The Best Restaurants in Brunswick
Multicultural and hip, Brunswick is one of Melbourne’s leading suburbs for food. While often in the culinary shadow of Brunswick East’s thriving food scene, one walk down Sydney Road and perhaps Melburnians will realise this diverse neighbourhood has just as much going for it.
Take a look at the list below and find out the best restaurants in Brunswick. If you’re looking for more neighbourhood guides, check out our top recommendations for Brunswick East, South Yarra and Fitzroy.
Rin Sura
Rin Sura is a new kid on the block that’s quickly making a statement on Brunswick’s restaurant scene. These guys do modern Thai and funky cocktails, which if you ask us, is an irresistible duo. You’ll find classics on the menu, but chances are you’ll be tempted by their creative dishes.
Get amongst pumpkin arancini with tom yum mayo, massaman wagyu meatballs, green curry BBQ chicken and their delicious dessert dish Milo Sunday with coconut, strawberry sorbet and toasted banana.
Open Tuesday to Sunday from 4:30pm – late. Located at 206 Sydney Road, Brunswick, Melbourne 3056.
Rascal Brunswick
Sophisticated and welcoming, Rascal Brunswick is a modern Australian restaurant doing seasonal dishes for sharing. Crafted by the exciting chef Elliott Pinn of Doot Doot Doot, Sepia and Flyish Fish, the flavours here are refined and exciting.
The curated drinks list is just as important as the food at this Sydney Road establishment though, so expect 15+ pages of wines, craft beer, spirits, digestifs and cocktails.
Open Wednesday to Friday from 5pm – late, Saturday from 12pm – late, Sunday from 12 – 4pm. Located at 341 Sydney Road, Brunswick, Melbourne 3056.
Los Hermanos Mexican Taqueria
Authentic Mexican is hard to come by, but thankfully Brunswick is home to some of Melbourne’s finest. From a cosy and bustling space on Victoria Street, Los Hermanos Mexican Taqueria churns out tasty tacos and a few other traditional specialities.
Our favourite taco is the slow-cooked barbacoa lamb, closely followed by the green beans, potato and jalapeño-infused eggs taco. There’s also beef, chicken, fish, zucchini and mushroom varieties available. Open until 1am from Thursday to Saturday, Los Hermanos is also a killer spot for a late-night feed after you’ve been out for some drinks.
Open Monday to Wednesday from 6 – 11pm, Thursday to Saturday from 6pm – 1am. Located at 339 Victoria Street, Brunswick, Melbourne 3056.
Shinwa Izakaya
With its moody ambience and easy-going atmosphere, Shinwa Izakaya is a spot in Brunswick that channels the informal vibe and dining concept of izakaya bars in Japan. Moreish dishes like sushi, sashimi and traditional bar snacks are freshly prepared and served alongside Japanese beer, sake and spirits.
The yakitori range is especially top quality and features skewers like grilled fish in white miso, pork belly in cod roe sauce, juicy ox tongue and chicken thigh in house teriyaki sauce. Safe to say, Shinwa is chill and cheerful!
Open Tuesday to Sunday from 6 – 9:30pm. Located at 139 Sydney Road, Brunswick, Melbourne 3056.
Bhang
Bhang is a contemporary eatery in a nutshell – exciting food, inviting ambience and a focus on high-quality drinks. They serve Indian-style street food which is no doubt gourmet and refined, yet it’s still got that satisfying and bold edge to it that street food should always retain.
The Indian-inspired artisan cocktails, meanwhile, are equally class. Exemplars include An Italian in Varanasi, a negroni with burnt orange and star anise gin, and Darjeeling Ltd, a tea syrup and ginger liqueur cocktail with chilli vodka.
Open Tuesday to Thursday from 5 – 10pm, Friday and Saturday from 5 – 11pm, Sunday from 5 – 10pm. Located at 1/2A Mitchell Street, Brunswick, Melbourne 3056.
GOOD days
GOOD days has a classy little dining concept going on and Melbourne locals are all about it. Essentially a high-quality pho bar, this Brunswick diner serves clean-cut Vietnamese cuisine driven by fresh and flavoursome produce.
The focus on ingredients is most important and the exact reason why this walk-in only spot is always busy (that alongside the dining space’s lovely modern design). Just take the beef pho – Victorian Black Angus round and brisket in a rich beef broth of marrow, chuck and knuckle bone.
Open Sunday to Wednesday from 12 – 9:30pm, Thursday to Saturday from 12 – 10pm. Located at 165 Sydney Road, Brunswick, Melbourne 3056.
Juanita Peaches
Juanita Peaches is a laid-back favourite that serves hearty and delicious American food that’ll make you feel guilty. Their menu includes finger-licking fried chicken, loaded burgers, addictive poutine, saucy ribs and more. Wash it down with a beer or cider and you’ve got one of the best low-key eats in Brunswick. We needn’t say more.
Open Monday to Thursday from 12 – 9pm, Friday from 9am – 10pm, weekends from 9am – 9pm. Located at 12 Edward Street, Brunswick, Melbourne 3056.