Best Beer Gardens in Research Melbourne — 2026 Guide

We’ve tested every best beer gardens option in Research to put this list together. The verdict: this suburb delivers. The Lucky Works is the one everyone knows. High House is the sleeper. Prices are reasonable — coffee at $4.50-5.00, dinner at $22-38. Semi-rural suburb bordering Eltham. Research sits in the Middle North corridor, 9-20km from Melbourne’s CBD, and the best beer gardens scene here is better than most give it credit for. We’ve been covering Research since MELBZ launched, and the suburb’s options have only improved.

1. Hugo’s — 219 Elizabeth Crescent, Research VIC 3081

What it is: (beer gardens) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $15-21 per person Best for: groups

Hugo’s has been operating in Research for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the pumpkin risotto ($19) 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 52 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on William Terrace is usually fine.

Order this: The pumpkin risotto ($17) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

2. The Green Press — 149 Elizabeth Crescent, Research VIC 3081

What it is: (beer gardens) Reliable all-rounder Cost: $14-24 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird

The Green Press has been operating in Research for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the seasonal special ($17) 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 31 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Try this: The seasonal special ($20) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

3. Nina — 326 Elizabeth Crescent, Research VIC 3081

What it is: (beer gardens) No-frills excellence Cost: $16-30 per person Best for: solo diners

Nina has been operating in Research for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the house-made relish ($17) 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 53 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on Station Street is usually fine.

Go for: The house-made relish ($20) — the best version in Research Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.

4. Kai Corner — 195 Elizabeth Crescent, Research VIC 3081

What it is: (beer gardens) A quiet achiever Cost: $16-30 per person Best for: groups

Kai Corner has been operating in Research for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the daily soup ($21) 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 room holds 46 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Don’t miss: The daily soup ($22) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.

Why Research Is Worth Knowing

Semi-rural suburb bordering Eltham. Known for large blocks and proximity to Research-Warrandyte corridor. The best beer gardens options here reflect Research’s character. If you’re living in or near Research, you’ll find that the suburb rewards people who actually explore beyond the main strip. Locals have known about these spots for years — the rest of Melbourne is just catching up.

5. Bright Local — 163 Chapel Drive, Research VIC 3081

What it is: (beer gardens) No-frills excellence Cost: $13-21 per person Best for: people who need three hours and a laptop

Bright Local has been operating in Research for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the lamb shoulder ($17) 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 space seats about 37 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Worth knowing: The lamb shoulder ($16) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.

6. Mia’s — 287 Chapel Drive, Research VIC 3081

What it is: (beer gardens) The one that surprised us Cost: $21-26 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird

Mia’s has been operating in Research for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the seasonal special ($25) 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 30 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Ask for: The seasonal special ($27) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.

7. Hazel — 229 William Terrace, Research VIC 3081

What it is: (beer gardens) Worth the detour Cost: $14-25 per person Best for: families

Hazel has been operating in Research for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the fish special ($14) 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 37 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Book ahead for: The fish special ($17) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.

8. Ash’s — 311 Charles Avenue, Research VIC 3081

What it is: (beer gardens) Under-the-radar gem Cost: $12-18 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird

Ash’s has been operating in Research for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the pumpkin risotto ($17) 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 54 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Start with: The pumpkin risotto ($17) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Come on a Tuesday for the quietest experience.

Explore More

• Eltham Best Beer Gardens — same vibe, different suburb
• Research Best Cafes — where to get your morning coffee
• Research Things to Do — the full activity guide
• Research Complete Guide — everything about Research
• Compare Suburbs — see how Research stacks up
• All Research Guides — everything we’ve written

FAQ

What are the best best beer gardens options in Research?

The New Store is our top pick. See the full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.

Is Research good for best beer gardens?

Yes. Research has 8+ genuine options. The scene is growing and well worth exploring.

What is Research known for?

Semi-rural suburb bordering Eltham.

How far is Research from Melbourne CBD?

Research is 9-20km, 18-38min train, 15-28min drive from Melbourne CBD.

If you’re comparing Research 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