Victoria Street’s Vietnamese food strip, Swan Street’s pub scene, the MCG roaring on a Saturday afternoon. Richmond is inner Melbourne at its most unapologetic — 4km east of the CBD, postcode 3121, governed by the City of Yarra, and completely sure of itself.
Where Is Richmond?
Richmond sits in Melbourne’s inner east, bordered by the Yarra River to the south and Hoddle Street to the west. It shares boundaries with Collingwood to the north, Abbotsford to the northeast, Hawthorn to the east, and South Yarra and Cremorne to the south.
Four key streets define the suburb: Bridge Road runs east-west as the traditional shopping strip (though it has quietened in recent years). Swan Street runs parallel, packed with restaurants, pubs, and bars. Victoria Street — Melbourne’s “Little Saigon” — is one of the country’s great food corridors. And Church Street connects them all north-south, anchoring the cafe and retail scene.
Getting Around
Richmond is a genuine transport hub. Richmond Station serves the Sandringham, Frankston, Cranbourne, Pakenham, and Glen Waverley lines — making it one of Melbourne’s busiest interchanges. East Richmond and Burnley stations add more options. Tram routes 48 and 75 run along Bridge Road, the 70 along Swan Street, and the 109 along Victoria Street. Cycling along the Yarra River trails connects you to the CBD in under 15 minutes.
You can live here without a car. On match days at the MCG, you’ll be grateful you don’t have one.
What Richmond Feels Like
This is a suburb of distinct strips. Victoria Street is loud, aromatic, and packed with Vietnamese bakeries, pho restaurants, and Asian grocers. Swan Street turns on at night — pubs spill onto footpaths, the Corner Hotel draws live music crowds, and the MCG precinct charges the air on game days. Bridge Road is quieter now, the factory outlet boom having faded, but decent cafes and a few solid restaurants hold the line. Church Street connects it all with coffee shops and neighbourhood dining.
The residential streets between these strips are a mix of Victorian terraces, weatherboard cottages, 1960s brick flats, and newer apartment developments. Housing commission towers stand alongside renovated period homes. That contrast is Richmond — it has never been one thing.
Who Lives Here?
Young professionals in apartments near Swan Street. Families in terraces around Church Street. Students from Swinburne University. Vietnamese families who built Victoria Street from the late 1970s onward. Italian-Australian families who have called the eastern end home since the postwar era. Footy diehards who chose the postcode for its proximity to Punt Road Oval and the MCG.
Richmond works because these groups share streets, share pubs, share the 109 tram, and argue about parking with equal passion.
Is Richmond Right for You?
You’ll appreciate Richmond if:
- You want genuine food diversity without leaving your postcode
- Public transport access matters — Richmond Station connects to five train lines
- You like being close to the MCG, Melbourne Park, and the Yarra River trails
- You want inner-city energy at slightly less than South Yarra prices
It might frustrate you if:
- Match-day crowds and traffic bother you (there are roughly 50 AFL games at the MCG per year)
- You need quiet residential streets at all hours — Swan Street gets loud on weekends
- Budget is very tight — median rent for a one-bed unit runs around $500/week
- You want a big backyard — standalone houses with gardens are scarce and expensive
Explore Richmond
Eating & Drinking
- Best Asian Food in Richmond — Victoria Street’s finest, ranked
- Best Restaurants — From Italian to modern Australian
- Best Pubs — Corner Hotel to the Royston, the full crawl
- Best Bars — Wine bars, cocktail spots, and rooftop drinks
- Best Coffee — Axil, Code Black, and the neighbourhood picks
- Best Cafes — Weekend brunch and weekday regulars
- Best Brunch — Saturday morning sorted
- Cheap Eats — Under $20, mostly on Victoria Street
- Date Night — Where to take someone you actually like
Living Here
- Cost of Living — Real prices, rent vs buy, weekly budgets
- Family Guide — Schools, parks, and the parent verdict
- Honest Guide — The unfiltered overview
- History of Richmond — How this suburb became what it is
FAQ
What train lines run through Richmond? Richmond Station serves the Sandringham, Frankston, Cranbourne, Pakenham, and Glen Waverley lines. East Richmond and Burnley stations provide additional access.
What is Victoria Street known for? Victoria Street — often called “Little Saigon” — is Melbourne’s premier Vietnamese food strip, running from Hoddle Street east through Richmond and into Abbotsford. Dozens of pho restaurants, bakeries, and Asian grocers line the street.
How far is Richmond from the CBD? About 4km east. Richmond Station to Flinders Street takes under 10 minutes by train. Trams take 15-20 minutes. Cycling along the Yarra trail takes about 15 minutes.
Is Richmond good for families? Richmond works for families who want inner-city convenience. Richmond Primary School and Yarra Primary School are well-regarded. Parks include Citizens Park, Barkly Gardens, and the Yarra River trails. The suburb is noisier than outer alternatives, particularly around Swan Street and on MCG match days.
Suburbs Near Richmond
- Collingwood — Smith Street dining, brewery culture, and creative energy just north of Victoria Street
- South Yarra — Chapel Street shopping and the Botanical Gardens across the Yarra River
- Cremorne — Richmond’s quieter southern neighbour with a growing cafe and tech scene
- Abbotsford — Victoria Street continues east into a more residential stretch with Yarra River access
Got something to add about Richmond? Email [email protected].
