Collins Street Melbourne: Where luxury has always lived

Collins Street Melbourne is the city’s most storied boulevard – a stretch of heritage grandeur and contemporary elegance where great restaurants, luxury boutiques and grand hotels converge. From Vue de Monde on the 55th floor to the fashion houses of the Paris end, this is Melbourne at its most polished

Few Melbourne streets capture the city’s particular brand of sophistication quite like Collins. 

Running through the heart of the CBD, this storied strip has long been a place to see and be seen in the Victorian capital, with locals and travellers alike drawn to the charm, the history and the urban energy. On Collins – an easy walk from Flinders, Southern Cross and Parliament train stations – grand heritage buildings give way to sleek contemporary architecture, presenting a distinctly Melbourne style of old-meets-new. 

For luxury travellers looking to dine, shop or stay (or, understandably, all of the above), Collins Street rewards those who like their Melbourne with a little polish.

Vue de Monde

You will find Vue de Monde on the 55th storey of Collins Street’s Rialto Towers. And even those lofty heights are exceeded by the dining experience at this glamorous Melbourne institution. The Signature Chef’s Tasting Menu – the only option and comprising between 14 and 17 courses – changes daily and consistently features fine Australian ingredients. Australiana is also evident in the architecturally designed fit-out: kangaroo leather seat covers, river stones repurposed as food vessels, and those 360-degree Melbourne city views.

Society

At the so-called “Paris End” of this famed street, 80 Collins is a dining and retail precinct, with plenty to tempt the high-end traveller. Society is the building’s flagship destination, with three distinct spaces under one roof. Crowned by grand hand-cut crystal installations, Society Dining Room serves refined European-inspired fare to the well-heeled; opt for the Chef’s Menu for the full experience, or order à la carte. Elegant bar and restaurant Lillian Brasserie and The Lounge Bar complete the Society trio, brought to you by Lucas Collective, the group behind Chin Chin and more.

Reine and La Rue

Divine French fare is on the menu at Reine, the highly praised restaurant set in what must be one of Melbourne’s most stunning spaces. Located on the corner of Queen and Collins, the 19^th-century neo-Gothic Cathedral Room was once home to Melbourne’s stock exchange and today wows diners with exceptional dishes and jaw-dropping surrounds. Think: vaulted limestone ceilings, granite Corinthian columns (original in both cases) and incredible reconstructed stained-glass windows. Bookings are essential, but eight-seater cocktail bar La Rue welcomes walk-ins.

Freyja

Simplicity and sustainability are cornerstones of Nordic-Australian restaurant Freyja and the philosophy makes for a truly memorable dining experience. Executive Chef Jae Bang brings Michelin-Star experience to the kitchen, where fermented ingredients are fused with modern Australian cuisine for a thoughtfully curated, uniquely elevated menu. Set across two floors of the 1880s Olderfleet building, the dining room balances the building’s heritage architecture with a pared-back Nordic aesthetic, creating an elegant setting that reflects the dual Scandi-local influences.

The Block Arcade

Step onto the mosaic flooring of the Block Arcade and explore the character-filled boutiques that call this historic shopping precinct home. Global brands such as Grand Seiko, Truefitt & Hill and Georg Jensen Living share the spotlight with Australian favourites like Haigh’s Chocolates (hot tip: dark mango chili truffle), Creswick Woollen Mills and Parker Diamonds, while local artisans also shine. Melbourne-born businesses include jewellers such as Keshett (this author’s favourite for its vintage and vintage-inspired pieces), Bakhache and The French Jewel Box; master tailor Adriano Carbone, a beloved family operation with decades of expertise; and artisan perfumery Essensorie, where both the space and the selection of naturally scented products are simply heaven.

The “Paris end”

The eastern end of Collins Street has long been referred to as the “Paris end of town”, a moniker earned thanks to the luxury shopping, grand architecture and footpath cafes. Si chic! Flagship stores of fashion houses such as Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Dior and Burberry line this end of the street, joined by prestigious jewellers and horologists including Cartier, Bvlgari and Watches of Switzerland. Even the wander between outlets is appealing. The striking façades of Victorian- and Edwardian-style buildings are threaded with more recent developments, including 80 Collins, home to Saint Laurent, Golden Goose, Fauré Le Page and, for the ski bunnies, Moncler.

Sofitel Melbourne on Collins

Still at Collins’s Paris end, Sofitel Melbourne on Collins is in keeping with the revered French sensibility. The 363 rooms and suites all feature sweeping city views, as well as the hotel’s signature, plush-as-you-like Sofitel MyBeds. Upgrade to the two-bedroom Imperial Suite Residence for 184 square metres of opulence, including a private dining area for eight, a gold-plated spa bath and a private butler.

InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto

For an old-world take on Melbourne luxury, InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto is a stay steeped in grandeur. The hotel occupies two heritage-listed buildings: the Gothic-revival Rialto Building (not to be confused with next-door neighbour, Rialto Towers) and its adjoining Romanesque-style Winfield Building. Connected by a soaring glass-roofed atrium, the pair now form this five-star hotel, replete with 253 rooms and suites that balance heritage details and contemporary comforts. 

The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne

We’re not on Collins Street anymore, Toto. But sybarites may wish to consider the two-block stroll to Lonsdale Street where The Ritz-Carlton offers a markedly modern expression of luxury. Rising 80 storeys above the CBD, the hotel’s 257 rooms and suites occupy the upper reaches of the tower, with floor-to-ceiling windows framing views across the city and Port Phillip Bay. Located on Level 64, the hotel spa is a serene sanctuary with a selection of restorative treatments complemented by the infinity pool with sweeping views, a vitality pool, sauna, steam room, ice fountains and relaxation areas.