Great, warm cosy pub in Fitzroy. Meals are cheap and plentiful. Food can sometimes be a bit up and down so stick to the classics. Decor is funky and comfortable and there's an open fire making it a great place to hang out in winter.

Approximate cost: $15

Grand facade with a cosy interior. Food is usually pretty good. Great value mid week meals as well. Check out trivia on Thursday nights upstairs for a few laughs. Staff are friendly. Overall a great place for a few drinks to warms you up over winter.

Great, funky retro Japanese restaurant on Smith St. Food is great - try the seared yellow tail kingfish if you get the chance. Staff are lovely. Only problem is that it's tiny and often packed. The courtyard out the back is gorgeous - book there if you can in summer for a fab night out.

Approximate cost: $20

Dodgy name - I understand it's tongue in cheek but if you're going to call your restaurant something like this then it has to be brilliant. And it's not really. It does have potential though. Food is fresh and tasty for the most part. Service is slow though and drinks are super exxy (probably to make up for the cheap food prices).

Approximate cost: $12

Great, intimate little restaurant/bar near Southern Cross station. Food is great - bistro style meals cooked skillfully and quickly. Staff are lovely. My only suggestion for improvement would be vegie options on the menu and maybe a bigger range of prices. I'd like to go there for lunch more often but I just cant justify a $20 main for lunch too often.

Approximate cost: $20

This place feels like going back in time. The waiters greet you with a bow and the decor is classic 70s Chinese restaurant. A fabulous old bloke sings love songs in half chinese/half english in the corner. The food is authentic and delicious. Prices are not cheap but reasonable for the quality. Highly recommended.

Approximate cost: $20

Great, high volume turnover Thai restaurant. Perfect for a meal with friends before a night out. Authentic Thai food which is brilliant and VERY cheap. Only problem is grabbing a waitress' attention on the weekend - this place is packed and often has a queue out the door!

Approximate cost: $10

Yet another bar in Brunswick's new epicentre. The bar with integrity seems to be the tagline. But it is true. They manage to support the small growers and promote them without without pretension. My only gripe is that they need to get a bit grass roots and get Carlton or some such on tap. I love trying boutique beers as much as anyone but on a Friday night, after a couple of hours, it would be nice to be able to switch to a cheaper option and get out of there without being a hundred dollars poorer.

Divine. The food here is amazing. Rustic without being too rustic. What can I say? It's like the best middle eastern mama in the world is cooking for you with the best produce available. Have the banquet. That's all I can say. And even better, the Alderman's right next door. Oh, good luck getting a booking without 2 weeks notice though...

Approximate cost: $18

I actually feel like I'm betraying the locals by talking about this bar! Fabulous. Comfy. Great decor. Everything you could want from a night out in Brunswick. The superlatives could go on. Great (tiny) courtyard and cosy interior. Several locals show up with their dogs and no one minds. Staff are lovely. No food really but you can order from the fabulous Rumi next door.