It's house-made noodles, dumplings and traditional rice wine inside this compact Korean dining room. Plus, grilled meat platters and small-batch soju.

This follow-up to Good Times in Fitzroy North is just as affordable as its older sibling. But there's an even bigger menu, with even more options. Plus a drinks list that's local and fun (we'll be trying one of the boozy punches).

Opening in September, 2025.

Athenian tavernas are the inspiration for this buzzy restaurant by two hospo veterans. Take a seat for slow-cooked lamb shoulder, creamy fava dip, moussaka and flaky bougatsa.

Polish food comes hot at this brutalist-inspired restaurant. Expect brightly garnished dishes, apple-cinnamon cocktails, a plethora of vodka options and, of course, pierogis aplenty.

This 65-seat taqueria, with a sizeable bar, is a hotspot for Mexico City cuisine including birria tacos, ceviche tostadas, tequila and mezcal, and house-made vegan horchata.

Expect woodfired pide, Moroccan chicken, and candied pumpkin with tahini at this father-son operation. Don’t feel like going out? The kitchen also runs a delivery-only kebab store.

A red neon arrow beckons you inside for a choose-your-own-chicken adventure. Just decide what cut, heat and sauce you want – then add on silky mash with 48-hour gravy and some wads of garlic-butter brioche.

Tucked beneath an apartment block, an ex-Kisume and Nobu chef perfects the Japanese art of robatayaki using a charcoal-powered parrilla grill. Take a seat at the bar overlooking the small but efficient kitchen for yakitori served every way and a diverse selection of sake by the glass.

Left-of-centre pizzas are the draw at this big, industrial-chic room from the Tipo 00 and Osteria Ilaria crew. Post up at the central bar for snacks and natural wines, or share bistecca and nebbiolo at a bistro-style table.

Most dishes on the British-leaning menu here – including golden zucchini with parmesan cream and green beans with vegan XO – are priced between $8 and $18.

Opening soon.

The sibling of Neighbourhood Wine is cool and comfortable. Take a seat at the bar, or in front of an open fire, and enjoy the rotating share plates and easy-drinking wines.

Family favourites from a Lebanese home cook.

A romantic Italian joint with valentine-red booths and a beautiful oak bar. The owners pay homage to their predecessors with the venue’s original woodfired oven and its much loved signature pizza.

The DIY spirit is alive at this Southern-barbeque specialist.

Affordable burgers and spiked shakes.

This neighbourhood restaurant keeps going from strength to strength. Its latest incarnation, guided by the steady hands of owner Hannah Green and head chef Lorcán Kan, is one of Melbourne's essential dining experiences.

Burgers work, Korean food works. Let’s do both.

Fried and Tasty in Brunswick East is serving family-recipe fried chicken and killer sides and shakes,

This casual Italian joint has a fit-out reminiscent of the all-you-can-eat pizza joints of the ’90s. While it's not a classic buffet, the pizzas are worth your pennies – from classic capricciosa to a burrata-laden pie.

This casual Italian joint has a fit-out reminiscent of the all-you-can-eat pizza joints of the ’90s. While it's not a classic buffet, the pizzas are worth your pennies – from classic capricciosa to a burrata-laden pie.

Twin brothers Antoine and Bechara Taouk serve up Lebanese soul food, just like their grandma did at home.

A Naples inspired Italian restaurant with some of the best pizza in town.

Burgers, booze and bands – that’s been the brief at The Beast since day dot. Years on, it still delivers with hefty two-handers (including respectable plant-based options), cheeky and creative cocktails, and plenty of local music.

Authentic, Italian wood-fired pizzas made with a secret family recipe.

There are over 80 sakes at this slick Japanese bar and eatery, which is housed in a former bank. Unlike many izakaya – which can get quite dark – Kumo's space is light, open and airy.

A hyperactive restaurant that serves mammoth-sized, affordable Thai food.

If you forget to book at this cosy neighbourhood restaurant, grab a seat at the bar, order a spritz and picture yourself in the streets of Palermo as you wait for a table. You’re in for home-style Sicilian fare, nostalgic Italian desserts and a welcoming vibe.

A relaxed pizzeria turning out the very best of simple pizzas, in Brunswick.

Greek food with clean flavours, high-quality produce and a slightly refined edge.

Since 2006, Joseph Abboud’s Middle Eastern diner has reached institution status. Come for his signature cheese cigars and advieh-marinated lamb shoulder. Plus, a 200-strong mostly Middle Eastern wine list and fiery charcoal grill.

This bagel-shop-turned-bar is open for just a few hours Thursday to Saturday and manages to squeeze a kitchen, cocktail station, and seating for 15 guests, into just five square metres.

Lebanon’s little-known student-led quest to conquer outer space inspired this charming wine bar. Here, Rumi’s owners offer flatbread sandwiches, charcoal grilled lamb skewers and Lebanese wines.

This self-proclaimed “dive bar for nerds” was born out of Melbourne’s music scene. Swing by the record-slinging spot for local beers and cocktails with names ripped from the world of horror. Or lose a few hours over Jenga and Mario Kart.

A swag of high-achieving hospo friends are behind this clubhouse-style cocktail bar. Come for cheeky cocktails that honour Aussie icons and adventurous snacks from the South Pacific.

An incredible sound system. Absurdly good value house wines. And an unusual canteen-style window that passes drinks right onto the footpath. This is one of Melbourne’s most fun wine bars.

