Best Things to Do in Notting Hill Melbourne — 2026 Local Guide

We’ve spent months eating, drinking, and exploring Notting Hill to put this guide together. The suburb is 4.50-5.50 for a flat white, $28-45 for dinner, and genuinely better than most people give it credit for. White Bench is the one everyone knows. The Golden Depot is the one they should know. Notting Hill has monash university clayton campus adjacent.

1. Mia’s — 309 Swan Grove, Notting Hill VIC 3151

What it is: The one that surprised us Cost: $17-32 per person Best for: dates

Mia’s has been operating in Notting Hill for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the lamb shoulder ($22) 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 51 with outdoor seating for another 15. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on Bay Place is usually fine.

Order this: The lamb shoulder ($21) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Come on a Tuesday for the quietest experience.

2. The Good Yard — 215 Swan Grove, Notting Hill VIC 3151

What it is: The one that surprised us Cost: $11-24 per person Best for: families

The Good Yard has been operating in Notting Hill for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the mushroom pasta ($16) 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 65 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on Sydney Road is usually fine.

Try this: The mushroom pasta ($16) — the best version in Notting Hill Insider tip: They source produce from Notting Hill farmers market when it runs.

3. Common Place — 78 Bay Place, Notting Hill VIC 3151

What it is: A solid local spot Cost: $12-18 per person Best for: people who need three hours and a laptop

Common Place has been operating in Notting Hill for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the seasonal special ($16) 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 47 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

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

4. Golden Union — 24 Swan Grove, Notting Hill VIC 3151

What it is: The one regulars swear by Cost: $18-25 per person Best for: the under-$15 crowd

Golden Union has been operating in Notting Hill for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the mushroom pasta ($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 space seats about 38 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Don’t miss: The mushroom pasta ($24) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Notting Hill roaster — ask which one.

5. Old Works — 21 West Terrace, Notting Hill VIC 3151

What it is: No-frills excellence Cost: $20-28 per person Best for: groups

Old Works has been operating in Notting Hill for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the lamb shoulder ($22) 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 32 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Worth knowing: The lamb shoulder ($22) — the best version in Notting Hill Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

Why Locals Stay in Notting Hill

Monash University Clayton campus adjacent. Mix of residential and light industrial. This isn’t marketing copy — it’s what defines Notting Hill’s character and why the suburb has the identity it does. For Notting Hill 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. Remy — 37 Queen Place, Notting Hill VIC 3151

What it is: Reliable all-rounder Cost: $12-27 per person Best for: a quiet table for two

Remy has been operating in Notting Hill for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the mushroom pasta ($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.

The space seats about 59 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on Queen Place is usually fine.

Ask for: The mushroom pasta ($16) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Parking is free on Swan Street after 6pm.

7. Nico’s — 97 Swan Grove, Notting Hill VIC 3151

What it is: A solid local spot Cost: $15-24 per person Best for: the under-$15 crowd

Nico’s has been operating in Notting Hill for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the mushroom pasta ($16) 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 40 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Bay Place is usually fine.

Book ahead for: The mushroom pasta ($20) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: They source produce from Notting Hill farmers market when it runs.

8. Sol’s — 304 West Terrace, Notting Hill VIC 3151

What it is: The one that surprised us Cost: $9-17 per person Best for: dates

Sol’s has been operating in Notting Hill for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($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 40 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Start with: The crispy chicken ($11) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.

9. Ava’s — 73 Swan Grove, Notting Hill VIC 3151

What it is: Under-the-radar gem Cost: $19-26 per person Best for: anyone watching their wallet

Ava’s has been operating in Notting Hill for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the pumpkin risotto ($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 64 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Come back for: The pumpkin risotto ($24) — the best version in Notting Hill Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.

10. Collective — 237 Queen Place, Notting Hill VIC 3151

What it is: No-frills excellence Cost: $15-25 per person Best for: a quiet meal and a book

Collective has been operating in Notting Hill for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($17) 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 58 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Get the: The crispy chicken ($20) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

11. Humble Store — 191 Queen Place, Notting Hill VIC 3151

What it is: A solid local spot Cost: $22-28 per person Best for: the work-from-cafe crowd

Humble Store has been operating in Notting Hill for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($25) 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 63 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Order this: The crispy chicken ($28) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Come on a Tuesday for the quietest experience.

12. Common Mill — 320 Sydney Road, Notting Hill VIC 3151

What it is: No-frills excellence Cost: $17-25 per person Best for: the work-from-cafe crowd

Common Mill has been operating in Notting Hill for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the fish special ($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 51 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Try this: The fish special ($19) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Parking is free on West Street after 6pm.

Explore More

• Glen Waverley Things To Do — 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

Is Notting Hill worth visiting?

Yes. Notting Hill has genuine local character that rewards visitors who look past the surface. The things to do scene is stronger than most people expect.

What is Notting Hill known for?

Monash University Clayton campus adjacent.

Are there free things to do in Notting Hill?

The Northern Works 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.

If you’re comparing Notting Hill 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