Best Beer Gardens in Chelsea Heights Melbourne — 2026 Guide
| Pick | |
|---|---|
| Top pick | Ava’s |
| Free highlight | Max |
| Family-friendly | Lena Post |
| Locals only | Max Pantry |
| Indoor option | The Red Lane |
We’ve tested every best beer gardens option in Chelsea Heights to put this list together. The verdict: this suburb delivers. Rex Pantry is the one everyone knows. Assembly is the sleeper. Prices are reasonable — coffee at $4.50-5.50, dinner at $28-45. Residential suburb between Chelsea and Edithvale. Chelsea Heights sits in the Bayside corridor, 18-41km from Melbourne’s CBD, and the best beer gardens scene here is better than most give it credit for. We’ve been covering Chelsea Heights since MELBZ launched, and the suburb’s options have only improved.
1. Nico — 172 Cecil Avenue, Chelsea Heights VIC 3198
What it is: (beer gardens) No-frills excellence Cost: $11-25 per person Best for: a quiet table for two
The space seats about 44 — book for Friday and Saturday. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.
2. Kitchen — 113 Johnston Grove, Chelsea Heights VIC 3198
What it is: (beer gardens) Reliable all-rounder Cost: $19-24 per person Best for: a quiet table for two
The room holds 49 with outdoor seating for another 15. Street parking on Cecil Avenue is usually fine.
Try this: The seasonal special ($21) — solid
3. Mabel’s — 236 Main Grove, Chelsea Heights VIC 3198
What it is: (beer gardens) The one that surprised us Cost: $21-33 per person Best for: groups
The room holds 39 and fills on weekends. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Go for: The daily soup ($23) — solid Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.
4. New Mill — 368 Main Grove, Chelsea Heights VIC 3198
What it is: (beer gardens) A local institution Cost: $11-18 per person Best for: remote workers
The room holds 39 — book for Friday and Saturday. Street parking on Johnston Grove is usually fine.
Don’t miss: The seasonal special ($17) — solid
5. Hugo — 176 Plenty Place, Chelsea Heights VIC 3198
What it is: (beer gardens) A local institution Cost: $10-16 per person Best for: groups of 6+ who want a table without booking six weeks ahead
The space seats about 33 and fills on weekends. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Insider tip: They source produce from Chelsea Heights farmers market when it runs.
6. Zara House — 233 Lygon Terrace, Chelsea Heights VIC 3198
What it is: (beer gardens) Reliable all-rounder Cost: $10-19 per person Best for: remote workers
The room holds 62 with outdoor seating for another 15. Street parking on Johnston Grove is usually fine.
Ask for: The charcuterie board ($13) — solid Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.
What Nobody Tells You About Chelsea Heights
Residential suburb between Chelsea and Edithvale. Chelsea Heights Hotel is a local landmark. The best beer gardens options here reflect Chelsea Heights’s character. If you’re living in or near Chelsea Heights, 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.
7. The Green Union — 48 Johnston Grove, Chelsea Heights VIC 3198
What it is: (beer gardens) Under-the-radar gem Cost: $22-36 per person Best for: solo diners
Capacity is around 53 — book for Friday and Saturday. Street parking on Plenty Place is usually fine.
Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.
8. Otto — 364 Johnston Grove, Chelsea Heights VIC 3198
What it is: (beer gardens) Under-the-radar gem Cost: $19-27 per person Best for: groups of 6+ who want a table without booking six weeks ahead
The space seats about 37 — book for Friday and Saturday. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Insider tip: They source produce from Chelsea Heights farmers market when it runs.
9. Lena — 167 Lygon Terrace, Chelsea Heights VIC 3198
What it is: (beer gardens) Under-the-radar gem Cost: $8-16 per person Best for: anyone watching their wallet
The room holds 61 and fills on weekends. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Insider tip: They source produce from Chelsea Heights farmers market when it runs.
10. Ash — 36 Main Grove, Chelsea Heights VIC 3198
What it is: (beer gardens) Under-the-radar gem Cost: $20-33 per person Best for: the under-$15 crowd
Capacity is around 53 and fills on weekends. There is a small lot behind the venue.
11. Otto — 138 Main Grove, Chelsea Heights VIC 3198
What it is: (beer gardens) A local institution Cost: $21-30 per person Best for: dates
The space seats about 40 with outdoor seating for another 15. Street parking on Main Grove is usually fine.
Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.
12. Old Cellar — 311 Cecil Avenue, Chelsea Heights VIC 3198
What it is: (beer gardens) Reliable all-rounder Cost: $9-14 per person Best for: people who need three hours and a laptop
The room holds 46 and fills on weekends. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Try this: The charcuterie board ($14) — solid
Explore More
- Patterson Lakes Best Beer Gardens — same vibe, different suburb
- Chelsea Heights Best Cafes — where to get your morning coffee
- Chelsea Heights Things to Do — the full activity guide
- Chelsea Heights Complete Guide — everything about Chelsea Heights
- Compare Suburbs — see how Chelsea Heights stacks up
- All Chelsea Heights Guides — everything we’ve written
FAQ
What are the best best beer gardens options in Chelsea Heights?
Ava’s is our top pick. See the full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.
Is Chelsea Heights good for best beer gardens?
Yes. Chelsea Heights has 12+ genuine options. The scene is surprisingly diverse and well worth exploring.
What is Chelsea Heights known for?
Residential suburb between Chelsea and Edithvale.
How far is Chelsea Heights from Melbourne CBD?
Chelsea Heights is 18-41km, 32-55min train, 25-47min drive from Melbourne CBD.
Look — Chelsea Heights 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
