Celebrate at Victoria Harbour

By Stella M. Barber,

In my last article I wrote about a typical day in beautiful Victoria Harbour.

As the holiday period approaches I wanted to feature some of the new restaurants, highlight what is being offered by venues that have been in Victoria Harbour for some time and also suggest some low-cost and free festive ideas.

Along Collins St we have seen Pony Boy Fish Bar and Grill (839 Collins St), Thai Thani and Chilangos Mexican open recently. Pony Boy and Chilangos will be closed for the main Christmas period but Thai Thani is trading through and has an excellent offering for families and groups looking for a special lunch or dinner on Boxing Day. Between December 26 and January 4 Thai Thani will be opening from 11am – 9pm. For the rest of December, other than Christmas Day, they offer coffee, cakes and snacks from 8am. They also have a function room that can cater for large groups. Pop in to talk about your dining needs at Shop3/851 Collins St or email them at [email protected]

Close by, Tap831 (831 Bourke St) has a special Christmas menu and even has vegan options. Christmas dinners are available from November 25 to December 20, but bookings are required. The last day of trade for the festive season is December 24 and then Tap takes a break until January 9. For those who do not know, they now offer all day breakfast on Saturday and Sunday from 9am and on Friday nights have a DJ from 7pm and extended trading with late night food options and $10 pizzas 5pm until late. For bookings and for function details call 8592 1220 or email [email protected]

At Min Café (868 Bourke St) all your Christmas gift needs are sorted. They are offering a free giftwrapping service on all their gift and clothing items for purchases over $50 (which includes some adorable baby soft unicorn and bunny toys). They also carry a large range of clothing and jewellery. For purchases over $100, there is free wrapping and a free coffee. Min has recently introduced soft serve ice cream with Belgian Waffles and their new summer menu features healthy salads and a range of plant based, gluten and dairy free options.

Saluministi (892 Bourke St) will be trading up until Christmas Eve before it takes a two-week break. The team is currently taking orders for its exclusive Dolce and Gabbana Pannetone and house-made Porchetta rolls, which are a perfect ready-made main course fare for your Christmas table. These sell out very fast. Saluministi also offers fully catered corporate and business functions across from its café at Knowledge Market. For more information: [email protected] or call 9088 2999.

If you would rather not leave your home, Pizza@888 will be trading every day other than Christmas Day and offers delivery until 3am every Friday and Saturday night and until 1am on other nights. Call in at shop 5, 888 Collins St or call 9088 8266.

Another relaxed dining option would be to pop into Woolworths at Merchant St, which will be trading right up until 11pm on Christmas Eve (closed Christmas Day) and buy all the items you need to enjoy your own picnic at one of the beautiful green spaces at Victoria Harbour. Choose from the likes of Buluk Park outside the Library at the Dock, the Community Garden between Import Lane and Geographe St or Docklands Park, which inhabits a large block bordered by Harbour Esplanade, Collins and Bourke streets and Navigation Drive. There are also lots of spots to enjoy the view along Victoria Harbour Promenade where you can stroll to the end of the wharf and enjoy looking at the ships being restored by the Enterprize Ship Trust and also take a look at the stunning octopus mural at the tip of North Wharf Rd.

There will be a free Christmas party at the Library at the Dock on December 12 between 5 and 7pm. Everyone is welcome and there will be elf face painting, a visit from Santa, a sausage sizzle with vegetarian options, local community groups like Docklands Representative Group, Docklands Rotary, Girl Guides, Dragon Boats greeting the community, Christmas crafts, Christmas tree decorating and live music.

Once more this festive season, the Open-Door Singers Docklands will be giving a free concert on the waterfront opposite the Fish Bar on December 8 at both 5pm and 6pm. Come along and join in the singing or just enjoy the performance.

Whatever you choose to do, have fun, smile often, be kind and enjoy Victoria Harbour!

If you want me to cover any particular aspect of Vic Harbour life or you would like me to feature your venue or event in future articles just send me an email.