A community-minded hotspot is set to open in September, headed up by Hannah Green, the restaurateur behind Brunswick East’s beloved Etta. Taking over the 125-seat space occupied by Bar Romantica, Daphne will comprise two distinct sections.
The front is set to be a bar space with counter service, where walk-ins are welcome both inside and in the outdoor seating on Lygon Street. Meanwhile, the back of the venue will be devoted to a restaurant with table service, plus a semi-private dining room, the menu informed chiefly by the custom wood-fire grill and oven. Expect European-style fare made with the best seasonal produce, handpicked from nearby farms and longtime collaborators. Daphne’s head chef will be announced in June, allowing plenty of time to develop a Melbourne-centric menu focusing on one-plate meals and snacks ahead of the spring opening.
Known for her bright warmth and hospitality, Green was nominated for Gourmet Traveller’s Restaurant Personality of the Year in 2022, while Etta took home Victoria’s Restaurant of the Year in 2023 under her lead. So, while “something for everyone” might sound like a platitude elsewhere, Green is capable of turning it into a reality at Daphne. Designed with the community front-of-mind, she hopes it will appeal to families, groups, first dates, off-duty hospo folk, and more. Underpinning this ethos, there will be “happy meals” for the little ones; while a roster of regular themes will look after locals, with steak night and midweek noodles on the cards.
“This site has meant so much to Brunswick East over the years, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be its next custodian,” says Green. “What I hope to create with Daphne is a welcoming space where everyone feels comfortable, and that isn’t just for special occasions. Somewhere friends can drop in for an impromptu cocktail a couple of times a week, and parents can take the kids for an early meal before heading home for bath time.”
While families will be well looked after, nights will also be a drawcard. Honouring the venue’s existing late licence, snacks and drinks will be served up until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, bolstered by a wine list crafted by sommelier Ashley Boburka (Etta and Rockpool). Yarra Valley winemaker Dom Valentine is set to craft wines on tap for the venue, which will sit alongside access to the entire 400-strong Etta wine list. Cocktails, which will feature a Monday evening Martini, come courtesy of Sam Peasnell (Etta and Dom’s Social Club).
In terms of décor, IF Architecture has chosen a palette of walnut timber, stainless steel, glass brick, marble, antique mirrors, coffee-coloured upholstery, coral tiles and crimson textiles. Some parts of the building’s past life will remain, with Romantica’s original terrazzo floors and custom-built sound system still in place.
With a slated September opening, Daphne is already looking to be one of the most exciting Melbourne launches for 2025.
Daphne is set to open at 52-54 Lygon Street, Brunswick East in September 2025.
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