Stay Cool in The Best Restaurants in Fitzroy

Keeping up with Fitzroy!

Fitzroy is diverse. There’s no better way to describe it. It’s home to young professionals, students, families and coffee-loving hipsters that all have varying socio-economic backgrounds. So it should come as no surprise then, that the restaurants are as diverse as the locals. So, we decided to eat our way around Brunswick, Johnston, Gertrude and Smith streets to find the best restaurants in Fitzroy.

There are restaurants for every cuisine, dietary choice and price point throughout Fitzroy. This list is designed to showcase one restaurant to cover each day of the week (we’re glam like that). So whether you’re a fine dining lover, vegan or in the mood for a casual meal out, this list of the best restaurants in Fitzroy has you sorted.

1. Hell of the North

Taking its name from the gruelling Paris-Roubaix cycling event in the north of Paris, Hell of the North deserves its place at the top of the list. A mainstay on most articles regarding restaurants in Fitzroy, this chic restaurant is perfect for date nights or special evenings when food is at the heart of the event. It’s a classic Parisian bistro in many ways, but the diverse nature of the Australian food scene shines through. The wine list is extensive and well-rounded, meanwhile the crème brûlée is a thing of beauty. Heaven is a place at Hell, it seems.Order: Milawa duck with Brussels sprouts & pickled sugar plum.

135 Greeves Street, Fitzroy, Melbourne 3065Mon – Tues: ClosedWed – Fri: 5pm til late; Sat: Midday til late; Sun: Midday – 11pm

2. Pizza Faro Fitzroy

On a more chilled note, Pizza Faro’s branch in Fitzroy is where it’s at for all your pizza needs. Translating to spelt in Italian, the bases are all made from spelt and organic. There’s also a dizzying selection of vegan options and absolutely everything on the menu can be made gluten-free (including the focaccia and tiramisu!). With such choices, it’s basically heaven for Fitzroy’s community with dietary restrictions. The spelt dough gives the pizzas a distinctive earthy flavour that we are 100% here for, while the toppings are extensive and high-quality. Rustic, chic and trendy, get amongst this pizza place in Fitzroy asap!Order: Porchetta pizza topped with mozzarella, slow-roasted pork, broccoli di rabe & garlic.

301 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, Melbourne 3065Mon: ClosedLunch: Tues – Fri: Midday – 3pmDinner: Tues – Fri: 5:30 – 9:30pmAll day: Sat: Midday – 10pm; Sun: Midday – 9:30pm

3. Evie’s Disco Diner

We’ve talked about our major love heart eyes for Evie’s Disco Diner before. And our feelings are still there big time. Channeling 1980s Italy with its decor and vibe, it doubles as a restaurant, bar and dancefloor – all while being as low-waste as possible. The food and bev situation is fairly indulgent, but caters to literally everyone. Think loaded fries, burgers, hot dogs, Philly cheesesteak and parmas. All of which can be made gluten-free or vegan! Cool? You’d best believe it.Order: Reuben sandwich topped with pastrami, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, Russian dressing & mustard on rye with hand-cut potato crisps & pickles (can be made vegan).

230/232 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy, Melbourne 3065__Tues – Wed: 3 – 11pm, Thurs – Sat: 11:30 – 1am, Sun: 11:30 – 11pm

4. Charcoal Lane

A fine dining and social enterprise restaurant, Charcoal Lane deserves endless praise. Designed to provide Indigenous and disengaged youth with hospitality training, the quality is up there with the best in Melbourne. Housed in the former Victorian Aboriginal Health Service building on Gertrude Street, the chic dining rooms are beautiful and match the dishes perfectly. The food is inspired by native and international ingredients that are cooked to create complex, refined dishes. Think wallaby, emu, Moreton Bay bugs, wattleseed and quandong. Hint: opt for the matched wine and try a couple of the bespoke cocktails after.Order: Slow-cooked wild boar with bunya nut galette, native figs & pepperberry juniper sauce poivrade.

136 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy, Melbourne 3065Lunch: Tues – Sat: Midday – 3pmDinner: Tues – Sat: 6pm til late

5. Vegie Bar

Most folks in the know about the best restaurants in Fitzroy, know about Vegie Bar. A mecca for plant-based diners, this rustic and industrial space has been serving delicious food for over 20 years. There’s a distinctive Asian influence found here, which we are obviously all about. It’s spacious, the portions are generous and the vibe is down-to-earth and totally relaxed. All the food is fresh, organic and tastes bang on. A trailblazer in the vego restaurant game, a visit to Vegie Bar is essential.Order: The laksa made with a fragrant lemongrass, turmeric and coconut broth, filled with rice noodles, oyster mushrooms, bok choy, tofu & crispy tempura eggplant. Topped with crushed macadamias, Asian herbs & aromatic chilli oil.

380 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, Melbourne 3065__Sun – Mon: 11 – 10pm

6. Cutler & Co.

Housed within an old metalworks factory on Gertrude Street, Cutler & Co. is a total treat. Under the helm of the talented Andrew McConnell of Cumulus Inc., Marion, Supernormal and more, the restaurant offers casual fine dining at its very best. It’s simple and elegant at the same time and features dishes that can be shared, as well as smaller dishes. There’s also a bar here that we love venturing into after the meal. While you can dine à la carte, we recommend the degustation with the matched wine, which is where this Fitzroy restaurant really shines.Order: Roast suckling pig with anchovy sauce, cos heart & nettle.

55/57 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy, Melbourne 3065Lunch: Sun: From middayDinner: Tues – Sun: 6pm til late

7. Añada

Last but certainly not least, we have Añada. A local favourite for Fitzroy residents, this is the very definition of a neighbourhood restaurant. Specialising in southern Spanish cuisine, there’s all the classics you’d expect, but done creatively and with style. You’ll find most diners have been coming here regularly for years. Meaning the atmosphere is warm, welcoming and inviting. It’s rustic, beautifully designed and each dish is made using high-end ingredients. Easily one of the best restaurants in Fitzroy, it’s a delight to say the very least.Order: Duck breast with plum harissa, cinnamon rice & dukkah.

197 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy, Melbourne 3065__Mon – Sun: 6pm til late