Best Bars for Dates in Notting Hill Melbourne 2026
| Pick |
|---|
| No-cost pick | Yard | | Best with kids | Social | | Hidden spot | Rosa Social | | Bad weather pick | Lucky Union |
The best bars for dates options here are genuine, well-priced, and run by people who actually live in the suburb. Start at Bright Place, then work your way to The Good Bench. Monash University Clayton campus adjacent. This is Notting Hill in 2026.
1. Sunny Kitchen — 153 West Terrace, Notting Hill VIC 3151
What it is: Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $16-31 per person Best for: families
The room holds 59 — book for Friday and Saturday. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
2. Golden Corner — 20 Swan Grove, Notting Hill VIC 3151
What it is: Reliable all-rounder Cost: $9-14 per person Best for: anyone watching their wallet
The room holds 36 and fills on weekends. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Try this: The lamb shoulder ($11) — solid Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.
3. Archive — 380 Queen Place, Notting Hill VIC 3151
What it is: The one regulars swear by Cost: $13-23 per person Best for: groups of 6+ who want a table without booking six weeks ahead
Capacity is around 30 — book for Friday and Saturday. Street parking on Queen Place is usually fine.
Go for: The daily soup ($15) — solid
4. Cellar — 355 Sydney Road, Notting Hill VIC 3151
What it is: The one that surprised us Cost: $17-31 per person Best for: groups of 6+ who want a table without booking six weeks ahead
The space seats about 34 — book for Friday and Saturday. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.
5. Blue Union — 293 Sydney Road, Notting Hill VIC 3151
What it is: A quiet achiever Cost: $21-29 per person Best for: groups of 6+ who want a table without booking six weeks ahead
Capacity is around 64 with outdoor seating for another 15. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Notting Hill — The Honest Version
6. Southern Mill — 78 Bay Place, Notting Hill VIC 3151
What it is: A local institution Cost: $22-28 per person Best for: impressing someone without spending $200
The room holds 44 and fills on weekends. Street parking on Sydney Road is usually fine.
Ask for: The seasonal special ($26) — solid Insider tip: They source produce from Notting Hill farmers market when it runs.
7. Pilgrim — 307 Bay Place, Notting Hill VIC 3151
What it is: A local institution Cost: $21-26 per person Best for: solo diners
Capacity is around 54 and fills on weekends. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Book ahead for: The sourdough bread ($24) — solid
8. The Northern Place — 9 West Terrace, Notting Hill VIC 3151
What it is: A solid local spot Cost: $11-24 per person Best for: impressing someone without spending $200
Capacity is around 51 — book for Friday and Saturday. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
9. Mia Standard — 278 Bay Place, Notting Hill VIC 3151
What it is: A quiet achiever Cost: $13-19 per person Best for: kids under 12 who need to burn energy
The space seats about 40 and fills on weekends. There is a small lot behind the venue.
10. Vera Cellar — 253 Bay Place, Notting Hill VIC 3151
What it is: A local institution Cost: $16-29 per person Best for: groups
Capacity is around 41 with outdoor seating for another 15. Street parking on Swan Grove is usually fine.
Get the: The lamb shoulder ($20) — solid
11. The Blue Yard — 242 Sydney Road, Notting Hill VIC 3151
What it is: The one that surprised us Cost: $19-31 per person Best for: groups of 6+ who want a table without booking six weeks ahead
Capacity is around 49 with outdoor seating for another 15. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Order this: The mushroom pasta ($25) — solid
12. The Long Lane — 340 West Terrace, Notting Hill VIC 3151
What it is: Worth the detour Cost: $22-35 per person Best for: groups
The room holds 59 and fills on weekends. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Notting Hill roaster — ask which one.
Explore More
- Glen Waverley Best Bars for Dates — same vibe, different suburb
- Notting Hill Best Cafes — where to get your morning coffee
- Notting Hill Things to Do — the full activity guide
- Mount Waverley Guide — the neighbouring suburb
- Compare Suburbs — see how Notting Hill stacks up
- All Notting Hill Guides — everything we’ve written about Notting Hill
FAQ
Yes. The best bars for dates scene is stronger than most people expect.
What is Notting Hill known for?
Monash University Clayton campus adjacent.
Where is a good date spot in Notting Hill?
White Mill is our top recommendation. See our full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.
How far is Notting Hill from Melbourne CBD?
Notting Hill is 14-22km, 25-38min train, 20-30min drive from Melbourne CBD.
Look — Notting Hill 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
Data sourced from Google Places, OpenStreetMap, and ABS Census. Compiled April 2026. Found an error? Contact us.
