Guidebook for Brunswick
Food Scene
Hellenic Republic Brunswick
434 Lygon StExcellent Greek feasts
Proper Melbourne coffee in all its real excellence and wankiness
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Padre Coffee
438 Lygon StProper Melbourne coffee in all its real excellence and wankiness
Best hot chocolate in Melbourne. Hands down. No debate possible.
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East Elevation
351 Lygon StBest hot chocolate in Melbourne. Hands down. No debate possible.
Stand & Deliver Cafe
242 Victoria StGood toasted sandwiches
They have $4 pizzas on Monday and $15 specials the other nights. But sit out the front unless you're there for the DJ
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The Penny Black
420 Sydney RdThey have $4 pizzas on Monday and $15 specials the other nights. But sit out the front unless you're there for the DJ
Cool little plaza with a cafe and a bunch of shops including a cheese shop nestled beside a wine shop. They both put a table out the front of their shop in the square - so it's the perfect spot to enjoy a glass of wine with cheese on a sunny afternoon. The cheese shop is closed Sundays, and open to 5pm on other days.
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Sparta Place
Sparta PlaceCool little plaza with a cafe and a bunch of shops including a cheese shop nestled beside a wine shop. They both put a table out the front of their shop in the square - so it's the perfect spot to enjoy a glass of wine with cheese on a sunny afternoon. The cheese shop is closed Sundays, and open to 5pm on other days.
The Brunswick Mess Hall
400 Sydney RdGreat mexican & cocktails. Love this place!
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Los Hermanos Mexican Taquería
339 Victoria StGreat mexican & cocktails. Love this place!
This is a great local spot, food is delicious and prices are super reasonable
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Moroccan Deli-cacy
313 Lygon StreetThis is a great local spot, food is delicious and prices are super reasonable
After a busy day in the city - we have a family tradition of buying a board game at Mind Games (244 Swanston St) and then retreating here at 5:30pm and claiming one of the private booths. The kids love being able to ring the bell to order food, and playing a family board game in their own private room. We love the cocktail menu.
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The Toff In Town
252 Swanston StAfter a busy day in the city - we have a family tradition of buying a board game at Mind Games (244 Swanston St) and then retreating here at 5:30pm and claiming one of the private booths. The kids love being able to ring the bell to order food, and playing a family board game in their own private room. We love the cocktail menu.
This precinct is packed with Italian restaurants and cafes. Perfect spot for gelato and window shopping.
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Lygon Street
Lygon StreetThis precinct is packed with Italian restaurants and cafes. Perfect spot for gelato and window shopping.
The kitchen pumps out creative, comforting brunch dishes. A kimchi bowl with sticky pork belly, and dahl fritters with avocado and turmeric puree and coconut sambal are hearty and punchy. The baked eggs with 24-hour braised ribs are another stand-out.
Hoppa and Joe’s breakfast bruschetta (avocado, bocconcini, cherry tomatoes and basil) is great. And hangover-friendly toasties and cakes work well with the consistently good Maling Room coffee.
Neon Beatniks
43 Glenlyon RdThe kitchen pumps out creative, comforting brunch dishes. A kimchi bowl with sticky pork belly, and dahl fritters with avocado and turmeric puree and coconut sambal are hearty and punchy. The baked eggs with 24-hour braised ribs are another stand-out.
Hoppa and Joe’s breakfast bruschetta (avocado, bocconcini, cherry tomatoes and basil) is great. And hangover-friendly toasties and cakes work well with the consistently good Maling Room coffee.
At first glance, Ovens Street looks like an industrial strip, with its resident panel beaters and mechanics. But look closer and you’ll find a florist, embroiderers, and shared artist studios. And since March 2017 it’s also been home to the rarely open, unassuming Ovens Street Bakery.
The bakery, is only open to the public on Sundays. It operates out of a shop-fitting workshop that belongs to his business partner.
Ovens offers a range of sourdough loaves including white, rye, polenta soy, linseed and a 1.5-kilogram miche loaf made with a combination of white, whole-wheat - there's coffee too
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Ovens Street Bakery
19 Ovens StAt first glance, Ovens Street looks like an industrial strip, with its resident panel beaters and mechanics. But look closer and you’ll find a florist, embroiderers, and shared artist studios. And since March 2017 it’s also been home to the rarely open, unassuming Ovens Street Bakery.
The bakery, is only open to the public on Sundays. It operates out of a shop-fitting workshop that belongs to his business partner.
Ovens offers a range of sourdough loaves including white, rye, polenta soy, linseed and a 1.5-kilogram miche loaf made with a combination of white, whole-wheat - there's coffee too
Everything here is vegetarian, and toasties are the heroes. The line-up includes fillings of caramelised onion and comté; broadbean, pea and manchego; and house-made kimchi and cheddar grilled between day-old bread.
