The lesser-known end of Lygon Street, Brunswick East with surprising finds

What makes Lygon Street Brunswick East special?

This stretch of Lygon Street is a gastronome’s delight. Like a condensed selection of all of the celebrated cuisines Melbourne’s northern suburbs have to offer, the top end of Lygon Street boasts some of the best pizza in the world, mouth-watering Middle Eastern, Texan barbecue, burgers and a smattering of wine spots perfect for a spontaneous weekend bar hop.

The northern end of Lygon Street in Brunswick East – the reserved cousin of Brunswick proper – has, since the late 1800s, been home to an array of small shops, greengrocers, pastry cooks and manufacturers. With the exodus of larger textile manufacturers in the 1970s came a more vibrant shopping precinct, and cafes and bars popped up to make it the exciting, dynamic neighbourhood it is today. An evening of people-watching on this strip would provide irresistible viewing of a mix of artists, Yo Pros and students, coming together to create the street’s tangible buzz.

Whether it be a quiet bite on a weeknight or a full-blown weekend spree in a foodie paradise, Lygon Street has it all.

What will you find there?

As I meander south from Glenlyon Road, I am lured into Sugardough Panificio and Patisserie’s glassy shopfront by luxurious looking pastries filling its windows. The quaint and quirky cafe is busy, its walls boasting framed newspaper and magazine reviews – one of which tells me I need to buy a sweet treat – on Matt Preston’s orders. Kevin Nguyen, who has run the bakery with his mother for the past five years, says he loves the homey feel of the place – and the customers do too. “I love the fact that everything is made in-house, so I know what goes into it, and getting to know all the regulars,” Nguyen says.

I take a (delicious) beef and mushroom pie with me and walk past the vibrant Maker Maker yarn store, a gorgeous little nook for grabbing whatever you need to whip up a quick beanie using organic or ethically sourced fibres. Further down the road, you’ll find the refined yet entirely unpretentious Blackhearts and Sparrows wine shop. It’s famous for opening the door to boutique wines, craft beers, ciders and specialised spirits to the everyday punter looking for a hip, tasty drop at a bargain price. Manager Grace Baker says talking to customers and connecting with people is a special part of the job.

“Lygon Street, in particular, has a beautiful sense of community up this end,” she says.

Some other notable mentions include Bluebonnet Barbecue for a decadent taste of Texas, Old Palm Liquor’s impressive wine list, Bar Idda’s second-to-none Sicilian food and 400 Gradi for the best margherita pizza in the world (literally).

Our top tip

Veer off into side streets. Just off Lygon, on Barkly Street, you will find a giant Brotherhood of St Laurence op shop jam-packed full of books, records, clothes, furniture. It has a retro corner full of curated vintage goodies too. Grab a coffee next door at Lucy Lockett after you browse.

How to get there

Lygon Street, Brunswick/Brunswick East – parking available on Lygon Street and side streets – catch trams 1 or 6 to Weston Street, stop 121.