FINDING the hidden gems among Footscray’s diverse places to eat, drink and shop is now hassle-free with the release of a free food map showing the way.
Produced by Maribyrnong Council, the map explores what’s on offer and can be printed or saved to a smartphone or tablet.
Last month, more than 450 people visited Footscray for the Rickshaw Run as part of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival.
And there’s ample evidence that more visitors will come if they know where to look.
Surveys were sent to the 183 people who made bookings for the festival – 82 of them were from the eastern suburbs and 13 from interstate and overseas.
Of the 76 people who responded, all but one said they’d be back.
Footscray Traders Association president Grant Miles said any initiative that promoted Footscray’s “fast, fresh, and diverse” restaurants was welcome.
“It’s no secret to locals that we have the best African, Indian and Vietnamese food in all of Melbourne.
“And now the word has begun to spread further afield, with foodies and master chefs such as Ms Vy [Trinh Diem Vy] from Vietnam singing the praises of Footscray in her recent masterclass as part of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival. From a basic marketing point of view, we have a great product sitting right in our lap and any efforts to sell it to a wider audience is long overdue,” Mr Miles said.