Murdoch’s rustic loaves are fermented for 24 hours, and he and head baker Brad Tobin (ex-Wood Frog Bakery) experiment with different Australian-grown heirloom wheat varietals. Along with a staple white, seeded and fruit loaves, there’s an oat porridge sourdough inspired by Tartine’s original. Galettes are topped with seasonal fruit and croissants are made with cultured butter from Fitzroy’s St David’s Dairy.
Good coffee, Mörk hot chocolate and tea & beer
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Wild Life Bakery
90 Albert StEverything here is vegetarian, and toasties are the heroes. The line-up includes fillings of caramelised onion and comté; broadbean, pea and manchego; and house-made kimchi and cheddar grilled between day-old bread.
Murdoch’s rustic loaves are fermented for 24 hours, and he and head baker Brad Tobin (ex-Wood Frog Bakery) experiment with different Australian-grown heirloom wheat varietals. Along with a staple white, seeded and fruit loaves, there’s an oat porridge sourdough inspired by Tartine’s original. Galettes are topped with seasonal fruit and croissants are made with cultured butter from Fitzroy’s St David’s Dairy.
Good coffee, Mörk hot chocolate and tea & beer
Restaurant with bar that combines a bunch of Asian cuisine, but sways towards Thai, with a modern Australian twist.
They do great breakfast including a wok-tossed roti omelet with bacon, chives and roasted tomato salsa and Uncle Ho’s Breakfast, a grilled marinated pork chop with crispy-fried egg, tomato, cucumber and rice.
They seem to have a lot of happy hour activity too
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Tom Phat Restaurant
184 Sydney RdRestaurant with bar that combines a bunch of Asian cuisine, but sways towards Thai, with a modern Australian twist.
They do great breakfast including a wok-tossed roti omelet with bacon, chives and roasted tomato salsa and Uncle Ho’s Breakfast, a grilled marinated pork chop with crispy-fried egg, tomato, cucumber and rice.
They seem to have a lot of happy hour activity too
Serious coffee and tea in cool industrial-style cafe in converted warehouse. There's the in-house brand of chai, Chai La Lai.
Food is good too
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Wide Open Road
274 Barkly St Serious coffee and tea in cool industrial-style cafe in converted warehouse. There's the in-house brand of chai, Chai La Lai.
Food is good too
All Day Donuts is a bright shop at the front, where a pastry chef pumps out five varieties of fresh doughnut on-demand. Order a couple and match with an espresso or filter coffee.
The dough is the focus and took many months to perfect. It's a good starting point, but weak knees come courtesy of the icings and fillings. Past hits have included lime brulee, coffee passionfruit, rose creme and milkberry rubble, though they're always changing. What never changes is the freshness. The kitchen-to-mouth time is usually less than 30 minutes.
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All Day Donuts
12 Edward StAll Day Donuts is a bright shop at the front, where a pastry chef pumps out five varieties of fresh doughnut on-demand. Order a couple and match with an espresso or filter coffee.
The dough is the focus and took many months to perfect. It's a good starting point, but weak knees come courtesy of the icings and fillings. Past hits have included lime brulee, coffee passionfruit, rose creme and milkberry rubble, though they're always changing. What never changes is the freshness. The kitchen-to-mouth time is usually less than 30 minutes.
Cool retro-style fried chicken place, also with burgers, fries, burritos and sandwiches and beer
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Juanita Peaches
12 Edward StCool retro-style fried chicken place, also with burgers, fries, burritos and sandwiches and beer
Cafe Ray
332 Victoria StDecent coffee
The cafe sits on the ground floor of eco-friendly apartment block, The Commons. Though right on the Upfield bike path and train line, it’s very cosy and not at all loud inside. The tidy space (which includes various plants, a communal table and two walls of French windows) was designed by Breathe Architecture, located right next door.
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Steam Junkies
11 Florence StThe cafe sits on the ground floor of eco-friendly apartment block, The Commons. Though right on the Upfield bike path and train line, it’s very cosy and not at all loud inside. The tidy space (which includes various plants, a communal table and two walls of French windows) was designed by Breathe Architecture, located right next door.
Kines is more of a lounge room than a cafe. Anyone can flick through the records and change the music. The open-plan kitchen sits between a comfy couch and table-tennis table. It’s also home to a pop-up space that hosts rotating creative projects. They specialise in housemade condiments and jam.
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Kines
11 Hope StKines is more of a lounge room than a cafe. Anyone can flick through the records and change the music. The open-plan kitchen sits between a comfy couch and table-tennis table. It’s also home to a pop-up space that hosts rotating creative projects. They specialise in housemade condiments and jam.
