Let’s take a stroll down Glenferrie Road!
Glenferrie Road runs from Kew to Malvern, over 6kms, and is well serviced by the number 16 tram - which can take you all the way to St Kilda. But don’t do that just yet! First, let’s look closer at the 1km stretch between Barkers Road Kew and Burwood Road Hawthorn. Glenferrie Road is a bustling shopping strip; I’m not going to promise you can get everything you need within this 1km block - but you’ll get pretty close!
First - you’ll need to fuel up. There are many coffee options, but our fave regular spot is Axil Coffee Roasters. You can stock up on coffee for home, grab a quick batch brew, or sit and enjoy your latte with a delicious pastry.
If you prefer a tea or head to Cha Cha Tea! It’s our fave spot for milk tea, fresh fruit tea, and all the classics. The friendly staff will help you make up your mind and whip you up a delicious drink!
Do you fancy a little shopping? The new Readings store is gorgeous. Not many bookstores have their own atrium! The staff are always more than helpful if you need a hand choosing the perfect book for the bibliophile in your life. Blackbird and Fox supports Australian-made and owned brands and stocks homewares, gifts, and jewellery, and even has a great range of reusable food wraps, lunch boxes and coffee cups. For the young and young at heart, another great gift shop is Homing Instincts. They have a vast range of cards and the cutest Jellycat toys. Mind Games has just about every game you can imagine! The super knowledgeable staff go out of their way to help you choose the perfect gift.
If you have little ones who need to let off some steam, Billy Lids has a giant jumping castle, ball pits, a soft play area for toddlers, and a massive play structure. Hawthorn Aquatic and Leisure Centre is your spot if you feel like a swim or a workout. Located just behind the Glenferrie Road Shops, it offers a creche, a full gym, a wide range of classes, an indoor warm (hot) pool, an outdoor lap pool and a sauna.
Feel like catching a movie? Lido Cinemas has you covered. Lido often hosts film festivals such as the very popular Children’s International Film Festival, has special nights for members, viewings of ballets and musicals, cult classics (Grease, The Parent Trap, The Sound of Music), and all the newly released movies. Fresh popcorn is available, of course!
Ready for lunch? There are unlimited options available! Two of our favourites are:
Liar Liar Cafe - this little cafe gets busy during the lunch rush, but if you can get a table (or takeaway), you won’t be disappointed. The BLAT is delicious, and we also highly recommend the chorizo scramble.
There are a few Bánh mì options, but in our opinion, the best by far is Mr and Mrs Bahn Mi. Whether you prefer traditional, tofu, pork or chicken, you will be impressed! Say yes to the chilli.
Finish your afternoon with a Japanese ice cream from Kori Ice Cream with delicious flavours like yuzu, fuji apple and matcha or an Italian ice cream from Piccolina (Nutella, mint and honeycomb are hits with us).
After all that walking, eating and shopping, you deserve a rest! Head to the nearby Central Gardens (locally known as Rocket Park), there are plenty of grassy areas and shady trees perfect for a little siesta.
What’s your fave spot on this strip? We’d love to hear from you!
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