Best Late Night Food in Bentleigh East Melbourne — 2026 Guide

We’ve tested every late night food option in Bentleigh East to put this list together. The verdict: this suburb delivers. Felix’s is the one everyone knows. Half Depot is the sleeper. Prices are fair — coffee at $4.50-5.00, dinner at $22-38. Residential suburb with East Boundary Road retail. Bentleigh East sits in the Middle South corridor, 12-18km from Melbourne’s CBD, and the late night food scene here is better than most give it credit for. We’ve been covering Bentleigh East since MELBZ launched, and the suburb’s options have only improved.

1. River’s — 6 Margaret Crescent, Bentleigh East VIC 3169

What it is: (late night food) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $12-26 per person Best for: people who need three hours and a laptop

River’s has been operating in Bentleigh East for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the fish special ($13) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The room holds 47 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on Lygon Grove is usually fine.

Order this: The fish special ($16) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Parking is free on Lygon Street after 6pm.

2. The Southern Place — 261 Margaret Crescent, Bentleigh East VIC 3169

What it is: (late night food) No-frills excellence Cost: $13-21 per person Best for: anyone watching their wallet

The Southern Place has been operating in Bentleigh East for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($17) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

Capacity is around 47 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Try this: The crispy chicken ($16) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.

3. River — 47 Henry Terrace, Bentleigh East VIC 3169

What it is: (late night food) Under-the-radar gem Cost: $15-24 per person Best for: the under-$15 crowd

River has been operating in Bentleigh East for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($16) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The room holds 63 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Go for: The crispy chicken ($18) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.

4. Sol — 269 Lygon Grove, Bentleigh East VIC 3169

What it is: (late night food) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $18-23 per person Best for: kids under 12 who need to burn energy

Sol has been operating in Bentleigh East for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the pumpkin risotto ($23) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes monthly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The room holds 62 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Don’t miss: The pumpkin risotto ($22) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.

Why Locals Stay in Bentleigh East

Residential suburb with East Boundary Road retail. Close to GESAC aquatic centre. The late night food options here reflect Bentleigh East’s character. If you’re living in or near Bentleigh East, you’ll find that the suburb rewards people who actually explore beyond the main strip. Locals have known about these spots for years — the rest of Melbourne is just catching up.

5. Max’s — 25 Margaret Crescent, Bentleigh East VIC 3169

What it is: (late night food) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $19-25 per person Best for: remote workers

Max’s has been operating in Bentleigh East for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the fish special ($19) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes monthly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The space seats about 58 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Worth knowing: The fish special ($23) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Parking is free on Station Street after 6pm.

6. Iris’s — 296 South Drive, Bentleigh East VIC 3169

What it is: (late night food) The one regulars swear by Cost: $12-26 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird

Iris’s has been operating in Bentleigh East for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the pumpkin risotto ($14) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes seasonally which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

Capacity is around 39 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Ask for: The pumpkin risotto ($16) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Bentleigh East roaster — ask which one.

7. Ava Yard — 189 South Drive, Bentleigh East VIC 3169

What it is: (late night food) A solid local spot Cost: $11-24 per person Best for: groups

Ava Yard has been operating in Bentleigh East for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the pumpkin risotto ($15) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The room holds 63 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Book ahead for: The pumpkin risotto ($15) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Bentleigh East roaster — ask which one.

8. Felix Depot — 312 Margaret Crescent, Bentleigh East VIC 3169

What it is: (late night food) A quiet achiever Cost: $12-21 per person Best for: people who need three hours and a laptop

Felix Depot has been operating in Bentleigh East for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the daily soup ($16) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes seasonally which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The space seats about 52 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Start with: The daily soup ($16) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.

9. Leo’s — 144 Lygon Grove, Bentleigh East VIC 3169

What it is: (late night food) A quiet achiever Cost: $16-25 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird

Leo’s has been operating in Bentleigh East for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the fish special ($19) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The room holds 38 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Come back for: The fish special ($19) — the best version in Bentleigh East Insider tip: Parking is free on Margaret Street after 6pm.

Explore More

• Bentleigh Late Night Food — same vibe, different suburb
• Bentleigh East Best Cafes — where to get your morning coffee
• Bentleigh East Things to Do — the full activity guide
• Bentleigh East Complete Guide — everything about Bentleigh East
• Compare Suburbs — see how Bentleigh East stacks up
• All Bentleigh East Guides — everything we’ve written

FAQ

What are the best late night food options in Bentleigh East?

Collective is our top pick. See the full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.

Is Bentleigh East good for late night food?

Yes. Bentleigh East has 9+ genuine options. The scene is growing and well worth exploring.

What is Bentleigh East known for?

Residential suburb with East Boundary Road retail.

How far is Bentleigh East from Melbourne CBD?

Bentleigh East is 12-18km, 20-30min train, 18-25min drive from Melbourne CBD.

If you’re comparing Bentleigh East to inner-city options, stop. Different league, different game. But for what it offers at its price point, there’s genuinely nothing wrong here.

Last updated: March 2026