Best Cheap Eats Under $15 in Mulgrave Melbourne 2026
| Pick | |
|---|---|
| Best overall | River Local |
| Best free option | Good Post |
| Best for families | Ada Works |
| Best local secret | Nina’s |
| Best for rainy days | Mia’s |
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
The room holds 39 and fills on weekends. There is a small lot behind the venue.
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
The room holds 31 and fills on weekends. Street parking on Smith Road is usually fine.
Try this: The seasonal special ($15) — solid 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
Capacity is around 49 with outdoor seating for another 15. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
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
Capacity is around 50 with outdoor seating for another 15. Street parking on Queen Terrace is usually fine.
Don’t miss: The crispy chicken ($26) — solid 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
The space seats about 40 and fills on weekends. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Insider tip: They source produce from Mulgrave farmers market when it runs.
What Nobody Tells You About Mulgrave
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
The space seats about 40 and fills on weekends. There is a small lot behind the venue.
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
The room holds 44 — book for Friday and Saturday. Street parking on Creek Parade is usually fine.
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 space seats about 34 and fills on weekends. Street parking on Queen Terrace is usually fine.
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
Capacity is around 31 — book for Friday and Saturday. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
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 room holds 56 and fills on weekends. Street parking on Queen Terrace is usually fine.
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
Capacity is around 40 with outdoor seating for another 15. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
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
Yes. 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
