Best Family Restaurants in Nunawading Melbourne 2026
| Pick | |
|---|---|
| Our #1 | Lane |
| Zero-cost winner | The Tall Works |
| Kid-approved | Zara’s |
| Under the radar | Hazel |
| Wet day saviour | Stella Store |
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
The room holds 63 — book for Friday and Saturday. Street parking on Bourke Road is usually fine.
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
The space seats about 39 and fills on weekends. There is a small lot behind the venue.
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
The room holds 52 with outdoor seating for another 15. Street parking on Willow Grove is usually fine.
Go for: The pumpkin risotto ($16) — solid 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
The room holds 51 and fills on weekends. Street parking on Willow Grove is usually fine.
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
Capacity is around 45 — book for Friday and Saturday. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Worth knowing: The crispy chicken ($17) — solid Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.
Why Locals Stay in Nunawading
6. Nina — 369 Bourke Road, Nunawading VIC 3154
What it is: No-frills excellence Cost: $17-28 per person Best for: solo diners
Capacity is around 53 — book for Friday and Saturday. Street parking on Bourke Road is usually fine.
7. Atlas — 63 Blake Terrace, Nunawading VIC 3154
What it is: No-frills excellence Cost: $9-17 per person Best for: budget eaters
The room holds 46 with outdoor seating for another 15. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
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
The space seats about 47 with outdoor seating for another 15. Street parking on Barkly Crescent is usually fine.
Start with: The sourdough bread ($23) — solid
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
The room holds 38 and fills on weekends. Street parking on Market Terrace is usually fine.
10. Rex House — 262 Willow Grove, Nunawading VIC 3154
What it is: No-frills excellence Cost: $10-19 per person Best for: remote workers
The room holds 37 with outdoor seating for another 15. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Get the: The house-made relish ($14) — solid 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
The room holds 54 and fills on weekends. There is a small lot behind the venue.
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
Capacity is around 56 — book for Friday and Saturday. Street parking on Willow Grove is usually fine.
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
Yes. 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
Data sourced from Google Places, OpenStreetMap, and ABS Census. Compiled April 2026. Found an error? Contact us.
