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We don’t need to convince you of just how phenomenal Melbourne’s food scene is. Aside from holding proud its well-deserved title of the cultural capital of Australia, Melbourne boasts over 3,500 restaurants with cuisine from more than 70 countries.
In short – if you’re coming to Melbourne, be it for work, play, or both, you’ve gotta get your mitts on its world-class food.
Brunswick Restaurants: The City’s Finest
Brunswick is one of the city’s most sought-after areas when it comes to restaurants and bars. Tucked away from the bustle of the CBD, Brunswick is a melting pot of deliciousness just waiting to be tasted.
Luckily, Rambla @ Solarino House is located in this charmingly edgy suburb. We’re close to some of the best Brunswick restaurants, which makes your stay with us that much better. Here are our top picks!
Casa Chino
Shop 1/212-214 Albion St
What do you get when you mix Chinese Cantonese and Peruvian flavours with a dash of urban Melbourne flair? Casa Chino, of course!
Located on-site at Solarino House, Casa Chino marks the Melbourne debut of The Talisman Group, led by hospitality veteran Vincent Lombino.
In a cosy, neon and pastel-hued setting, this Brunswick restaurant offers Chifa-inspired share plates and scrumptious cocktails. The drinks menu also features a curated selection of Victorian and South American wines that perfectly complement the food.
Top menu picks:
- Tempura Fish Bao Bun
- Seared Scallop with Ponzu and Chilli Oil
- Tom Yum Prawn & Squid Dim Sum
- Black Beans Cazuelita
- Guava Cheesecake
Edinburgh Castle Hotel
681 Sydney Rd
Looking for a classic pub feed in Melbourne? Head over to Edinburgh Castle, Brunswick's oldest pub. It's a must-visit for craft beer enthusiasts, lovers of gastropub cuisine, and fans of Melbourne's unique grungy-cool vibe.
Boasting a spacious beer garden that's dog-friendly, Edinburgh Castle offers a fantastic selection of craft beers and delectable pub fare.
There’s also plenty of fun on during the week and weekends, including:
- Open Mic Night: Every Tuesday at 7:30pm
- Trivia Night: Every Wednesday at 8pm
- Bingo: Every Friday at 7pm
- Live Music: Enjoy local indie acts on weekends
With a rich history and lively atmosphere, Edinburgh Castle is the perfect spot to unwind and enjoy the best of Brunswick's pub scene.
Top menu picks:
- Pub classic Chicken Parma
- House Made Roast Pumpkin Gnocchi
- Garlic Prawn & Salami Pizza
- Peppered Roo Fillet
- Apple Crumble Slice
Neruda’s South American
66 Breese St
If you’ve always wanted to go to South America, you’ll love this next Brunswick restaurant. Step into Neruda’s and you’ll wonder if time travel exists, because it seriously feels like being transported to the food-centric flair of Brazilian streets.
Named after the famed poet Pablo Neruda, this traditional South American eatery and one of the best restaurants in Brunswick offers a genuine taste of South America.
Step into a world where vibrant murals, intricate paper sculptures, and charming straw hats evoke the essence of sunny South American days. Bookshelves brimming with Pablo Neruda’s poetry and intricate hand drums beckon you to disconnect from your phone and immerse yourself in a South American adventure, all without leaving Australia!
Top menu picks:
- Tostadas with Palta and Jamon (lightly toasted artisan bread with smashed avo and ham)
- Cheese-stuffed Arepas
- Chacarero Pancito Sandwich (pan-fried seasoned steak sandwich with mashed avocado and fresh tomato)
- De Pino Empanadas with slow-cooked meat, onions, and olives
- Pescado Frito Al Plato (pan-fried fish of the day with rice, tomatoes and onion
Bar Oussou
653 Sydney Rd
For a true Brunswick experience, grab a drink and catch a live show at Bar Oussou. This iconic bar is a genuine local haunt, and a trip here will really make you feel like one of the Brunswick crew.
While of course Bar Oussou's menu is off the charts, the venue is particularly known for its eclectic live music. Oussou boasts eclectic arthouse vibes, cosy dim-lit tables, and some of the best local music and spoken word acts around.
The establishment celebrates a variety of genres under the umbrella of World Music, featuring local musicians from diverse backgrounds. It likes to create a cultural exchange, embracing differences while maintaining the integrity of each unique style.
Enjoy afro-beat, jazz, jazz-tronica, Latin, ethno and euro influences, hip hop, reggae, funk, soul, experimental, and more in this wheelchair-accessible venue.
Howler
7-11 Dawson St
Rising from the bones of an old warehouse (in classic Melbourne style), Howler has become a striking landmark in Brunswick. While the venue is primarily known for its live music and grungy-chic performance spaces, it also boasts a distinctive bar adorned with swaying trees and a hanging garden.
The drinks menu includes quirky selections like Japan’s Hitachino Nest and unique brews from America's creative breweries. For those feeling peckish, Howler offers a variety of small bites and hearty options like beef, pork, chicken, and fish burgers.
Top menu picks:
- Eye Fillet, Scotch, or Porterhouse Steak
- Salt & Pepper Calamari
- Chicken Dumplings
- Chicken or Vegan Parmigiana
- Wagyu Burger
Kumo Izakaya
152 Lygon St
When one of the best restaurants in Brunswick is housed inside a beautifully converted mid-century bank, you know it means business. Kumo Izakaya offers a contemporary twist on Japanese pub-style dining and drinking, and it's a must-visit when you next come to Melbourne.
