Overview
It's been around a while now, but unassuming Fitzroy North Good Times is still pulling queues. And it's not hard to see why. The laidback St George's Road eatery is doing a bang-up job of living up to its name, with cheerful, honest dishes and a comfy, home-spun vibe ticking all the right boxes for northside's savvy dining set.
For Bryce Ritchie — who started Good Times along with fellow hospitality veterans and mates Sean McMeekin, Colin Mala and Jeremy Hines — it's all about keeping things simple and, most importantly, fun.
It's lit by candles stuffed into bottles, while butcher paper-covered tables and glasses filled with golf pencils inspire diners to unleash some creativity instead of whipping out their phones. The soundtrack's delightfully eclectic, and on chillier nights, you'll even find small bonfires warming up the back courtyard, with randoms getting acquainted over free marshmallows.
Until now, the venue has been open only on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, but to celebrate nine years in business, Good Times is now opening on Wednesday evenings too. That means one extra opportunity for mid-week good times. And to make the middle of the week a little more exciting, Good Times is offering up $9 Montenegro Spritzes and Peronis, only available on Wednesdays.
Kate Shanasy
From the Good Times kitchen comes a cheerfully simple, produce-focused offering in which pasta is the star of the show. You might tuck into a classic puttanesca or a creamy carbonara. A vegan mushroom bolognese with lentils is a firm favourite, while platters of charcuterie and cheese are ideal for after-work drop-ins.
Best of all, these good times are also easy on the wallet — you'll always find at least one cheap pasta in the mix, alongside cheap cocktails, craft beers and carafes of wine. For a change, you're likely to be surprised, in a good way, when you get your bill, which is a good thing, considering this is the kind of place that'll have you coming back again and again.
Images: Kate Shanasy.
Like what you see? Subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter to get stories just like these straight to your inbox.
Information
- The 27 Best Day Spas in Melbourne for 2026
- The Ten Best Beach Camping Spots in Victoria
- Where to Find the Best Breakfast in Melbourne's CBD
- The 25 Best Chinese Restaurants in Melbourne for 2025
- The 16 Best Swimming Holes Near Melbourne
- CP Picks: Aussie Summer Essentials — The Things We're Packing, Wearing and Using All Season Long