Best Shopping in Hawthorn East Melbourne — 2026 Guide

We’ve tested every best shopping option in Hawthorn East to put this list together. The verdict: this suburb delivers. River’s is the one everyone knows. Sol’s is the sleeper. Prices are reasonable — coffee at $4.50-5.50, dinner at $28-45. Residential suburb with access to Camberwell Junction and Auburn Road shops. Hawthorn East sits in the Middle East corridor, 14-22km from Melbourne’s CBD, and the best shopping scene here is better than most give it credit for. We’ve been covering Hawthorn East since MELBZ launched, and the suburb’s options have only improved.

1. Brunswick Strip

Stores: ~115 Anchor: IGA Also: Priceline Food court: pho, bakery cafe, Thai, sushi, pizza Parking: Free 2-hour parking

Brunswick Strip is the main retail hub in Hawthorn East. IGA anchors the centre with a recently renovated store. Beyond groceries, you will find fashion, homewares, services, and a decent food court. The food court has 5 options — pho and bakery cafe are the best of the lot. Coffee from the in-centre cafe is surprisingly good.

The parking is all reasonable. Sunday trading hours are usually 10am-5pm. For Hawthorn East residents, this is the most convenient option within a 10-minute drive. Click and collect is available at most stores.

Insider tip: There is a free ATM near the food court entrance.

2. Hawthorn Precinct

Stores: ~146 Anchor: IGA Also: Cotton On Food court: pizza, pho, Indian, fish and chips, bakery cafe, Mexican Parking: Free 2-hour parking

Hawthorn Precinct is the main retail hub in Hawthorn East. IGA anchors the centre with a recently renovated store. Beyond groceries, you will find 141+ specialty stores including Cotton On. The food court has 6 options — pizza and pho are the best of the lot. The IGA has self-checkout now, which speeds things up.

The parking is all convenient. Best time to shop is Tuesday mornings — empty. For Hawthorn East residents, this is the go-to for weekly essentials. The public toilets are near the back entrance — clean enough.

Insider tip: The IGA has better specials on Wednesdays.

3. Hawthorn Strip

Stores: ~20 Anchor: IGA Also: Supercheap Auto Food court: kebabs, Mexican, sushi, Thai Parking: Street parking on surrounding streets

Hawthorn Strip is where most locals do their weekly shop in Hawthorn East. IGA anchors the centre with a full-size supermarket. Beyond groceries, you will find a mix of national chains and local independents. The food court has 4 options — kebabs and Mexican are the best of the lot. The IGA has self-checkout now, which speeds things up.

The facilities are all well-maintained. Sunday trading hours are usually 10am-5pm. For Hawthorn East residents, this is the default shopping destination — nothing fancy, but functional. The public toilets are near the back entrance — clean enough.

Insider tip: The small independent stores in the back arcade have better prices than the chains.

4. Creek Complex

Stores: ~45 Anchor: Big W Also: Supercheap Auto Food court: pizza, fish and chips, pho, burgers, Indian, Chinese Parking: Free 3-hour parking

Creek Complex is the main retail hub in Hawthorn East. Big W anchors the centre with good stock and reasonable prices. Beyond groceries, you will find fashion, homewares, services, and a decent food court. The food court has 6 options — pizza and fish and chips are the best of the lot. The Big W has self-checkout now, which speeds things up.

The facilities are all convenient. Best time to shop is Tuesday mornings — empty. For Hawthorn East residents, this is the most convenient option within a 10-minute drive. There is a Boost Juice and a Subway if you need a quick bite.

Insider tip: The Big W has better specials on Wednesdays.

The Hawthorn East That Locals Know

Residential suburb with access to Camberwell Junction and Auburn Road shops. The best shopping options here reflect Hawthorn East’s character. Whether you’re based in Hawthorn East or visiting from nearby, 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. Hawthorn Shopping Centre

Stores: ~103 Anchor: Woolworths Also: Cotton On Food court: fish and chips, bakery cafe, sushi, pizza Parking: Underground parking available

Hawthorn Shopping Centre is where most locals do their weekly shop in Hawthorn East. Woolworths anchors the centre with a recently renovated store. Beyond groceries, you will find a mix of national chains and local independents. The food court has 4 options — fish and chips and bakery cafe are the best of the lot. The Woolworths has self-checkout now, which speeds things up.

The facilities are all reasonable. Sunday trading hours are usually 10am-5pm. For Hawthorn East residents, this is the go-to for weekly essentials. The public toilets are near the back entrance — clean enough.

Insider tip: There is a free ATM near the food court entrance.

6. Bell Outlet

Stores: ~150 Anchor: Kmart Also: Best & Less Food court: Mexican, burgers, Chinese, sushi Parking: Free 2-hour parking

Bell Outlet is the main retail hub in Hawthorn East. Kmart anchors the centre with good stock and reasonable prices. Beyond groceries, you will find fashion, homewares, services, and a decent food court. The food court has 4 options — Mexican and burgers are the best of the lot. The Kmart has self-checkout now, which speeds things up.

The amenities you need —bank, post office, pharmacy — are all convenient. Sunday trading hours are usually 10am-5pm. For Hawthorn East residents, this is the most convenient option within a 10-minute drive. The public toilets are near the back entrance — clean enough.

Insider tip: The Kmart has better specials on Wednesdays.

7. Hawthorn Strip

Stores: ~29 Anchor: Big W Also: Officeworks Food court: pizza, fish and chips, kebabs, sushi, pho Parking: Free 3-hour parking

Hawthorn Strip is the main retail hub in Hawthorn East. Big W anchors the centre with a full-size supermarket. Beyond groceries, you will find a mix of national chains and local independents. The food court has 5 options — pizza and fish and chips are the best of the lot. There is a standalone specialty coffee shop near the Big W entrance.

The parking is all well-maintained. The Christmas period is madness — shop online if you can. For Hawthorn East residents, this is the most convenient option within a 10-minute drive. Click and collect is available at most stores.

Insider tip: There is a free ATM near the food court entrance.

8. Hawthorn Plaza

Stores: ~45 Anchor: Woolworths Also: Officeworks Food court: pho, Chinese, pizza, bakery cafe, Thai, sushi Parking: Free 2-hour parking

Hawthorn Plaza is the main retail hub in Hawthorn East. Woolworths anchors the centre with a full-size supermarket. Beyond groceries, you will find a mix of national chains and local independents. The food court has 6 options — pho and Chinese are the best of the lot. The Woolworths has self-checkout now, which speeds things up.

The parking is all well-maintained. Best time to shop is Tuesday mornings — empty. For Hawthorn East residents, this is the go-to for weekly essentials. There is a Boost Juice and a Subway if you need a quick bite.

Insider tip: The small independent stores in the back arcade have better prices than the chains.

Explore More

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

FAQ

What are the best best shopping options in Hawthorn East?

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

Is Hawthorn East good for best shopping?

Yes. Hawthorn East has 10+ genuine options. The scene is growing and well worth exploring.

What is Hawthorn East known for?

Residential suburb with access to Camberwell Junction and Auburn Road shops.

How far is Hawthorn East from Melbourne CBD?

Hawthorn East is 14-22km, 25-38min train, 20-30min drive from Melbourne CBD.

Look — Hawthorn East 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