La Tortilleria
Photograph: Graham Denholm

Kensington area guide

The best restaurants, bars, shops and events in Kensington

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Is Kensington the new North Melbourne? It’s a fair call, seeing as this little pocket of northside suburbia is gaining more restaurants, small-scale breweries and property-hunting 30-somethings by the second. Bordered by North Melbourne and the virtually indistinguishable suburb of Flemington, Kensington has northwest charm in spades: there are wide, tree-lined streets, plenty of public transport (the Craigieburn train line and the 57 tram run right through it) and green spaces aplenty. Whether you’re on the lookout for a cheerful breakfast joint, a new walking track or the best African food outside Footscray, Kenso’s the place.

Looking for more fun in the west? Check out our guides to Footscray and Yarraville while you're here.

The best restaurants in Kensington

The Abyssinian
Restaurants

The Abyssinian

Traditional Ethiopian and Eritrean dishes are served with love at this popular high-vibe African restaurant

Cassette
Restaurants

Cassette

Low-waste fare, a backyard composter and a local place to kick back with the community

Hatch’d
Restaurants

Hatch’d

  • price 1 of 4

Variety is the spice of life, or at least it is at Kensington favourite Hatch’d, which does regular free-range charcoal chicken, Spanish butterflied...

Crumbs Organic Bakehouse
Restaurants

Crumbs Organic Bakehouse

Melbourne's organic community can rest easy at Crumbs, where anything from bread, doughnuts, muffins and pastries are made with care and precision by Crumbs'...

La Tortilleria
Restaurants

La Tortilleria

  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • price 1 of 4

La Tortilleria brings a slice of Mexico to inner Melbourne

Luncheonette
Restaurants

Luncheonette

  • 3 out of 5 stars
  • price 1 of 4

Luncheonette supports our belief that Kensington is one of the finest 'burbs in which to break the fast

The best bars in Kensington

White Rabbit Record Bar
Bars

White Rabbit Record Bar

This hybrid music store and bar is located opposite Kensington station in Melbourne's inner west. Poke your head inside and you'll uncover a music...

Henry St Brewhouse
Bars

Henry St Brewhouse

This tiny craft beer house is located in the industrial part of Kensington, a hop and a skip from Macaulay Road. Head inside this microbrewery and you'll...

More great venues in Kensington

Crucible Tattoo Co.
Shopping

Crucible Tattoo Co.

Welcome to Melbourne’s first queer-owned tattoo studio, est. 2015. It’s a safe space where everyone can feel comfortable regardless of their...

Women's Peace Garden
Attractions

Women's Peace Garden

Travel down Epsom Road towards the Women's Peace Garden, a serene stretch of green amidst inner west suburbia. It's here you can continue down the old...

The Assembly Hall
Shopping

The Assembly Hall

An abandoned wool factory has become a new design and retail concept

Pavilion Live
Music

Pavilion Live

A neglected venue is getting a refit, to step up and fill the glittery shoes of the late Palace