We love inner-city living with suburban charm and Yarraville meets the brief. Alluring many to the West with its leafy green streets, views of the CBD and dynamic hospo scene, it's certainly worth the quick spin over the West Gate Bridge.
Dotted with heritage buildings—like the iconic Sun Theatre and Bradmill’s soon-to-be repurposed industrial architecture—Yarraville’s history has both been honoured and elevated of late. From fine dining at the acclaimed Navi, to slow mornings at the Yarraville Village Farmers Market, there’s good reason this suburban oasis has cemented itself as one of Melbourne’s best.
Here's everywhere to eat, play and stay around Yarraville next time you visit.
The Best Restaurants In Yarraville
Navi
Serving up sleek ambience and experimental dishes served on handmade ceramics, Navi is Yarraville’s must-try intimate fine dining experience. Chef and Owner Julian Hill hand-picks his suppliers, utilising sustainable farmers and native produce to create innovative dishes.
From black garlic and salmon roe macarons to chargrilled octopus with Geraldton wax miso and ink potato chips, expect the unexpected at one of the best restaurants Yarraville offers.
Railway Hotel
Established in 1938, Railway Hotel has cemented itself as a local gem. Boasting leather banquettes, a swish pool table and trivia nights, this beloved haunt is the quintessential Melbourne pub experience.
The menu covers the classics from the humble chicken parma to a solid steak sandwich, as well as charcuterie boards with a modern twist. It also has a rooftop overlooking the Yarraville Village making it an ideal spot to perch for a pint and people-watch.
Village Cantina
Serving up all the Mexican spice and vibes, Village Cantina is one of our top picks for the best Yarraville restaurants list—and it won’t break the bank either. Expect a variety of quesadillas, tacos and burritos on offer, best washed down by one of their several mojito or marg variations.
Pizza d’Asporto
An ode to their rich, Italian heritage, Pizza d’Asporto is a family-run business offering a Southern Italian menu bolstered by recipes passed down through generations. Expect traditional pizza and pasta dishes, as well as antipasto, four types of fluffy focaccia and small plates like broccolini with buffalo mozzarella, pecorino and truffle oil—yum.
Right among the bustle of Yarraville Village, Pizza d’Asporto offers indoor and alfresco dining under festoon lights.
Eleni's Kitchen + Bar
Eleni’s Kitchen + Bar brought authentic Greek food to Yarraville over 50 years ago, cementing itself as one of Yarraville's best restaurants. Named after the family’s matriarch, expect generous home-style dishes, like oven-baked pepper and tomato, stuffed with rice, vegetables and mixed herbs. Here, seafood reigns supreme, so expect high-quality, fresh and often charcoal-cooked deliciousness.
Fun tip: Eleni’s knows how to party, holding Greek Tavern Nights filled with plate smashing, live music, dancing and of course, a Greek feast.
Bar Romanee
Euro-leaning and wine-centric, Yarraville’s Bar Romanee serves up a rotating and succinct menu, spanning from snacks like Cobb Lane’s bread with cured butter, to larger plates like 250g scotch black angus flat iron steak with pepper jus. Awash with green velvet, wine bottles and marble, it's the perfect spot for a date or a catch-up with mates,
The Best Bars In Yarraville
Navi Lounge
Navi Lounge is the boozy counterpart of Julian Hill’s fine diner. It's all about approachable sophistication here as both the bar snacks and cocktails feature native ingredients and capture Navi’s knack for creativity. Nestle in for a cosy night and try Navi Lounge's cocktail flight paired with snacks for $130.
Hopheads Yarraville
One of three locations, Hophead’s Yarraville outpost is a love affair of craft beers and good times. Securing it as one of the best bars Yarraville has to offer, the team offer 11 brews on tap and an extensive library of bottles to try, from the easy-to-drink to the rich and rare. Live music from rotating local artists set the communal vibes at Hophead’s most weekends, so be sure to rally your mates and pop in.
Barkley Johnson
We love a hybrid wine bar-meets-deli-meets bottleshop and Barkley Johnson is Yarraville’s best. With floor-to-ceiling wine displays, knowledgeable staff and the occasional DJ spinning tunes, Barkley Johnson is the one-stop shop for all your plonk needs. Pull up a chair to graze or swing by to pick up an artisanal bottle.
Ms Botanica
Exposed brick, dripping plants and moody interiors set the tone for a casual yet elegant evening at this boutique bar where gin is the star. Come for the meticulously crafted cocktail list and stay for the incredible share plates like Sydney Rock oysters, steak tartare, and stracciatella with stone fruit and walnuts. Trust us, the full Ms Botanica experience is worth sticking around for.
The Best Cafes In Yarraville
Roccos Deli
Roccos Deli is a Yarraville icon in all its no-fuss glory. The line snakes out the door every day as locals and travelling foodies patiently wait to wrap their hands around Rocco’s Italian-style roll.
Made fresh and simple, guests can customise their roll with a multitude of high-quality deli meats, cheese and antipasti on offer. The family-run business also sells grazing boxes, authentic Italian take-home meals and sweet treats like Rocco’s renowned brûlée doughnuts.
Cobb Lane Bakery
Now with three locations and a booming wholesale business, there’s no doubt Cobb Lane is one of the best bakeries Melbourne has. 10 years strong, their soughdough has stolen the hearts of many, along with their ability to make your morning coffee and pastry run that little bit more special.
