Brunswick area guide: the best things to do according to a local

Casa Chino (Shop 1/212-214 Albion St) is a fiery new chifa bar and restaurant just a stone's throw from Anstey train station. If you’re unfamiliar with Chino Latino or 'chifa' cuisine, it’s rooted in history, drawing inspiration from the large Chinese diaspora who live in Peru and around Latin America. Most dishes will look pretty familiar to anyone with a grasp of Cantonese food – siu mai and dumplings, bao, fried rice – but there are Latin American influences sprinkled throughout. 

Shinwa Izakaya (139 Sydney Rd) is a Japanese food lover’s dream, with an extensive list of delicious sake and a classic izakaya menu. You’ll get a mind-blowing feast no matter what you order, but the nasu dengaku (miso-glazed eggplant) is a must-try. 

You can’t visit Brunswick without stopping by A1 Bakery (643-645 Sydney Rd), a northside institution with a well-deserved reputation. Since 1992, A1 has been slinging authentic Lebanese breads, pitas, pies and pizzas to lucky locals, or patrons who travel far just to visit. At great prices, you can afford to try a bit of everything on the extensive menu – just don’t miss out on a cheese bagel and a zaatar. 

For a cheap and yummy meal out, Green Field (376-378 Sydney Rd) is a local favourite. Open for lunch and dinner, the menu is jam-packed with Vietnamese favourites at great prices. The lunch specials are perfect for an unpretentious and affordable bite, plus almost every dish has a vegetarian option. 

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Escape to Bar Spontana (4 Saxon St) for funky ferment-driven flavours and a robust cocktail program from some of Australia’s most daring bartenders. At this Thai-inspired wine bar you’re guaranteed no shortage of delicious and spontaneous surprises.

Brunswick's heritage-listed Hotel Railway (289-293 Albert St) may have a sordid history, but a massive facelift has breathed new life into the space. Now, the three-storey building can now count itself among the biggest hospitality venues in the north, and has the capacity to host nearly 1,000 patrons. 

Howler (7-11 Dawson St) is Brunswick's warehouse-turned-art-and-live-entertainment space that has every soul northside in a fizz, with its timber-lined theatre and gallery for cinema screenings, plays and gigs.

Despite being located in the heart of Sydney Road, the Brunswick Green (313-315 Sydney Rd) feels like a tucked-away little paradise. The eccentric and kitsch decor makes it feel very Brunswick, while its impressive drinks list has something for everyone. It’s a northside staple for a reason – particularly due to its sprawling beer garden. 

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Boasting one of the best breakfast menus in the north, A Minor Place (103 Albion) is a local favourite for good reason. It’s often pretty busy on the weekends, so a weekday brunch is a good option. Take your laptop or book and settle in for specialty coffee and delicious food.

Code Black (15-17 Weston St) is a must-visit for any coffee nerd. It's a Melbourne coffee institution, supplying countless high-quality cafés, so checking out the HQ and roastery is a dream. You can grab a cold brew, purchase beans to take home, check out the state-of-the-art roastery and even join in on a cupping session. 

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Brunswick’s strong arts and culture scene mean that there’s always something exciting to get up to. You could visit Blak Dot Gallery (33 Saxon St), a contemporary Indigenous-run gallery to see some brilliant artworks from First Nations folks. 

That Paper Joint (544 Sydney Rd) is a purpose-built and sustainable studio dedicated to paper collage. Owners Maximillian Malone and Zoe Crook run workshops to get people cutting and pasting together their own masterpieces.

You can sharpen your culinary skills and prepare a delicious feast at Brunswick Kitchen (1/288 Albert St). This intimate cooking school specialises in small-group classes covering everything from Vietnamese to Japanese.

Plan ahead and have a look at the classes that the Laneway Learning team are hosting out of their Brunswick venue, Siteworks (30 Saxon St). Take an affordable class and learn about anything from homemade gnocchi to salsa dancing to flower arrangement. 
  

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The Mediterranean Wholesaler (482 Sydney Rd) states on its website that it’s not just a supermarket, it’s “an experience”. It's totally right – take a trip down the countless aisles of groceries (with more than 250 types of pasta), wines and European sweets to stock up on goodies you won’t find anywhere else. Starting in 1961 as a small family-owned delicatessen, it’s now Australia’s largest continental grocer. Make sure you stop by the deli and pick up some mouth-watering cheeses. 

Sell your preloved clothes or pick up secondhand designer threads at Goodbyes Brunswick (127-129 Sydney Rd). You’ll find unique pieces from local and big-name designers and be able to purchase them for a fraction of their original cost. Go hunting and find yourself a gem.  

Word nerds will fall in love with Brunswick Bound (361 Sydney Road), an independent book shop in the heart of Sydney Rd. There are endless titles for you to peruse, as well as vinyl, local jewellery, stationery and gifts. Have a chat to one of the friendly staff and they’ll be able to recommend a brilliant book to sink your teeth into. 
 

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Brunswick Music Festival

This annual music festival celebrates artists across a huge variety of genres, taking place in amazing music venues throughout Brunswick. Every year it kicks off with the famous Sydney Road Street Party – a mammoth, free one-day event with outdoor stages, music and market stalls.

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