Where Should I Eat in Collingwood?

Collingwood embodies Melbourne's cool, alternative aesthetic - a neighbourhood that retains its blue-collar character while attracting young creatives, artists, foodies, and entrepreneurs seeking authenticity without the CBD's formality. Johnston Street is legendary for Vietnamese food, with hole-in-the-wall pho restaurants, banh mi shops, and casual Vietnamese venues offering extraordinary quality at remarkably low prices. Many were established by Vietnamese families in the 1980s-90s and remain unchanged - no-frills environments serving serious home-style cooking. Beyond Vietnamese cuisine, Collingwood has diversified with craft breweries, experimental kitchens, live music venues, galleries housing pop-up restaurants, and chef-driven casual establishments. Smith Street towards Richmond showcases this newer wave - contemporary Australian, Middle Eastern, fusion concepts, and Instagram-worthy venues. The neighbourhood balances its heritage Vietnamese community with incoming young hospitality professionals starting ambitious projects. The art and street art scene is integral - many venues double as creative spaces. The crowd is deliberately unconventional: Vietnamese families maintaining cultural food traditions, foodies hunting authentic street food experiences, creatives and artists, young professionals embracing alternative culture, craft beer enthusiasts, and couples seeking neighbourhood dining with genuine character.