Central Melbourne's myriad laneways and alleys were once dirty, dingy and often dangerous, not much more than places to facilitate deliveries and rubbish collection. That's all changed over the past 30 or 40 years as the CBD has become more of a social than business hub. Now, they're lined with street art and bustling with activity. While both tourists and locals flock to places like Hosier Land and ACDC Lane for the art, others byways have become culinary destinations.
Centre Place, off Flinders Lane, is one of the busiest of the dining hot-spots. Aided by its central location, it's bustling from early in the morning till well past the lunchtime peak. Nearly every one of the often tiny storefronts is serving some sort of enticing fare, making it a great place to grab a quick bite, or just settle in for a relaxed meal. The bustle also makes it a great place to watch people, which is what usually takes me there. The food is just a nice bonus.
