Brunswick

Sometimes it seems all anyone does in Brunswick is hop from one new cafe to another, switching to bars toward evening and working up an appetite.

Eating & drinking
Pull up a wood crate or designer chair and join the locals. Choose from cool bars, hip restaurants and classy cafes on Lygon, Sydney, and Nicholson Streets.

Start with brunch at Pope Joan, A Minor Place, Wide Open Road or Small Block. Move on to Each Peach or Piano Piano for lunch and a fresh caffeine hit, or go bust with the banquet at super-chef George Calombaris' Hellenic Republic.

From late afternoon track down the Taco Truck or Beatbox Kitchen gourmet food vans for a tasty snack.

Late night delights
Late afternoons turn into late nights at Mr Wilkinson, Mi Corazon, The Alderman or Resurrection.

Put on your dancing shoes and catch a live band at the Cornish Arms, Edinburgh Castle, Spotted Mallard or Retreat Hotel.

Shopping and galleries
Like every good inner city suburb there's an indie sensibility about the art scene in Brunswick. See into Brunswick's creative heart at Tinning Street, Death be Kind or upstairs at the Alderman.

The lines between commerce and art blur at Brunswick Bound, Five Boroughs, Mr Kitly and Monk House Design. You'll find fine design, arty books, music and film, exhibition pieces for purchase, and curated fashion. Head to Harvest to make your own art.

East meets north
See signs of Brunswick's migration history on Sydney Road: a veritable atlas of Mediterranean shops and Arabic eateries. Stock up on pasta and porcini at Mediterranean wholesalers and stuff yourself silly at Middle Eastern bakeries like A1. Taste modern eastern flavours at hotspots like Rumi and Mankoushé.

Getting active
Start with a dip at Brunswick City Baths, then follow the signs to CERES Community Environment Park. There you can grab a coffee, and shop organic veggies and potted plants. Brush up on sustainable living, pick up permaculture tips, visit the bike workshop and listen out for bellbirds along Merri Creek.