The Best Restaurants in Fitzroy

Kushiro brings a sleek and modern take on Japanese dining to Brisbane’s inner north. Known for its artfully plated sashimi, delicately rolled sushi, and premium yakitori, the restaurant combines minimalist aesthetics with warm hospitality. Signature dishes include wagyu tataki, kingfish carpaccio, and melt-in-your-mouth salmon nigiri, best enjoyed alongside sake flights or crafted Japanese-inspired cocktails. The interiors balance wood, stone, and soft lighting, creating a calming environment suited to both intimate dinners and stylish group outings. With a focus on fresh produce and authentic technique, Kushiro delivers a refined Japanese dining experience with Brisbane energy.

Cutler and Co is housed in an old metalworks factory in Fitzroy and its design is a lesson in industrial chic. The kitchen is on show at the front of the restaurant and its performance in dishing up imaginative, exciting Modern Australian cuisine has earned it a legion of loyal diners, not to mention a swag of awards, including a place in the nations Top 10 Restaurants at the Gourmet Traveller 2014 awards.

ISH is a lively and creative Indian restaurant with some global influences and modern techniques, while still retaining the rich heritage and cultural integrity of Indian cuisine.Come and enjoy the flavours and traditions of different corners of India, reimagined with local ingredients and a contemporary, international flair. Trust us when we say it’s an experience worth sharing.

Ladro is a Fitzroy institution that has been operating 21 years serving hearty, delicious woodfired pizzas and Italian classics. Diners love the famous Badabing Pizza with pork & fennel sausage and chilli as well as Moreton Bay Bug Risotto and their famous 100 Layer Lasagna. You cannot leave without finishing the night with a serving of house made tiramisu. 

Tasty Basque-style pintxos and spiced vodka are perfectly sinful together at Naked for Satan; a unique Fitzroy restaurant whose name is a nod to its famous speakeasy origins. The addition of an upstairs rooftop bar is perfect for summer, offering great views over Fitzroy with a glass of Naked's original take on sangria.

The cosmopolitan outer Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy has a piece of Paris for diners to now escape to at Bon Ap. Tuck away into the cosy banquette style bar with large timber frame windows, with stunning vintages chandeliers hanging throughout, topped off with an elegant wrought iron staircase. Enjoy all day dining of charcuteries and fromage with a glass of something special from the bar list.

Freda's Bistro is located in Fitzroy, and you can expect a bistro that is unpretentious, warm, and full of flavour. Leaning heavily on French-Italian bistro traditions, the menu shifts seasonally with inventive vegetarian plates alongside stellar seafood and meat choices. Order the pressed lamb shoulder, beef brisket ragu gnocchi, char-grilled greens, and decadent sweets that hit just right. Don't leave thirsty, add rotating house wines by the glass, classic cocktails, and a cosy fit-out that suits dinner dates, family gatherings, or just a satisfying solo meal. 

Rice Paper Scissors in Fitzroy channels the vibrant energy of Asian hawker dining bars, where shared-eating takes centre stage. Inspired by the street food culture of South East Asia, it all began with two friends who shared a love for Asian cuisine and a dream of creating a place where fun, food, and drinks come together seamlessly. In 2013, that dream became a reality with the opening of Rice Paper Scissors. Here, there are no rules except to enjoy yourself with a drink in hand, fostering connections and creating memorable experiences through delicious food and lively ambiance.

Photography: Courtesy of Rice Paper Scissors Fitzroy

Housed in an elegant Victorian terrace, past the bohemian enclave of Melbourne's famous Brunswick Street, Matteo's offers seasonal contemporary Australian cuisine with Japanese overtones and an extensive wine list featuring rare cult' Victorian wines. Chef Brendan McQueen's dishes are polished and assured and with a dash of Italian hospitality from the ever-present owner Matteo Pignatelli, this smart restaurant is the full package.