Where To Eat & Drink In Fitzroy & Collingwood: 10 Great New Restaurants, Cafes & Bars (2026)

MELBOURNE | Fitzroy and neighbouring Collingwood remain home to some of the best of Melbourne’s food and drink scene in 2026. Both suburbs are constantly evolving with fresh openings, creative dining concepts, and passionate independent operators.

Having spent plenty of time eating and drinking my way through the area, I’ve seen a brilliant wave of new venues take root over the past 24 months. From springy udon, wood-fired seasonal cooking, and cosy neighbourhood pubs to natural wine bars, regional Armenian flavours, Filipino street eats, and buttery Malaysian-Swedish-inspired pastries, the inner north’s newest additions are some of its most exciting yet.

To help you find your next great meal or drink, I’ve put together this curated guide to 10 of my favourite new restaurants, bakeries, cafes, and bars in Fitzroy and Collingwood based on my recent visits.

[Subheading H2] Great Spots in Fitzroy

Udon Izakaya Tanukiya

Udon Izakaya Tanukiya sees Hokkaido-born chef Fujio Tamura turn his attention to Japan’s springy Kagawa-style udon noodles. Inspired by Kagawa Prefecture’s neighborhood shops, the space combines light timber and counter seating with sets, single bowls, and an outstanding evening izakaya menu.

• Location: 256 Johnston Street, Fitzroy.
• Why Go: Authentic Kagawa udon served hot or cold alongside crisp tempura, agedashi tofu, and Japanese sake.
• Must-Try: The cold udon set served in kombu water with hot bonito dipping broth, seasonal tempura, and genmaicha.
• Read More: Read my full review of Udon Izakaya Tanukiya

Pendant Public Bar

Pendant Public Bar delivers an instant-classic pub feel. Created by hospo veterans Belinda Linton and Luke Kelly (with experience spanning Mr. West, The Everleigh, Black Pearl, and Apollo Inn), it pairs retro pendant lights and dark timber booths with top-shelf drinks and a dog-friendly policy.

• Location: 334 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy.
• Why Go: Sharp cocktails, an accessible Australian/Old World wine list, and a solid spirit selection in a space that feels like it’s been there for years.
• Must-Try: The House Old Fashioned (Cognac, Rye, and Cask-Strength Curacao) or a $10 happy hour Guinness.
• Read More: Read my full review of Pendant Public Bar

Moondrop

Located up the stairs in the former space of The Everleigh, Moondrop is an Eastern-inspired cocktail bar from the team behind Sleepy’s (Steve Chan, Jacob Muoio, and Jesse Kourmouzis). The space retains its cosy nooks while bringing a playful vibe centred around East Asian flavours, dumplings, and thoughtful low/non-alcoholic options.

• Location: L1/150 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy.
• Why Go: Exceptional, playful cocktails informed by Shanghai pop-up trips, paired with house-made dumplings and BBQ mushroom bao.
• Must-Try: The Chanhattan (whisky, lapsang souchong, and chocolate liqueur) or Me & Ube (three rums, oat milk, ube, and tapioca pearls).
• Read More: Read my full review of Moondrop

Hands Down

Hands Down brings a high-spirited, 70s-inspired drinks hideout to Fitzroy. Backed by a team of hospitality stalwarts, it’s built for pre-dinner vermouths, energetic wines, and late-night bar snacks with great vinyl playing through a vintage Tannoy sound system.

• Location: Greeves Street, Fitzroy.
• Why Go: Unpretentious bar energy, top-tier cocktails, and aperitivo vibes in a cozy neighborhood setting.
• Must-Try: A 50-50 Martini or Pastis Swizzle paired with gildas and salty bar snacks.

Palay

Chef Fhred Batalona (alongside Lawrence Jasper Menor, Ralph Libo-on, and Michael Mabuti) opened Palay to celebrate the food of his homeland and his chef mother Alma, Palay serves honest traditional Filipino dishes with subtle modern flourishes, alongside brunch, silog, and night-time cocktails.

• Location: 135 Greeves Street, Fitzroy.
• Why Go: A bright, welcoming restaurant showcasing vibrant regional Filipino cooking and a $65 tasting menu.
• Must-Try Dish: The Kinilaw (coconut milk ceviche-style market fish), grilled chicken adobo skewers, and sizzling pork sisig.
• Read More: Read my full review of Palay

ChickyBoi

Civil engineer Adriel Reddy turned his popular pop-up into a permanent home on Brunswick Street inside what was the bottle shop side of Near & Far. Dedicated to a constant kaizen-like refinement of his double-dredged fried chicken, ChickyBoi serves some of the most reputation-worthy fried chicken sandwiches in the city.

