Things to Do in Nunawading This Weekend — 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. Rex’s is the one everyone knows. Iris Quarter is the one they should know. Nunawading has whitehorse road strip and nunawading station.

1. The Blue Store — 89 Market Terrace, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: Under-the-radar gem Cost: $15-21 per person Best for: the work-from-cafe crowd

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

Capacity is around 60 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on Willow Grove is usually fine.

Order this: The seasonal special ($19) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Nunawading roaster — ask which one.

2. The Half Room — 108 Blake Terrace, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: A local institution Cost: $19-29 per person Best for: a quiet meal and a book

The Half Room has been operating in Nunawading for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the sourdough bread ($21) 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 36 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Try this: The sourdough bread ($25) — the best version in Nunawading Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.

3. Collective — 246 Blake Terrace, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $10-15 per person Best for: remote workers

Collective has been operating in Nunawading for since 2019 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 quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

Capacity is around 65 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Go for: The fish special ($15) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.

4. Marco — 79 Blake Terrace, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: The one regulars swear by Cost: $10-24 per person Best for: parents who want food AND peace

Marco has been operating in Nunawading for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the house-made relish ($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.

Capacity is around 44 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Don’t miss: The house-made relish ($12) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Nunawading roaster — ask which one.

5. Table — 379 Market Terrace, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: The one that surprised us Cost: $14-19 per person Best for: solo diners

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

Capacity is around 55 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Worth knowing: The mushroom pasta ($19) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.

What Makes Nunawading Different

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. For Nunawading locals and anyone in the area, 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. Sunny Room — 160 Blake Terrace, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: Under-the-radar gem Cost: $10-23 per person Best for: dates

Sunny Room has been operating in Nunawading for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($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 38 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on Barkly Crescent is usually fine.

Ask for: The crispy chicken ($14) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: They source produce from Nunawading farmers market when it runs.

7. Pilgrim — 70 Barkly Crescent, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: Under-the-radar gem Cost: $19-33 per person Best for: groups of 6+ who want a table without booking six weeks ahead

Pilgrim has been operating in Nunawading for since the early 2020s 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 seasonally which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

Capacity is around 49 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Book ahead for: The pumpkin risotto ($21) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.

8. Iris’s — 217 Bourke Road, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: Under-the-radar gem Cost: $9-22 per person Best for: parents who want food AND peace

Iris’s has been operating in Nunawading for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the daily soup ($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 space seats about 47 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Start with: The daily soup ($11) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Come on a Tuesday for the quietest experience.

9. Yard — 160 Blake Terrace, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $16-26 per person Best for: remote workers

Yard has been operating in Nunawading for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the daily soup ($19) 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 35 with outdoor seating for another 15. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Come back for: The daily soup ($19) — the best version in Nunawading Insider tip: The window seat is the best in the house — arrive early.

10. Southern Bench — 56 Market Terrace, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: The one that surprised us Cost: $21-36 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird

Southern Bench has been operating in Nunawading for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($26) 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 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Get the: The crispy chicken ($27) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: They source produce from Nunawading farmers market when it runs.

11. Blue Mill — 290 Bourke Road, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: Worth the detour Cost: $15-23 per person Best for: a quiet table for two

Blue Mill has been operating in Nunawading for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the pumpkin risotto ($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 44 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Blake Terrace is usually fine.

Order this: The pumpkin risotto ($18) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Nunawading roaster — ask which one.

12. The New Bench — 108 Bourke Road, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: The one that surprised us Cost: $21-27 per person Best for: budget eaters

The New Bench has been operating in Nunawading for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the charcuterie board ($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 54 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Try this: The charcuterie board ($27) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.

Explore More

• Mitcham Things To Do This Weekend — 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 things to do this weekend scene is stronger than most people expect.

What is Nunawading known for?

Whitehorse Road strip and Nunawading station.

What is there to do in Nunawading on a Sunday?

Vera Store 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.

If you’re comparing Nunawading to inner-city options, stop. Different league, different game. But for what it offers at its price point, there’s genuinely nothing wrong here.

Last updated: March 2026