Forest Hill Melbourne — Complete Local Guide 2026
| Pick | |
|---|---|
| Our #1 | Collective |
| Zero-cost winner | Rosa Quarter |
| Kid-approved | Mabel’s |
| Under the radar | Hazel’s |
| Wet day saviour | The Lucky Works |
We’ve spent months eating, drinking, and exploring Forest Hill to put this guide together. The suburb is 4.00-4.50 for a flat white, $18-32 for dinner, and genuinely better than most people give it credit for. New Store is the one everyone knows. The Southern Cellar is the one they should know. Forest Hill has forest hill chase shopping centre is the retail hub.
1. Common Local — 26 Murray Drive, Forest Hill VIC 3168
What it is: A quiet achiever Cost: $22-31 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird
The room holds 30 and fills on weekends. There is a small lot behind the venue.
2. The High House — 44 Margaret Place, Forest Hill VIC 3168
What it is: Under-the-radar gem Cost: $13-26 per person Best for: groups of 6+ who want a table without booking six weeks ahead
The room holds 33 — book for Friday and Saturday. Street parking on Murray Drive is usually fine.
3. Half Quarter — 39 Murray Drive, Forest Hill VIC 3168
What it is: A local institution Cost: $9-24 per person Best for: families
The room holds 62 with outdoor seating for another 15. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.
4. Little Depot — 7 Brunswick Grove, Forest Hill VIC 3168
What it is: A solid local spot Cost: $16-28 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird
Capacity is around 31 and fills on weekends. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
5. Mabel — 221 King Grove, Forest Hill VIC 3168
What it is: A quiet achiever Cost: $19-26 per person Best for: kids under 12 who need to burn energy
Capacity is around 42 with outdoor seating for another 15. Street parking on Murray Drive is usually fine.
Worth knowing: The pumpkin risotto ($21) — solid
Forest Hill — The Honest Version
6. Nico’s — 198 Margaret Place, Forest Hill VIC 3168
What it is: No-frills excellence Cost: $21-35 per person Best for: impressing someone without spending $200
The space seats about 47 and fills on weekends. Street parking on Murray Drive is usually fine.
7. The Tall Press — 212 Margaret Place, Forest Hill VIC 3168
What it is: A local institution Cost: $14-20 per person Best for: remote workers
The space seats about 40 — book for Friday and Saturday. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.
8. Lane — 300 Brunswick Grove, Forest Hill VIC 3168
What it is: A solid local spot Cost: $18-32 per person Best for: the under-$15 crowd
The room holds 59 with outdoor seating for another 15. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
9. Luna Quarter — 353 King Grove, Forest Hill VIC 3168
What it is: Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $8-20 per person Best for: anyone watching their wallet
The space seats about 62 — book for Friday and Saturday. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
10. Pantry — 377 Margaret Place, Forest Hill VIC 3168
What it is: A solid local spot Cost: $16-27 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird
The space seats about 47 with outdoor seating for another 15. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.
11. Mill — 219 Bridge Road, Forest Hill VIC 3168
What it is: Reliable all-rounder Cost: $12-22 per person Best for: groups of 6+ who want a table without booking six weeks ahead
Capacity is around 30 with outdoor seating for another 15. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Order this: The mushroom pasta ($18) — solid
12. Humble House — 291 Murray Drive, Forest Hill VIC 3168
What it is: Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $16-25 per person Best for: the under-$15 crowd
The space seats about 40 and fills on weekends. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.
13. River Corner — 298 Bridge Road, Forest Hill VIC 3168
What it is: Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $15-25 per person Best for: anyone watching their wallet
The room holds 32 and fills on weekends. Street parking on Murray Drive is usually fine.
Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.
14. Ada Kitchen — 256 Bridge Road, Forest Hill VIC 3168
What it is: A local institution Cost: $21-26 per person Best for: a quiet table for two
The room holds 64 with outdoor seating for another 15. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Forest Hill roaster — ask which one.
Explore More
- Vermont South Suburb Guide — same vibe, different suburb
- Forest Hill Best Cafes — where to get your morning coffee
- Forest Hill Things to Do — the full activity guide
- Burwood East Guide — the neighbouring suburb
- Compare Suburbs — see how Forest Hill stacks up
- All Forest Hill Guides — everything we’ve written about Forest Hill
FAQ
Yes. The suburb guide scene is stronger than most people expect.
What is Forest Hill known for?
Forest Hill Chase shopping centre is the retail hub.
Is Forest Hill a good suburb to live in?
Collective is our top recommendation. See our full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.
How far is Forest Hill from Melbourne CBD?
Forest Hill is 24-35km, 35-52min train, 28-40min drive from Melbourne CBD.
Forest Hill 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
