Guidebook for Brunswick
Drinks & Nightlife
Indian street food, amazing cocktails and cool decor in a converted warehouse building around the corner from the flat.
16 locals recommend
Bhang
2A Mitchell StIndian street food, amazing cocktails and cool decor in a converted warehouse building around the corner from the flat.
Edinburgh Castle Hotel
681 Sydney RdLocal pub, live music, massive beer garden.
Big bar with a massive courtyard, live music, very popular on Friday and Saturday nights with the local student population. Housed in an old 19th century bank building. They have cheap deals every night on pizzas etc.
50 locals recommend
The Penny Black
420 Sydney RdBig bar with a massive courtyard, live music, very popular on Friday and Saturday nights with the local student population. Housed in an old 19th century bank building. They have cheap deals every night on pizzas etc.
Joey Smalls
284 Sydney RdBar with great cocktails and American-style food.
The Brunswick Green
315 Sydney RdTraditional style pub with a nice courtyard.
Trendy pub with THE BEST SELECTION OF VEGETARIAN/VEGAN PUB MEALS IN MELBOURNE. They change their menus frequently and have various specials, but you can be guaranteed to find a delicious pub meal in vegan form any night of the week here. I highly recommend their vegan fishermans basket :)
64 locals recommend
The Cornish Arms Hotel
163A Sydney RdTrendy pub with THE BEST SELECTION OF VEGETARIAN/VEGAN PUB MEALS IN MELBOURNE. They change their menus frequently and have various specials, but you can be guaranteed to find a delicious pub meal in vegan form any night of the week here. I highly recommend their vegan fishermans basket :)
Senegalese bar with food, cocktails and amazing West African and world live music every night.
52 locals recommend
Bar Oussou
653 Sydney RdSenegalese bar with food, cocktails and amazing West African and world live music every night.
Awesome bar / creative space with a theatre, often live music and events. It's an indoor/outdoor garden bar with a cinema and ping pong tables.
139 locals recommend
Howler
7-11 Dawson StAwesome bar / creative space with a theatre, often live music and events. It's an indoor/outdoor garden bar with a cinema and ping pong tables.
Old-world, classic bar with great selection of beers and wines. A cheese plate kinda place.
72 locals recommend
The Alderman
134 Lygon StOld-world, classic bar with great selection of beers and wines. A cheese plate kinda place.
Atticus Finch
129 Lygon StCraft beers, wines, and cocktails.
Mr Wilkinson
295 Lygon StLocal beers and small bites, relaxed vibe.
Parks & Nature
There is a great park literally next to the building, with a community garden, huge trees, playground, lawn, BBQ facilities and a lavatory. The apartment looks over the park, which is nice.
9 locals recommend
Warr Park
5 Wraith StThere is a great park literally next to the building, with a community garden, huge trees, playground, lawn, BBQ facilities and a lavatory. The apartment looks over the park, which is nice.
Massive park, running and workout tracks, also great for picnics/drinks by the pond.
121 locals recommend
Princes Park
200-590 Bowen CresMassive park, running and workout tracks, also great for picnics/drinks by the pond.
Walk all the way to the eastern end of Albion Street and you will arrive at the Merri Creek trail, a gorgeous walking/cycling trail following the bends and curves of the Merri Creek through Brunswick East and Northcote. Walk either north or south - beauty, peace and quiet to had in either direction. Be careful if it has been raining recently as sometimes the creek floods.
1 Albion St
1 Albion StreetWalk all the way to the eastern end of Albion Street and you will arrive at the Merri Creek trail, a gorgeous walking/cycling trail following the bends and curves of the Merri Creek through Brunswick East and Northcote. Walk either north or south - beauty, peace and quiet to had in either direction. Be careful if it has been raining recently as sometimes the creek floods.
It's hard to explain what CERES is... it's a little bit of everything really. Environmental activism, workshops, markets, bicycle repair, DIY culture, zine fairs, organic vegetables, cafe.
236 locals recommend
CERES Community Environment Park
Roberts StreetIt's hard to explain what CERES is... it's a little bit of everything really. Environmental activism, workshops, markets, bicycle repair, DIY culture, zine fairs, organic vegetables, cafe.
