforting bowl of pasta in winter, and an outdoor drink or snack on the grass in summer”. The grass in question is a part of the manicured lawns below the 1868 national heritage-listed building. BYO picnic rug, nab a spot out the front and admire the stunning architecture of the convent.
Shark Fin Inn, Melbourne CBD
When it comes to yum cha, Moore keeps it classic. “I love Shark Fin Inn for old school Chinese,”—think white table clothes, brisk trolley service and traditional recipes—"the service is always great and the food is consistent, too.”
Chinatown’s non-nonsense restaurant has been serving quality Cantonese since the 80s, and their Sunday yum cha generates queues of hungry punters wanting to get their mitts on the steamer baskets. Don’t leave without trying the prawn toast.
Leonardo’s Pizza Palace, Carlton
“The pizzas at Leonardo’s come with a blue cheese/ranch dipping sauce that is genuinely life changing,” insists Darcy of Carlton’s American-Italian restaurant. We tend to agree with him: the obligatory cups of tangy sauce have the power to turn a bad day into a great one.
The superior slices and saucy spaghetti plates coming out of Leonardo’s Pizza Palace have a similar potential. Come hungry, leave happy.
Woods Yard, Albert Park
According to Moore, the sandwiches at Woods Yard are worth the quick EV-powered cruise across town alone. Set a few blocks back from the beach in Albert Park, Woods Yard is a “cool, casual little all-day diner with a great wine list, homemade pizza, a simple all-day menu and incredible service, too.”
In the AM, the smiling staff are brewing excellent lattes and a rotating range of “on point” sandwiches. From midday, the oven’s firing out pizza, the playlist gets louder, and the natural wine starts pouring.
Lulie Tavern, Abbotsford
Fun fact: Lulie Tavern first opened its doors in 2015, the very same year that Moore made his AFL debut with the Pies. Coincidence? Almost definitely. But after ten years in the game, these two icons have an enviable endurance.
“Lulie’s is this Old World rock ‘n’ roll pub hidden on Johnston Street,” shares Moore. “It’s an excellent place for a low-key afternoon, with regular gigs and great burgers.”
After chowing down a flame-grilled burger and stomping to some live sounds, level up your night with a stop at Lulie’s open-air rooftop bar, Full Moon Fever.
Acoffee, Collingwood
Jazz tunes blaring throughout the warehouse, an in-house roastery, knowledgeable staff that take their beans seriously AND a 3066 postcode?! Acoffee ticks all of Moore’s boxes for a pre-match pick-me-up.
Aside from the obvious super-smooth coffees, you can also order sweet treats from Cobb Lane, plus rotating juices and iced teas. And while there might be plenty of top-notch spots around town that can brew an exceptional cup of Joe, Moore declares, “if you drink black coffee or matcha, Acoffee is a must.”
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Images: Supplied, Acoffee, Leonardo's Pizza Palace, Embla