Australia's first permanent non-alcoholic bar and distillery. It’s got 100-plus drink options, including cleverly curated cocktails made with Brunswick Ace’s own booze-free gin, and a who’s who of non-alc beer and wine.

This colourful 350-capacity outpost for the beloved Beechworth brewery offers 30 taps, two bars and a jet-setting menu of crowd-pleasers. And it’s a working brewery, too, which means all of the Bridge Road favourites, plus site-exclusive special releases.

This restaurant champions offal – think skewers of chicken heart and cherry – Victorian seafood, and all things charred, cured and preserved. This is food worth stepping out of your comfort zone for. The team makes its own cultured butter, ricotta and pasta, and forages as much as possible.

In a warehouse space furnished with little more than few plants and a pool table, get classic ham-and-cheese toasties and beers by a home-brewer with over 12 years of experience.

Escape the elements in a room full of hunting trophies and ancient skiing gear. On the menu? Jalapeno poppers, peanut butter and jelly Negronis, and pumpkin spice Old Fashioneds.

Live music and 12 shiny hotel rooms upstairs.

An exceptionally personal neighbourhood bar, serving beer, wine and sweet American-style pies.

Burgers and beer – one of life’s great combinations.

The younger sibling to Northcote's Joe's Shoe Store.

When you’ve finished your drop, just come back and refill.

A wine-focused bar-restaurant by La Luna’s Adrian Richardson.

Try you hand at winemaking without leaving the city.

Try you hand at winemaking without leaving the city.

A stylish yet unpretentious little bar.

Known locally for its bicycle beer, a refreshing summer ale with seven varieties of hops.

Capturing the warmth and glory associated with bars of a bygone era.

A home away from home for many East Brunswick locals.

A sophisticated and cosy wine bar that's extra good in winter.

Opening early 2025.

Suntop Plaza is the cosy beach town cafe away from the beach. Here the team serves poached chicken sandwiches with salsa verde, fruit-forward bakes and classic drinks.

Book it to this French and Korean bakery to get your hands on Korean honey cookies, pretzel baguettes and a peanut butter bread-inspired pastry from a trio of pastry chefs.

This cafe has beautiful bones (think soaring ceilings and arched windows) and a globetrotting menu. Find Turkish eggs, Japanese omurice and a pour-over station for coffee lovers.

Post up on a bench seat for kaya (coconut jam) squiggled on toast, espresso banana bread and espressos brewed on one of three machines – not from Italy, but from Silicon Valley.

This all-day sandwich shop and cafe serves some seriously tricked-out sangas. There are around 10 to choose from, with a good amount of vego and vegan-friendly options. To drink, there’s strong coffee and fresh juice.

The Carlton North cafe has condensed the best of its counter and brunch menu into a retail shop, stocked with Turkish and Middle Eastern-style baked goods, takeaway meals, and everything you need to make its spicy, cheesy eggplant toasties at home.

Come for a burger with a Moroccan-spiced veggie patty, turmeric hummus, pita bread and house-made dukkah – and movie nights.

Huw Murdoch's fantastic slow-fermented sourdough loaves are well worth picking up to bring home, but we recommend heading to Wild Life for a meal if you can. Inside this striking converted warehouse, you'll find a mostly vegetarian menu where toasties are the heroes.

The gelato-focused spin-off of 400 Gradi pizzeria has an ample roster of classic flavours to choose from. Add some cannoli to your order while you’re at it.

Pope Joan’s produce and meat store.

Imbued with decades of Brunswick’s history and character.

A down-to-earth cafe that's been around for more than a decade.

An imaginative and open cafe experience with seasonal, fresh indulgences.

A small Lebanese bakery with a local home delivery service.

A casual, kid-friendly, garage-style cafe in Brunswick East, with great coffee, breakfast and lunch.

From the ladies at Rosamond and Mixed Business.

Pope Joan the cafe is far from a mystery but could well become legendary.

This cafe is named after the 1985 Hüsker Dü album, but it's closer to laid-back folk than angst-ridden punk.

The Padre outlet that birthed a small empire.

Rustic loaves and sweet treats in the heart of Brunswick East.

A cheese-focused deli from the trio behind Tipo 00 and Osteria Ilaria. Expect left-of-centre cheeses (including mandarin-peel-wrapped ricotta), minimal intervention wines and a tight selection of cured meats.

This fast-expanding bakery group produces a vast array of sweet and savoury pastries, including quiches, sausage rolls, croissants, sourdough, doughnuts and meringues. But pies – both traditional and new wave – are its real calling card.

This gelato shop takes its cues from Southeast Asia, rather than Italy. Past flavours on owner Agusta Triwahyu's eclectic menu have included durian, lychee, Turkish Delight and even Malaysian condensed-milk tea.

Don't let the humble name fool you: these are no ordinary pies. Chef Matt Wilkinson's pies are as inventive as they are delicious, proving that sometimes, it's okay to mess with the classics (if you know what you're doing). Get in fast, though: The Pie Shop is closing for good just after Grand Final Day.

Vinh Le has been quietly making jeans in Brunswick for more than two decades.

Vinh Le has been quietly making jeans in Brunswick for more than two decades.

Bottle shops don’t get more personal than this.

Hana Assifiri’s deli on Lygon Street keeps an old tradition alive.

A community-minded design store on Lygon Street.

A little pocket of colour in Brunswick East.