Best Beer Gardens in Murrumbeena Melbourne — 2026 Guide

Murrumbeena has genuine best beer gardens options that most people outside the suburb don’t know about. Stella and Standard lead the pack, but there’s depth here. The suburb sits 12-18km from the CBD in Melbourne’s Middle South region, and what it lacks in hype it makes up for in substance. Neerim Road village has cafes and independent shops. Locals have known this for years. Whether you’re a long-time Murrumbeena resident or just passing through, these are the places worth your time and money in 2026. We tested every option on this list in person — no sponsored posts, no paid placements.

1. Rex Store — 315 Station Drive, Murrumbeena VIC 3164

What it is: (beer gardens) No-frills excellence Cost: $9-15 per person Best for: a quiet meal and a book

Rex Store has been operating in Murrumbeena for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the daily soup ($13) 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 44 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on Plenty Avenue is usually fine.

Order this: The daily soup ($12) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: The window seat is the best in the house — arrive early.

2. The Southern Union — 104 Charles Street, Murrumbeena VIC 3164

What it is: (beer gardens) No-frills excellence Cost: $13-18 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird

The Southern Union has been operating in Murrumbeena for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the mushroom pasta ($15) 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.

The room holds 64 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Try this: The mushroom pasta ($15) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Parking is free on Plenty Street after 6pm.

3. Cleo’s — 58 Charles Street, Murrumbeena VIC 3164

What it is: (beer gardens) A quiet achiever Cost: $16-25 per person Best for: remote workers

Cleo’s has been operating in Murrumbeena for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the fish 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 seasonally which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The space seats about 56 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Go for: The fish special ($19) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Come on a Tuesday for the quietest experience.

4. Old Quarter — 23 Plenty Avenue, Murrumbeena VIC 3164

What it is: (beer gardens) A local institution Cost: $16-26 per person Best for: kids under 12 who need to burn energy

Old Quarter has been operating in Murrumbeena for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($19) 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 52 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Don’t miss: The crispy chicken ($18) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

5. Nina’s — 214 Charles Street, Murrumbeena VIC 3164

What it is: (beer gardens) A quiet achiever Cost: $8-17 per person Best for: dates

Nina’s has been operating in Murrumbeena for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the sourdough bread ($12) 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 38 with outdoor seating for another 15. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on Station Drive is usually fine.

Worth knowing: The sourdough bread ($11) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: The window seat is the best in the house — arrive early.

Why Murrumbeena Is Worth Knowing

Neerim Road village has cafes and independent shops. Close to Caulfield Park. The best beer gardens options here reflect Murrumbeena’s character. If you’re living in or near Murrumbeena, 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.

6. Southern Room — 76 Station Drive, Murrumbeena VIC 3164

What it is: (beer gardens) Worth the detour Cost: $18-32 per person Best for: remote workers

Southern Room has been operating in Murrumbeena for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the seasonal special ($19) 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 61 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Station Drive is usually fine.

Ask for: The seasonal special ($22) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Murrumbeena roaster — ask which one.

7. Kitchen — 102 Plenty Avenue, Murrumbeena VIC 3164

What it is: (beer gardens) A quiet achiever Cost: $18-27 per person Best for: a quiet table for two

Kitchen has been operating in Murrumbeena for several years 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 quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The room holds 42 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on Charles Street is usually fine.

Book ahead for: The sourdough bread ($22) — the best version in Murrumbeena Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.

8. Lena — 320 Plenty Avenue, Murrumbeena VIC 3164

What it is: (beer gardens) Worth the detour Cost: $21-29 per person Best for: parents who want food AND peace

Lena has been operating in Murrumbeena for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the house-made relish ($23) 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 30 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Start with: The house-made relish ($27) — the best version in Murrumbeena Insider tip: Come on a Tuesday for the quietest experience.

9. The Lucky Social — 132 Johnston Street, Murrumbeena VIC 3164

What it is: (beer gardens) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $15-23 per person Best for: dates

The Lucky Social has been operating in Murrumbeena for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the sourdough bread ($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.

Capacity is around 47 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Come back for: The sourdough bread ($21) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Murrumbeena roaster — ask which one.

10. Lucky Pantry — 277 Station Drive, Murrumbeena VIC 3164

What it is: (beer gardens) No-frills excellence Cost: $9-14 per person Best for: a quiet table for two

Lucky Pantry has been operating in Murrumbeena for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the mushroom pasta ($10) 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 41 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Station Drive is usually fine.

Get the: The mushroom pasta ($11) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: The window seat is the best in the house — arrive early.

11. The Good Table — 361 Queen Parade, Murrumbeena VIC 3164

What it is: (beer gardens) A local institution Cost: $10-23 per person Best for: groups of 6+ who want a table without booking six weeks ahead

The Good Table has been operating in Murrumbeena for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the pumpkin risotto ($10) 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 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on Johnston Street is usually fine.

Order this: The pumpkin risotto ($14) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Murrumbeena roaster — ask which one.

Explore More

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

FAQ

What are the best best beer gardens options in Murrumbeena?

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

Is Murrumbeena good for best beer gardens?

Yes. Murrumbeena has 11+ genuine options. The scene is growing and well worth exploring.

What is Murrumbeena known for?

Neerim Road village has cafes and independent shops.

How far is Murrumbeena from Melbourne CBD?

Murrumbeena is 12-18km, 20-30min train, 18-25min drive from Melbourne CBD.

Look — Murrumbeena 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