Brunswick

Brunswick life is suited to cafe and bar-hopping, with an ever-burgeoning scene of creative types at play in this traditional-meets-contemporary 'hood.

Eating and drinking

Pull up a wood crate or designer chair and join the locals. Choose from both stalwart and newcomer venues among the population of bars, restaurants and cafes on Lygon Street, Sydney Road and Nicholson Street.

Serious caffeine hits and brunches draw crowds of locals to Code Black Coffee, A Minor Place and Wide Open Road. Later in the day, hustle for a dinner table at Lygon Street favourites Bar Idda, Etta, Waxflower and Rumi. Beyond Lygon Street, Tom Phat, Los Hermanos and I Carusi Pizza are worth the wander.

Late night delights

Sundowners turn into nightcaps at Bouvier, The Alderman, The Cornish Arms and The Brunswick Green. Try a local brew at Temple Brewing Co., Thunder Road Brewery or The Alehouse Project. Live acts and DJs will see you and your best moves meet at The Brunswick Ballroom, Howler and the Retreat Hotel, while The Jazzlab plays host to a toe-tappin' line-up.

Shopping and arts

Like every good inner city suburb there's an indie sensibility about the arts scene in Brunswick.

See into Brunswick's creative heart at gallery Tinning Street Presents and at Brunswick Mechanics Institute, a multi-arts space with a program of theatre, film, music and workshops.

The lines between commerce and art blur at bookstore Brunswick Bound and arts-hub Mr Kitly, where you'll find ceramics, art books, homewares and planters to style your home and bookshelves.  

East meets north

See signs of Brunswick's cultural history on Sydney Road: a veritable atlas of Mediterranean shops and Arabic eateries. Stock up on pasta and porcini at Mediterranean Wholesalers and stuff yourself silly at Middle Eastern bakeries like A1. Taste modern Middle Eastern flavours at hotspots such as Rumi, Téta Mona, Mankoushé, Very Good Falafel and Mama Manoush.

Getting active

Start with a dip at Brunswick City Baths, then follow the signs to CERES Community Environment Park. There you can grab a coffee and shop for organic veggies and potted plants. Brush up on sustainable living, pick up permaculture tips, visit the bike workshop and listen out for bellbirds along Merri Creek.