Best Live Music in Nunawading Melbourne — 2026 Guide

We’ve tested every best live music option in Nunawading to put this list together. The verdict: this suburb delivers. Marco Lane is the one everyone knows. The Blue Bench is the sleeper. Prices are fair — coffee at $4.00-4.50, dinner at $18-32. Whitehorse Road strip and Nunawading station. Nunawading sits in the Outer East corridor, 24-35km from Melbourne’s CBD, and the best live music scene here is better than most give it credit for. We’ve been covering Nunawading since MELBZ launched, and the suburb’s options have only improved.

1. The High Union — 273 Barkly Crescent, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: (live music) The one regulars swear by Cost: $9-20 per person Best for: the under-$15 crowd

The High Union has been operating in Nunawading for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the fish special ($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 37 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Order this: The fish special ($12) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Nunawading roaster — ask which one.

2. Rex Union — 173 Barkly Crescent, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: (live music) A local institution Cost: $9-16 per person Best for: solo diners

Rex Union has been operating in Nunawading for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the sourdough bread ($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 56 with outdoor seating for another 15. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Try this: The sourdough bread ($15) — the best version in Nunawading Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

3. Rex’s — 217 Barkly Crescent, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: (live music) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $11-23 per person Best for: people who need three hours and a laptop

Rex’s has been operating in Nunawading for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($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 52 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Go for: The crispy chicken ($15) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Parking is free on Market Street after 6pm.

4. Good Social — 74 Market Terrace, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: (live music) The one regulars swear by Cost: $9-22 per person Best for: groups of 6+ who want a table without booking six weeks ahead

Good Social has been operating in Nunawading for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the daily soup ($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.

The space seats about 58 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Don’t miss: The daily soup ($12) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.

5. Zara Pantry — 112 Blake Terrace, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: (live music) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $19-31 per person Best for: groups

Zara Pantry has been operating in Nunawading for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the mushroom pasta ($24) 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 47 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Blake Terrace is usually fine.

Worth knowing: The mushroom pasta ($24) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Come on a Tuesday for the quietest experience.

6. Sol Post — 307 Bourke Road, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: (live music) A local institution Cost: $19-31 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird

Sol Post has been operating in Nunawading 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 quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The space seats about 41 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Ask for: The pumpkin risotto ($23) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: The window seat is the best in the house — arrive early.

The Nunawading That Locals Know

Whitehorse Road strip and Nunawading station. Eastern suburbs retail corridor. The best live music options here reflect Nunawading’s character. For Nunawading locals and anyone in the area, 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.

7. Standard — 263 Blake Terrace, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: (live music) A solid local spot Cost: $16-21 per person Best for: families

Standard has been operating in Nunawading 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 quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The room holds 62 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Book ahead for: The seasonal special ($22) — the best version in Nunawading Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Nunawading roaster — ask which one.

8. Good Post — 15 Willow Grove, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: (live music) The one regulars swear by Cost: $8-16 per person Best for: a quiet meal and a book

Good Post has been operating in Nunawading for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the pumpkin risotto ($9) 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 61 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on Barkly Crescent is usually fine.

Start with: The pumpkin risotto ($14) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

9. The Southern Quarter — 108 Bourke Road, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: (live music) No-frills excellence Cost: $8-18 per person Best for: budget eaters

The Southern Quarter has been operating in Nunawading for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the house-made relish ($13) 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 58 with outdoor seating for another 15. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on Willow Grove is usually fine.

Come back for: The house-made relish ($12) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Parking is free on Bourke Street after 6pm.

10. Ada Room — 157 Barkly Crescent, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: (live music) The one that surprised us Cost: $19-34 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird

Ada Room has been operating in Nunawading for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the fish special ($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 room holds 48 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Get the: The fish special ($21) — the best version in Nunawading Insider tip: The window seat is the best in the house — arrive early.

11. Atlas’s — 280 Willow Grove, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: (live music) No-frills excellence Cost: $14-22 per person Best for: dates

Atlas’s has been operating in Nunawading for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the fish special ($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 51 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on Blake Terrace is usually fine.

Order this: The fish special ($20) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Parking is free on Market Street after 6pm.

12. Zara Lane — 152 Willow Grove, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: (live music) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $16-29 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird

Zara Lane has been operating in Nunawading for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the fish 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 monthly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

Capacity is around 63 with outdoor seating for another 15. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Try this: The fish special ($21) — the best version in Nunawading Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.

Explore More

• Mitcham Best Live Music — 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 live music options in Nunawading?

Nina’s is our top pick. See the full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.

Is Nunawading good for best live music?

Yes. Nunawading has 12+ 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