It’s no secret that Brunswick is one of the top destinations to start your morning with a great coffee and a delicious breakfast. So when a new option is added to Sydney Road and the various streets in Brunswick, you can be pretty sure that it’s a decent set-up. Walrus Brunswick is wedged in the middle of Sydney Road and near some pretty fantastic shops and bars and it’s like nothing we’ve seen in the area for a while.
Walrus is an American-inspired diner, with a limited menu and coffee offering similar to what you will see in the States. Initially, I thought – well Americans aren’t known for their coffee, but they are known for the Lumberjack-style big breakfasts, so that was enough incentive to head to Walrus.
The understated decor transports you to a suburban diner atmosphere, with the leather booths and bar seats just like something you would see in a movie. There was also great artwork throughout and a long counter/bar station so you could see servers preparing coffee.
The Walrus Brunswick menu
I’ve long thought that a larger menu does not mean a better menu, and the relatively small menu offering at Walrus really does hit all the classics you want to see for breakfast. The walrus big breakfast comes with two eggs (sunny side up, over easy or scrambled) with toast and one side. When it was presented, I did at first think the plate looked bare but then realised that it’s just the food styling that convinces me my pate is fuller.
The food was hot, tasty and just the right amount but there aren’t many ways you can adjust the menu – which is their right to keep a strict menu. Other breakfast items include pancakes, French toast, the international, a Mexican omelette, and a chorizo dish.
Lunch has fewer items still, with a BLT or Cheeseburger on offer. Don’t expect a bougie BLT or a brioche bun cheeseburger, as these dishes are super hearty and delicious -without too much styling flourish. There was also an apple pie on the specials board, and when someone at another table ordered it – it looked like the real deal served with whipped cream. The pie flavours rotate weekly, and we are told that blueberry is one to look out for.
The milkshakes are an absolute must-try, and they are served exactly how you would expect – in a generous-sized silver cup, topped with whipped cream and a cherry. They’re available in chocolate and vanilla, and honestly, you really don’t need any other options.
The vibe at Walrus Brunswick
There are so many small but significant decor choices that the Walrus Brunswick team made to make this Brunswick cafe so unique. For example, the maple syrup pourer is exactly what you see in an old-school diner, and the coffee cups are perfect for the filtered coffee and remind you of an era past. Also, the way they cook the bacon is quintessentially American, and you rarely see restaurants try and emulate that harder, longer-cooked style.
Walrus Melbourne only opened in June of 2023, so it’s very new, but it has really drawn a crowd and seems to have already converted some raving fans in such a short time. It will be really interesting to see if the menu grows much over time, adding more USA classics and transforming the cafe space to capture that diner vibe even more.
The staff were very friendly the two times I have been there. The first time we visited, we only wanted coffee and they were more than happy to seat us in a booth, despite it being busy with other patrons ordering food. The second time we ordered food and it came out quickly and hit the spot. I think the vibe, atmosphere and menu concept is definitely worth trying but I have to say that Project 281 or Ray may be higher on the list for me when it comes to Brunswick cafes – but Walrus doesn’t seem to be trying to compete in that space either.
Walrus Brunswick doesn’t have a website but you can contact them and check out the Walrus Brunswick menu on their Instagram. If you head there, let us know what you think! You can also check out our other Melbourne foodie recommendations.
