Guidebook for Brunswick
Food Scene
Such a great Vietnamese restaurant. It's a small place, with just a few items on the menu (would recommend the pho, although a bit pricier than average & fried chicken.) Has some excellent wines by the glass. Great decor and just around the corner.
32 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Good Days Restaurant
165 Sydney RdSuch a great Vietnamese restaurant. It's a small place, with just a few items on the menu (would recommend the pho, although a bit pricier than average & fried chicken.) Has some excellent wines by the glass. Great decor and just around the corner.
Amazing Brunswick warehouse fit out with brilliant coffee & food. It satisfies Brunswick hipster types, but is also a really great big and welcoming space for families (has a kids menu.) One of our favourite brunch/coffee spots in town.
104 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Code Black Coffee
17 Weston StAmazing Brunswick warehouse fit out with brilliant coffee & food. It satisfies Brunswick hipster types, but is also a really great big and welcoming space for families (has a kids menu.) One of our favourite brunch/coffee spots in town.
It's right under our building! Such a homey and friendly cafe which we get coffees/pastries (the owner is a pastry chef with seriously good almond croissants.) They also do a great cooked breakfast from their small kitchen. A quirky neighbourhood feel - very affordable too (by Melbourne standards!)
10 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Acústico
32 Union StIt's right under our building! Such a homey and friendly cafe which we get coffees/pastries (the owner is a pastry chef with seriously good almond croissants.) They also do a great cooked breakfast from their small kitchen. A quirky neighbourhood feel - very affordable too (by Melbourne standards!)
Great food, great coffee, great space to relax. Another favourite of ours and such great proximity to home.
89 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Wide Open Road
274 Barkly StGreat food, great coffee, great space to relax. Another favourite of ours and such great proximity to home.
A bustling bar/Mexican restaurant. Our favourites are the DIY guac (you'll see!) and amazing pork, fish & smokey mushroom tacos. It also does quite cheap cocktails & great Spanish type wines by the glass/bottle. Sometimes you might have to wait for a table. Great fun to sit up at the bar or out in the courtyard. Friendly, fun & affordable.
57 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Los Hermanos Mexican Taquería
339 Victoria StA bustling bar/Mexican restaurant. Our favourites are the DIY guac (you'll see!) and amazing pork, fish & smokey mushroom tacos. It also does quite cheap cocktails & great Spanish type wines by the glass/bottle. Sometimes you might have to wait for a table. Great fun to sit up at the bar or out in the courtyard. Friendly, fun & affordable.
Fun Latin American style restaurant. They have recently changed the menu for a more affordable/relaxed feel which we love! Great tacos & cocktails. Great for groups, couples or families. They take online bookings.
16 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Lady Carolina
177 Lygon StreetFun Latin American style restaurant. They have recently changed the menu for a more affordable/relaxed feel which we love! Great tacos & cocktails. Great for groups, couples or families. They take online bookings.
A higher end backstreet fine eatery - great for a special occasion or date night. It's tucked away in a little side street from our apartment. It does experimental food, with a focus on great produce. Beautiful setting, excellent service & amazing food and wine. One of our favourites for something a little fancy - however can be a little expensive with average bottle of wine costing around $50-60. Portion sizes are a bit smaller given finer dining, however a real treat.
14 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Host
4 Saxon StA higher end backstreet fine eatery - great for a special occasion or date night. It's tucked away in a little side street from our apartment. It does experimental food, with a focus on great produce. Beautiful setting, excellent service & amazing food and wine. One of our favourites for something a little fancy - however can be a little expensive with average bottle of wine costing around $50-60. Portion sizes are a bit smaller given finer dining, however a real treat.
One of George Colambaris' first Greek restaurants. Amazing Greek restaurant. Look out for the cypriot grain salad. Definitely need to book.
73 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Hellenic Republic Brunswick
434 Lygon StOne of George Colambaris' first Greek restaurants. Amazing Greek restaurant. Look out for the cypriot grain salad. Definitely need to book.
