Best Dog Friendly Guide in Hillside Melbourne — 2026 Guide
| Pick | |
|---|---|
| Our #1 | The Southern Union |
| Zero-cost winner | Finn |
| Kid-approved | The Half Depot |
| Under the radar | The New Table |
| Wet day saviour | Nina Social |
We’ve spent months eating, drinking, and exploring Hillside 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. Cleo Cellar is the one everyone knows. Cleo’s is the one they should know. Hillside has hillside is a growing melbourne suburb with its own local character and community.
1. Sol Table — 340 Chapel Road, Hillside VIC 3118
What it is: A local institution Cost: $16-28 per person Best for: people who need three hours and a laptop
Capacity is around 37 and fills on weekends. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Order this: The seasonal special ($19) — solid Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.
2. Remy’s — 152 Pine Grove, Hillside VIC 3118
What it is: Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $15-23 per person Best for: a quiet table for two
The room holds 46 and fills on weekends. Street parking on Collins Crescent is usually fine.
Insider tip: They source produce from Hillside farmers market when it runs.
3. Ivy’s — 140 Chapel Road, Hillside VIC 3118
What it is: Worth the detour Cost: $16-27 per person Best for: the work-from-cafe crowd
Capacity is around 38 and fills on weekends. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Hillside roaster — ask which one.
4. Northern Works — 14 Pine Grove, Hillside VIC 3118
What it is: No-frills excellence Cost: $15-23 per person Best for: families
The space seats about 57 and fills on weekends. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.
5. The Golden Local — 196 Collins Crescent, Hillside VIC 3118
What it is: Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $10-24 per person Best for: the under-$15 crowd
Capacity is around 55 and fills on weekends. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.
Why Hillside Is Worth Knowing
6. New Pantry — 269 Pine Grove, Hillside VIC 3118
What it is: No-frills excellence Cost: $13-22 per person Best for: a quiet meal and a book
The room holds 52 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.
7. Humble Social — 186 Chapel Road, Hillside VIC 3118
What it is: A local institution Cost: $19-26 per person Best for: people who need three hours and a laptop
Capacity is around 34 with outdoor seating for another 15. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.
8. Bench — 262 Anderson Grove, Hillside VIC 3118
What it is: Worth the detour Cost: $19-30 per person Best for: groups
Capacity is around 65 — book for Friday and Saturday. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Start with: The fish special ($21) — solid
9. Felix’s — 260 Margaret Drive, Hillside VIC 3118
What it is: The one that surprised us Cost: $18-26 per person Best for: the under-$15 crowd
The room holds 35 and fills on weekends. There is a small lot behind the venue.
10. River Quarter — 86 Collins Crescent, Hillside VIC 3118
What it is: Reliable all-rounder Cost: $13-27 per person Best for: families
The room holds 45 and fills on weekends. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.
Explore More
- Melbourne Cbd Dog Friendly Guide — same vibe, different suburb
- Hillside Best Cafes — where to get your morning coffee
- Hillside Things to Do — the full activity guide
- Melbourne Cbd Guide — the neighbouring suburb
- Compare Suburbs — see how Hillside stacks up
- All Hillside Guides — everything we’ve written about Hillside
FAQ
Yes. The dog friendly guide scene is stronger than most people expect.
What is Hillside known for?
Hillside is a growing Melbourne suburb with its own local character and community.
What is Hillside best known for?
The Southern Union is our top recommendation. See our full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.
How far is Hillside from Melbourne CBD?
Hillside is 15-30km, 25-45min by public transport from Melbourne CBD.
Somewhere in that gap is a suburb that rewards people who actually live there.
Last updated: March 2026
