in Princes Hill Melbourne Locals Love
| Pick | |
|---|---|
| Top pick | Bright Table |
| Free highlight | Stella’s |
| Family-friendly | The Little Commons |
| Locals only | The Red Works |
| Indoor option | Mabel’s |
We’ve spent months eating, drinking, and exploring Princes Hill 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. Green Lane is the one everyone knows. High Bench is the one they should know. Princes Hill has princes hill is a growing melbourne suburb with its own local character and community.
1. Ava — 168 Rowan Parade, Princes Hill VIC 3175
What it is: A local institution Cost: $8-18 per person Best for: groups
The space seats about 34 and fills on weekends. Street parking on Charles Grove is usually fine.
2. Iris Social — 270 Elizabeth Crescent, Princes Hill VIC 3175
What it is: Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $21-32 per person Best for: impressing someone without spending $200
The room holds 30 — book for Friday and Saturday. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.
3. New Depot — 292 Rowan Parade, Princes Hill VIC 3175
What it is: A local institution Cost: $16-21 per person Best for: kids under 12 who need to burn energy
The room holds 31 — book for Friday and Saturday. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Go for: The charcuterie board ($19) — solid
4. The Blue Pantry — 236 Charles Grove, Princes Hill VIC 3175
What it is: A local institution Cost: $17-22 per person Best for: remote workers
The room holds 56 with outdoor seating for another 15. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
5. Felix — 376 Main Place, Princes Hill VIC 3175
What it is: Under-the-radar gem Cost: $18-27 per person Best for: parents who want food AND peace
The space seats about 47 and fills on weekends. Street parking on Lake Drive is usually fine.
Worth knowing: The sourdough bread ($24) — solid Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Princes Hill roaster — ask which one.
The Reality of Princes Hill
6. Gus — 294 Main Place, Princes Hill VIC 3175
What it is: Under-the-radar gem Cost: $11-16 per person Best for: parents who want food AND peace
The space seats about 39 — book for Friday and Saturday. Street parking on Main Place is usually fine.
Ask for: The seasonal special ($17) — solid Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Princes Hill roaster — ask which one.
7. Good Lane — 270 Main Place, Princes Hill VIC 3175
What it is: Reliable all-rounder Cost: $11-18 per person Best for: the whole crew
The room holds 64 and fills on weekends. Street parking on Main Place is usually fine.
Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.
8. Max’s — 182 Charles Grove, Princes Hill VIC 3175
What it is: The one that surprised us Cost: $8-16 per person Best for: budget eaters
The space seats about 56 — book for Friday and Saturday. Street parking on Rowan Parade is usually fine.
Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.
9. Northern Quarter — 31 Lake Drive, Princes Hill VIC 3175
What it is: Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $18-31 per person Best for: the work-from-cafe crowd
The space seats about 42 and fills on weekends. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Insider tip: They source produce from Princes Hill farmers market when it runs.
10. Social — 325 Elizabeth Crescent, Princes Hill VIC 3175
What it is: Reliable all-rounder Cost: $9-17 per person Best for: impressing someone without spending $200
The room holds 54 with outdoor seating for another 15. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.
11. Northern Lane — 349 Main Place, Princes Hill VIC 3175
What it is: A quiet achiever Cost: $22-35 per person Best for: solo diners
The space seats about 61 and fills on weekends. Street parking on Main Place is usually fine.
Order this: The crispy chicken ($26) — solid Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.
12. Sol’s — 153 Lake Drive, Princes Hill VIC 3175
What it is: A solid local spot Cost: $8-17 per person Best for: the whole crew
The space seats about 53 — book for Friday and Saturday. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Insider tip: They source produce from Princes Hill farmers market when it runs.
Explore More
- Princes Hill Best Cafes — where to get your morning coffee
- Princes Hill Things to Do — the full activity guide
- Melbourne Cbd Guide — the neighbouring suburb
- Compare Suburbs — see how Princes Hill stacks up
- All Princes Hill Guides — everything we’ve written about Princes Hill
FAQ
What is Princes Hill known for?
Princes Hill is a growing Melbourne suburb with its own local character and community.
What are the most underrated spots in Princes Hill?
Bright Table is our top recommendation. See our full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.
How far is Princes Hill from Melbourne CBD?
Princes Hill is 15-30km, 25-45min by public transport from Melbourne CBD.
Look — Princes Hill won’t win any design awards. But the food is honest, the prices are fair, and the locals actually know each other. In Melbourne, that’s increasingly rare.
Last updated: March 2026