Getting Around
A few minutes walk to the nearest train station (Anstey, on the Upfield line) which will take you into the CBD/City Loop in around 20mins.
35 locals recommend
Anstey Station
Orient GroveA few minutes walk to the nearest train station (Anstey, on the Upfield line) which will take you into the CBD/City Loop in around 20mins.
GoGet CarShare Pod
Kay StreetTram stop for the number 19 tram which travels down Sydney Rd and Royal Parade (through the heart of Brunswick and past the University of Melbourne, Princes Park, Hospital district, Queen Victoria Markets, and then down Elizabeth St in the CBD to Flinders St Station).
Albion St/Sydney Rd station
Tram stop for the number 19 tram which travels down Sydney Rd and Royal Parade (through the heart of Brunswick and past the University of Melbourne, Princes Park, Hospital district, Queen Victoria Markets, and then down Elizabeth St in the CBD to Flinders St Station).
680 Sydney Rd
680 Sydney RoadHub for a few carshare companies, including Flexicar, GoGet, GreenCarShare
Food Scene
Cute, cozy cafe in an old bluestone cottage in Warr Park. Think crackling fireplaces inside in winter and takeaway coffees in the park in spring.
26 locals recommend
Rogue District
179 Albion StCute, cozy cafe in an old bluestone cottage in Warr Park. Think crackling fireplaces inside in winter and takeaway coffees in the park in spring.
A longstanding great in the Melbourne cafe scene. Excellent veg and gluten free options, laid-back vibe in an old weatherboard cottage on Albion St. Gets very busy after about 10:30am on the weekends. A favourite of Brunswick locals for years.
65 locals recommend
A Minor Place.
103 Albion StA longstanding great in the Melbourne cafe scene. Excellent veg and gluten free options, laid-back vibe in an old weatherboard cottage on Albion St. Gets very busy after about 10:30am on the weekends. A favourite of Brunswick locals for years.
Highly rated and very popular Southeast Asian restaurant/cafe.
71 locals recommend
Tom Phat Restaurant
184 Sydney RdHighly rated and very popular Southeast Asian restaurant/cafe.
Famous middle eastern bakery, for lebanese pizzas, breads, coffees and pastries
81 locals recommend
A1 Bakery
643-645 Sydney RdFamous middle eastern bakery, for lebanese pizzas, breads, coffees and pastries
A new arrival on Sydney Rd, trendy falafel place with a modern twist.
48 locals recommend
Very Good Falafel
629 Sydney RdA new arrival on Sydney Rd, trendy falafel place with a modern twist.
The real deal: Turkish restaurant and bakery with next-level kebabs.
10 locals recommend
Alasya Restaurant
555 Sydney RdThe real deal: Turkish restaurant and bakery with next-level kebabs.
Incredible, small, intimate restaurant experience with locally sourced produce and hosts who are incredibly passionate about food.
14 locals recommend
Host
4 Saxon StIncredible, small, intimate restaurant experience with locally sourced produce and hosts who are incredibly passionate about food.
George Calombaris' famous, innovative Greek restaurant right here in Brunswick. Communal tables, modern takes on Greek classics. Definitely book ahead.
73 locals recommend
Hellenic Republic Brunswick
434 Lygon StGeorge Calombaris' famous, innovative Greek restaurant right here in Brunswick. Communal tables, modern takes on Greek classics. Definitely book ahead.
An homage to American burger joints: frozen custard, burgers, fries, mac-n-cheese. 100% Halal friendly.
17 locals recommend
Royal Stacks
470 Collins StAn homage to American burger joints: frozen custard, burgers, fries, mac-n-cheese. 100% Halal friendly.
F.A.T. Fried and Tasty
360 Lygon StSouthern-style fried chicken and comfort food
Shopping
Incredible, massive vintage market with hundreds of stalls. Some have specialities (eg vintage cameras, vinyl, clothing, 50s, etc). You can easily lose yourself in here for hours, and it is just a 5-10min stroll from the flat.
