The Best Things To Do This Weekend in Preston
Preston’s weekend scene isn’t about tourist attractions or curated experiences. It’s about the rhythm of a working-class suburb that has gradually developed a food and bar scene worth exploring. A weekend in Preston should include good food, good coffee, maybe a market visit, and time spent in a bar where the bartender knows the regulars.
Here’s your Preston weekend itinerary — what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of the suburb without feeling like you’re trying too hard.
Saturday: Start at the Market
The Preston Market is the suburb’s weekend anchor. Open Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, but Saturday is the main event. The market runs along Cramer Street and the laneways behind High Street, with hundreds of stalls selling fresh produce, food, clothes, and household goods.
Go early. The market gets crowded from 10am onwards. Arrive at 8–9am and you’ll have space to move, fresher produce, and shorter queues at the food stalls.
What to eat:
- Gözleme from the Turkish stalls ($10–12)
- Fresh juice from the fruit vendors ($6–8)
- Lebanese pastries from the bakeries ($3–5 each)
- Vietnamese banh mi from the food stalls ($10–12)
- Chinese BBQ plates ($12–15)
What to buy: Fresh fruit and veg are cheaper than supermarkets. The butchers and fishmongers are quality. If you need plants, there’s a good selection. If you want vintage clothes, the op-shop stalls are well curated.
Budget: $30–50 for a full market meal and coffee.
Saturday: Brunch After the Market
Once you’ve navigated the market, find a cafe for proper brunch. Here are your best options depending on location:
If you’re near the market: Skinny’s on High Street does American-style breakfast sandwiches and solid coffee. The space is casual, the food is generous, and you won’t wait too long if you go after 11am.
If you want something different: Arepa Days on Dundas Place offers Colombian arepas with scrambled eggs, cheese, or pulled pork. The coffee is Colombian-style and worth trying.
If you want a sit-down experience: George Jones on Murray Road does ricotta hotcakes, eggs benedict, and excellent coffee in a more polished space. Book ahead for weekends.
Budget: $20–35 per person.
Saturday: Shopping and Exploring
Preston isn’t a retail destination the way Northcote or Brunswick are, but High Street has some worthwhile spots:
- Record stores: Several second-hand vinyl shops along High Street. Worth browsing if you’re into diggin'.
- Op shops: The Salvos and Red Cross stores on High Street have surprisingly good selections.
- Brick Lane and other homeware stores: Good for mid-century furniture finds if you’re willing to look.
The side streets off High Street (Dundas Place, Cramer Street, parts of Murray Road) have smaller independent stores worth exploring.
Saturday: Afternoon Drink
Before dinner, stop at one of Preston’s bars for an arvo session:
- Hardout Bar (Plenty Road) — craft beer, local wine, vinyl spinning
- Moon Dog World (Plenty Road) — giant beer garden, pool tables, indoor waterfall, serious brewery vibes
- The Keys (Murray Road) — if you want to bowl or play arcade games while you drink
Start with one drink and see where the afternoon takes you.
Saturday: Dinner Options
Preston’s dinner scene is diverse and reasonably priced:
For something nice: Dexter (fire-cooked modern Australian) or Tavolata (handmade pasta). Both on High Street. Book ahead.
For Mexican: Benzina Cantina — rooftop tacos and margaritas.
For Vietnamese: Pho Hung or Lâm Lâm on High Street. Both under $20 for a meal.
For pub dinner: The Olympic Hotel bistro — classic pub food at bistro prices.
Budget: $25–50 per person depending on venue.
Saturday Night: Keep It Going
After dinner, you have options:
- Oliva Social for cocktails in the courtyard
- Surly’s for local brews and a warm atmosphere
- Rebel Rebel for dive bar vibes
- The Keys if you want bowling or dancing
- Hardout Bar for a session that might extend into the early hours
Most Preston bars are open until 1–2am on weekends. The 86 tram runs until about 12:30–1am if you need public transport.
Sunday: Recovery and Market Return
If you’re not too wrecked from Saturday, Sunday is another market day (the Preston Market is open Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday). Sunday morning is quieter than Saturday, which makes it better for a relaxed market wander.
Same food options, less crowd. Good for a lazy breakfast of gözleme and fresh juice.
If you can’t face the market, brunch spots like George Jones, Moon Rabbit, or Skinny’s are open. The Olympic Hotel does a solid Sunday lunch if you need a pub feed and hair of the dog.
