If you could distil the essence of Melbourne into one thoroughfare, it might well be Brunswick Street. Stretching north from Victoria Parade on the edge of the CBD all the way to Northcote, it neatly bisects Melbourne's oldest suburb, Fitzroy.

The gritty foundations of the former industrial suburb still shine through in watering holes such as The Workers Club and The Labour in Vain. A deeply creative local community introduced an artistic edginess that's still reflected in the diverse, almost Bohemian feel of Brunswick Street's shops, boutiques and galleries.

Between the steeples

The fact that you can stand at the point where Brunswick Street curves towards Fitzroy North and behold both the historic bluestone steeples of the Hungarian Church of Australia (reformed) and St Patrick's Cathedral on the city edge, speaks to a street with a fascinating history and a strong multicultural base.

Getting here

 

  • 15 min on the No.11 tram from Collins street in the CBD.
  • (5 extra minutes to Fitzroy North)
  • Parking spots available but scarce around Brunswick street.
  • Approx. 40 min to walk from the CBD to Brunswick and Johnston streets.

Something to eat?

 

Choose from a diversity of cafes, restaurants and bars, from the unpretentious Italian fare of Mario’s, Eastern Euro-inspired café Babka, Himalayan-infused Elektra, and the fine French fare of Bon Ap’, to Asian favourites Rice Queen and Ichi Ni Izakaya. And, of course, much-loved Vegie Bar has been serving its soul-nourishing vegetarian, vegan and raw food to one and all for decades.

 

Meander on to Fitzroy North – or hop on the No.11 tram – and before you’ve even rounded the bend that wraps around picturesque Edinburgh Gardens and the Fitzroy Bowls Club, you’ll encounter Matteo’s, the fine Italian restaurant inside one of the area's typical two-storey townhouses that’s also been hatted by the Good Food Guide 2023.

 

Eclectic shopping

 

At either end of the street you’ll encounter an eclectic mix of shopping such as the fine handmade jewellery at Geneine Honey, kitschy bric-a-brac at Lost & Found Market, or indulge your old-school taste for music at Vinyl Revival

 

And when all has been said and done, bend an elbow at locals’ pubs such as The Evelyn or The Stone Hotel, or order a cocktail at multi-awarded bars such as The Elysian, Black Pearl or Naked for Satan.

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