What used to be an offshoot of Brunswick, is now one of the trendiest suburbs in Melbourne. Brunswick East has well and truly bloomed, and now you can hardly walk a few metres down Lygon Street without encountering another restaurant you want to try.
And it’s not just bustling Lygon Street where you’ll find the top restaurants Brunswick East has to offer. Venture a little further to East Brunswick Village and you’ll find even more gems.
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Interested in more of the best in Brunswick East? Head over here for the best bars, cafes and bakeries in Brunswick East.
From hatted Thai fusion to iconic Middle Eastern, you're spoilt for choice in this inner north suburb. Keep scrolling for the best East Brunswick restaurants in 2025, according to Urban List.
3 Sisters Eatery
41 Lygon Street, Brunswick East
With a Good Food Hat under its belt, 3 Sisters Eatery is a must try when it comes to Brunswick East restaurants. They serve up modern Thai fusion that’s seriously next level. If anyone could make brussel sprouts mouth-wateringly good, it’s the team at 3 Sisters. The freshly made roti, crispy silken tofu, prawn salad and tom kha barramundi are all highlights. It’s cute and intimate inside, with seats at the bar or windows offering up the best views.
INSIDER INTEL
- The Feed Me menu costs $55pp and provides all the goods.
- There are plenty of vegetarian options on the menu.
- To drink, order at least one Whispers Of Chiang Mai cocktail consisting of Mekhong Thai rum, Cointreau and lime.
Etta
60 Lygon Street, Brunswick East
Image: Etta Brunswick East | Supplied
Etta is a charming neighbourhood restaurant serving up impressive modern Aussie cuisine, or what they call ‘Melburnian’ style food. Lauded as one of the best restaurants on Lygon Street, the contemporary diner focuses on local ingredients and bold, wholesome flavours. Highlights include the wood fired rare beef and the rainbow trout with salt baked celeriac. Despite serving up haute cuisine, Etta is at heart a fun, cheerful and musical venue so don't be afraid to take your time and soak up the vibes.
INSIDER INTEL
- Stay tuned for more info on the opening of Daphne. It’s by the restaurateur behind Etta, Hannah Green, and is located just a few doors down from Etta.
- The wine list is impressive but so are their cocktails, think Salted Caramel Old Fashioned or Milk & Honey with beeswax gin.
- Get the set menu for $115 per person.
Rumi
2 Village Avenue, Brunswick East
Image: RUMI | Supplied
For your modern Middle Eastern flavour hit, you can't go past East Brunswick restaurant, Rumi. It’s been around for 19 years, having moved from Lygon Street to East Brunswick Village, and this institution is as epic as ever. Renowned for their huge banquets, Rumi's menu is designed to share, and features spiced Lebanese lamb shoulder, freekeh salad and — our personal favourite — sigara boregi (pastry stuffed with haloumi and kasseri).
INSIDER INTEL
- Banquets start at $70 per person.
- Rumi does takeaway, so you can enjoy it from the comfort of your own couch.
- Their wine list features tipples from all around the world. Think Turkey, Greece, Georgia, and Slovenia.
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KURA
30 Lygon Street, Brunswick East
KURA meaning ‘cellar’ is a love letter to both sake and Japanese flame grilled cuisine known as robata-yaki. Everything at this moody restaurant is cooked over woodfire or coals for maximum flavour. All the sake is meticulously selected and served chilled to retain the subtle flavours and fragrances. Dining here is a complete experience, and one you’re bound to enjoy.
INSIDER INTEL
- Set menus start at $65 per person.
- Want to venture from sake? Try their Miso Butter Old Fashioned.
- Follow their Instagram for updates on collabs, events, and more.
Bar Idda
132 Lygon Street, Brunswick East
Image: Bar Idda | Supplied
Bar Idda is a cosy, wholesome, heart filling restaurant experience. Especially in the summer, you can’t beat sitting out on the street, soaking up all the ambiance Brunswick East’s Lygon Street has to offer. The menu is tied to Sicilian-style dining, with offerings occasionally straying into subtle Middle-Eastern influences. Definitely try one of their pasta options, like the Tagliatelle with blue swimmer crab, zucchini, saffron and chilli.
INSIDER INTEL
- Bar Idda's Sicilian chef's menu is the biz, for just $70 plus $45 for a matched wine pairing.
- The wine list has some awesome big bottles for sharing, like a 1L of Montepulciano.
- Their spritzes are the ultimate refreshing pick-me-up.
Old Palm Liquor
133B Lygon Street, Brunswick East
Image: Old Palm Liquor | Supplied
Old Palm Liquor is housed in a former warehouse, an ideal space for a wine, a bar snack and before you know it three hours will have passed. The oozing 80s aesthetic throughout provides the laid-back atmosphere perfect for all sorts of occasions. The seasonal menu changes daily but you can expect wonders like woodfired cider-brined Otway pork chop or charred broccolini with radicchio and confit garlic cream.
INSIDER INTEL
- The mid week flathead is a winner: whole flathead with garlic butter served with flatbread and spiced whipped ricotta for $50.
- The wine list is impressive — 1300 varieties are on offer.
- From the charming courtyard to the indoor fire, it doesn’t matter where you sit.
Eat Pierogi Make Love
161 Lygon Street, Brunswick East
Image: Eat Pierogi Make Love | Supplied
From a humble market stall to one of the best East Brunswick restaurants in 2025, Eat Pierogi Make Love is one to add to your list. Serving up mouthwatering Polish food, this joint is loud, fun, and energetic. From the menu offerings to the bang on service, it’s a culinary experience unlike many others, and one you’re likely to remember long after leaving.
INSIDER INTEL
- The chef’s menu costs $59pp and is a solid choice if you feel overwhelmed looking at the menu.
- Monday night is all-you-can-eat pierogies for $39.
- Their strawberries and cream fresh pasta is equal parts weird and wonderful.
Téta Mona
100A Lygon Street, Brunswick East
Image: Téta Mona | Supplied
Run by twin brothers Antoine and Charlie Taouk who learned traditional Lebanese recipes and skills from their grandmother Mona, Téta Mona is a legacy to its namesake and to Lebanese culture.
They serve up truly fabulous Lebanese food and possibly some of the best falafels in Melbourne. Other than their falafels try the Sambousek Bi Jebne, which are halloumi and feta pastries topped with pomegranate molasses. The fried cauliflower is also a must-try. No matter what you order, expect a feast of epic proportions.
INSIDER INTEL
- You can’t go wrong with the banquet which starts at $54, and includes your choice of six dishes.
- The Lebanese wine is very affordable and well worth dabbling in.
- It gets busy, book ahead at peak times.
Capricho Grilled Chicken Brunswick East
418 Lygon Street, Brunswick East
When you want something satisfying and healthy but don’t want to cook (we’ve all been there), Capricho’s is your go-to. It’s honest, free-range, halal and chemical-free chicken with Latin-inspired marinade. Get a whole roasted chicken and choose your spice level (from Capricho BBQ or lime & herb to habanero BBQ or hot) with a side of sweet potato chips and grilled corn.
INSIDER INTEL
- The Capricho burrito is delish.
- Enjoy the colourful interior or you get your finger-licking chicken to-go.
- There are vegetarian options too, for the non meat-eaters.
Main image credit: Old Palm Liquor
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