Coe And Coe
Melburnians love a classic brunch spot and Coe And Coe delivers. Dishing up everything from vibrant smoothies, colourful paninis, top-tier coffee and generously portioned fresh salads, the Yarraville location is a small but mighty reliable spot. Awash with soothing deep greens, you can grab a spot inside or take in the dappled sunlight and Yarraville atmosphere outdoors.
ADVI’S Falafels
Sister to its original store in Seddon, ADVI’S Falafals is Yarraville’s all-vegetarian Middle-Eastern lunch go-to. While the small shop has some seating, dishes are made to take away. Think fried thick-cut halloumi chips, housemade falafel and vibrant nutrient-packed salads—yum.
Madison Coffee & Cornerstore
Madison Coffee & Cornerstore serves up simple things successfully—coffee and lunch on the go. Reminiscent of an old-school milk bar (we love), the team have dialled up crowd-pleasers like the salmon bagel, a hefty chicken schnitzel panini and a pastries cabinet that's too hard to pass up. Oh, and it's pooch-friendly!
Where To Stay In Yarraville
Heart Of Yarraville
Yarraville
This modern, two-bedroom apartment ensures you can experience Yarraville Village in full swing. The local eateries, quirky shops, train station and fairy-lit outdoor dining space are all at your doorstep. The Yarraville Gardens—just under eight hectares of leafy recreational parklands—is also just around the corner.
The Wembley
Yarraville
Enter through a laneway to this three-bedroom private apartment overlooking Yarraville. Ideal for the whole family, this humble home is a quick drive to the Sun Theatre and only a stone's throw away from McIvor Reserve with sprawling parklands with a baseball diamond, bowling green, AFL and soccer grounds.
Captains Retreat
Williamstown
Less than a 15-minute drive from Yarraville is Williamstown—a historical seaside village attracting those looking for a place to throw down a picnic rug, piers walks, fishing and swimming. Adjacent to the water, Captains Retreat offers both charming boutique-style apartments and cottages.
Things To Do in Yarraville
Bradmill Yarraville Block Party
To mark Bradmill’s new chapter, Bradmill is hosting a free block party on Saturday 16 March, from 12pm, at the Display Suite. A community affair featuring live street art, DJs and roving entertainers, you can also expect free food and drinks from the likes of Greek Trojan Food Truck, Primo Pizza and more. A nod to the building’s former life, there will be a complimentary personalised denim embroidery station.
It’s also an insight into the future development, with Bradmill staff there to answer any of your questions about their residential neighbourhood and community precinct. Otherwise, the Display Suite is open daily from 11am–5pm.
Bradmill
Once a cotton factory abuzz with textile machines and hundreds of local workers, the Bradmill Factory on 355 to 359 Francis Street has been dormant since 2007. Its industrial, heritage architecture has long been a pillar of the West and a hotspot for street art. Soon to enter its next chapter, Frasers Property is both retaining and revitalising the factory into a community precinct. Soon to be up there with some of the best things to do in Yarraville, Bradmill will include Bradmill Quarter, a retail precinct with all the essentials. From speciality shops and culinary delights, it will include a full line supermarket, childcare and medical services alongside locally owned stores and eateries for both residents and the wider community.
Yarraville Farmers Market
Quality local produce and farmers, hand-made crafts, and communal vibes is what the ever-wholesome Yarraville Farmers Market is all about. Gathering locals every third Saturday of the month, wander through the open-air stalls with a coffee in hand and stock up on gourmet pantry must-haves.
Yarraville Village
The streets surrounding Yarraville train station are buzzing with culturally-diverse eateries and small local businesses to shop. While the afternoon away in Art Deco beauty Sun Bookshop or pull up a chair at Ballarat Street’s outdoor dining area with a few takeaway treats.
Sun Theatre
Step back in time at Yarraville's iconic jewel, The Sun Theatre. Revered for its dazzling, feel-good Art Deco design, the cinema has charmed cinephiles since 1938 and boasts eight retro cinemas showing the latest films from around the globe—a must on Yarraville's list of things to do
Science Works
Likely to be every Melbournian kid's favourite excursion, Science Works is a mesmerising museum covering all the curiosities of our universe. From astronomy and space to robots and technology, Science Works is both educational and just straight-up fun. Be sure to check out the Melbourne Planetarium too—an immersive cinematic experience exploring astronomy under a 16-metre domed screen.
Grazeland
Eat your way through some of Melbourne’s best at Grazeland. Located in Spotswood— just a quick drive from Yarraville—Grazeland is a permanent food truck park propped next to the Yarra River open every weekend. Expect shipping-container-style stalls and a diverse range of vendors such as Lokma Lokma’s famous Greek doughnuts and Smokeworks American-style BBQ. There's also a couple of stages set for live gigs, so be sure to check it out when it's humming.
Cruickshank Park
Yarraville is certainly dialled up in the parks department. Dotted with Yarraville Gardens, McIvor Reserve and Yarraville Oval, it's a surefire place to throw down a picnic rug. Plus, Cruickshank Park’s Dinosaur Park is well worth a visit. Otherwise known as McNish Reserve, it's centred around a six-by-three-meter dino made by local artists.
Experience the buzz of life in Yarraville at the Bradmill Block Party on Saturday 16 March. Find more information here.
Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by Bradmill and proudly endorsed by The Urban List. To find out more about who we work with and why read our editorial policy here.
Image credit: Urban List and Supplied.