Collingwood doesn’t do subtle. The strip between Smith and Johnston streets packs more personality per square metre than anywhere else in Melbourne — converted warehouses, street art on every laneway, and a restaurant scene that refuses to pick a lane. Fine dining sits next to $9 tacos. Rock’n’roll pizza joints share walls with Japanese soba specialists.
Here’s where to eat in Collingwood right now, ranked by people who actually live here.
The New Openings Worth Knowing About
Santito — Serious Tacos on Smith Street
174 Smith Street, Collingwood
The newest addition to Smith Street and already making waves. Santito is a proper taqueria — nixtamalised tortillas made in-house, $9 tacos that punch well above their weight, and a vibe that’s more Mexico City cantina than Melbourne hipster joint. Broadsheet just named it one of Melbourne’s best lunch spots under $20. If you haven’t been yet, fix that this week.
Go for: $9 tacos, the house tortillas Budget: Under $30 per person
Orlo — Mediterranean Diner + The Cordial Club Below
Collingwood
Orlo brings Mediterranean warmth to Collingwood’s dining scene — think shared plates with big flavours and a wine list that rewards the adventurous. Downstairs, The Cordial Club cocktail bar is a destination in itself. Two venues, one visit.
Go for: Shared Mediterranean plates, cocktails downstairs Budget: $40–70 per person
The Established Heavyweights
Ides — Fine Dining That Earns It
Collingwood
Peter Gunn’s acclaimed set-menu restaurant remains one of Melbourne’s most exciting dining rooms. The menu changes constantly, driven by technique and seasonality. This isn’t the kind of fine dining that makes you feel uncomfortable — it’s the kind that makes you rethink what food can do. Booking essential.
Go for: The full tasting menu experience Budget: $150+ per person
Smith St Bistrot — Scott Pickett’s French Return
Smith Street, Collingwood
Chef Scott Pickett goes back to his French roots with this swish bistro. Caviar service, playful spins on Gallic staples, and a dining room that feels like 1930s Paris. It’s serious food without taking itself too seriously.
Go for: The caviar, the steak frites energy Budget: $70–120 per person
Jim’s Greek Tavern — 40 Years and Still Packed
Collingwood
Over 40 years of charcoal-cooked seafood, gyro lamb, pan-fried saganaki and house-made dips. Jim’s doesn’t chase trends because it doesn’t need to. If there’s a queue, it’s because everyone who’s been once comes back. An absolute Collingwood institution.
Go for: Saganaki, lamb off the gyro, the whole charcoal seafood spread Budget: $40–60 per person
The Japanese Quarter
Collingwood has quietly become one of Melbourne’s best strips for Japanese food. Three venues on or near Smith Street are worth your attention:
Chiaki — Cafe by Day, Izakaya by Night
Collingwood
Mornings bring salmon or wagyu-topped rice bowls with umami-rich broth. Evenings transform the space into an izakaya with sake cocktails and snacky bites like mirin-dressed oysters. Two restaurants for the price of one visit.
Chotto Motto — Hamamatsu-Style Gyoza Specialists
Collingwood
The crisp, hot spiral of gyoza is the main event, but the katsu sandwiches and karaage are genuinely excellent too. There’s a beer vending machine dispensing cold Japanese suds, because of course there is. Its siblings Neko Neko and Wabi Sabi Salon are within walking distance.
Shimbashi Soba — Buckwheat Noodles Milled On-Site
Collingwood
Organic Tasmanian buckwheat, milled fresh daily, rolled into 100% gluten-free soba noodles. Hot or cold. Only 70 serves a day, so plan accordingly. This is one of Melbourne’s most specialised noodle joints and it’s worth the effort.
Wabi Sabi Salon — Charming Clutter and Bento Deals
Collingwood
Feels like stepping into a tiny restaurant in Tokyo. The lunch bento box deals are the move — sushi and miso sets at prices that make you feel guilty about how little you’re paying.
The Pubs and Pizza
Easey’s — Burgers in a Train on a Rooftop
48 Easey Street, Collingwood
A burger joint five storeys up inside retired train carriages. Sounds like a gimmick. Tastes like one of Melbourne’s best burgers. The view across Collingwood’s rooftops is the bonus. Don’t skip the loaded fries.
Budget: $15–25 per person
The Gem Bar and Dining — Cowboy Energy
Collingwood
Saloon-style pub with an Elvis fixation, boot-worn floorboards, and Southern fried chicken. You might catch a country act in a cowboy hat. The parma is better than it has any right to be.
Thin Slizzy — Rock’n’Roll Neapolitan Pizza
Collingwood
Punny pizzas named after bands — the Meatallica, the Smashing Pumpkins, the Brockin’ in the Free World. Made by an ex-Rita’s chef. Late-night slices and loud music. Exactly what it sounds like.
Red Sparrow — Vegan Pizza That Converts Carnivores
Collingwood
Woodfired, blistered, loaded with toppings — and entirely vegan. Even committed meat-eaters leave impressed. The secret is they don’t try to imitate meat pizza. They make something genuinely different and it works.
The Wine and Cocktail Stops
Hope St Radio — Wine Bar at the Arts Hub
Collingwood Arts Hub
A glowing wine and pasta bar inside Collingwood’s mammoth arts precinct. Rigatoni all’amatriciana, Fernet-Branca-and-cola sorbet, and a natural wine list that leans juicy and lo-fi. This is where Collingwood’s creative crowd actually hangs out.
Le Bon Ton — New Orleans Meets Texan BBQ
Collingwood
Late-night bar energy with the flavours of Louisiana and Texas. Brisket, bourbon, and a vibe that gets progressively louder as the night goes on. One of Collingwood’s best late-night options.
Molly Rose — Craft Beer in a Warehouse
Collingwood
Old furniture warehouse turned brewery. Sour-coffee ales, beers that mimic wine, and a Southeast Asian restaurant next door with a beer garden. This is an all-afternoon situation.
Goldy’s Tavern — All-Day Pub Done Right
Collingwood
Plant-filled atrium, sunny front terrace, upmarket parmas, and knockout pool competitions mid-week. Feels like it’s been here forever despite the modern refurb. The perfect Collingwood local.
The Quick Guide
| Restaurant | Cuisine | Budget | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santito | Mexican | Under $30 | Cheap lunch, tacos |
| Ides | Modern Australian | $150+ | Special occasion |
| Smith St Bistrot | French | $70–120 | Date night |
| Jim’s Greek Tavern | Greek | $40–60 | Groups, classics |
| Chiaki | Japanese | $30–50 | Izakaya vibes |
| Chotto Motto | Japanese | $20–35 | Gyoza, quick dinner |
| Shimbashi Soba | Japanese | $20–30 | Noodle purists |
| Easey’s | Burgers | $15–25 | Fun, views |
| Hope St Radio | Wine bar + pasta | $40–60 | Drinks + food |
| Thin Slizzy | Pizza | $20–35 | Late night |
Getting to Collingwood
Tram: Route 86 runs the length of Smith Street. Jump on from the CBD and you’re there in 15 minutes. Cycling: Flat ride from the city along Johnston Street or via the Capital City Trail. Driving: Don’t. Parking is painful. Tram or bike.
Updated March 2026. Know a Collingwood restaurant we should add? Drop us a line.