Weekend Events in Preston
Preston doesn’t have a major event calendar like the CBD or St Kilda, but there are regular happenings:
- Preston Market Live Music: Some weekends feature buskers and small live acts. Not guaranteed, but sometimes excellent.
- Bar specials: Most Preston bars have weekend drink specials — check socials for details.
- Sport: If there’s an AFL match at the MCG, the Olympic Hotel and other pubs will be buzzing. Preston is a mixed suburb for team allegiances, but you’ll find fans of most clubs.
Family-Friendly Weekend Options
Preston is surprisingly good for families with kids:
- Preston Market — kids love the bustle, the food samples, and the occasional buskers.
- Parks:** The Darebin Community Sports Stadium and Reservoir Leisure Centre are nearby if the kids need to burn energy.
- Cafes:** Moon Rabbit and Skinny’s are kid-friendly during the day.
- The Keys — yes, really. Before 6pm it’s mostly families and groups. The bowling lanes and arcade keep kids entertained.
Dog-Friendly Weekend Spots
Many Preston cafes and bars allow dogs in outdoor areas:
- Moon Rabbit — small but dog-friendly outdoor seating
- Hardout Bar — outdoor area welcomes well-behaved dogs
- The Keys — outdoor beer garden is dog-friendly
- Oliva Social — courtyard allows dogs
Always check with staff first, but Preston’s generally dog-friendly compared to more stuffy suburbs.
Budgeting a Weekend in Preston
Budget weekend: Market food ($30) + cafe brunch ($20) + bar drinks ($40) + pub dinner ($30) = $120 per person, not counting transport or accommodation.
Mid-range weekend: Brunch at George Jones ($35) + afternoon drinks at Hardout Bar ($30) + dinner at Tavolata ($60) + bar hop ($50) = $175 per person.
Splurge weekend: Brunch at Mellow Fellow ($40) + bottle of wine at Oliva Social ($60) + dinner at Dexter ($90) + cocktails at Oliva ($50) = $240 per person.
Preston gives you options across the board. You can have a full weekend for less than $150 per person if you plan it right.
Where Preston Falls Short
Preston’s weekend weaknesses compared to its neighbours:
- Late-night transport: Last trams around 12:30–1am. After that, you’re on a bike, walking, or getting an Uber.
- Late-night food: Kitchens close by 11pm. After midnight, delivery options are limited.
- Major events: No big parks for festivals, no major venues. If you want a weekend of scheduled events, you’re heading to the CBD.
- Tourist attractions: Preston is for living, not sightseeing. Don’t bring out-of-towners expecting landmarks.
Making the Most of Your Weekend
Preston works best when you don’t over-plan. Pick a central spot (High Street near Murray Road is the sweet spot), start with the market, and see where the day takes you. The suburb is dense enough with good food and drink that you can wander and discover without a rigid itinerary.
If you’re coming from the inner north or the CBD, Preston is close enough that you can go home and change if needed — you don’t need to pack an overnight bag unless you’re planning to get properly merry.
A Few Practical Tips
Public transport: The 86 tram runs the length of Preston along High Street and connects directly to the CBD via Clifton Hill. The Mernda train line stops at Preston Station. For a weekend visit, the tram is often more convenient for bar-hopping. Get a Myki and top up before you arrive — the machines on the tram route can be unreliable.
Parking: If you’re driving, High Street has metered parking (2–4 hour limits). The Preston Market carparks are free on weekends. Street parking in the side streets is generally available but read the signs — some zones are resident-only.
ATMs: Most bars and cafes take card. If you need cash, the ATMs at the 7-Eleven on High Street (near Murray Road) have lower fees than the market machines. Better still, bring cash from home.
Crowds: Saturday is the busiest day. Friday and Sunday are more relaxed. If you hate crowds, avoid High Street Saturday 12pm–3pm and Saturday night 7pm–10pm. Weekdays are blissfully quiet.
Weather: Preston is exposed and can be windy. If you’re planning to sit outside at a bar or the market, bring layers. A windy 12-degree day feels like 6.
Explore more weekend itineraries in Melbourne’s north: → Things to Do This Weekend in Thornbury — 10 min south → Things to Do This Weekend in Northcote — 20 min walk → Weekend Guide to Reservoir — 5 min north
This guide was researched and written by the MELBZ team. Market days and venue hours are accurate as of March 2026 but can change — check socials before heading out. MELBZ is an independent Melbourne guide — we don’t accept payment for listings.
