Footscray Suburb Profile

Set in the city’s increasingly fashionable west, Footscray is as diverse as it is colourful. Once the somewhat rough and ready domain of the Greek and Italian migrant communities, it’s now home to everyone from Vietnamese to East Africans and a lively student crowd. Living in Footscray means being immersed in this vibrant multicultural mix, where the influence of diverse cultures is evident everywhere, especially in the food.

Nowhere is this influence more evident than in the awe-inspiring array of food on offer. Barkly Street is the place to start. Whether you want to inhale steaming bowls of pho laden with herbs and zesty lemon, or carefully mop up fragrant Ethiopian stews with spongy traditional bread, Footscray is where it’s at. And the culinary adventures don’t stop there. Not only is the iconic Footscray Market laden with exotic gourmet delights, but there’s a buzz about this market that’s an experience in itself. Drawn by cheaper rent, a thriving arts and music scene, and a growing sense of excitement about what this exciting locale has in store, new cafés, bars, and restaurants have opened in droves, attracting foodies from across the city. While gentrification has moved Footscray on in a big way – new developments seemingly pop up overnight – living in Footscray still offers a unique blend of modern energy and gritty charm.

Area Features

Arts And Music

Footscray’s history is steeped in arts and music. Whether it’s brass bands or African drummers, modern art or ancient traditions – you’ll find it here. Footscray is also home to an impressive roster of festivals. Beyond Laneway Festival and its pumping beats are local treasures such as the East Meets West Lunar New Year Festival and arts extravagance Big West. Safe to say, you won’t get bored in Footscray.

Student Life

From leafy Footscray Gardens to the rambling cycle paths than run along Maribyrnong River – there’s plenty to do in Footscray besides eat. And no one knows this better than the students at Victoria University, who can’t seem to get enough of buzzing Footscray’s budget-friendly lifestyle, from cheap housing to wallet-friendly drinking and dining.

A World Of Cuisine

Rarely does a night go by in Footscray without a new restaurant or bar-restaurant opening its doors. Whether they’re spinning retro vinyl tunes or serving up diverse ethnic fare, the good times are all but guaranteed. And with African, Australian, Indonesian, Italian, Thai, Turkish, Japanese, Croatian, Korean, Malaysian and Portuguese cuisines on offer (at last count) – you’ll always be spoilt for choice.

To Market

Whether it’s browsing for one-of-a-kind antiques and vintage fashion at Footscray Finds, or delighting in the colourful array of exotic wares on display at Footscray Market, this bustling suburb knows how to shop.