A new eatery on the block by famous chef Adrian Richardson (think the show Good Chef/Bad chef.) Adrian also runs La Luna in Carlton North - however this bar/restaurant is a more relaxed and affordable version. It does a great mix of cuisines at reasonable prices. Great romantic/relaxed place.
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Bouvier Bar
159 Lygon StA new eatery on the block by famous chef Adrian Richardson (think the show Good Chef/Bad chef.) Adrian also runs La Luna in Carlton North - however this bar/restaurant is a more relaxed and affordable version. It does a great mix of cuisines at reasonable prices. Great romantic/relaxed place.
Our absolute fav thai place. Cheap, cheerful & utterly delicious. Excellent curries. It's a BYO restaurant with no frills, however we love it. It's also a great takeaway option if you're wanting a night in (deliveroo will deliver too!)
34 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Thaila Thai House Restaurant
82 Lygon StOur absolute fav thai place. Cheap, cheerful & utterly delicious. Excellent curries. It's a BYO restaurant with no frills, however we love it. It's also a great takeaway option if you're wanting a night in (deliveroo will deliver too!)
Beautiful new bistro. It has a front bar and also a 80 seated restaurant out the back. The chefs are three friends who are previously hatted in other restaurants (Rosetta.) It has a vegetable focus and beautiful food. This one is a bit pricier, and is great for a weekend evening meal and drinks/a special occasion. It would be best to book.
14 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Etta
60 Lygon StBeautiful new bistro. It has a front bar and also a 80 seated restaurant out the back. The chefs are three friends who are previously hatted in other restaurants (Rosetta.) It has a vegetable focus and beautiful food. This one is a bit pricier, and is great for a weekend evening meal and drinks/a special occasion. It would be best to book.
One of our favourite restaurants. It's a Melbourne institution, a European type bistro serving up excellent meals & drinks. We love sitting up at the bar and ordering an aperol spritz/prosecco whilst looking at the menu scrawled on some butchers paper on a sliding ladder at the bar. Also great to sit out on the street if the weather permits. This place takes walk ins (for the front section) and also runs a finer dining section out the back. Set in beautiful Rathdowne village.
73 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Gerald's Bar
386 Rathdowne StOne of our favourite restaurants. It's a Melbourne institution, a European type bistro serving up excellent meals & drinks. We love sitting up at the bar and ordering an aperol spritz/prosecco whilst looking at the menu scrawled on some butchers paper on a sliding ladder at the bar. Also great to sit out on the street if the weather permits. This place takes walk ins (for the front section) and also runs a finer dining section out the back. Set in beautiful Rathdowne village.
Incredible wine bar/restaurant set on the iconic Gertrude St, Fitzroy. You can select your own wine by looking at the extensive wine wall or ask for recommendations for the glass/bottle. Excellent food. Excellent setting. A Fitzory gem that's for sure. If you're wishing to eat, a booking will be a must.
63 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Marion
53 Gertrude StIncredible wine bar/restaurant set on the iconic Gertrude St, Fitzroy. You can select your own wine by looking at the extensive wine wall or ask for recommendations for the glass/bottle. Excellent food. Excellent setting. A Fitzory gem that's for sure. If you're wishing to eat, a booking will be a must.
This a cafe/coffee spot/bakery all in one! Bustling on the weekends - does such brilliant homestyle & affordable sweets, savouries & salads in a quirky setting.
76 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Green Refectory
115 Sydney RdThis a cafe/coffee spot/bakery all in one! Bustling on the weekends - does such brilliant homestyle & affordable sweets, savouries & salads in a quirky setting.
A famous modern Asian institution on arguably the best food street in Melbourne. This place is buzzing, and an attack on your senses! It's loud, bright & colourful. It's such a fun dining experience with fun food & cocktails. It doesn't take bookings unfortunately, so need to get there super early to put your name down for a table (say 5.30pm!) There's also a bar underneath called Go-Go bar which does great drinks and small dishes.