Take a seat in the tatami room, at the dimly-lit bar, at one of the communal tables, tucked into a private booth, or in the breezy outdoor courtyard. Indulge in some authentic sake from a list featuring 80 varieties.
The menu at Kumo serves a diverse array of Japanese beers and innovative izakaya dishes. Alongside classics like yakitori and sashimi, you can find unique creations such as stuffed prunes with sesame butter, parmesan rice crackers with miso dip, duck fillet with cumquat sauce, and black sugar-cured salmon.
Top menu picks:
- Kingfish Carpaccio with Yuzu Ponzu
- Grilled Patagonian Toothfish
- Ramen Gnocchi with Crispy Grana Padano
- Tempeh Sushi Roll Maki
- Matcha Panna Cotta with Fresh Berry Compote and White Chocolate
400 Gradi
99 Lygon St
The crown jewel of Lyon Street simply has to make an appearance in our list of the best Brunswick restaurants. A staple for locals and visitors alike, 400 Gradi is the pinnacle of Melbourne’s treasured Italian dining scene.
We can confidently say that this moreish eatery serves some of the best authentic Italian pizza in the world (outside of Italy, that is). The establishment has venues worldwide, not to mention its other sister restaurants, and its carefully crafted pizza gets rave reviews every time.
Top menu picks:
- All the pizza (obviously) but we particularly like the Diavola, Mezzaluna, and Bufalina pizzas
- Pappardella Al Ragu Di Funghi (mixed wild mushroom ragu pasta with truffle cream, grana padano, and truffle pecorino)
- Polpette Al Sugo (slow cooked beef meatballs)
- Pan Seared Rockling with Calabrian Chilli Butter
- Spaghettoni Alla Carbonara with Pancetta, Free Range Eggs, Grana Padano, and Pecorino
Los Hermanos
339 Victoria St
No Brunswick restaurants list is complete without a Mexican venue so good you won’t be able to resist ordering that third, fourth, or even fifth taco.
Los Hermanos on Victoria Street is the quintessential late-night taqueria that’ll have you bubbling over with good feels thanks to its incredibly moreish food and slurp-worthy margaritas.
Go for the food and stay for the vibes at this restaurant-meets-bar. There’s always a party at Hermanos, and it’ll transport you to the fizzling streets of Mexico with its lively atmosphere and authentic-as-it-gets Mexican street food.
Find unique menu items like cactus salads, grilled corn kernels, and traditional Mexican flan. The Diablo cocktail is diabolically delicious, and the Mezcal Margarita is a consistent winner.
Top menu picks:
- Tinga De Pollo Taco (braised chicken shredded and re-cooked with chipotle chillies)
- Pescado Taco (beer battered fish fillet, red cabbage, and chipotle mayo)
- Slow Cooked Pork Quesadillas
- Ensalada De Nopales (cactus strips marinated in lime juice, fresh tomato, and grilled onion)
- Churros Dusted in Cinnamon Sugar
Hanoi Rose
161 Sydney Rd
Fresh, simple, yet packed with authentic flavours, Hanoi Rose is one of Brunswick’s best and most popular Vietnamese restaurants. Established by owner and chef Thu Nguyen, Hanoi Rose prides itself on staying true to its heritage while delivering explosions of flavour and edgy urban flair to Melbournites.
Vines and flowers drip from the ceiling and vibrant Vietnamese murals adorn the walls. The relaxed, cosy, family-oriented atmosphere complements the deliciously fresh food, which strikes a beautiful balance between simplicity and innovation.
The venue caters to vegetarians, gluten free goers, vegan eaters, and Halal diners. The menu looks decadent, but the dishes are actually super healthy – perfect for that light yet satisfying dinner we all crave.
Top menu picks:
- Tiger Prawns Coated in Rice Flakes
- Chicken Wingettes in Caramelised FIsh Sauce
- Bo Luc Lac – Vietnamese ‘Shaking’ Beef
- Vegetable, Tofu & Shiitake Mushroom Stir Fry
- Crispy Skin Chicken Salad with Coleslaw
- Banana Fritters with Vanilla Ice Cream
Postmistress Eatery
71 Melville Rd
Finally, we return to Italy for our final Brunswick restaurant recommendation – and you’ll be glad you stuck around to read about this culinary gem. Postmistress Eatery sits on a quieter corner of Brunswick, but don’t let that fool you – inside, it’s a haven of rustic Italian goodness with a vibrant urban Melbourne twist.
It’s housed inside yet another converted building (Melbourne likes to do this a lot). The blonde-brick building that was once a post office and Greek social club is now a stylish contemporary bistro that draws diners from all parts of Melbourne.
Expect traditional dishes like arancini, calamari fritti, and wood-fired pizza, alongside creative offerings such as beetroot gnocchi, crispy rice risotto with chargrilled calamari, and scialatielli—a thick, short pasta from the Amalfi Coast.
Top menu picks:
- Cazzilli Di Patate (potato croquettes with pecorino, parmigiano, and smoked scamorza)
- Agnello (Paccheri pasta with slow cooked lamb ragu)
- Dentice Puttanesca (snapper fillet with tomato, capers, onions, and garlic)
- The Postmistress Pizza (fior di latte, Italian prosciutto, buffalo mozzarella, and basil)
- Crema Catalina (lemon infused custard with a burnt sugar top)
Stay, Eat, Repeat at Rambla
Get your fill of all these delicious Brunswick restaurants and more when you stay with us at Rambla @ Solarino House!
Located in the perfect position to give you direct, easy access to the CBD while keeping these eateries in walking distance, Solarino House is destined to be your home away from home in Melbourne.
Book your stay with Rambla and get ready to stay, eat, and repeat.
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