Top 10 Things To Do and See in Brunswick, Melbourne

“This is a great little café. It makes one thing, which is a roll, and it’s the most delicious pastrami roll in the world. It’s a bit of an iconic sandwich,” Abboud says. The sandwiches are made to order with pastrami, cheese, lettuce, tomato and homemade mayonnaise with basil. “[The roll] is very simple and so delicious that every time you finish one you feel like you could get another straight away.”

The Alderman, an Art Deco-inspired bar in East Brunswick, is, as Abboud calls it, “part of the old guard”. The bar has a 1930s-style decor, with dark-wood panelling in the main room and a fireplace in the back room, while a leafy courtyard offers plenty of outdoor seating and large tables. There’s also an upstairs gallery with regular art exhibitions, poetry readings and book launches. “This is exactly what you want your local bar to be,” Abboud says. “It’s very comfortable, warm and friendly.” Visitors can snack on tapas from the Sicilian-inspired Bar Idda next door, which he also recommends.

With a focus on seasonal produce, this Sicilian-inspired institution offers tapas and mains, with an emphasis on home-cooked comfort food. The highly recommended mulinciani (eggplants in Sicilian dialect) is like a vegetarian lasagna baked with layered eggplant slices, passata, buffalo mozzarella, basil and pecorino.

Located on 4.5 hectares (11 acres), CERES is a not-for-profit sustainability centre that runs environmental education courses and demonstrations. The centre also houses a popular café, a nursery, bike shed, organic farm and a market garden. Open every day for breakfast and lunch, Merri Cafe is CERES’s own organic café catering to all dietary requirements, and one that works in partnership with local farmers and producers. “CERES is a great place to check out while you’re in Brunswick,” Abboud says. “Take a bike ride along Merri Creek to CERES or simply wander around the living, breathing gardens and see people in their veggie patches with the plots they have. There’s something very magical about it.”

With workshops, events and up to six programmed exhibitions a year, Blak Dot Gallery is a hub for Indigenous artwork. The not-for-profit organisation was established in 2011 as a contemporary, Indigenous-run space and is a definite must-visit, according to Ulman. “Beautifully curated and ever-impressive, Blak Dot is Indigenous-run and showcases mesmerising global Indigenous works,” she says.

Located in the heart of Brunswick, Record Paradise is a big supporter of independent music with a huge selection of new release and reissue vinyl that includes labels Mistletone, Poison City Records and MILK among others. With the latest releases, in-store performances and music merchandise available, music lovers can’t get enough of this place. “Brunswick music, to me, is synonymous with Record Paradise,” says Ulman. “Whether you’re picking up the latest releases or classics, checking out in-store for amazing acts or just popping in for a yarn with owners Paul and Renee.”

A winery by day, and a wine bar and cellar door by night, Noisy Ritual has taken the thing you love about escaping to the Yarra Valley and placed it in an urban setting. The wine is locally made and available to taste in house or to take away, and you can grab some food, listen to live bands and take part in winemaking workshops. The venue also hosts one-off gigs as well as weekly DJ sets. There’s also a space you can hire for special events. For Ulman, it’s the perfect place to enjoy some of her favourite things. “Have you been to Noisy Ritual yet?,” Ulman asks. “If not, why not? I highly recommend its locally made wines, incredible food and wonderfully curated bands.”

Mr Kitly is a gallery, project space and shop that stocks a mixture of homewares. “This is a hidden gem on Sydney Road,” Carr says of the space. “There are lots of treasures from Japan and great design items.” The shop also stocks an array of plants, in addition to ceramic items, magazines and books on crafts, design and architecture.

Finki is another favourite pick of Carr’s for “great, independent designers”. The store boasts a range of cute stationery, jewellery, and men’s and women’s clothes with unique prints, all while promoting the talents of over 40 artists, designers and makers.

One of the first things you’ll notice upon entering Brunswick Bound is the counter, which is made entirely of books. “This is a perfect place for small and quirky gifts and they have a great range of local writers,” Carr says. They also stock vinyl records, stationery and jewellery and regularly host talks by authors.