Times New Roman

It’s nice when dining-out staples such as pasta and cocktails come in under $20. And at Fitzroy North restaurant Good Times, affordable bowls of pasta and carafes of wine have been $9 since it opened in 2019.

Its owners have brought a similar menu and wallet-friendly ethos to the spot’s Brunswick East follow-up, Times New Roman. Good Times regulars will recognise the pasta line-up, with six options spanning meat and vegan bolognaise, Napoletana, cacio e pepe and walnut pesto. They can be made gluten-free, and there are always vegan and dairy-free options. Standard bowls ranged from around $12–$18, and you can order petite portions of certain pastas for as little as $6.

For the same price, find white anchovies, olives, Cheezels, and mini burrata, that you can mix and match into your own snack plate. Or order the snack plate for $24 alongside salads like a $12 vinegary number with trout, tomato, pickles and parmesan.

Most glasses of wine are priced in the low double digits, and the rest of the drinks list includes two kinds of boozy punch. Out front, there’s pavement seating, while a red room at the back is fitted with vintage church pews. And there's a courtyard, complete with a Roman-inspired water feature.