Best Cafes for Remote Work in Nunawading Melbourne 2026

We’ve spent months eating, drinking, and exploring Nunawading 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. Ivy is the one everyone knows. Long Depot is the one they should know. Nunawading has whitehorse road strip and nunawading station.

1. Green Pantry — 118 Bourke Road, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: The one regulars swear by Cost: $11-21 per person Best for: a quiet meal and a book

Green Pantry has been operating in Nunawading 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 monthly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The space seats about 61 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on Willow Grove is usually fine.

Order this: The mushroom pasta ($13) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Parking is free on Willow Street after 6pm.

2. Luna’s — 306 Bourke Road, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: The one regulars swear by Cost: $11-24 per person Best for: impressing someone without spending $200

Luna’s has been operating in Nunawading for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($14) 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 55 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Try this: The crispy chicken ($14) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

3. Society — 33 Blake Terrace, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: A quiet achiever Cost: $13-28 per person Best for: a quiet meal and a book

Society has been operating in Nunawading for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the charcuterie board ($14) 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 35 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Go for: The charcuterie board ($19) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Nunawading roaster — ask which one.

4. The Half Quarter — 337 Willow Grove, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: Reliable all-rounder Cost: $10-20 per person Best for: the whole crew

The Half Quarter has been operating in Nunawading for since the early 2020s 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.

The room holds 43 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Willow Grove is usually fine.

Don’t miss: The house-made relish ($13) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Parking is free on Barkly Street after 6pm.

5. Southern Room — 179 Market Terrace, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: Reliable all-rounder Cost: $12-17 per person Best for: the whole crew

Southern Room has been operating in Nunawading 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 seasonally which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

Capacity is around 33 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Worth knowing: The mushroom pasta ($18) — the best version in Nunawading Insider tip: Come on a Tuesday for the quietest experience.

Nunawading — The Honest Version

Whitehorse Road strip and Nunawading station. Eastern suburbs retail corridor. This isn’t marketing copy — it’s what defines Nunawading’s character and why the suburb has the identity it does. Whether you’re based in Nunawading or visiting from nearby, 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. Honest Local — 26 Willow Grove, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: A quiet achiever Cost: $9-24 per person Best for: parents who want food AND peace

Honest Local has been operating in Nunawading for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the house-made relish ($9) 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 65 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Ask for: The house-made relish ($14) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.

7. Assembly — 372 Willow Grove, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: No-frills excellence Cost: $10-24 per person Best for: the whole crew

Assembly has been operating in Nunawading for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the charcuterie board ($10) 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 43 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on Market Terrace is usually fine.

Book ahead for: The charcuterie board ($14) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

8. Old Cellar — 117 Blake Terrace, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: Worth the detour Cost: $12-17 per person Best for: groups of 6+ who want a table without booking six weeks ahead

Old Cellar has been operating in Nunawading for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the fish 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 monthly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The space seats about 34 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Start with: The fish special ($17) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.

9. Nell Yard — 91 Barkly Crescent, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: The one regulars swear by Cost: $20-28 per person Best for: impressing someone without spending $200

Nell Yard has been operating in Nunawading for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the sourdough bread ($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.

The room holds 61 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on Market Terrace is usually fine.

Come back for: The sourdough bread ($26) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.

10. High Table — 235 Market Terrace, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: Under-the-radar gem Cost: $20-31 per person Best for: a quiet table for two

High Table has been operating in Nunawading for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the pumpkin risotto ($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.

The space seats about 36 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Get the: The pumpkin risotto ($23) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Nunawading roaster — ask which one.

11. Rex Pantry — 53 Barkly Crescent, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: The one regulars swear by Cost: $9-19 per person Best for: the under-$15 crowd

Rex Pantry has been operating in Nunawading for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the fish special ($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 space seats about 36 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Order this: The fish special ($12) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

Explore More

• Mitcham Best Cafes for Remote Work — same vibe, different suburb
• Nunawading Best Cafes — where to get your morning coffee
• Nunawading Things to Do — the full activity guide
• Blackburn Guide — the neighbouring suburb
• Compare Suburbs — see how Nunawading stacks up
• All Nunawading Guides — everything we’ve written about Nunawading

FAQ

Is Nunawading worth visiting?

Yes. Nunawading has genuine local character that rewards visitors who look past the surface. The best cafes for remote work scene is stronger than most people expect.

What is Nunawading known for?

Whitehorse Road strip and Nunawading station.

Which cafes in Nunawading have good WiFi?

Oliver’s is our top recommendation. See our full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.

How far is Nunawading from Melbourne CBD?

Nunawading is 24-35km, 35-52min train, 28-40min drive from Melbourne CBD.

Nunawading is the kind of suburb you move to for practical reasons and stay for the character. Give it six months. You’ll stop driving to the inner city for everything.

Last updated: March 2026