Best Cheap Eats Under $15 in Mentone Melbourne 2026
| Pick | |
|---|---|
| Top pick | Ash Kitchen |
| Free highlight | Collective |
| Family-friendly | Sol Lane |
| Locals only | Ada’s |
| Indoor option | Gus’s |
Mentone doesn’t get the press that inner-city suburbs do, but the locals aren’t complaining. The cheap eats under 15 scene here is solid, unpretentious, and growing. Little Cellar and Nico’s are among the standouts, but they’re not the only ones worth your time. Mentone sits 20km from the CBD, and what it lacks in hype it makes up for in substance. Bayside suburb with strong independent community identity.
1. Hugo’s — 300 Smith Avenue, Mentone VIC 3191
What it is: Worth the detour Cost: $19-26 per person Best for: solo diners
The space seats about 46 — book for Friday and Saturday. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
2. Collective — 53 Smith Avenue, Mentone VIC 3191
What it is: The one that surprised us Cost: $16-22 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird
The room holds 49 — book for Friday and Saturday. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
3. Northern Store — 185 Smith Avenue, Mentone VIC 3191
What it is: A quiet achiever Cost: $9-17 per person Best for: a quiet meal and a book
The room holds 32 — book for Friday and Saturday. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Go for: The seasonal special ($11) — solid Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.
4. Humble Lane — 10 Hill Terrace, Mentone VIC 3191
What it is: No-frills excellence Cost: $19-24 per person Best for: the work-from-cafe crowd
Capacity is around 48 with outdoor seating for another 15. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
5. Max’s — 240 Young Lane, Mentone VIC 3191
What it is: Reliable all-rounder Cost: $19-26 per person Best for: solo diners
Capacity is around 61 with outdoor seating for another 15. Street parking on Johnston Avenue is usually fine.
Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.
The Reality of Mentone
6. Nell — 301 Smith Avenue, Mentone VIC 3191
What it is: Worth the detour Cost: $19-30 per person Best for: families
The room holds 54 and fills on weekends. Street parking on Hill Terrace is usually fine.
Ask for: The daily soup ($22) — solid Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Mentone roaster — ask which one.
7. Ash’s — 99 Smith Avenue, Mentone VIC 3191
What it is: The one that surprised us Cost: $9-19 per person Best for: groups of 6+ who want a table without booking six weeks ahead
The room holds 31 with outdoor seating for another 15. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Insider tip: They source produce from Mentone farmers market when it runs.
8. Atlas Pantry — 155 Young Lane, Mentone VIC 3191
What it is: A local institution Cost: $22-31 per person Best for: remote workers
Capacity is around 65 with outdoor seating for another 15. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Mentone roaster — ask which one.
9. The Blue Lane — 190 Johnston Avenue, Mentone VIC 3191
What it is: No-frills excellence Cost: $14-26 per person Best for: a quiet table for two
The room holds 45 and fills on weekends. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Mentone roaster — ask which one.
10. The Tall Local — 302 Smith Avenue, Mentone VIC 3191
What it is: A local institution Cost: $20-34 per person Best for: the whole crew
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.
11. Sol — 280 Young Lane, Mentone VIC 3191
What it is: Worth the detour Cost: $22-36 per person Best for: kids under 12 who need to burn energy
Capacity is around 45 with outdoor seating for another 15. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.
12. Sunny Pantry — 118 Smith Avenue, Mentone VIC 3191
What it is: No-frills excellence Cost: $22-35 per person Best for: impressing someone without spending $200
The room holds 56 and fills on weekends. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Mentone roaster — ask which one.
Explore More
- Cheltenham Cheap Eats Under 15 — same vibe, different suburb
- Mentone Best Cafes — where to get your morning coffee
- Mentone Things to Do — the full activity guide
- Mordialloc Guide — the neighbouring suburb
- Compare Suburbs — see how Mentone stacks up
- All Mentone Guides — everything we’ve written about Mentone
FAQ
Yes. The cheap eats under 15 scene is stronger than most people expect.
What is Mentone known for?
Bayside suburb with strong independent community identity.
What can you eat for $10 or less in Mentone?
Ash Kitchen is our top recommendation. See our full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.
How far is Mentone from Melbourne CBD?
Mentone is 20km, 35min train, 28min drive from Melbourne CBD.
If you’re comparing Mentone to inner-city options, stop. Different league, different game. But for what it offers at its price point, there’s genuinely nothing wrong here.
Last updated: March 2026
