Northcote doesn’t do trends — it does evolution. While Brunswick is busy opening its third natural wine bar of the month and Fitzroy North is trying to decide if it’s the new Fitzroy, Northcote just quietly adds to its already stacked lineup. Here’s what’s landed, what’s coming, and what you need to know about Northcote’s latest arrivals in 2026.
Vex Dining — The Veg-Forward Wine Bar Everyone’s Talking About
Created by two former head chefs — one from Neighbourhood Wine, one from Bar Romantica — Vex is a veg-forward wine bar that treats vegetables as the main event. The space splits between a sunlight-filled dining room and a fairy light-studded lemon tree courtyard out back. Standout dishes include smoky-sweet turnips with a brown butter glaze, a brown butter fish, and an amaro sorbet for dessert.
Why it matters: Northcote already has strong veg options (Brother Bon, Wazzup Falafel) but Vex fills the gap between casual vegan and fine dining.
Where: High Street, Northcote Budget: $60-$90 for two with wine
Zsa’s — European Bistro, Bar and Deli
A light-filled European bistro, bar, and deli all in one. The bistro menu does all-day European classics — tartines, seasonal plates, dishes that let the produce do the talking. The bar section is a natural wine paradise. The real draw is the deli counter: fresh pasta, fancy tinned fish, charcuterie, and other staples you can take home.
Why it matters: Northcote has been missing a proper European-style deli-bistro hybrid. Zsa’s fills that gap.
Where: High Street, Northcote Budget: $40-$70 for two at the bistro, or grab deli items for $20-$30
High Note Bar — Heritage Theatre Turned Wine Cave
Tucked inside the old Theatre of the Electric Shadow, the space feels like a hidden cave: low ceilings, atmospheric lighting, and DJs spinning vinyl on a vintage Altec Lansing sound system that once graced the Sydney Opera House. The wine list leans lo-fi and natural, with emphasis on Victorian producers. Small — maybe 40 people max — which means every night feels intimate.
Where: 238 High Street, Northcote Budget: $30-$50 for two (wine by the glass + snacks)
Ophelia — The Retro Cafe-Wine Bar Hybrid
A European-ish menu, retro aesthetic, and a floor-to-ceiling record wall with vinyl spinning all day. The menu changes seasonally but always leans European — tarts, seasonal salads, dishes that work equally well with coffee at 10am or wine at 7pm. Near Palace Westgarth cinema.
Where: Westgarth, Northcote Budget: $30-$50 for two
Akimbo Bread — Micro-Bakery That Top Restaurants Rely On
The suburban shopfront sells the same sourdough that ends up on the tables of Aru and Bar Bellamy. Plus fruit bread, fougasse, and fluffy focaccia. At $8-$12 for a loaf, it’s cheaper than most Melbourne cafe coffees.
Where: High Street, Northcote Budget: $8-$15 per loaf/pastry
Brother Bon — Pan-Asian Vegan in a Converted Space
Brother Bon continues building its reputation as the vegan restaurant that even committed meat-eaters recommend. The pan-Asian menu covers brunch through dinner — fragrant noodle soups, dumplings, stir-fries, and gua bao that competes head-to-head with meat versions. The condensed milk espresso martini is genuinely dessert and drink in one.
Where: 448 High Street, Northcote Budget: $25-$45 for two
Welcome to Thornbury — Still Going Strong
Melbourne’s first permanent food truck park — set in a former Morris Minor factory on the Northcote/Thornbury border — has been running for nearly a decade and still feels fresh. Rotating food truck lineup, 35+ beer taps, expanded arcade section, improved outdoor heating. The 10th birthday carnival is coming in August 2026.
Where: 520 High Street, Thornbury (right on the Northcote border) Budget: $25-$45 for two
Coming Soon: What’s on the Radar
- New wine bar activity around the Westgarth end of High Street near Palace Westgarth and Merri Creek
- Expanded outdoor dining — several High Street venues adding courtyard and street-facing seating
- Merri Creek precinct — watch the gap between the creek trail and High Street for new cafe/bar openings
Updates to Existing Venues
- Northcote Social Club continues booking strong lineups — gigs Thursday through Sunday, free live music on Mondays
- Palace Westgarth has installed a courtyard bar for pre-movie drinks
- Mesob Ethiopian maintains its live jazz program on weekends
- Pizza Meine Liebe continues refining its seasonal menu with weekly woodfired specials
Getting Around the New Openings
The beauty of Northcote’s new openings is that they’re almost all on or near High Street. Walk the entire strip from Palace Westgarth in the south to Welcome to Thornbury in the north in about 20 minutes.
- 86 tram runs the full length of High Street from the CBD
- Hurstbridge/Mernda line — Northcote station and Merri station both within walking distance
- Bike: Merri Creek Trail connects to the High Street strip
- Parking: Free on side streets off High Street. Avoid the main strip on weekends.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best new restaurant in Northcote? Vex Dining is the standout new opening — veg-forward dining from serious chefs at accessible prices.
Is High Note hard to find? Yes, deliberately. Look for the heritage theatre entrance at 238 High Street and follow the stairs down. The hidden entrance is part of the appeal.
What’s the best new opening for a date? Vex Dining for dinner, High Note for drinks after. The two are walkable on High Street and the combination is excellent.
The Verdict
Northcote’s 2026 openings reinforce what this suburb has always been about: quality over quantity, substance over style, and venues that feel like they belong rather than venues trying to create a moment. You can visit four new openings in a single evening for under $100. That’s peak Northcote.
More from the neighbourhood: Cheap Eats in Northcote · Date Night in Northcote · New Openings in Thornbury · New in Fitzroy North
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