You'll probably notice the large sign 'Continental Butcher' before you notice the quaint shop front…read morebelow it. However you find it, do because supporting your local butcher is a good thing, and buying your meat here will definitely be a good thing for you. Russo's specialises in aged beef, done on site by their professional butcher. There are of course also fresh quality meats, and their deli section is chock full of cured meats and cheeses. If you see a cheese you like the look of but you're not too sure about making a purchase, ask them to let you have a little taste. Whenever I've been in, they've been only too happy to put on a cheese tasting. Only problem is, once it has been tasted, it is virtually impossible to leave the shop without it. But that is the whole point, isn't it.

Finding a decent butcher is hard, so when you do find one, you need to hold onto it…read more Carl's is one of those butchers. This is the type of butcher that will round down the price, rather than take the handful of mince out of the bag (which doesn't sound like much, but it's the little things that make you want to go back). Carl's also have a huge range, which is great if you're like me and get stuck for dinner ideas. The prices are great, and everything is really fresh (nothing worse than buying meat and then realising it's going brown).

I like this butcher because, 1. Its cheaper than the butcher…read moreopposite the street 2. It doesn't smell 'too' bad (the stench is still there, but its okay) 3. They are friendly This butcher feels squeaky clean to me, the windows are clear, the meat is in glad wrap and it makes going to the butcher just that bit more enjoyable. They are immensely cheaper than the Win Sam butcher on the opposite side of the road, and when you spend over $10 they give you free chicken bones! They also have a few freezers that contain prawns, dumplings and other Asian foods.

The Continental Butcher is not so much continental as just another butcher. Sure, they sell pork…read moreand fennel sausages, but who doesn't these days. They also probably don't marinate their chicken wings in teriyaki sauce. But there is nothing that I can tell that particularly makes this butcher continental. The Continental Butcher doesn't really seem to offer anything other than what you can get at any supermarket or market stall. There is nothing particularly bad about the fact that this particular butcher is nothing too special. It is reasonably priced and I do prefer to buy from these guys rather than from the supermarket. It's just that I sometimes lament the fact that you can't get some more interesting cuts from butchers, as well as maybe some more interesting kinds of meat. When I first saw the sign mostly written in Greek with the only English words written "Continental Butcher" I guess I was expecting something a little bit rustic and old school.

Want meat? Meet Northcote Shopping Centre's Continental Butcher. A does what it says on the awning…read morebutcher that is handily located right next door to Aldi and selling - you guessed it! - a pretty awesome selection of meat. There's obviously nothing wrong with going to nearby Coles to buy meat, but Continental Butcher is arguably cheaper and just as good and if you're after sausages? There really is no question. Continental Butcher is the place to go. Selling a standard range of different cuts of chicken, pork, beef etc, Continental also does a fine line in some pretty gourmet sounding sausages containing things like fennel and sundried tomatoes. The flavour? Pretty good for not-too-expensive sausages. A little gristley but good all the same. Ok, this place might not be glamour incarnate but when you're selling bits of dead animal razzamatazz isn't obligatory now is it?! A great local butcher; if you're a Northcote local you should check it out.

This has been my local butcher for 20yrs. I am a big meat water and you will struggle to find a…read morebetter butcher and where. The meat is of the highest quality and they have a great range. The ham is amazing!!!! So is the bacon. The owners wife makes some great dishes that are also sold there. They have there own smoke house and produce a world class kabana! The staff are very friendly and extremely helpful. And rob will never forget a persons name. No matter how long it has been since your last visit. Everyone should try them. You won't regret it

Good local butcher and smokehouse - I love their bacon but it is expensiveread more

Ok I'll come clean. I did initially come to this store with a wallet full of five dollar notes…read moreexpecting a lap dance and a bit of day time entertainment. But I came away with oh so much more. Breasts, rumps, thighs, bellies and a pretty nice rack of lamb. You see the Gourmet Meat Rack just has everything. And the shiny lights that are scattered throughout the store with specials and suggestions just worked to excite me even more. In fact I was so excited by the time I left the Gourmet Meat Rack that I had to go and sit down for a bit. You see it is not every day that you come across so much meat in one place. And I'm talking good meat too. All kinds of pieces of meat. And the best thing is that it is all for sale!

This incredible Northcote butcher certainly has a nice rack. And breasts, and thighs, and more…read more Silly me had been buying my meat for as long as I can remember from nearby Coles but today, today I struck meat gold in the form of Northcote Plaza's very own butcher, The Gourmet Meat Rack. 30 odd different cuts of beef; chicken portions and cuts that you just can't find at the supermarket; beautifully marinated looking skewers and very friendly and professional service, The Gourmet Meat Rack has it all. I spent around $20 today but for that came away with three ginormous chicken breasts, a handful of beef ribs and a giant piece of sirloin steak. The Gourmet Meat Rack is arguably better value than Coles and the meat looks fresher and is much more prettily displayed. A no brainer really.

Tucked away within the shopping centre, you'll find the real deal in a proper neighborhood butcher…read more The quality is unmatched when you have a butcher who actually cares. You can get anything you want, free range, organic, whatever. He also does his own smoking in house so there is a speciality range of small goods. (there's also home/office delivery)

I had a dinner party planned and I usually go to Safeway to buy meat, but this time they didn't…read morehave much on offer so I had to go to the butcher. I'm always a little reluctant to go to a butcher because I don't know what to expect. Will it be expensive? Will they try to offload their old stuff? I'm glad I tried it out though. They were really helpful. I told them I had about 7 people coming over and what would be the best thing to buy. I ended up getting some chicken wings and pork chops. Quality was really good. I've since gone back and tried their sausages and chicken breasts. Again, two thumbs up. Also I was very excited to see that they sell rabbit, not many places stock it, so I'll be going back to grab some of those.

I think it is great that there is still a place for old school butchers in Melbourne. Let's face…read moreit. Coles and Woolworths or wherever you shop don't really come up to scratch when it comes to getting quality cuts of meat and fresh seafood that isn't run of the mill. Thankfully the characters at Donati's Fine Meats have got your back and are also more than willing to offer advice on whatever culinary exploits you are planning. Having got some incredible steaks from there in the past, they were my first port of call in my mission to cook the best Steak Tartare. Not only did they come up with a recommended cut of meat but they also gave advice as to how to cut the meat and what ingredients they would put in there. Obviously in this part of Lygon Street this butchers isn't cheap. But I for one think the difference in price is worth it for the massive difference in quality compared with the supermarkets.