Things to Do in Forest Hill This Weekend — 2026
| Pick | |
|---|---|
| Best overall | Zara |
| Best free option | Nico’s |
| Best for families | Oliver’s |
| Best local secret | Nina’s |
| Best for rainy days | Marco Corner |
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. The Honest Yard is the one everyone knows. Tall Cellar is the one they should know. Forest Hill has forest hill chase shopping centre is the retail hub.
1. Otto’s — 326 Bridge Road, Forest Hill VIC 3168
What it is: A quiet achiever Cost: $19-33 per person Best for: groups
Capacity is around 54 with outdoor seating for another 15. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Order this: The crispy chicken ($25) — solid Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.
2. Remy’s — 329 Brunswick Grove, Forest Hill VIC 3168
What it is: No-frills excellence Cost: $11-26 per person Best for: a quiet meal and a book
The room holds 41 and fills on weekends. Street parking on Brunswick Grove is usually fine.
Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.
3. Nell — 255 Bridge Road, Forest Hill VIC 3168
What it is: The one that surprised us Cost: $9-23 per person Best for: people who need three hours and a laptop
The room holds 41 and fills on weekends. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Go for: The seasonal special ($11) — solid Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.
4. The Common Cellar — 347 Margaret Place, Forest Hill VIC 3168
What it is: The one that surprised us Cost: $16-25 per person Best for: budget eaters
The space seats about 49 with outdoor seating for another 15. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.
5. Sunny Commons — 123 Margaret Place, Forest Hill VIC 3168
What it is: A solid local spot Cost: $9-24 per person Best for: families
Capacity is around 48 — book for Friday and Saturday. Street parking on Murray Drive is usually fine.
What Nobody Tells You About Forest Hill
6. Zara’s — 109 Murray Drive, Forest Hill VIC 3168
What it is: A local institution Cost: $10-24 per person Best for: the whole crew
The space seats about 44 with outdoor seating for another 15. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Ask for: The pumpkin risotto ($16) — solid
7. Nina’s — 337 Brunswick Grove, Forest Hill VIC 3168
What it is: Reliable all-rounder Cost: $21-30 per person Best for: the under-$15 crowd
Capacity is around 53 — 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. The Tall Bench — 299 King Grove, Forest Hill VIC 3168
What it is: Reliable all-rounder Cost: $15-29 per person Best for: families
The space seats about 43 — book for Friday and Saturday. Street parking on King Grove is usually fine.
9. Hugo — 141 Murray Drive, Forest Hill VIC 3168
What it is: The one regulars swear by Cost: $18-32 per person Best for: people who need three hours and a laptop
The room holds 35 — book for Friday and Saturday. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
10. Ruby Commons — 86 King Grove, Forest Hill VIC 3168
What it is: The one that surprised us Cost: $11-24 per person Best for: the whole crew
Capacity is around 35 with outdoor seating for another 15. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Get the: The mushroom pasta ($13) — solid
11. Zara’s — 371 King Grove, Forest Hill VIC 3168
What it is: A local institution Cost: $18-24 per person Best for: groups
The space seats about 57 and fills on weekends. Street parking on Brunswick Grove is usually fine.
12. Golden Local — 87 Murray Drive, Forest Hill VIC 3168
What it is: Worth the detour Cost: $14-26 per person Best for: people who need three hours and a laptop
The space seats about 59 and fills on weekends. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Try this: The seasonal special ($16) — solid Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.
Explore More
- Vermont South Things To Do This Weekend — 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 things to do this weekend scene is stronger than most people expect.
What is Forest Hill known for?
Forest Hill Chase shopping centre is the retail hub.
What is there to do in Forest Hill on a Sunday?
Zara 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.
Somewhere in that gap is a suburb that rewards people who actually live there.
Last updated: March 2026
