Originally named Romeo Lane in the 1850s, this narrow road less traveled connects Little Bourke and the top end of Bourke Street. In 1876 the lane was renamed Crossley Street after butcher William Crossley and has since gone on to lure some of Melbourne’s most iconic stores into the lane. From Melbourne’s favorite Italian restaurant and café Pellegrinis to a 1960s bookshop, contemporary jewelry shops, a 20th-century antique shop, sophisticated suits and handmade women’s fashion and so much more.
Pellegrinis
Melbourne’s coffee obsession is said to have started when the first espresso machine arrived at Pellegrini’s on Crossley Street in 1954. Established by the Pellegrini brothers, the café was sold in 1974 to current owners Nino and Sisto who maintained the original menu. Pellegrinis is both a communal restaurant and café with checkered floors and timber panelling. Sauces simmer in huge pots round the back and everything is made on site. The spaghetti Bolognese and lasagne are two of the most popular dishes, and there’s always a freshly baked torta to have with coffee. Pellegrini’s attracts regulars for Friday night gnocchi the way Nonna used to make them, and to finish with ask for the watermelon granita.
Serving up Malay and Thai hawker food, Gingerboy is the sister restaurant to Teage Ezard flagship store Ezard. This South East Asian restaurant includes a roof which imitates the night sky and ghost chairs to expand the sense of space. The son-in-law eggs are a good place to start, followed by the braised pork belly and the dessert sharing platter.
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Becco
Since December 1996, Becco has delighted diners with modern Italian food including duck leg confit, silver whiting ceviche crostini, salmon and beef carpaccio, platters of prosciutto and homemade gelato. The white tablecloths create an elegant ambiance where you can sip on their signature cocktail, the Becco Macchiato and enjoy Italian food which celebrates fresh produce.
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Gallery Funkai
Gallery Funkai is a minimalist space opened by Mari Funaki in 1995. Nowadays, owner Katie Scott continues the late Funkai’s legacy by celebrating the work of contemporary local and international jewelry makers including Marian Hosking, Carlier Makigawa, Kiko Gianocca and Karl Fritsch. Throughout the year the Gallery hosts eight or so exhibitions showcasing the exquisite work of designers.
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Blonde Venus
If you’re after a tailored and traditional garment, a vibrant woolen coat or a modern dress hand cut from vintage lace, then look no further than Blonde Venus. Designer Marietta Marlow effortlessly blends eras in her designs to create fresh pieces for sophisticated women proud to show off their form. What started as a marital business between Marlow and her husband Hayden has developed into a lifetime love affair with fashion.
No bigger than a corridor, Traveller was established by Mark Dundon and Bridget Amor of Seven Seeds coffee. The neon boot signals the location and the smell of coffee wafting out the door will drag you in. With standing room only, the best plan of action is to order your coffee – they have white, black, filter and cold brew – and a pastry by Brioche by Philip on your way to work.
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Suit Shop
This appointment-only suit shop brings the impeccable tailoring techniques from Sydney’s P. Johnson Tailors to Melbourne. Browse through fabric swatches and allow the tailors to customize a made-to-measure lifestyle for you. The Suit Shop should be your first stop when looking for a custom suit under $1000; however, the team can also build a hassle-free wardrobe for you.
Step through the blue door into a room where white, silver, and gold plates hang off exposed brick walls and quirky tortilla chip handles decorate draws housing a range of food-inspired jewelry. Hailed by The New York Times, designer Lucy Folk’s jewelry is whimsical and will have your friends asking ‘where did you buy that?’ Fans of Lucy Folk include Beyoncé and Jessica Biel, who are sure to visit the store whenever they next visit Melbourne.
Across from Pellegrini’s is the Paperback Bookshop which opened in the early 1960s. Originally the shop focused on local and imported paperback editions – hence the name. Their collection now includes fiction, Australian non-fiction, poetry and music books, classics, history, philosophical titles, politics and current affairs and travel books. Paperback also carries a selection of journals.