552 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Chin Chin
125 Flinders LnA famous modern Asian institution on arguably the best food street in Melbourne. This place is buzzing, and an attack on your senses! It's loud, bright & colourful. It's such a fun dining experience with fun food & cocktails. It doesn't take bookings unfortunately, so need to get there super early to put your name down for a table (say 5.30pm!) There's also a bar underneath called Go-Go bar which does great drinks and small dishes.
Noteworthy Mexican restaurant on the top of Collins St. Great (not cheap) Mexican food in a trendy setting. An alternative to 'Tex Mex' food - it focuses on a more modern Mexican cuisine. Recently made changes allows online bookings!
286 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Mamasita
11 Collins StNoteworthy Mexican restaurant on the top of Collins St. Great (not cheap) Mexican food in a trendy setting. An alternative to 'Tex Mex' food - it focuses on a more modern Mexican cuisine. Recently made changes allows online bookings!
Relaxing brunch, long lunch/dinner. Modern food, great wine. Not cheap - but delicious and a real experience. Also has a bar upstairs 'Cumulus Up.'
200 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cumulus Inc.
45 Flinders LnRelaxing brunch, long lunch/dinner. Modern food, great wine. Not cheap - but delicious and a real experience. Also has a bar upstairs 'Cumulus Up.'
Scrumptious modern Thai (and, according to the website - think South-East Asian hawker market meets beer hall.) This is set in an ex-boozer the Old Colonial - it's part of a 5 story eating Mecca. Has both communal tables & more private dining options. Takes online bookings. Look out for rootop bar!
Village People Hawker Foodhall
127 Brunswick StScrumptious modern Thai (and, according to the website - think South-East Asian hawker market meets beer hall.) This is set in an ex-boozer the Old Colonial - it's part of a 5 story eating Mecca. Has both communal tables & more private dining options. Takes online bookings. Look out for rootop bar!
Best dumps in Melbourne. Great dumplings in chilli oil. Excellent salt & pepper squid. BYO. Must book. Cheap & a must try.
89 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
HuTong
14-16 Market LnBest dumps in Melbourne. Great dumplings in chilli oil. Excellent salt & pepper squid. BYO. Must book. Cheap & a must try.
A beautiful backstreet restaurant/bar. An industrial/botanic feel on a Collingwood side street - this place does great food & drinks and is a real sight.
51 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Rupert on Rupert
73 Rupert StA beautiful backstreet restaurant/bar. An industrial/botanic feel on a Collingwood side street - this place does great food & drinks and is a real sight.
Drinks & Nightlife
Great Melbourne pub. Often has live music on the weekends (check the website.) Shows the footy on the weekend also. We love strolling down here from our place. Does a good pub meal too.
57 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Union Hotel
109 Union StGreat Melbourne pub. Often has live music on the weekends (check the website.) Shows the footy on the weekend also. We love strolling down here from our place. Does a good pub meal too.
Excellent beer garden - definitely one of the best going around. A Melbourne style pub (think old style carpet & slightly dingy in the front bar.) Great live music on the weekends, and open until around 3am. Also see upstairs for a nice bar.
100 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Retreat Hotel
280 Sydney RdExcellent beer garden - definitely one of the best going around. A Melbourne style pub (think old style carpet & slightly dingy in the front bar.) Great live music on the weekends, and open until around 3am. Also see upstairs for a nice bar.
Great Carlton pub. Atmospheric beer garden, great pub meals and shows the footy every weekend. A nice walk if you're up for it!
39 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Great Northern Hotel
644 Rathdowne StGreat Carlton pub. Atmospheric beer garden, great pub meals and shows the footy every weekend. A nice walk if you're up for it!
Great brewery & food hall in an excellent location. Great for a group!
54 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Stomping Ground Brewery & Beer Hall
100 Gipps StGreat brewery & food hall in an excellent location. Great for a group!
Hands down one of the best beer gardens in Melbourne. Famous Melbourne pub in an iconic location in Fitzroy's backstreets.
