in Nunawading Melbourne Locals Love
| Pick | |
|---|---|
| Top pick | The Southern Social |
| Free highlight | Atlas’s |
| Family-friendly | Old Lane |
| Locals only | Theo Cellar |
| Indoor option | The New Room |
1. Marco Pantry — 24 Bourke Road, Nunawading VIC 3154
What it is: No-frills excellence Cost: $13-23 per person Best for: budget eaters
The room holds 39 and fills on weekends. Street parking on Market Terrace is usually fine.
Order this: The lamb shoulder ($18) — solid Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.
2. Tall Bench — 359 Willow Grove, Nunawading VIC 3154
What it is: The one regulars swear by Cost: $19-29 per person Best for: groups of 6+ who want a table without booking six weeks ahead
Capacity is around 61 — book for Friday and Saturday. There is a small lot behind the venue.
3. Lane — 76 Willow Grove, Nunawading VIC 3154
What it is: Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $10-15 per person Best for: solo diners
The space seats about 39 — book for Friday and Saturday. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Go for: The mushroom pasta ($12) — solid
4. Finn’s — 257 Willow Grove, Nunawading VIC 3154
What it is: Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $15-24 per person Best for: groups
The room holds 43 and fills on weekends. Street parking on Blake Terrace is usually fine.
Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.
5. The Humble Kitchen — 107 Bourke Road, Nunawading VIC 3154
What it is: Reliable all-rounder Cost: $13-26 per person Best for: a quiet table for two
The space seats about 37 and fills on weekends. Street parking on Bourke Road is usually fine.
Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.
What Makes Nunawading Different
6. Mabel Corner — 223 Barkly Crescent, Nunawading VIC 3154
What it is: Reliable all-rounder Cost: $13-22 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird
The room holds 48 — book for Friday and Saturday. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Ask for: The house-made relish ($19) — solid
7. Stella Local — 4 Bourke Road, Nunawading VIC 3154
What it is: A local institution Cost: $19-34 per person Best for: budget eaters
The space seats about 40 — book for Friday and Saturday. Street parking on Market Terrace is usually fine.
Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Nunawading roaster — ask which one.
8. Common Bench — 192 Market Terrace, Nunawading VIC 3154
What it is: A local institution Cost: $15-26 per person Best for: a quiet meal and a book
The space seats about 44 — book for Friday and Saturday. Street parking on Market Terrace is usually fine.
Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Nunawading roaster — ask which one.
9. The Little Store — 190 Bourke Road, Nunawading VIC 3154
What it is: Reliable all-rounder Cost: $17-22 per person Best for: anyone watching their wallet
The room holds 45 — book for Friday and Saturday. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.
10. Kai Local — 243 Willow Grove, Nunawading VIC 3154
What it is: Under-the-radar gem Cost: $15-27 per person Best for: a quiet table for two
The space seats about 64 with outdoor seating for another 15. Street parking on Market Terrace is usually fine.
11. The Lucky Commons — 63 Willow Grove, Nunawading VIC 3154
What it is: The one regulars swear by Cost: $10-18 per person Best for: people who need three hours and a laptop
The space seats about 34 and fills on weekends. Street parking on Willow Grove is usually fine.
Order this: The lamb shoulder ($15) — solid
12. Iris’s — 371 Barkly Crescent, Nunawading VIC 3154
What it is: No-frills excellence Cost: $13-21 per person Best for: the work-from-cafe crowd
The room holds 41 and fills on weekends. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Explore More
- 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
What is Nunawading known for?
Whitehorse Road strip and Nunawading station.
What are the most underrated spots in Nunawading?
The Southern Social 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.
Somewhere in that gap is a suburb that rewards people who actually live there.
Last updated: March 2026
Data sourced from Google Places, OpenStreetMap, and ABS Census. Compiled April 2026. Found an error? Contact us.