Small Axe Kitchen
281 Victoria StItalian Aussie cafe
242 Victoria St
242 Victoria StreetTiny little cafe called Stand & Deliver in the art studios just down the road
Lucy Lockett
140 Barkly StNice sunny cafe with decent coffee
Cool bakery that combines sweet and savoury ingredients like
Maple, caramel popcorn, green tea with red bean
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Sweet Evelyn
128 Union StCool bakery that combines sweet and savoury ingredients like
Maple, caramel popcorn, green tea with red bean
These guys had some of the best coffee on this bit of Sydney Rd, but I think it recently changed hands so might not be as good anymore
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Foxtrot Charlie Cafe
359 Sydney RdThese guys had some of the best coffee on this bit of Sydney Rd, but I think it recently changed hands so might not be as good anymore
Rogue District
179 Albion StPerfect for families. Has a courtyard.
Acústico
32 Union StRelaxed and grungy cafe near RMIT Brunswick campus
Maddox Cafe
295 Sydney RdGood breakfasts
Famous middle eastern bakery established in 1992. Everything is delicious, great value and never costs more than a few dollars.
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A1 Bakery
643-645 Sydney RdFamous middle eastern bakery established in 1992. Everything is delicious, great value and never costs more than a few dollars.
Parks & Nature
A community environment park on Merri Creek. Cafes, markets and a regular program of festivals, classes and much more
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CERES Community Environment Park
Roberts StreetA community environment park on Merri Creek. Cafes, markets and a regular program of festivals, classes and much more
Possibly one of the most established and beautiful botanic gardens in Australia. Great spot for a picnic. The children's garden has a stream and fountains for water play - so bring a change of clothes for the kids.
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Iziko LikaBotaniki LikaKumkani eVictoria
Possibly one of the most established and beautiful botanic gardens in Australia. Great spot for a picnic. The children's garden has a stream and fountains for water play - so bring a change of clothes for the kids.
Arts & Culture
One of the cleverest art dealers in Contemporary Art in Australia. Visit if you want to see some of the hottest up and coming artists before anyone else.
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Neon Parc
15 Tinning StOne of the cleverest art dealers in Contemporary Art in Australia. Visit if you want to see some of the hottest up and coming artists before anyone else.
ACMI has regular and super cheap screenings of classic films. Their exhibition program is fascinating. Lots of great things to explore in the permanent exhibition too, including computer games and interactive video installations
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ACMI
Flinders StreetACMI has regular and super cheap screenings of classic films. Their exhibition program is fascinating. Lots of great things to explore in the permanent exhibition too, including computer games and interactive video installations
Shopping
Brunswick Bound
361 Sydney RdBooks, hand made works
They have a store with absolutely beautiful ceramics by local makers. They also have classes and you can fire you're own works there.
Northcote Pottery Supplies
142-144 Weston StThey have a store with absolutely beautiful ceramics by local makers. They also have classes and you can fire you're own works there.
Known by locals as Sparkly Bear. You'll fine Kmart, Coles and all the usual suspects here
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Barkly Square
90-106 Sydney RdKnown by locals as Sparkly Bear. You'll fine Kmart, Coles and all the usual suspects here
No visit to Melbourne is complete without a trip to the famous Queen Victoria Market. An easy trip on the number 19 tram. Open every day except Monday. Usually theres a night market on Wednesday nights with food, drink and entertainment.
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Queen Victoria Market station
No visit to Melbourne is complete without a trip to the famous Queen Victoria Market. An easy trip on the number 19 tram. Open every day except Monday. Usually theres a night market on Wednesday nights with food, drink and entertainment.
Possibly Melbourne's best bookshop - a much loved local icon
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Readings Carlton
309 Lygon StPossibly Melbourne's best bookshop - a much loved local icon
Huge 1000m2 undercover flea market full of vintage fashion, music, furniture, art and bric a brac
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Lost and Found Market
288 Brunswick StHuge 1000m2 undercover flea market full of vintage fashion, music, furniture, art and bric a brac
Super cute shop that stocks products made by independent artists and designers, including some of our own artists and makers. Perfect place to buy a very Melbourne gift. Eighty per cent of the products stocked are produced within 10 kilometres of the store, including artists such as Able and Game, Hungry Workshop in Northcote, Yen Yen Lo from Footscray and Paper Sea Quarterly magazine.
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The Boroughs Store
345 Lygon StSuper cute shop that stocks products made by independent artists and designers, including some of our own artists and makers. Perfect place to buy a very Melbourne gift. Eighty per cent of the products stocked are produced within 10 kilometres of the store, including artists such as Able and Game, Hungry Workshop in Northcote, Yen Yen Lo from Footscray and Paper Sea Quarterly magazine.
