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Get to know the area
To visit Footscray is akin to taking a culinary (and cultural) trip around the globe. From Vietnamese bakeries to African hair salons – this vibrant suburb is an ode to multicultural Melbourne. And while gentrification is fast changing the face of this much-loved locale, the improving infrastructure and proliferation of brilliant restaurants, cafés and bars bode well for the future.
Lifestyle
Set in the city’s increasingly fashionable west, Footscray is as diverse as it is colourful. Once the somewhat rough and ready domain of the Greek and Italian migrant communities, it’s now home to everyone from Vietnamese to East Africans and a lively student crowd.
Nowhere is the influence of this multicultural population more evident than in the awe-inspiring array of food on offer.
Barkly Street is the place to start. Whether you want to inhale steaming bowls of pho laden with herbs and zesty lemon, or carefully mop up fragrant Ethiopian stews with spongy traditional bread, Footscray is where it’s at. And the culinary adventures don’t stop there. Not only is the iconic Footscray Market laden with exotic gourmet delights, there’s a buzz about this market that’s an experience in itself.
Drawn by cheaper rent, a thriving arts and music scene and a growing sense of excitement as to what this exciting locale has in store, new cafés, bars and restaurants have opened in droves, drawing foodies from across the city in search of something new and full of flavour. While gentrification has moved Footscray on in a big way – new developments seemingly pop up overnight – this vibrant neighbourhood has managed to maintain its gritty charm.
Lifestyle
Set in the city’s increasingly fashionable west, Footscray is as diverse as it is colourful. Once the somewhat rough and ready domain of the Greek and Italian migrant communities, it’s now home to everyone from Vietnamese to East Africans and a lively student crowd.
Nowhere is the influence of this multicultural population more evident than in the awe-inspiring array of food on offer.
Barkly Street is the place to start. Whether you want to inhale steaming bowls of pho laden with herbs and zesty lemon, or carefully mop up fragrant Ethiopian stews with spongy traditional bread, Footscray is where it’s at. And the culinary adventures don’t stop there. Not only is the iconic Footscray Market laden with exotic gourmet delights, there’s a buzz about this market that’s an experience in itself.
Drawn by cheaper rent, a thriving arts and music scene and a growing sense of excitement as to what this exciting locale has in store, new cafés, bars and restaurants have opened in droves, drawing foodies from across the city in search of something new and full of flavour. While gentrification has moved Footscray on in a big way – new developments seemingly pop up overnight – this vibrant neighbourhood has managed to maintain its gritty charm.
Neighbours
A bastion of Melbourne’s immigrant community – Footscray is home to a patchwork of different cultures. In fact, the majority of this diverse suburb’s population was born outside of Australia and have proudly lived locally for years. Wandering its streets, you’re likely to hear snatches of conversation in everything from Bangladeshi to Korean – all part of Footscray’s enduring charm. Being home to both Victoria University and boasting relatively low rents makes this lively area a magnet for students who feast on cheap eats and cheap beer. Footscray is a melting pot of ethnicities, ages and socioeconomic groups.
Area Features
ARTS AND MUSIC
Footscray’s history is steeped in arts and music. Whether it’s brass bands or African drummers, modern art or ancient traditions – you’ll find it here. Footscray is also home to an impressive roster of festivals. Beyond Laneway Festival and its pumping beats are local treasures such as the East Meets West Lunar New Year Festival and arts extravagance Big West. Safe to say, you won’t get bored in Footscray.
STUDENT LIFE
From leafy Footscray Gardens to the rambling cycle paths than run along Maribyrnong River – there’s plenty to do in Footscray besides eat. And no one knows this better than the students at Victoria University, who can’t seem to get enough of buzzing Footscray’s budget-friendly lifestyle, from cheap housing to wallet-friendly drinking and dining.
A WORLD OF CUISINE
Rarely does a night go by in Footscray without a new restaurant or bar-restaurant opening its doors. Whether they’re spinning retro vinyl tunes or serving up diverse ethnic fare, the good times are all but guaranteed. And with African, Australian, Indonesian, Italian, Thai, Turkish, Japanese, Croatian, Korean, Malaysian and Portuguese cuisines on offer (at last count) – you’ll always be spoilt for choice.
TO MARKET
Whether it’s browsing for one-of-a-kind antiques and vintage fashion at Footscray Finds, or delighting in the colourful array of exotic wares on display at Footscray Market, this bustling suburb knows how to shop.
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