this place used to be the 'go-to' place. it was the bar that served over 15 beers on tap…read more(interchangeable each night) and rocked from 12pm till 12am (so many people). now they wont serve a beer after 9pm on a Saturday...(now more than half empty). its not the same place it used to be, which is really sad. but why? is. it because rich ppl bought it? why has the atmosphere died so bad? sux, as used to be a staple of high street.

Since coming to Melbourne, I've had some serious no-joking-matter trouble. Maybe I was looking in…read morethe wrong places, but it's been difficult for me to find a good shop that has a wide range for craft beer available in bottles to buy. Sure, there's plenty of bars with local/craft beers on tap, but I was after the good stuff to have at home. Thus, Carwyn Cellars has been a heaven sent solution. There is beer on shelves, there is beer in fridge coolers, there is even beer lined up ready for picking. If your poison is wine, don't be alarmed, there's a fully stocked room filled with wines to delight your tastes. Or if liquor is quicker for you, they have an array behind the counter. The staff is helpful and I appreciate the 15% off discount when you buy a mixed six-pack of beer. That always is a push to buy more beer, as if you need one right? The cellar store leads into the bar in the back. I only got in a glance, from what I could make of it, they've got a nice little setup here. With plenty of good craft beers on tap, and the option of indoor/outdoor seating. Carwyn is the perfect place to come and get your drink on and then without even leaving, purchase a few more to take home. I'm all for it.

Its excellent if you want fresh vegetables and fresh meat or fish. There is a some take away food…read moreoptions but its not overly amazing.

I love this place, it's been around since my first year of school and all through my childhood, now…read morewhen I go back I eat a nostalgic jam donut and take some friends. Dinner in the halls and even some wondering. I know 5 stars is a lot. But how often can you time travel and take a literal walk through your child hood.

This store sells liquor, and is rather barn like, so points for total 'does as it says on the tin'…read morename choice Mr or Mrs Rowe! if your looking to stock up on your grog then this is a great local place to do it. Not a chain store insight! The bulk specials are what draw locals in. The prices are comparable to supermarket liquor stores which is unusual for an independent. They have a great range of beer, wine and liquor although what they really do well is the bulk specials such as the Beer packs. The location on a peak of busy Lower Plenty Road is definitely it's down fall. It is risky business parking in front of the store and jumping out of your car to avoid traffic. Be warned many a side mirror has fallen prey to this hill. There is limited parking to be find at a nearby restaurant, but for convenience parking out the front of the store is the way to go. A great local spot for your bulk buy liquor needs!

Not my usual Woolies but my best friend has moved in near by so we decided pop over. The store is…read morevery spacious and easy to get around and stocks pretty much everything. It does get crazy busy on the days that Preston Market ( which is located opposite). The parking is a pain as you need to get a ticket as they do hand out fines.

If you like to know exactly where your fruit and vegetables come from, how they were grown, who…read morethey were grown by and if anything weird but probably not wonderful has been sprayed on them, you need to get down to the CERES farmer's market. CERES is a community environment park by Merri Creek in Brunswick East, and their delightful, organic, farmer's market occurs three times each week on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9am to 2pm. Get your veg here and you'll not only ensure you get your five-a-day, but that you're buying food that hasn't been flown from the other side of the world, that you're supporting small sustainable growers, and that what you eat will be organic. It just so happens that the market is set amongst beautiful, urban farmland against the backdrop of a gentle creek. If you have kids in tow, they'll love the happy chickens roaming about and the little playground and sandpit. And here's my big tip - and I can't believe I'm telling you this because now you and I will be fighting over the silverbeet - if you get to the market in the last half hour before close, chances are they'll have reduced the price of much of the produce by half. Don't forget to bring your own bags!

CERES - or Centre for Education & Research in Environmental Strategies - is a non-profit…read moreenvironmental and educational organisation and 'urban farm' situated in Melbourne's East Brunswick. Boasting a permaculture nursery, organic market, restaurant, cafe, function centre, educational programmes, workshops and courses and the occasional kick ass music festival and offering free entry to all, CERES is nothing less than an environmentally friendly; sustainable, and decidedly local Melbourne institution. I'd recommend a visit to CERES organic market and a trip to its cafe as well as a mozey around the environment park's nursery where you can buy plants to take home to your own urban oasis. And with all nursery staff 'qualified in Horticulture and Permaculture' and being passionate about teaching urbanites how to grow their own food, I promise you'll leave feeling a little less green.

Brunswick Convenience store pretty much sums it all up in the name. It's a run of the mill,…read morenon-chain convenience store near the corner of Albion St and Sydney Rd but with internet café facilities. There's your usual selection of cold beverages, general assortment of foodstuffs and last minute items such as deodorant and feminine hygiene products, along with a couple of varieties of phone credit. It has a better than average collection of loose sweets, with individual Trolli jelly lollies, Wicked Fizz, different flavours of Mentos and Zombie Chews among the highlights. The prices across the board are about the same as you'd find at a 7/11. They no longer stock metcards. It's open until midnight seven days, so it's a good late night alternative to the bevy of other supermarket-esque facilities that close up a tad earlier in the area.

This isn't the closest fruit and veg shop to my house so I don't come here unless I happen to be on…read moreSydney Road and it happens to be a convenient time to do some vegetable shopping. The first few times I came here I thought they were rather pricey compared to my local fresh produce shop, but a recent visit has led me to change my mind. La Manna had lots of good deals going, and I managed to find tarragon there, which I hadn't found in other stores in the neighbourhood. I don't know if I just never get the nice, smiley staff member at the cash register, or if none of them smile or make an attempt to be friendly, but that's just how it goes in La Manna. It would be nice if they were nicer to me, but if it were that easy for everyone to be nicer to each other, there would probably be less fighting in the world. How on earth did I go from fruit and veg to more peace and love in the world please? I think it's time for afternoon tea break.

Last Sunday my partner and I did something we've never done before... we awoke before 9am. But more…read moreimportantly, we got our butts out of the house and decided to stock up our fridge for the week (and stock it healthy.) La Manna is just a short walk away and is an absolutely gem of a local grocer. Piles of fresh fruits, veggies, flowers and all that other healthy stuff that you look at in the supermarket but always walk right past. You know the ones - quinoa, freekah, sunflower seeds and anything green... We stocked our basket sky high with enough veggies to feed a small family and smugly strutted out on to Sydney Road - proud smile on our face for all that we had achieved before 10am on a Sunday - and all for just a few clams! A highly recommended destination when you want the best and freshest veggies without the hefty price that can often come along with them.

Cute little set up just off Main st in Eltham where the coffee is on point…read more Staff are laid back, friendly and make you feel at home. Came here mid week for a late arvo pick me up - great vibe. Will definitely be back when I'm in the area

Now heres a great small reasturant and bar .tucked down a ally way where when you enter the vibe is…read morewarm and inviting with a goodv range of food on the menue .open evenings for a quiet drink and food in a atmosphere the helps to relax you from a hectic week