Chef’s guide: Where to eat and drink in Footscray

Take a classic meal like lasagne or massaman curry and put them inside flaky pastry and you’ve got just two of the genius pie flavours at this Footscray nook. Here’s where else to eat and drink in the neighbourhood.

Diego Portilla, chef at Small Graces, shares his best places to eat and drink in Footscray.

PIE THIEF

These guys are pie geniuses. They take delicious classic meals, like lasagne and parmigiana, and put them inside delicious flaky pastry. Not only are the fillings interesting but they’re also seriously good pies. If you’re not feeling experimental the straight-up steak is also a winner.
297 Barkly St

PHO HUNG VUONG SAIGON

This bustling Vietnamese restaurant is known for its top-notch pho. The service and ambience is “no fuss”, but the pho is excellent. Tasty broths, fresh herbs and plenty of chilli on hand. You can go for the full nose-to-tail experience and order the Beef Combination, or play it safe with straight-up chicken.

128 Hopkins St

FOX IN THE CORN

Always our first choice for comfort food, it’s so simple and so good. Housemade pasta topped with delicious sauces. My favourite is the beef ragu but the carbonara is also pretty great. They also have yummy pizzas.

4 Droop St

MR WEST BAR

We are seriously spoilt for choice when it comes to bars in Footscray, with our after-work drinks usually at Mr West. You’re always guaranteed a delicious beverage served by a bartender with a smile.
106 Nicholson St

RAS DASHEN

There are so many great Ethiopian restaurants around, too, but we keep going back to this one for the tasty food and the hearty welcome we always receive from the very charismatic owner, Wondi. I love their injera (a spongy sourdough flatbread made from teff flour). We usually just ask for a platter of whichever curries are on the go.

247 Barkly St

BAD LOVE CLUB

This boozy bakery is the spot to satisfy your dessert cravings. They do incredible baked goods (sweet pies, cakes, cookies, etc) which you can pair with one of many local brews. Shop 5/68-82 Hopkins St

FYI: As part of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, join Portilla at Small Graces on March 21 as he cooks a farm-to-fork feast of South Gippsland produce from Flock Stock & Basil while producers share their tales of sustainable farming. mfwf.com.au

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