• Location: 375 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy.
• Why Go: Hand-breaded, ultra-crispy chicken thigh served on soft Martin’s potato rolls with custom pickles and sauces.
• Must-Try Dish: The SpicyBoi (Nashville spicy oil-dipped fried chicken with dill ranch and bread & butter pickles) or the ChickyBoi OG.
• Read More: Read my full review of ChickyBoi

Great Spots in Collingwood

Little House

Owner Richard Duncan’s Little House is a cozy, warmly lit wine bar on Smith Street dominated by a long central bar leading to an open kitchen. Head Chef Federico “Freddy” Carnevale delivers a seasonal, European-leaning menu that gets the essentials right without pretension.

• Location: 98 Smith Street, Collingwood.
• Why Go: Great wine list by sommelier Chris Winter (including Victorian Konpira Maru on tap for $12), sharp cocktails, and excellent modern Australian plates.
• Must-Try Dish: Puffed pasta “chicharron” dusted with marinara seasoning to start, followed by the BBQ wagyu skirt or brick chicken.
• Read More: Read my full review of Little House

Zareh

Created by chef Tom Sarafian and partner Jinane Bou Assi, Zareh is an ode to Tom’s Armenian-Egyptian grandfather and Jinane’s Lebanese heritage. Centred around a custom Brick Chef charcoal grill and a custom sound system playing vinyl, stepping inside feels like entering a long-established family home.

• Location: 368 Smith Street, Collingwood.
• Why Go: Deeply comforting, refined Middle Eastern and Armenian dishes cooked over fire, paired with an outstanding Lebanese/Armenian wine and arak cocktail list.
• Must-Try Dish: Tom’s famous hummus topped with king prawns and spanner crab, and charcoal-grilled skewers.
• Read More: Read my full review of Zareh

The Pontian Club

Founded by Alessandro Brunetti and Bertie Pavlidis (with menu development from Gimlet chef Oscar Tan), The Pontian Club evolved from a popular pop-up into a vibrant restaurant celebrating Anatolian Greek food. The short, simple menu relies heavily on fire, olive oil, lemon, and herbs grown in the founders’ mothers’ gardens.

• Location: 8 Smith Street, Collingwood.
• Why Go: Unpretentious Greek hospitality, keen pricing, and delicious charcoal-grilled dishes.
• Must-Try Dish: House-baked crusty bread with roasted eggplant dip, grilled octopus, and the house Youvetsi.
• Read More: Read my full review of The Pontian Club

Dua Bakehouse

Located inside Collingwood Yards, Dua Bakehouse is a Scandinavian-inspired, South East Asian-influenced (“Scandinasian”) bakery by Raymond Tan (of Raya fame). Inspired by Swedish baking culture, all breads (shokupan, pandesal, brioche) are baked fresh on site daily in a bright, mid-century space.

• Location: Collingwood Yards, 35 Johnston Street, Collingwood.
• Why Go: Inventive pastries blending French and Scandinavian baking with Southeast Asian ingredients like pandan, coconut, and gula melaka.
• Must-Try Dish: The Pandan Princess Cake (pandan chiffon, pastry cream, and marzipan) and the pork & prawn siu mai sausage roll.
• Read More: Read my full review of Dua Bakehouse

My Top Inner-North Dining Tips

1. Plan Your Route by Vibe: Start your morning at Collingwood Yards with pastries from Dua Bakehouse, head down Smith or Brunswick Street for dinner at Zareh or Palay, and finish with drinks at Hands Down, a pint at Pendant Public Bar, or late-night udon at Tanukiya.
2. Bookings vs. Walk-ins: Dinner spots like Zareh and Palay book out well in advance for prime weekend slots—lock them in early or drop in right at opening for bar counter seats.
3. Getting Around: Trams 86 (Smith St) and 11 (Brunswick St) run parallel through the heart of both suburbs, making hopping between venues effortless.

From cosy Japanese izakayas and neighbourhood pubs to wood-fired kitchens, contemporary wine bars, and creative bakeries, Fitzroy and Collingwood continue to set a high water mark for food and drink in Melbourne.