Gertrude Street, located in Fitzroy, Victoria, is a microcosm representing the diversity and fusion of Melbourne’s unusual food scene. Being in Fitzroy, the restaurants and cafes on Gertrude Street do definitely cater to the young ‘hipster’ crowd, although this is not necessarily reflected in prices. There is a large price bracket, with some cheaper student style eateries and conversely, some higher end restaurants. In terms of styles of cuisine, there is an enormous range, from tacos to hot chicken, from tapas to crepes. In terms of sweets, there is a decent range, with a particular highlight being the French creperie, Breizoz.

The street itself certainly has a cutting edge, alternative, young vibe to it – it feels cool and trendy, with vintage clothing shops, second hand bookshops and street art adorning the sides of buildings. As you walk down the street, the plethora of smells wafting from the various eateries bombards the senses, as well as the sight and sounds of many diners enjoying meals outside on street tables.

For me, as a university student, Gertrude Street has an exciting appeal to it. It has a fresh, new feel to it while simultaneously including the rich history of the area. In a way, it does give me some sense of nostalgia as it is reminiscent of the migrant foodscapes that I have grown up with, having lived in and explored Melbourne for my whole life.

Before starting A Taste of Europe, I probably would have walked down Gertrude Street and been impressed by the various European establishments and the way they present their food and décor, however now I would consider the style much more closely. When I see the big flags and maps displayed on the outside of restaurants, designed to draw Australians and tourists inside, it brings into question how these places are choosing to represent their food cultures and the ‘authenticity’, or lack thereof, in these experiences.