Best Cheap Eats Under $15 in Mulgrave Melbourne 2026

We’ve spent months eating, drinking, and exploring Mulgrave 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. Honest Mill is the one everyone knows. Red Commons is the one they should know. Mulgrave has home to large corporate offices including woolworths and officeworks hqs.

1. Sol’s — 118 Johnston Parade, Mulgrave VIC 3171

What it is: Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $22-29 per person Best for: a quiet meal and a book

Sol’s has been operating in Mulgrave for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the charcuterie board ($26) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes monthly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The room holds 39 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Order this: The charcuterie board ($26) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Mulgrave roaster — ask which one.

2. Little Store — 303 Johnston Parade, Mulgrave VIC 3171

What it is: The one regulars swear by Cost: $13-21 per person Best for: budget eaters

Little Store has been operating in Mulgrave for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the seasonal special ($18) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes monthly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The room holds 31 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on Smith Road is usually fine.

Try this: The seasonal special ($15) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.

3. Remy Press — 352 Queen Terrace, Mulgrave VIC 3171

What it is: A local institution Cost: $16-24 per person Best for: the work-from-cafe crowd

Remy Press has been operating in Mulgrave for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the house-made relish ($20) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes seasonally which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

Capacity is around 49 with outdoor seating for another 15. Service is efficient without being rushed. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Go for: The house-made relish ($18) — the best version in Mulgrave Insider tip: The window seat is the best in the house — arrive early.

4. The Sunny Post — 204 Queen Terrace, Mulgrave VIC 3171

What it is: Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $21-35 per person Best for: people who need three hours and a laptop

The Sunny Post has been operating in Mulgrave for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($23) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes monthly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

Capacity is around 50 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on Queen Terrace is usually fine.

Don’t miss: The crispy chicken ($26) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Mulgrave roaster — ask which one.

5. Ivy’s — 251 Bourke Road, Mulgrave VIC 3171

What it is: Worth the detour Cost: $21-34 per person Best for: the under-$15 crowd

Ivy’s has been operating in Mulgrave for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the house-made relish ($21) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes monthly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The space seats about 40 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Worth knowing: The house-made relish ($27) — the best version in Mulgrave Insider tip: They source produce from Mulgrave farmers market when it runs.

What Nobody Tells You About Mulgrave

Home to large corporate offices including Woolworths and Officeworks HQs. Waverley Gardens hub. This isn’t marketing copy — it’s what defines Mulgrave’s character and why the suburb has the identity it does. For Mulgrave locals and anyone in the area, you’ll find that this history shapes everything from the food culture to the community events. The locals who’ve been here longest will tell you the suburb has changed dramatically, but the bones are still good.

6. Table — 298 Queen Terrace, Mulgrave VIC 3171

What it is: Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $14-28 per person Best for: people who need three hours and a laptop

Table has been operating in Mulgrave for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the seasonal special ($15) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes monthly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The space seats about 40 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Ask for: The seasonal special ($18) — the best version in Mulgrave Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.

7. Rex’s — 239 Creek Parade, Mulgrave VIC 3171

What it is: A solid local spot Cost: $21-30 per person Best for: people who need three hours and a laptop

Rex’s has been operating in Mulgrave for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the sourdough bread ($23) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes monthly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The room holds 44 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on Creek Parade is usually fine.

Book ahead for: The sourdough bread ($26) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.

8. The Lucky Cellar — 344 Smith Road, Mulgrave VIC 3171

What it is: A solid local spot Cost: $15-23 per person Best for: people who need three hours and a laptop

The Lucky Cellar has been operating in Mulgrave for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the seasonal special ($15) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The space seats about 34 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on Queen Terrace is usually fine.

Start with: The seasonal special ($18) — the best version in Mulgrave Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Mulgrave roaster — ask which one.

9. Post — 186 Bourke Road, Mulgrave VIC 3171

What it is: A quiet achiever Cost: $8-21 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird

Post has been operating in Mulgrave for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the mushroom pasta ($9) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

Capacity is around 31 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Come back for: The mushroom pasta ($12) — the best version in Mulgrave Insider tip: They source produce from Mulgrave farmers market when it runs.

10. The Half Quarter — 195 Smith Road, Mulgrave VIC 3171

What it is: A quiet achiever Cost: $8-20 per person Best for: a quiet table for two

The Half Quarter has been operating in Mulgrave for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the charcuterie board ($12) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The room holds 56 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on Queen Terrace is usually fine.

Get the: The charcuterie board ($10) — the best version in Mulgrave Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.

11. Hugo Bench — 215 Johnston Parade, Mulgrave VIC 3171

What it is: Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $18-33 per person Best for: a quiet meal and a book

Hugo Bench has been operating in Mulgrave for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the house-made relish ($20) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

Capacity is around 40 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Order this: The house-made relish ($23) — the best version in Mulgrave Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Mulgrave roaster — ask which one.

Explore More

• Wheelers Hill Cheap Eats Under 15 — same vibe, different suburb
• Mulgrave Best Cafes — where to get your morning coffee
• Mulgrave Things to Do — the full activity guide
• Ringwood East Guide — the neighbouring suburb
• Compare Suburbs — see how Mulgrave stacks up
• All Mulgrave Guides — everything we’ve written about Mulgrave

FAQ

Is Mulgrave worth visiting?

Yes. Mulgrave has genuine local character that rewards visitors who look past the surface. The cheap eats under 15 scene is stronger than most people expect.

What is Mulgrave known for?

Home to large corporate offices including Woolworths and Officeworks HQs.

What can you eat for $10 or less in Mulgrave?

River Local is our top recommendation. See our full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.

How far is Mulgrave from Melbourne CBD?

Mulgrave is 24-35km, 35-52min train, 28-40min drive from Melbourne CBD.

Look — Mulgrave 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