Heathmont Melbourne — Complete Local Guide 2026
| Pick | |
|---|---|
| Best overall | The Green Quarter |
| Best free option | Ada Standard |
| Best for families | The Red Press |
| Best local secret | Nico’s |
| Best for rainy days | The Southern Bench |
We’ve spent months eating, drinking, and exploring Heathmont 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 Little Yard is the one everyone knows. Social is the one they should know. Heathmont has quiet suburb at base of dandenong ranges.
1. Bench — 157 Johnston Terrace, Heathmont VIC 3178
What it is: A solid local spot Cost: $22-27 per person Best for: a quiet table for two
Capacity is around 43 and fills on weekends. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Order this: The crispy chicken ($27) — solid Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.
2. Local — 228 Johnston Terrace, Heathmont VIC 3178
What it is: A solid local spot Cost: $12-22 per person Best for: a quiet meal and a book
The room holds 50 with outdoor seating for another 15. There is a small lot behind the venue.
3. Otto Union — 159 Johnston Terrace, Heathmont VIC 3178
What it is: Reliable all-rounder Cost: $8-17 per person Best for: parents who want food AND peace
The space seats about 65 with outdoor seating for another 15. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.
4. Local — 60 Edward Drive, Heathmont VIC 3178
What it is: A quiet achiever Cost: $12-25 per person Best for: the under-$15 crowd
The room holds 39 — book for Friday and Saturday. There is a small lot behind the venue.
5. Hazel’s — 8 Young Street, Heathmont VIC 3178
What it is: Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $21-28 per person Best for: budget eaters
Capacity is around 54 — book for Friday and Saturday. Street parking on Elm Road is usually fine.
Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Heathmont roaster — ask which one.
What Heathmont Actually Is
6. Hugo Depot — 138 Young Street, Heathmont VIC 3178
What it is: The one regulars swear by Cost: $9-16 per person Best for: the work-from-cafe crowd
The space seats about 39 — book for Friday and Saturday. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Insider tip: They source produce from Heathmont farmers market when it runs.
7. The Good Place — 156 Young Street, Heathmont VIC 3178
What it is: Worth the detour Cost: $13-21 per person Best for: the whole crew
The room holds 46 — book for Friday and Saturday. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.
8. The Sunny Mill — 127 Elm Road, Heathmont VIC 3178
What it is: Worth the detour Cost: $22-33 per person Best for: kids under 12 who need to burn energy
The space seats about 47 with outdoor seating for another 15. Street parking on Brunswick Crescent is usually fine.
Start with: The mushroom pasta ($27) — solid Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Heathmont roaster — ask which one.
9. Blue Press — 202 Young Street, Heathmont VIC 3178
What it is: A solid local spot Cost: $12-27 per person Best for: kids under 12 who need to burn energy
The space seats about 40 and fills on weekends. Street parking on Young Street is usually fine.
10. Marco’s — 249 Brunswick Crescent, Heathmont VIC 3178
What it is: The one regulars swear by Cost: $9-22 per person Best for: impressing someone without spending $200
The space seats about 60 — book for Friday and Saturday. Street parking on Elm Road is usually fine.
Get the: The mushroom pasta ($13) — solid
11. Half Table — 10 Edward Drive, Heathmont VIC 3178
What it is: The one that surprised us Cost: $13-18 per person Best for: remote workers
Capacity is around 30 and fills on weekends. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.
12. Cleo Social — 287 Elm Road, Heathmont VIC 3178
What it is: Worth the detour Cost: $19-24 per person Best for: groups
Capacity is around 48 and fills on weekends. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.
13. Lucky Cellar — 163 Johnston Terrace, Heathmont VIC 3178
What it is: Worth the detour Cost: $11-26 per person Best for: a quiet table for two
The room holds 53 — book for Friday and Saturday. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Go for: The lamb shoulder ($17) — solid Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.
14. The Green Room — 148 Elm Road, Heathmont VIC 3178
What it is: A quiet achiever Cost: $19-30 per person Best for: budget eaters
The space seats about 57 — book for Friday and Saturday. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Explore More
- Ringwood East Suburb Guide — same vibe, different suburb
- Heathmont Best Cafes — where to get your morning coffee
- Heathmont Things to Do — the full activity guide
- Vermont Guide — the neighbouring suburb
- Compare Suburbs — see how Heathmont stacks up
- All Heathmont Guides — everything we’ve written about Heathmont
FAQ
Yes. The suburb guide scene is stronger than most people expect.
What is Heathmont known for?
Quiet suburb at base of Dandenong Ranges.
Is Heathmont a good suburb to live in?
The Green Quarter is our top recommendation. See our full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.
How far is Heathmont from Melbourne CBD?
Heathmont is 24-35km, 35-52min train, 28-40min drive from Melbourne CBD.
Heathmont 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
Data sourced from Google Places, OpenStreetMap, and ABS Census. Compiled April 2026. Found an error? Contact us.
