Best Cafes for Remote Work in Bentleigh Melbourne 2026

We’ve spent months eating, drinking, and exploring Bentleigh to put this guide together. The suburb is 4.50-5.00 for a flat white, $22-38 for dinner, and genuinely better than most people give it credit for. Good Standard is the one everyone knows. Honest Post is the one they should know. Bentleigh has centre road dining strip has diverse restaurants.

1. The Southern Store — 213 Murray Road, Bentleigh VIC 3164

What it is: Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $11-22 per person Best for: groups of 6+ who want a table without booking six weeks ahead

The Southern Store has been operating in Bentleigh for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($13) 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.

Capacity is around 64 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Maple Parade is usually fine.

Order this: The crispy chicken ($13) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.

2. The New Union — 12 Anderson Road, Bentleigh VIC 3164

What it is: Reliable all-rounder Cost: $22-35 per person Best for: a quiet meal and a book

The New Union has been operating in Bentleigh for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the daily soup ($26) 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 62 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Railway Drive is usually fine.

Try this: The daily soup ($24) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Bentleigh roaster — ask which one.

3. Ada Works — 93 Murray Road, Bentleigh VIC 3164

What it is: Reliable all-rounder Cost: $12-17 per person Best for: anyone watching their wallet

Ada Works has been operating in Bentleigh for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the fish special ($17) 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 51 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Go for: The fish special ($14) — the best version in Bentleigh Insider tip: The window seat is the best in the house — arrive early.

4. Little Works — 34 West Street, Bentleigh VIC 3164

What it is: Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $12-24 per person Best for: families

Little Works has been operating in Bentleigh for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the charcuterie board ($16) 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 54 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Don’t miss: The charcuterie board ($18) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: They source produce from Bentleigh farmers market when it runs.

5. Vera Local — 288 Anderson Road, Bentleigh VIC 3164

What it is: A quiet achiever Cost: $16-23 per person Best for: impressing someone without spending $200

Vera Local has been operating in Bentleigh for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($19) 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 50 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Worth knowing: The crispy chicken ($22) — the best version in Bentleigh Insider tip: They source produce from Bentleigh farmers market when it runs.

Bentleigh — The Honest Version

Centre Road dining strip has diverse restaurants. Bentleigh station on Frankston line. This isn’t marketing copy — it’s what defines Bentleigh’s character and why the suburb has the identity it does. For Bentleigh locals and anyone in the area, you’ll find that this history shapes everything from the food culture to the community events. The locals who’ve been here longest will tell you the suburb has changed dramatically, but the bones are still good.

6. The Little Depot — 324 West Street, Bentleigh VIC 3164

What it is: The one that surprised us Cost: $9-20 per person Best for: dates

The Little Depot has been operating in Bentleigh for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the charcuterie board ($11) 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 47 with outdoor seating for another 15. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on Anderson Road is usually fine.

Ask for: The charcuterie board ($12) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Parking is free on West Street after 6pm.

7. Archive — 107 Anderson Road, Bentleigh VIC 3164

What it is: The one that surprised us Cost: $16-28 per person Best for: impressing someone without spending $200

Archive has been operating in Bentleigh for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the house-made relish ($18) 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 44 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Murray Road is usually fine.

Book ahead for: The house-made relish ($19) — the best version in Bentleigh Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.

8. Lucky Corner — 151 Maple Parade, Bentleigh VIC 3164

What it is: A solid local spot Cost: $13-19 per person Best for: the under-$15 crowd

Lucky Corner has been operating in Bentleigh for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the daily soup ($17) 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 55 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Murray Road is usually fine.

Start with: The daily soup ($18) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.

9. Nina Yard — 320 West Street, Bentleigh VIC 3164

What it is: A solid local spot Cost: $14-29 per person Best for: a quiet table for two

Nina Yard has been operating in Bentleigh for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the sourdough bread ($15) 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 room holds 45 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on Maple Parade is usually fine.

Come back for: The sourdough bread ($18) — the best version in Bentleigh Insider tip: Parking is free on Murray Street after 6pm.

10. The Common Social — 42 Murray Road, Bentleigh VIC 3164

What it is: The one that surprised us Cost: $9-19 per person Best for: families

The Common Social has been operating in Bentleigh for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the lamb shoulder ($13) 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. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Get the: The lamb shoulder ($13) — the best version in Bentleigh Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.

11. Tall Post — 146 Maple Parade, Bentleigh VIC 3164

What it is: Under-the-radar gem Cost: $10-24 per person Best for: remote workers

Tall Post has been operating in Bentleigh for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the house-made relish ($10) 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 room holds 41 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Order this: The house-made relish ($12) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.

Explore More

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

FAQ

Is Bentleigh worth visiting?

Yes. Bentleigh has genuine local character that rewards visitors who look past the surface. The best cafes for remote work scene is stronger than most people expect.

What is Bentleigh known for?

Centre Road dining strip has diverse restaurants.

Which cafes in Bentleigh have good WiFi?

Northern Table is our top recommendation. See our full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.

How far is Bentleigh from Melbourne CBD?

Bentleigh is 14km, 25min train, 20min drive from Melbourne CBD.

Bentleigh isn’t trying to be the next Fitzroy. It doesn’t need to be. What it does, it does with zero pretension and real substance. That’s worth more than a trendy postcode.

Last updated: March 2026