Fresh air, fab fare: Melbourne's best walk-thru cafes

Where to Stroll and Snack during lockdown

The highlights of a day in lockdown are undoubtedly eating and time spent outdoors – sometimes simultaneously. For a dose of vitamin D in “locky-D”, we’ve matched five of Melbourne’s best neighbourhood walking trails and gardens with nearby spots to pick up food and coffee. 

Como Gardens to The Tan
The Stables of Como remains open, tucked away inside the grounds of historic Como House. Start your walk here with coffee, cake and sandwiches, or make it your final stop and take home grazing boxes and pizza. It’s just over a couple of kilometres along the river to the “bottom of the hill” (the corner of Alexandra Avenue and Anderson Street) at the Royal Botanic Gardens. At the top, you’re spoilt for choice. Order a second coffee from the Botanical Hotel or pre-order via their extensive online shop. We especially love the lockdown bundles that feature meals for two with a bottle of wine.

Darebin Parklands
The Darebin Creek Trail runs from Preston down to Alphington, but within Darebin Parklands are wetlands, creeks, a lake, footbridge, stepping-stones and even a spiritual healing trail. You might even spot native wildlife, such as echidnas and flying foxes. The Alphington Farmers Market is just 300 metres away and is runs late afternoon on Thursday and on Sunday from 9am to 1pm. Time it to pick up a pre-ordered Sunday roast from nearby Alphington Social (alphingtonsocial.com.au), or an $80 feed-me pack for two with a cheese platter, arancini, pizza, salad and tiramisu. Add a bottle of wine for less than $30.

Yarra Loop
There’s a lovely walk that takes about an hour, starting at the Dight Falls car park. It crosses over Merri Creek, follows the Dight Falls Loop Trail along the Yarra River and leads to Kanes Bridge. Cross it to reach Studley Park Boathouse, and then walk to Studley Park Road and cross the bend in the river down to The Farm Cafe or Abbotsford Convent. Once you’ve had your fill of coffee and baked goods, it’s only a 15-minute walk back to the car park along Main Yarra Trail. Time it with a farmers market, either at the Collingwood Children’s Farm on the second Saturday of the month or at the Abbotsford Convent on the fourth Saturday of the month. 

Bay Trail

It’s a picturesque, seaside stroll or cycle all along the Bay Trail, which hugs Port Phillip Bay. From Mornington through to Port Melbourne, there’s plenty to snack upon along the way. Pick up two-person packs from the iconic Donovans in St Kilda for $145, as well as their famous bombe alaska. Elwood Bathers has fresh pastries and coffee available to takeaway from 9am Friday through Sunday during lockdown, with specials such as a margherita and a margarita for $25 (see what they did there?). In Albert Park, Pipis Kiosk is our pick for fish and chips and cocktails on the fly.

Carlton Gardens Laps

Pre-order a Sunday roast for pick-up between noon and 3pm at Epocha and put some normal back into your weekend. The terrace restaurant is perfectly positioned across from Carlton Gardens, so you can ask for mulled wine in your coffee cup and toast those queuing for their vaccination at the Exhibition Centre. Keep an eye on Epocha’s Instagram (@EpochaHope) for last-minute specials like freshly shucked oysters and take-home packs for two. If you’re looking for something else on the go, head down Gertrude Street to Morning Market for coffee, fresh pastries, sandwiches, produce and spirit-lifting blooms.