Daphne Public House brings a new dining style
Daphne, the new public house by restaurateur Hannah Green, opens on 10 November at 52–54 Lygon Street, bringing a flavour-led menu, neighbourhood nights and a relaxed pub approach to Brunswick East. The venue blends Green’s signature hospitality with a menu designed for everyday dining, late-night visits and milestone moments, making it one of the area’s most anticipated openings.
The venue is shaped around accessibility and warmth. Green described the approach as “a restaurateur’s answer to a pub”, noting that the food is “highly delicious but not too fancy” and that everything on the menu should be easy to understand and enjoy. The space includes a front bar for walk-ins, curbside seating and a linen-draped bistro at the rear, with a private room for groups of up to 30 guests.
The opening brings together a team with deep roots in Melbourne dining. Restaurant Manager Pip Littore moves over from Etta and leads the front-of-house team. Head Chef Diana Desensi has created a produce-led menu cooked largely over a custom-built woodfire hearth by Samuel Frararracio of The Brick Chef, which shapes the tone of many dishes.
What visitors can expect at the new public house
The menu spans snacks, one-plate dinners, shareable meals and late-night options. Early dishes include Bloody Mary heirloom tomatoes with pickles and olives, grilled potato flatbread topped with mussels and celery hearts, and beef tartare lifted with hot sauce and potato crisps.
Larger dishes cover salads, woodfired chicken, pasta and a feature Bundarra Farm pork cotoletta finished with ‘Caesar’ leaves. Diners will also find ricotta tortellini with artichoke and radicchio, as well as the LP’s Quality Meats pig’s head hot dog with house barbecue sauce. Children can order from a short menu of burgers, chicken and veggies, and spaghetti Napoli.
From 10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, a dedicated supper menu takes over. Options include terrines, tinned fish, midnight spaghetti loaded with anchovies, capers, garlic and chilli, and gelato served with salty shoestring fries.
Neighbourhood nights will anchor the week. Mondays offer Martini Club, pairing $15 martinis with prawn sandos and smoked mozzarella toasties. Tuesdays feature Steak Night with rotating cuts or vegetarian pies for $30. Wednesdays deliver $25 pasta plates such as calamari cavatelli, or linguini with pistachio pesto and stracciatella.
Drinks, wine and cocktails at Daphne public house
Cocktails are curated by Sam Peasnell, with a list of ten familiar but refined drinks. Highlights include an Olive Oil Sour with black pepper, a Rhubarb Spritz brightened with white balsamic and a Guinness Americano with a chocolate twist. The martini selection ranges from classic styles to the 3057, a reverse martini made with vermouth, El Maestro Fino Sherry and house celery gin developed with White Possum.
Wine is led by Sommelier Ashley Boburka. The list focuses on texture and freshness, leaning toward local bottles with a few European features. Approximately 20 whites and 20 reds anchor the selection. Patrons wanting something more extensive can access Etta’s 450-bottle list. On tap, Dom Valentine’s wines pour at $10 a glass or $50 per carafe, alongside Daphne Draught by Hop Nation Brewing Co.
Design and atmosphere
IF Architecture designed the 125-seat space with a focus on warmth, texture and detail. Walnut timber, stainless steel, glass brick, Australian marble, antique mirror and coral tiles appear throughout. Original terrazzo floors from Cafe Romantica remain, along with Bar Romantica’s custom sound system, which will feature music curated by DJ JNETT.
The design supports Green’s broader vision for a pub-style venue with the polish of a neighbourhood restaurant. The mix of bar seating, bistro service and late-night offerings positions Daphne as a versatile addition to Brunswick East.
Address: 52–54 Lygon Street, Brunswick East VIC
Website/Bokings: https://daphne.melbourne/