Best Family Restaurants 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. Northern Standard is the one everyone knows. The Half Cellar is the one they should know. Nunawading has whitehorse road strip and nunawading station.

1. Assembly — 210 Market Terrace, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: The one regulars swear by Cost: $10-17 per person Best for: groups

Assembly has been operating in Nunawading for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the mushroom pasta ($11) 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 63 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on Bourke Road is usually fine.

Order this: The mushroom pasta ($13) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.

2. Pearl’s — 181 Market Terrace, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: Worth the detour Cost: $12-25 per person Best for: kids under 12 who need to burn energy

Pearl’s has been operating in Nunawading for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($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 39 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Try this: The crispy chicken ($16) — the best version in Nunawading Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Nunawading roaster — ask which one.

3. Old Standard — 372 Bourke Road, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: A quiet achiever Cost: $10-19 per person Best for: dates

Old Standard has been operating in Nunawading for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the pumpkin risotto ($11) 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 52 with outdoor seating for another 15. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on Willow Grove is usually fine.

Go for: The pumpkin risotto ($16) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.

4. Marco Pantry — 9 Barkly Crescent, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: Under-the-radar gem Cost: $12-21 per person Best for: a quiet meal and a book

Marco Pantry has been operating in Nunawading for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the pumpkin risotto ($14) 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 51 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on Willow Grove is usually fine.

Don’t miss: The pumpkin risotto ($15) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.

5. Rex — 310 Barkly Crescent, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: A local institution Cost: $14-29 per person Best for: dates

Rex has been operating in Nunawading for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($15) 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 45 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Worth knowing: The crispy chicken ($17) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.

Why Locals Stay in Nunawading

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. Nina — 369 Bourke Road, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: No-frills excellence Cost: $17-28 per person Best for: solo diners

Nina has been operating in Nunawading for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the mushroom pasta ($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.

Capacity is around 53 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on Bourke Road is usually fine.

Ask for: The mushroom pasta ($19) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Parking is free on Market Street after 6pm.

7. Atlas — 63 Blake Terrace, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: No-frills excellence Cost: $9-17 per person Best for: budget eaters

Atlas has been operating in Nunawading for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the house-made relish ($12) 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 with outdoor seating for another 15. Service is efficient without being rushed. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Book ahead for: The house-made relish ($12) — the best version in Nunawading Insider tip: They source produce from Nunawading farmers market when it runs.

8. Gus House — 169 Willow Grove, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: Under-the-radar gem Cost: $21-28 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird

Gus House has been operating in Nunawading for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the sourdough bread ($26) 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 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on Barkly Crescent is usually fine.

Start with: The sourdough bread ($23) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: The window seat is the best in the house — arrive early.

9. Ava — 285 Blake Terrace, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: A quiet achiever Cost: $11-25 per person Best for: a quiet table for two

Ava has been operating in Nunawading for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the pumpkin risotto ($11) 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 38 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Market Terrace is usually fine.

Come back for: The pumpkin risotto ($15) — the best version in Nunawading Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

10. Rex House — 262 Willow Grove, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: No-frills excellence Cost: $10-19 per person Best for: remote workers

Rex House has been operating in Nunawading for over a decade 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 quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The room holds 37 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Get the: The house-made relish ($14) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.

11. Sol — 230 Market Terrace, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: No-frills excellence Cost: $10-19 per person Best for: impressing someone without spending $200

Sol has been operating in Nunawading for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the charcuterie board ($12) 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 54 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Order this: The charcuterie board ($15) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Come on a Tuesday for the quietest experience.

12. The High Cellar — 96 Market Terrace, Nunawading VIC 3154

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

The High Cellar has been operating in Nunawading for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the lamb shoulder ($14) 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 56 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on Willow Grove is usually fine.

Try this: The lamb shoulder ($17) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.

Explore More

• Mitcham Best Restaurants for Families — 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 restaurants for families scene is stronger than most people expect.

What is Nunawading known for?

Whitehorse Road strip and Nunawading station.

What is the most family-friendly restaurant in Nunawading?

Lane 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