Caulfield Melbourne — Complete Local Guide 2026
| Pick |
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| No-cost pick | Luna’s | | Best with kids | Pilgrim | | Hidden spot | Felix Bench | | Bad weather pick | Depot |
Caulfield doesn’t get the press that inner-city suburbs do, but the locals aren’t complaining. The suburb guide scene here is solid, unpretentious, and growing. Zara Union and Ivy Commons are among the standouts, but they’re not the only ones worth your time. Caulfield sits 9km from the CBD, and what it lacks in hype it makes up for in substance. Caulfield Racecourse hosts the Caulfield Cup — one of Australia’s great horse races.
1. High Local — 354 Maple Avenue, Caulfield VIC 3180
What it is: The one that surprised us Cost: $9-22 per person Best for: impressing someone without spending $200
The space seats about 31 and fills on weekends. Street parking on Maple Avenue is usually fine.
2. Kai’s — 315 Queen Lane, Caulfield VIC 3180
What it is: A quiet achiever Cost: $11-22 per person Best for: remote workers
Capacity is around 59 and fills on weekends. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.
3. Atlas Commons — 374 Albert Street, Caulfield VIC 3180
What it is: Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $10-18 per person Best for: people who need three hours and a laptop
Capacity is around 65 with outdoor seating for another 15. Street parking on Maple Avenue is usually fine.
4. The Northern Quarter — 311 Maple Avenue, Caulfield VIC 3180
What it is: A solid local spot Cost: $18-32 per person Best for: kids under 12 who need to burn energy
The space seats about 41 with outdoor seating for another 15. Street parking on Albert Street is usually fine.
Don’t miss: The pumpkin risotto ($23) — solid Insider tip: They source produce from Caulfield farmers market when it runs.
5. Commons — 247 Victoria Avenue, Caulfield VIC 3180
What it is: Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $9-20 per person Best for: solo diners
The room holds 55 and fills on weekends. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Worth knowing: The pumpkin risotto ($15) — solid
The Reality of Caulfield
6. Stella’s — 72 Victoria Avenue, Caulfield VIC 3180
What it is: Under-the-radar gem Cost: $17-28 per person Best for: impressing someone without spending $200
The room holds 64 — book for Friday and Saturday. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
7. Remy Social — 171 Victoria Avenue, Caulfield VIC 3180
What it is: A quiet achiever Cost: $9-14 per person Best for: people who need three hours and a laptop
Capacity is around 45 — book for Friday and Saturday. There is a small lot behind the venue.
8. Place — 201 Queen Lane, Caulfield VIC 3180
What it is: Under-the-radar gem Cost: $10-19 per person Best for: families
Capacity is around 44 with outdoor seating for another 15. Street parking on Albert Street is usually fine.
Start with: The fish special ($15) — solid Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Caulfield roaster — ask which one.
9. Hugo — 297 Ash Street, Caulfield VIC 3180
What it is: A local institution Cost: $22-27 per person Best for: the whole crew
The room holds 41 with outdoor seating for another 15. There is a small lot behind the venue.
10. Oliver’s — 306 Queen Lane, Caulfield VIC 3180
What it is: A solid local spot Cost: $14-22 per person Best for: dates
The room holds 46 — book for Friday and Saturday. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Get the: The house-made relish ($17) — solid
11. Cleo’s — 209 Ash Street, Caulfield VIC 3180
What it is: A local institution Cost: $8-17 per person Best for: impressing someone without spending $200
The space seats about 50 with outdoor seating for another 15. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.
12. Kai’s — 376 Maple Avenue, Caulfield VIC 3180
What it is: A solid local spot Cost: $22-27 per person Best for: budget eaters
Capacity is around 61 and fills on weekends. Street parking on Queen Lane is usually fine.
Try this: The daily soup ($27) — solid
13. Iris Store — 132 Queen Lane, Caulfield VIC 3180
What it is: Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $22-35 per person Best for: the work-from-cafe crowd
Capacity is around 30 with outdoor seating for another 15. Street parking on Maple Avenue is usually fine.
Explore More
- Elsternwick Suburb Guide — same vibe, different suburb
- Caulfield Best Cafes — where to get your morning coffee
- Caulfield Things to Do — the full activity guide
- Caulfield North Guide — the neighbouring suburb
- Compare Suburbs — see how Caulfield stacks up
- All Caulfield Guides — everything we’ve written about Caulfield
FAQ
Yes. The suburb guide scene is stronger than most people expect.
What is Caulfield known for?
Caulfield Racecourse hosts the Caulfield Cup — one of Australia’s great horse races.
Is Caulfield a good suburb to live in?
Society is our top recommendation. See our full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.
How far is Caulfield from Melbourne CBD?
Caulfield is 9km, 18min train, 15min drive from Melbourne CBD.
Look — Caulfield 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