Great place to pick up recycled Melbourne and International designer clothes. Across the road from Savers which is a famous local Opportunity Shop (charity second-hand store)
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Goodbyes
127 Sydney RdGreat place to pick up recycled Melbourne and International designer clothes. Across the road from Savers which is a famous local Opportunity Shop (charity second-hand store)
This place is a local secret for perfect bespoke jeans.
Owner Nam Huynh has been fitting and making jeans for more than 20 years. At roughly $60 a pair (including alteration) they can only be described as a steal.
On weekends it’s ludicrously busy, so expect to wait a number of hours. Even at the quietest times, you’ll need to wait 45 minutes (head down Sydney Road for a coffee and some cake), so allow yourself some time.
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Dejour Jeans
542 Sydney RdThis place is a local secret for perfect bespoke jeans.
Owner Nam Huynh has been fitting and making jeans for more than 20 years. At roughly $60 a pair (including alteration) they can only be described as a steal.
On weekends it’s ludicrously busy, so expect to wait a number of hours. Even at the quietest times, you’ll need to wait 45 minutes (head down Sydney Road for a coffee and some cake), so allow yourself some time.
Mr Kitly is hidden above a fabric store on Sydney Road. The small shop is filled with ceramics, books, jewellery, plants and textiles from around the world, but there's a particular focus on Japan but lots of local artisans too
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Mr Kitly
381 Sydney RdMr Kitly is hidden above a fabric store on Sydney Road. The small shop is filled with ceramics, books, jewellery, plants and textiles from around the world, but there's a particular focus on Japan but lots of local artisans too
Essentials
This is a little bit of 1950s Italy right here in Brunswick. Absolutely classic place where you can get pretty much any Italian food or drink that you might be craving. Extensive cheese selection and great range of traditional Italian Amaro
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Mediterranean Wholesalers
482 Sydney RdThis is a little bit of 1950s Italy right here in Brunswick. Absolutely classic place where you can get pretty much any Italian food or drink that you might be craving. Extensive cheese selection and great range of traditional Italian Amaro
Fresh fruit and veggies. Lots of pre-made meals and a great deli
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La Manna Fresh
403-407 Sydney RdFresh fruit and veggies. Lots of pre-made meals and a great deli
They sell medicine, hair and beauty supplies, tissues, vitamins, makeup, sunblock etc. Open until 9pm.
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Chemist Warehouse Brunswick
429 to 433 Sydney RdThey sell medicine, hair and beauty supplies, tissues, vitamins, makeup, sunblock etc. Open until 9pm.
Savers
330 Sydney RdGreat place to grab a bargain. Massive second-hand store
Supermarket open until midnight 7 days a week. Also sells alcohol.
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Woolworths Brunswick
300-304 Albert StSupermarket open until midnight 7 days a week. Also sells alcohol.
ALDI Brunswick
298 Sydney RdOpen until 8pm daily
Entertainment & Activities
Cinema Nova
380 Lygon StMonday nights are cheap nights. Easy tram ride away.
Local pool and gym. Open year round with indoor swimming pool. There's indoor and outdoor water play areas for kids
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Brunswick Bound
361 Sydney RdLocal pool and gym. Open year round with indoor swimming pool. There's indoor and outdoor water play areas for kids
Brunswick Tool Library
127 Nicholson StGreat local library
This is an easy train trip from Brunswick Station. The zoo has it's own station (Royal Park Station) or it's an nice bike ride down the bike path. Kids are generally free on weekends and school holidays
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Melbourne Zoo/Royal Park station
Poplar RoadThis is an easy train trip from Brunswick Station. The zoo has it's own station (Royal Park Station) or it's an nice bike ride down the bike path. Kids are generally free on weekends and school holidays
I-State Library Victoria
328 Swanston StHome of Ned Kelly's armour!
Getting Around
Brunswick Station
Tram stop for the number 19 to the city. This tram goes down Sydney Road, then past Melbourne University on Royal Parade to the city. In the city it will stop outside Queen Victoria Market and then go down Elizabeth Street to Flinders Street Train Station.
Victoria St/Sydney Rd station
Tram stop for the number 19 to the city. This tram goes down Sydney Road, then past Melbourne University on Royal Parade to the city. In the city it will stop outside Queen Victoria Market and then go down Elizabeth Street to Flinders Street Train Station.
This is appearing in the incorrect place on the map - but there is a go get pod right outside our place on Howarth Street
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GoGet CarShare Pod
Kay StreetThis is appearing in the incorrect place on the map - but there is a go get pod right outside our place on Howarth Street