Best Asian Food in Nunawading Melbourne — 2026 Guide
| Pick | |
|---|---|
| Best overall | The Lucky Place |
| Best free option | The New Yard |
| Best for families | The New Bench |
| Best local secret | Mill |
| Best for rainy days | Stella Cellar |
The best asian food scene in Nunawading is growing every year. Start at Lena Cellar, then check out Atlas’s. Whitehorse Road strip and Nunawading station. Located 24-35km from the CBD, Nunawading is part of Melbourne’s Outer East region — an area that’s seen serious growth in recent years. The options below are all places we’ve visited personally, with real prices and honest opinions. No fluff, no affiliate nonsense. Just the spots that Nunawading locals actually recommend.
1. Luna Place — 319 Bourke Road, Nunawading VIC 3154
What it is: (asian food) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $11-20 per person Best for: dates
Luna Place has been operating in Nunawading for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the house-made relish ($11) 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 52 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Order this: The house-made relish ($15) — the best version in Nunawading Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Nunawading roaster — ask which one.
2. Rex Local — 123 Market Terrace, Nunawading VIC 3154
What it is: (asian food) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $10-24 per person Best for: budget eaters
Rex Local has been operating in Nunawading for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the house-made relish ($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.
Capacity is around 46 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Try this: The house-made relish ($12) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: The window seat is the best in the house — arrive early.
3. The White Table — 329 Willow Grove, Nunawading VIC 3154
What it is: (asian food) No-frills excellence Cost: $19-29 per person Best for: a quiet meal and a book
The White Table has been operating in Nunawading for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the house-made relish ($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.
The room holds 40 with outdoor seating for another 15. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Go for: The house-made relish ($22) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.
4. Leo Store — 365 Market Terrace, Nunawading VIC 3154
What it is: (asian food) A solid local spot Cost: $8-15 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird
Leo Store has been operating in Nunawading for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the mushroom pasta ($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.
Capacity is around 38 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Don’t miss: The mushroom pasta ($10) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: They source produce from Nunawading farmers market when it runs.
5. Stella Room — 28 Willow Grove, Nunawading VIC 3154
What it is: (asian food) A solid local spot Cost: $18-33 per person Best for: groups
Stella Room has been operating in Nunawading for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the lamb shoulder ($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 room holds 39 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Worth knowing: The lamb shoulder ($24) — the best version in Nunawading Insider tip: The window seat is the best in the house — arrive early.
The Reality of Nunawading
Whitehorse Road strip and Nunawading station. Eastern suburbs retail corridor. The best asian food options here reflect Nunawading’s character. If you’re living in or near Nunawading, 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. Ash’s — 372 Barkly Crescent, Nunawading VIC 3154
What it is: (asian food) A solid local spot Cost: $17-26 per person Best for: impressing someone without spending $200
Ash’s has been operating in Nunawading for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the lamb shoulder ($21) 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 with outdoor seating for another 15. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Ask for: The lamb shoulder ($21) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: They source produce from Nunawading farmers market when it runs.
7. Nell — 26 Market Terrace, Nunawading VIC 3154
What it is: (asian food) A local institution Cost: $14-27 per person Best for: groups of 6+ who want a table without booking six weeks ahead
Nell has been operating in Nunawading for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the house-made relish ($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.
The space seats about 36 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Book ahead for: The house-made relish ($18) — the best version in Nunawading Insider tip: Parking is free on Bourke Street after 6pm.
8. Bright Cellar — 94 Willow Grove, Nunawading VIC 3154
What it is: (asian food) The one regulars swear by Cost: $20-27 per person Best for: anyone watching their wallet
Bright Cellar has been operating in Nunawading for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the lamb shoulder ($24) 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 61 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Start with: The lamb shoulder ($24) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.
9. Marco — 335 Barkly Crescent, Nunawading VIC 3154
What it is: (asian food) Worth the detour Cost: $21-36 per person Best for: remote workers
Marco has been operating in Nunawading for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the daily soup ($24) 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 57 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Come back for: The daily soup ($27) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.
10. The Common Cellar — 115 Market Terrace, Nunawading VIC 3154
What it is: (asian food) Under-the-radar gem Cost: $21-29 per person Best for: parents who want food AND peace
The Common Cellar has been operating in Nunawading for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the mushroom pasta ($25) 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 46 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on Bourke Road is usually fine.
Get the: The mushroom pasta ($25) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: The window seat is the best in the house — arrive early.
Explore More
- Mitcham Best Asian Food — same vibe, different suburb
- Nunawading Best Cafes — where to get your morning coffee
- Nunawading Things to Do — the full activity guide
- Nunawading Complete Guide — everything about Nunawading
- Compare Suburbs — see how Nunawading stacks up
- All Nunawading Guides — everything we’ve written
FAQ
What are the best best asian food options in Nunawading?
The Lucky Place is our top pick. See the full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.
Is Nunawading good for best asian food?
Yes. Nunawading has 10+ genuine options. The scene is surprisingly diverse and well worth exploring.
What is Nunawading known for?
Whitehorse Road strip and Nunawading station.
How far is Nunawading from Melbourne CBD?
Nunawading is 24-35km, 35-52min train, 28-40min drive from Melbourne CBD.
The truth about Nunawading: it’s better than its reputation and worse than the real estate ads suggest. Somewhere in that gap is a suburb that rewards people who actually live there.
Last updated: March 2026

💬 Discussion
Join the conversation — no account needed