Chapel Street Vs. Lygon Street

We all know that feeling of indecision when it comes to deciding what place to visit next. There are so many wonderful places to visit in Melbourne, and we are faced with the difficult decision of deciding between this or that; however, the good news is that both Chapel Street and Lygon Street offer a wide variety of options for you to make the most of your day/night out.

If you want to avoid the hustle and bustle of the city, Chapel Street is your best option. It is local to most suburbs since it extends through the South Yarra, Prahran and Windsor suburbs, and it is quite a large strip of buzzing cafes, restaurants and shops. It offers a truly multicultural experience; you can head to Chapelli’s restaurant for a more classy Italian scene, immerse yourself in Viva Brazil’s delicious variety of Brazilian food or enjoy a funky American diner experience at Soda Rock; it prides itself on using recipes derived directly from American diners in the 1950s and 1960s. You can stroll down Chapel Street and check out the clothing and other knick-knacks at the Chapel Street Bazaar in Prahran, or explore the many designer boutiques and shops at the South Yarra side of Chapel Street.

Chapel Street’s nightlife consists of bars, pubs and nightclubs with plenty of people of different ages and backgrounds. Places such as Blue Bar 330 and Lucky Coq offer an edgy and chilled atmosphere where you can enjoy a few drinks, Electric Ladyland oozes style with its red leather lounges and exquisite cocktail menu, and Temperance Hotel offers a more upbeat environment with party tunes to get your groove on.

If you’re craving an authentic Italian experience, Lygon Street is the place to be. It is located within the Carlton, Carlton North, Princes Hill and Brunswick East suburbs. Unlike Chapel Street, Lygon Street is much more cultured with its strong emphasis on Italian cuisine within its many restaurants and cafes. The majority of its crowd is European, and it also radiates more of a family-orientated atmosphere than Chapel Street does.

For instance, Cafe Cavallino provides a sensory Italian experience with their restaurant theme and employee uniforms. They provide an abundant amount of pizza and pasta choices that will glamour your tastebuds and take you for a trip to the heart of Southern Italy. There is the traditional Toto’s Pizza, which is proud to be Australia’s first pizzeria to grace the pizza hall of fame, and then to add the cherry on top of a great meal, Brunetti’s cafe can satisfy any sweet tooth with their large variety of Italian cakes, biscuits and sweets.

You can have a wander through Lygon Street’s shops, food stores and bars, and it even has its very own annual Carlton Italian festival event annually; Italo-Australians can celebrate their nationalities and also invite the rest of Melbourne to enjoy the ‘Italian way’. Expect mouthwatering Italian dinners and desserts, along with wonderful performances from live bands, DJs, dancers and comedians.

Overall, both Chapel Street and Lygon Street are wonderful places to visit, particularly if you’re looking for a nice restaurant or cafe to dine at. Chapel Street’s nightlife is more fast-paced than Lygon Street’s, and it tends to draw a younger demographic crowd due to its party atmosphere. However, Lygon Street provides a unique cultural experience that will enlighten your perspective upon Italian cuisine and traditions. It is honestly up to you whichever you choose — either way, you are guaranteed to have a fantastic night!