Best Shopping in Mentone Melbourne — 2026 Guide

We’ve tested every best shopping option in Mentone to put this list together. The verdict: this suburb delivers. Mia House is the one everyone knows. Mabel Table is the sleeper. Prices are competitive — coffee at $4.50-5.50, dinner at $28-45. Bayside suburb with strong independent community identity. Mentone sits in the Bayside corridor, 20km from Melbourne’s CBD, and the best shopping scene here is better than most give it credit for. We’ve been covering Mentone since MELBZ launched, and the suburb’s options have only improved.

1. Charles Arcade

Stores: ~17 Anchor: Target Also: Best & Less Food court: bakery cafe, Thai, Japanese, pho, pizza, Mexican Parking: Street parking on surrounding streets

Charles Arcade is the main retail hub in Mentone. Target anchors the centre with good stock and reasonable prices. Beyond groceries, you will find 12+ specialty stores including Best & Less. The food court has 6 options — bakery cafe and Thai are the best of the lot. Coffee from the in-centre cafe is surprisingly good.

The parking is all convenient. Best time to shop is Tuesday mornings — empty. For Mentone residents, this is the default shopping destination — nothing fancy, but functional. Click and collect is available at most stores.

Insider tip: Park on the Young Lane side — closer to the entrance and fewer people.

2. Barkly Plaza

Stores: ~30 Anchor: IGA Also: Supercheap Auto Food court: bakery cafe, Mexican, Japanese, Thai, pho, kebabs, Chinese Parking: Free 2-hour parking

Barkly Plaza is the main retail hub in Mentone. IGA 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 7 options — bakery cafe and Mexican are the best of the lot. The IGA has self-checkout now, which speeds things up.

The amenities you need —bank, post office, pharmacy — are all reasonable. The Christmas period is madness — shop online if you can. For Mentone residents, this is the go-to for weekly essentials. Click and collect is available at most stores.

Insider tip: Park on the Johnston Avenue side — closer to the entrance and fewer people.

3. Albert Shopping Centre

Stores: ~174 Anchor: ALDI Also: JB Hi-Fi Food court: fish and chips, bakery cafe, Thai, Chinese, burgers, Mexican Parking: Street parking on surrounding streets

Albert Shopping Centre is the main retail hub in Mentone. ALDI anchors the centre with good stock and reasonable prices. Beyond groceries, you will find 169+ specialty stores including JB Hi-Fi. The food court has 6 options — fish and chips and bakery cafe are the best of the lot. Coffee from the in-centre cafe is surprisingly good.

The parking is all reasonable. Saturday mornings are chaos — try weekday evenings instead. For Mentone 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.

4. High Arcade

Stores: ~87 Anchor: Kmart Also: Chemist Warehouse Food court: burgers, pho, fish and chips, Chinese, Indian Parking: Street parking on surrounding streets

High Arcade is a reliable shopping option in Mentone. Kmart anchors the centre with a recently renovated store. Beyond groceries, you will find 82+ specialty stores including Chemist Warehouse. The food court has 5 options — burgers and pho 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. Best time to shop is Tuesday mornings — empty. For Mentone residents, this is the default shopping destination — nothing fancy, but functional. Click and collect is available at most stores.

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

Why Locals Stay in Mentone

Bayside suburb with strong independent community identity. Good cafe strip on Como Parade. Direct beach access. The best shopping options here reflect Mentone’s character. Whether you’re based in Mentone 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. Chapel Strip

Stores: ~162 Anchor: Big W Also: The Reject Shop Food court: Mexican, Thai, kebabs, Chinese, burgers, bakery cafe Parking: Free 3-hour parking

Chapel Strip is where most locals do their weekly shop in Mentone. 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 — Mexican and Thai are the best of the lot. The Big W has self-checkout now, which speeds things up.

The parking is all convenient. Sunday trading hours are usually 10am-5pm. For Mentone residents, this is the go-to for weekly essentials. 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.

6. Mentone Strip

Stores: ~80 Anchor: Coles Also: Priceline Food court: Japanese, pizza, burgers, Indian, kebabs, pho Parking: Underground parking available

Mentone Strip is the main retail hub in Mentone. Coles anchors the centre with a full-size supermarket. Beyond groceries, you will find fashion, homewares, services, and a decent food court. The food court has 6 options — Japanese and pizza are the best of the lot. Coffee from the in-centre cafe is surprisingly good.

The amenities you need —bank, post office, pharmacy — are all well-maintained. The Christmas period is madness — shop online if you can. For Mentone residents, this is the default shopping destination — nothing fancy, but functional. Click and collect is available at most stores.

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

7. Mentone Plaza

Stores: ~79 Anchor: Kmart Also: The Reject Shop Food court: sushi, pho, Chinese, Thai Parking: Free 2-hour parking

Mentone Plaza is where most locals do their weekly shop in Mentone. Kmart 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 — sushi and pho are the best of the lot. The Kmart has self-checkout now, which speeds things up.

The facilities are all convenient. Sunday trading hours are usually 10am-5pm. For Mentone 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: There is a free ATM near the food court entrance.

8. Plenty Precinct

Stores: ~78 Anchor: Coles Also: Priceline Food court: burgers, Chinese, pizza, Thai, Indian Parking: Underground parking available

Plenty Precinct is the main retail hub in Mentone. Coles anchors the centre with good stock and reasonable prices. Beyond groceries, you will find 73+ specialty stores including Priceline. The food court has 5 options — burgers and Chinese are the best of the lot. Coffee from the in-centre cafe is surprisingly good.

The parking is all reasonable. Saturday mornings are chaos — try weekday evenings instead. For Mentone 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: There is a free ATM near the food court entrance.

Explore More

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

FAQ

What are the best best shopping options in Mentone?

Ash Depot is our top pick. See the full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.

Is Mentone good for best shopping?

Yes. Mentone has 12+ genuine options. The scene is surprisingly diverse and well worth exploring.

What is Mentone known for?

Bayside suburb with strong independent community identity.

How far is Mentone from Melbourne CBD?

Mentone is 20km, 35min train, 28min drive from Melbourne CBD.

The truth about Mentone: it’s better than its reputation and worse than the real estate ads suggest. Somewhere in that gap is a suburb that rewards people who actually live there.

Last updated: March 2026