Daphne

Daphne has potential. The restaurant is very polished around the edges, but a bit unjelled in the middle. I receive perfect welcome at the door despite dropping by without a booking - but it's an early mid-week evening, the business is quiet. The bar is gorgeous, the front room and select nooks and crannies quite stylish, but the beige (not only in colour) dining room with its randomly-looking selection and placement of artworks feels like a misplaced school canteen in the middle of a restaurant; the vibe is confusing. My meal starts on high with lovely oysters followed by a surprisingly delicious mortadella skewer recommended by the most helpful bartender, the star of this review. He also offers to sample their homemade rhubarb shrub mocktail that is so satisfying that I end up ordering one. As Wednesday is apparently pasta night at Daphne, I go with the pasta special for my main. The casarecce is beautiful, perfectly al dente. However, I don't eat up - not because I am full or something is wrong with the dish, I just get too bored with the initially nice and fresh but, in the long run, just too beige bolognaise. The olive oil cake for desert gets me into better mood - remarkable it is not, but really well-crafted and yummy, with deliciously firm cherries on top. As I get up to leave, the star bartender doesn't charge me for his lovely concoction. Daphne hasn't gotten all her ducks in a row yet, but she cares, she'll do well.

Daphne in Brunswick is a fantastic local spot. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the cocktails were excellent. The food was delicious, especially the octopus and the chicken — both were full of flavour and cooked perfectly. It’s great to have such a quality restaurant in the neighbourhood. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a great meal and a relaxed night out.

We did a walk in for three on a Wednesday night as there were not available bookings! Luckily there was a table of three available and there looked to be plenty of bar seating too. Tried the weekday pasta special,heirloom tomatoes, mortadella skewers, half chicken and pot pie. Super generous pot pie and chicken 🐔 Mortadella skewers were slightly smokey and savory. Heirloom tomatoes with pickled celery and olives were very refreshing and delicate. The pot pie had a light puff on the top with a creamy moreish filling. Service a bit slow but still very friendly. Overall tasty,

Perplexed what to make of this place. Was the heirloom tomato dish bold and delish? Yes! But perhaps a far reach from being dish of the year. Did I like my porterhouse and pasta? Absolutely 💯 But it wasnt memorable enough to blabla to my foodie friends. The Dutch carrots was more of the latter than the former, with lazily cutup chunks. And the tartare had the promise of delight but ended mid and forgettable. But it was a disco-diner, blaring vibe that I didnt get. Friday night at 10pm may merit a DJ if there is a buzzing crowd, but in the case when we went it just seemed gratuitous. Service was well-meant and professional. Overall, this was mix bag of hit and miss. Time will tell if Daphne thrives or dives.

First time here, live locally and will definitely be back. Every dish we ate was amazing. Lamb rigatoni was a stand out. Great martinis and wine list. Food and service were exceptional. Loved the music and atmosphere. A1 highly recommend 🙌

We booked Daphne on a Monday night and the place was absolutely humming — clearly the spot to be. And although brand new , felt like the team had been doing it forever - Great staff - excellent fit out , amazing food! The flathead cooked over coals was sensational, simple but packed with flavour fresh herbs and picked fennel . The Martini Club is genius — the 10th one free might just be the best loyalty program in Melbourne. It’s got that perfect mix of neighbourhood warmth and a bit of sparkle — everyone’s friendly, the energy’s great, and it feels like you’ve stumbled into somewhere special. Also, can we talk about the open-late-for-supper thing? This is everything a hospo worker dreams of — somewhere good to eat and unwind after a shift. Hannah just gets it. Absolute legend. Can’t wait to come back!

Absolutely love this place. Great vibe, buzzing room and really good energy all round. The staff were genuinely lovely, I asked for a mezcal margarita even though it wasn’t on the menu and they happily made one and it was excellent. Food was a standout. The mortadella skewer was unreal, the mussels and tomato dish from the small plates were both delicious and the pork main with the Caesar salad was a highlight. Finished with the olive oil cake which was a perfect end to the night. Wine was great too. Everything just really hit. Such a good spot will definitely be back.

This place was EPIC! Delicious food, amazing vibe, super friendly staff, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Probably the best restaurant in the area. Highlights: mortadella skewer over roasting fire, seafood pasta, and market snapper with burnt butter sauce & capers. Also props to the lovely waitresses there. Super friendly and knowledgeable!