Bob's Little Black Book: Our Favourite Stores for Eating, Shopping, and Wellbeing in Melbourne
In our salon, we're constantly talking all things anti-crap with our clients; where we love to shop and eat, and what we love to listen to and read. From products and labels, to our favourite apps and reads, here we share our little black book of natural ingredients and sustainable practices.
EAT
Staple Store
A local, good quality store for healthful bulk food; from nuts and teas to grains and herbs. Supporting ethical businesses, the Staple Store is run by a naturopath who also offers natural skincare and other treats that promote natural ingredients and sustainable practices.
19 Glen Eira Road, Ripponlea
https://www.instagram.com/thestaplestore
Monk Bodhi Dharma
A vegetarian café where they roast their own coffee beans and serve delicious and inventive vegetarian that is bound to excite even the carnivores.
202 Carlisle St, Balaclava
http://www.monkbodhidharma.com/
Serotonin Eatery
Serotonin is a whole food café promoting “good mood food.” The culmination of a nourishing eatery, an exercise centre, and educational classes, the ethos is based on eating a plant based diet to ensure the mind, body and the earth all function at their best.
52 Madden Grove, Burnley
Transformer
A slightly more refined approach to their sister restaurant Veggie Bar, Transformer is a dressed up vegetarian and vegan dining experience in Fitzroy. With an exciting degustation and flavourful cocktails, it takes vegan and vegetarian to new heights.
99 Rose St, Fitzroy
http://www.transformerfitzroy.com/
Shadow Boxer
Somewhere between a cocktail bar and a restaurant, Shadow Boxer is a Bob favourite for beautiful food, cocktails and friendly staff. Plus, from every plate sold, Shadow Boxer donate $1 to Oz Harvest; a food rescuing charity that collects and distributes food to people in need.
302 Toorak Rd, South Yarra
Neko Neko
Notable Japanese fare for pescatarians, vegetarians and vegans. Delicious, casual, and fun, we’ve never met a meal here that we don’t want to re-order.
83A Smith St, Fitzroy
https://www.facebook.com/nekonekojapanesekitchen
Tivoli Road Bakery
Fresh sourdough, the best sandwiches and an incredible cabinet of pies and sweet treats makes this a favourite for Bob. It’s just across the road, and whilst it is not for the gluten intolerant, it’s a go-to for our team.
3 Tivoli Rd, South Yarra
Sprout Café
Delivering the best coffee without the hipster pretentiousness, Sprout Café (closely located to Staple Store) is a Bob favourite for green shakshuka, almond milk lattes, and the Israeli inspired menu.
48 Glen Eira Rd, Ripponlea
Karmic Juice
Hands down the best cold pressed juices for two, three, or four day cleanses. Low in fructose, the juices can be delivered weekly and can include hot soups in winter. Karmic is a way we’ll be kick starting our wellbeing in spring.
https://karmiccoldpressedjuice.com.au/
SHOPPING
Kuwaii
An ethical fashion label designed and made in Melbourne. We love their shoes (which can be made with vegan leather) and well-cut basics.
Three stores – CBD, Brunswick, Fitzroy
Theo the Label
Sustainable and ethical label that create our favourite basics, using beautiful cottons and linens.
Located in the South Melbourne Market
Coventry Bookshop
We live in here! Best selection of books and great staff, who are really enthusiastic with the little ones. This cosy bookshop has the best collection of books, and has a great kids section that you can leave the kids in, while you meander around.
265 Coventry St, South Melbourne
https://www.coventrybookstore.com.au/
Lois Hazel
Made in Melbourne, Lois Hazel is an ethical fashion label, using dead stock materials to make a difference.
2/33-37 Stewart St, Brunswick
Hello Willow
For the little ones. A tiny shop filled to the brim with a gorgeous mix of the best NZ and Australian designers. Good luck leaving with just one thing.
143 Ormond Rd, Elwood
WELLBEING
Little Company
A little company dedicated to living skin, where knowledgeable staff take a holistic approach to skin. Using only natural skincare, Little Company is our go-to for incredible facials and a beautiful, serene space.
79 Stephenson St, Cremorne
Missy Lui
Organic, vegan, toxic free nail bar. They use Kester black nail polishes (10-free), are really well priced and the staff are super friendly.
1/1161 High St, Armadale
Humming Puppy Yoga Studio
Our favourite studio for the teachers, the fit out, Aspar products and the fact that they serve fresh coconut water and beautiful teas to sip on before and after class.
2/22 Cecil Pl, Prahran
Skin Essentials
If you never see the sun like Amanda and I, and feel like you need a little base tan pre-holiday, this is your go to place for a cheeky organic spray tan. No nasty chemicals, super professional and amazing glow afterwards.
80 Ormond Rd, Elwood
https://www.skinessentialsbeautybar.com/
Lab Organics
The best organic and natural beauty store in Melbourne. Everything is hand-picked from around the world to create a beautiful curated selection of natural beauty products; perfume, skin care, make up, deodorants…the lot!
360 Rathdowne St, Carlton North
https://thelaborganics.com.au/
The Apothecary Store
For all you south-siders this is another great store that only stocks the best natural and vegan products. The Apothecary Store is a luxe beauty, wellness and lifestyle store offering non-toxic beauty and skincare products.
41 Cato St, Prahran
https://theapothecarystore.com.au/
Angea Acupuncture & Yoga
Angea is hands down the best place in Melbourne for acupuncture, kinesiology, and reiki. Amanda and her team deal with everything from fertility issues, PCOS, endometriosis and all things women’s health related. These guys know their stuff and make you feel welcome and comfortable.
3/17 Izett St, Prahran
READ
Slow by Brooke McAlry
A must-read for everyone; all about slowing down, decluttering and working out what you really want in life.
Let My People Go Surfing by Yvon Chouinard
This is about the founder of Patagonia sharing how doing well helped the bottom line of this highly respected eco brand.
https://www.patagonia.com.au/pages/let-my-people-go-surfing
Wardrobe Crisis by Clare Press
Fashion Journalist Clare Press explores the history and ethics behind what we all wear.
DOWNLOAD
Good on You - Ethical fashion guide
Carousell - Buy and Sell preloved clothing
Calm - Meditation, Mindfulness and Sleep
WATCH
Blue
A powerful film about how the oceans are broken and what can be done to fix them.
Food Inc.
This film reveals how corporations are putting profits ahead of public health.
http://watchdocumentaries.com/food-inc/
The True Cost
The best film on the negative effects fast fashion has on people and the planet.