70 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Standard Hotel
293 Fitzroy StHands down one of the best beer gardens in Melbourne. Famous Melbourne pub in an iconic location in Fitzroy's backstreets.
Awesome bar/restaurant that's open until 3am. It's a New Orleans style 'saloon' that serves excellent smokey dishes like brisket and some of the best fried chicken in Melbourne. The dishes are served up until close. Really great atmosphere and loads of fun.
85 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Le Bon Ton
51 Gipps StAwesome bar/restaurant that's open until 3am. It's a New Orleans style 'saloon' that serves excellent smokey dishes like brisket and some of the best fried chicken in Melbourne. The dishes are served up until close. Really great atmosphere and loads of fun.
Great Brunswick bar - intimate, great music, good wines/beers and a great Lebanese pizza place delivers so you don't have to leave your booth!
17 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Uncle Joe's Wine Bar
325 Lygon StGreat Brunswick bar - intimate, great music, good wines/beers and a great Lebanese pizza place delivers so you don't have to leave your booth!
Iconic Melbourne music venue. Open until late.
24 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Gasometer Hotel
484 Smith StIconic Melbourne music venue. Open until late.
Essentials
Barkly square has Woolworths, Coles, Kmart, fruit & veg store, delis, Liquor Land, JB Hi Fi, McDonalds, a massage place and some more upscale fast food places for burgers/mexican. Super convenient and super close! Best to walk as the car park gets so busy, and it's so close.
160 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Barkly Square
90-106 Sydney RdBarkly square has Woolworths, Coles, Kmart, fruit & veg store, delis, Liquor Land, JB Hi Fi, McDonalds, a massage place and some more upscale fast food places for burgers/mexican. Super convenient and super close! Best to walk as the car park gets so busy, and it's so close.
Getting Around
The train is the best way to access the city, and also stops in at Mcauley (access to Flemington) and North Melbourne. It goes through the city loop, so best to check where you need to get off. You can buy your Myki card from the station.
40 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Jewell Station
The train is the best way to access the city, and also stops in at Mcauley (access to Flemington) and North Melbourne. It goes through the city loop, so best to check where you need to get off. You can buy your Myki card from the station.
Entertainment & Activities
Great arthouse cinema with also some mainstream flicks. Right in the heart of Carlton's lygon St. Attached is a great little bar where you an also get some snacks. You can take your wine in with you also.
321 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cinema Nova
380 Lygon StGreat arthouse cinema with also some mainstream flicks. Right in the heart of Carlton's lygon St. Attached is a great little bar where you an also get some snacks. You can take your wine in with you also.
Parks & Nature
Our favourite local park - it's about 3.2km around but you can cut through it for a shorter walk/jog. If you follow the upfield bike path (goes past the Jewell Station) it will take you to the park, you just need to turn left when you go down the hill past the tennis courts. This has multiple fields, a lake & the old Optus Oval. A great place to exercise or relax with a picnic.
121 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Princes Park
200-590 Bowen CresOur favourite local park - it's about 3.2km around but you can cut through it for a shorter walk/jog. If you follow the upfield bike path (goes past the Jewell Station) it will take you to the park, you just need to turn left when you go down the hill past the tennis courts. This has multiple fields, a lake & the old Optus Oval. A great place to exercise or relax with a picnic.
A stunning and iconic Melbourne park alongside the Yarra river. Very famous for Melbournites to exercise around, or laze around in. You can loop around it (around 4km) or get lost within the multiple walking tracks going through it.
Has some restaurants within it, and also the Sydney Myer Music Bowl which hosts both purchased & free gigs.
Also has an outdoor cinema during the summer periods which is a great experience.
1262 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Jardín Botánico Real Victoria
A stunning and iconic Melbourne park alongside the Yarra river. Very famous for Melbournites to exercise around, or laze around in. You can loop around it (around 4km) or get lost within the multiple walking tracks going through it.
Has some restaurants within it, and also the Sydney Myer Music Bowl which hosts both purchased & free gigs.
Also has an outdoor cinema during the summer periods which is a great experience.