36 locals recommend
Lost and Found Market
288 Brunswick StIncredible, massive vintage market with hundreds of stalls. Some have specialities (eg vintage cameras, vinyl, clothing, 50s, etc). You can easily lose yourself in here for hours, and it is just a 5-10min stroll from the flat.
Affectionately referred to by locals as "the Sparkly Bear", Barkly Square is a small shopping mall with a JB HiFi, KMart, Coles, Safeway, Liquorland, McDonalds, a collection of small stores and a trendy outdoor eating area with a few contemporary food court classics like Zambrero, Schnitz, and so on.
160 locals recommend
Barkly Square
90-106 Sydney RdAffectionately referred to by locals as "the Sparkly Bear", Barkly Square is a small shopping mall with a JB HiFi, KMart, Coles, Safeway, Liquorland, McDonalds, a collection of small stores and a trendy outdoor eating area with a few contemporary food court classics like Zambrero, Schnitz, and so on.
Independent local fashion label specialising in womens clothing and accessories. a lil bit kooky, very Brunswick.
8 locals recommend
Kinki Gerlinki
22 Centre PlaceIndependent local fashion label specialising in womens clothing and accessories. a lil bit kooky, very Brunswick.
A Melbourne institution. Custom-fit jeans made right there in the store, a range of colours and styles. There will be a line to get in on most Saturdays. Incredibly cheap for the quality and attention.
42 locals recommend
Dejour Jeans
542 Sydney RdA Melbourne institution. Custom-fit jeans made right there in the store, a range of colours and styles. There will be a line to get in on most Saturdays. Incredibly cheap for the quality and attention.
Essentials
Closest grocery store. Independently-owned and operated, and with a great selection of Greek and Italian groceries (an entire aisle dedicated to pasta for example, and another to tinned tomatoes!)
74 locals recommend
SUPA IGA Brunswick
614 Sydney RdClosest grocery store. Independently-owned and operated, and with a great selection of Greek and Italian groceries (an entire aisle dedicated to pasta for example, and another to tinned tomatoes!)
Coin laundry (although, I do have a washing machine and dryer that you can use if you prefer!)
700 Sydney Rd
700 Sydney RoadCoin laundry (although, I do have a washing machine and dryer that you can use if you prefer!)
Closest fully-fledged and standardised grocery store. Probably a little cheaper overall than IGA but with a more bland selection of products.
64 locals recommend
Woolworths Brunswick
300-304 Albert StClosest fully-fledged and standardised grocery store. Probably a little cheaper overall than IGA but with a more bland selection of products.
Australia Post Brunswick North LPO
34 Grantham StClosest Post Office.
Dan Murphy's Brunswick East
513 Lygon StClosest fully-fledged liquor store.
Summit Medical Group
853 Sydney RdClosest bulk-billing GPs.
Arts & Culture
Brunswick Mechanics Institute, arts and cultural centre, often used as a venue for Next Wave festival and the Brunswick Music Festival.
Brunswick Mechanic's Institute
270 Sydney RdBrunswick Mechanics Institute, arts and cultural centre, often used as a venue for Next Wave festival and the Brunswick Music Festival.
Counihan Gallery
233 Sydney RdCouncil-managed art gallery next to Town Hall.
Tinning Street Presents
29 Tinning StIndependent art space
Mr Kitly
381 Sydney RdArt gallery / store on Sydney Rd
I work at the University of Melbourne, and it's one of the main reasons why I live where I do: it is SUPER convenient. Catch the 19 tram from Albion/Sydney (about 2mins from the flat) or the 1 or the 6 tram from Albion/Lygon (about 12 mins from the flat). Both will take you directly to the University within about 20 mins. Alternatively, cycle (15 mins) or walk (30 mins).
310 locals recommend
University of Melbourne
Tin AlleyI work at the University of Melbourne, and it's one of the main reasons why I live where I do: it is SUPER convenient. Catch the 19 tram from Albion/Sydney (about 2mins from the flat) or the 1 or the 6 tram from Albion/Lygon (about 12 mins from the flat). Both will take you directly to the University within about 20 mins. Alternatively, cycle (15 mins) or walk (30 mins).