Sydney Road

 I love Sydney Road; there is something so homely about it, so familiar. I love that its so different from other areas of Melbourne, that I am guaranteed to hear flavours of Arabic, and eat delicious food. I love that you buy baklava, or sweets as they are known, by the kilo, and the Lebanese pizza at the A1 bakery, particularly the zataar on pita bread, is freshly baked. Even though the A1 is a big cafe, it feels like you're in a family business, its so personalised.

The A1 Bakery

 And then there are the cars. Vince Colosimo talked about how, as young men, they'd drive their polished cars up and down Sydney Road, so they could look at their reflections in the shop windows. When there's not a tram gumming up the works, you're bound to experience a dropped down, muffler-stripped shining beast of a car, roaring along on pure testosterone. 

A friend who has lived in Brunswick for years tells me there are 85 cultures represented in the area. Along with great live music, some class op-shops, bars and cafes, its a precious part of Melbourne.