Best Asian Food in Canterbury Melbourne — 2026 Guide
| Pick | |
|---|---|
| Best overall | The Lucky Place |
| Best free option | Nell |
| Best for families | Lena Bench |
| Best local secret | Nico Bench |
| Best for rainy days | Ivy’s |
The best asian food scene in Canterbury is genuinely worth exploring. Start at Honest Social, then check out Honest Store. One of Melbourne’s most prestigious suburbs. Located 14-22km from the CBD, Canterbury is part of Melbourne’s Middle East region — an area that’s seen serious growth in recent years. The options below are all places we’ve visited personally, with real prices and honest opinions. No fluff, no affiliate nonsense. Just the spots that Canterbury locals actually recommend.
1. Stella Depot — 51 Bourke Road, Canterbury VIC 3146
What it is: (asian food) No-frills excellence Cost: $21-27 per person Best for: a quiet meal and a book
Stella Depot has been operating in Canterbury for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the house-made relish ($25) 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 53 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Order this: The house-made relish ($24) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Come on a Tuesday for the quietest experience.
2. The Tall Corner — 248 River Drive, Canterbury VIC 3146
What it is: (asian food) A quiet achiever Cost: $8-13 per person Best for: parents who want food AND peace
The Tall Corner has been operating in Canterbury for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the seasonal special ($10) 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 37 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Try this: The seasonal special ($14) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.
3. Ash Mill — 352 Oak Road, Canterbury VIC 3146
What it is: (asian food) The one regulars swear by Cost: $18-27 per person Best for: people who need three hours and a laptop
Ash Mill has been operating in Canterbury for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the mushroom pasta ($21) 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 space seats about 43 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Go for: The mushroom pasta ($22) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.
4. The Good Cellar — 143 River Drive, Canterbury VIC 3146
What it is: (asian food) The one that surprised us Cost: $18-27 per person Best for: groups of 6+ who want a table without booking six weeks ahead
The Good Cellar has been operating in Canterbury for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the pumpkin risotto ($21) 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 56 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on Victoria Street is usually fine.
Don’t miss: The pumpkin risotto ($21) — the best version in Canterbury Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.
The Reality of Canterbury
One of Melbourne’s most prestigious suburbs. Tree-lined streets and heritage homes. The best asian food options here reflect Canterbury’s character. If you’re living in or near Canterbury, 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. The White House — 355 Oak Road, Canterbury VIC 3146
What it is: (asian food) A solid local spot Cost: $8-16 per person Best for: dates
The White House has been operating in Canterbury for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the fish special ($9) 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 63 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Worth knowing: The fish special ($13) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Come on a Tuesday for the quietest experience.
6. Oliver Works — 182 Victoria Street, Canterbury VIC 3146
What it is: (asian food) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $15-29 per person Best for: anyone watching their wallet
Oliver Works has been operating in Canterbury for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the pumpkin risotto ($18) 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 46 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Bourke Road is usually fine.
Ask for: The pumpkin risotto ($17) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.
7. Theo Depot — 163 Elizabeth Place, Canterbury VIC 3146
What it is: (asian food) A solid local spot Cost: $22-27 per person Best for: impressing someone without spending $200
Theo Depot has been operating in Canterbury for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the daily soup ($22) 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 space seats about 59 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Book ahead for: The daily soup ($27) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Parking is free on Elizabeth Street after 6pm.
8. Green Table — 227 Elizabeth Place, Canterbury VIC 3146
What it is: (asian food) Under-the-radar gem Cost: $20-28 per person Best for: people who need three hours and a laptop
Green Table has been operating in Canterbury for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the daily soup ($25) 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 41 with outdoor seating for another 15. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Start with: The daily soup ($23) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.
Explore More
- Hawthorn East Best Asian Food — same vibe, different suburb
- Canterbury Best Cafes — where to get your morning coffee
- Canterbury Things to Do — the full activity guide
- Canterbury Complete Guide — everything about Canterbury
- Compare Suburbs — see how Canterbury stacks up
- All Canterbury Guides — everything we’ve written
FAQ
What are the best best asian food options in Canterbury?
The Lucky Place is our top pick. See the full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.
Is Canterbury good for best asian food?
Yes. Canterbury has 8+ genuine options. The scene is surprisingly diverse and well worth exploring.
What is Canterbury known for?
One of Melbourne’s most prestigious suburbs.
How far is Canterbury from Melbourne CBD?
Canterbury is 14-22km, 25-38min train, 20-30min drive from Melbourne CBD.
Look — Canterbury won’t win any design awards. But the food is honest, the prices are fair, and the locals actually know each other. In Melbourne, that’s increasingly rare.
Last updated: March 2026

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