Melbourne’s inner-city suburb of Richmond is best known for its bargain designer shopping, pubs and live music, and fine food from all around the globe.

Bustling Bridge Road is where many of Australia’s finest fashion designers have their factory outlets and seconds stores. Popping up between the major labels and on nearby Swan Street are small boutiques offering selected collections, often from local designers.

Shopping sprees have been known to build up an appetite, and Richmond has all cuisines covered. Swan Street hill is where to head for a traditional taste of Greece, while Victoria Street is known as Little Saigon for its fast, fresh and exceptional Vietnamese food. Mexican food is accounted for, Italian food is both traditional and modern, and there are burgers, pizzas and pies as well. An increasing number of typically ‘Melbourne’ cafes can be found in Richmond, so a decent coffee is never far away.

Church Street is the place to go for designer furniture and objets d’art. The Albert Street art galleries hold an open day in May, featuring talks, exhibitions and entertainment.

Bars and live music thrive in Richmond, the Corner Hotel being one of Melbourne’s most famous intimate live-music venues, hosting big-name bands alongside obscure newcomers. There are plenty of pubs for meeting friends and soaking up the atmosphere before a big sporting occasion. Richmond is a stone’s throw from Melbourne’s sporting precinct and buzzes before a big game at the MCG, AAMI Stadium or Melbourne Park.

Richmond is around three kilometres from Melbourne’s CBD, or around 10 minutes on the number 70 tram from Flinders Street to Swan Street, number 109 from Bourke Street to Victoria Street, number 48 or 75 from Flinders Street to Bridge Road. Richmond train station is just one stop from Flinders Street Station.