Best Burgers in Elsternwick Melbourne — 2026 Guide

Elsternwick has genuine best burgers options that most people outside the suburb don’t know about. The Good Table and The Northern Depot lead the pack, but there’s depth here. The suburb sits 8km from the CBD in Melbourne’s Inner South region, and what it lacks in hype it makes up for in substance. Glen Huntly Road has a vibrant cafe and restaurant strip. Locals have known this for years. Whether you’re a long-time Elsternwick resident or just passing through, these are the places worth your time and money in 2026. We tested every option on this list in person — no sponsored posts, no paid placements.

1. Lena’s — 380 Swan Place, Elsternwick VIC 3118

What it is: (burgers) No-frills excellence Cost: $17-22 per person Best for: kids under 12 who need to burn energy

Lena’s has been operating in Elsternwick for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the daily soup ($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.

Capacity is around 43 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Order this: The daily soup ($21) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.

2. Rosa’s — 355 West Street, Elsternwick VIC 3118

What it is: (burgers) A local institution Cost: $20-33 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird

Rosa’s has been operating in Elsternwick for over a decade 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 monthly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The room holds 39 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on William Place is usually fine.

Try this: The mushroom pasta ($24) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Come on a Tuesday for the quietest experience.

3. Sol — 260 Swan Place, Elsternwick VIC 3118

What it is: (burgers) Reliable all-rounder Cost: $12-25 per person Best for: remote workers

Sol has been operating in Elsternwick for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the lamb shoulder ($12) 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 30 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Go for: The lamb shoulder ($14) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Come on a Tuesday for the quietest experience.

4. Leo’s — 228 Lygon Drive, Elsternwick VIC 3118

What it is: (burgers) A quiet achiever Cost: $8-21 per person Best for: people who need three hours and a laptop

Leo’s has been operating in Elsternwick 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.

The room holds 42 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Don’t miss: The crispy chicken ($12) — the best version in Elsternwick Insider tip: Come on a Tuesday for the quietest experience.

Why Elsternwick Is Worth Knowing

Glen Huntly Road has a vibrant cafe and restaurant strip. Elsternwick Village has strong Jewish community heritage. The best burgers options here reflect Elsternwick’s character. For Elsternwick locals and anyone in the area, 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. Nina Works — 272 Lygon Drive, Elsternwick VIC 3118

What it is: (burgers) Worth the detour Cost: $12-20 per person Best for: impressing someone without spending $200

Nina Works has been operating in Elsternwick for over a decade 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 monthly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The room holds 31 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Worth knowing: The daily soup ($18) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Parking is free on Collins Street after 6pm.

6. Southern House — 275 Lygon Drive, Elsternwick VIC 3118

What it is: (burgers) Under-the-radar gem Cost: $14-23 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird

Southern House has been operating in Elsternwick for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the sourdough bread ($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 34 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on William Place is usually fine.

Ask for: The sourdough bread ($20) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.

7. New Pantry — 320 William Place, Elsternwick VIC 3118

What it is: (burgers) A quiet achiever Cost: $11-21 per person Best for: a quiet meal and a book

New Pantry has been operating in Elsternwick for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the seasonal special ($11) 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 57 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Book ahead for: The seasonal special ($16) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: The window seat is the best in the house — arrive early.

8. Finn’s — 82 William Place, Elsternwick VIC 3118

What it is: (burgers) A solid local spot Cost: $17-24 per person Best for: groups of 6+ who want a table without booking six weeks ahead

Finn’s has been operating in Elsternwick for since 2019 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 room holds 52 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Start with: The crispy chicken ($19) — the best version in Elsternwick Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.

Explore More

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

FAQ

What are the best best burgers options in Elsternwick?

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

Is Elsternwick good for best burgers?

Yes. Elsternwick has 8+ genuine options. The scene is established and well worth exploring.

What is Elsternwick known for?

Glen Huntly Road has a vibrant cafe and restaurant strip.

How far is Elsternwick from Melbourne CBD?

Elsternwick is 8km, 16min train, 14min drive from Melbourne CBD.

Look — Elsternwick 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