Local Guide: What To Do In Cremorne

The Assembly Label Melbourne Surplus is situated in Cremorne, one of the inner-city’s blooming creative neighbourhoods. This storied suburb has a long industrial history, but in recent years the landscape has changed and our store rubs shoulders with galleries, cafes, wine bars and wellness studios. Visiting the Assembly Label Surplus? Get to know our local area a little better with our guide on where to eat, exercise and indulge when in Cremorne.

Visit a gallery

Once you’ve shopped the discounted collections at our surplus store, make the most of your visit and check out Cremorne’s art galleries. You’ll discover new exhibitions and works by Australian and international artists, emerging and established, and the beauty of these local galleries is that many represent artists you may not be familiar with. Gallery spaces that are sure to inspire include C. Gallery and Blockprojects.

Grab a coffee (and something sweet)

There are plenty of places to get your caffeine fix around Cremorne — this is Melbourne after all. And while there’s lots of great options, we’re particularly taken with the baked goods at Tarts Anon. Started by chefs during the Covid pandemic, this little shop serves coffee and turns out unbelievably good tarts with new flavours and old favourites on rotation. Melbourne chocolate makers Hunted+Gathered also have a coffee shop in Cremorne, which gives you the perfect excuse to enjoy your early morning espresso with an organic chocolate sweet.

Book a Pilates class

When it comes to Pilates and yoga studios you’re really spoilt for choice around Melbourne’s inner-city, and Cremorne is no exception. Love Athletica has recently opened a new Reformer Pilates studio here. Many of their classes have a fast-paced cardio twist and there’s a big emphasis on the playlists. And just down the road you’ll find the impeccably designed One Hot Yoga in South Yarra. Classes range from Reformer to yin yoga set at a range of different temperatures to elevate your experience.

Go on a heritage walk

The best way to get a feel for Cremorne’s history is to see it first-hand on the Cremorne Heritage Walk. Bordered by Swan Street, Church Street and the Yarra River, the suburb is quite small in size and yet the story behind it spans centuries. The walk will take you on a tour of major industrial buildings, distilleries, hotels, the site of the Cremorne Gardens and a former asylum.

Indulge in a spa treatment

After a day spent shopping, strolling and gallery-hopping, step off the street and into Comma spa and massage studio. The first Comma location is in Byron Bay, and this second destination in Cremorne has a bath house that elevates the experience with a mineral hot tub, infrared sauna and cold pail shower designed to recreate traditional Scandinavian bathing rituals. As for the massages, there is a treatment for every ailment and body. All it takes is an hour at Comma to release tension, rejuvenate skin, enhance recovery and restore balance.

Stay for dinner and a drink

Lilac Wine Bar is the spot to be in Cremorne. The exposed brick warehouse is fitted out with a fireplace, turntables and a collection of vinyl records, creating the perfect soundtrack for lounging on a vintage sofa and lingering over a glass of wine. The wine list features lots of interesting varieties and makers, and there’s a good balance of natural styles and crowd-pleasing options. If you’re hungry, the food menu offers both quick snacks and bigger mains. For a distinctly more European dining experience, Frédéric in Cremorne is a must. This elegant restaurant does unfussy French-inspired cuisine and it’s just the spot for intimate dinners and special occasions. Located alongside Frédéric is the more relaxed Fred’s, a casual wine bar that’s open from lunch to late.