RICHMOND

Best Beer Gardens in Richmond Melbourne — 2026 Guide

Your 2026 guide to best beer gardens in Richmond. Every pick tested by locals. No tourist fluff.

Best Beer Gardens in Richmond Melbourne — 2026 Guide

Best Beer Gardens in Richmond Melbourne — 2026 Guide

Pick
Must-visitNico Social
No-cost pickOld Depot
Best with kidsCommon Store
Hidden spotNell
Bad weather pickStella’s

The best beer gardens scene in Richmond is better than most people realise. Start at Social, then check out Mia’s. Bridge Road and Victoria Street are major dining strips. Located 3km from the CBD, Richmond is part of Melbourne’s Inner East region — an area that’s seen serious growth in recent years. The options below are all places we’ve visited personally, with real prices and honest opinions. No fluff, no affiliate nonsense. Just the spots that Richmond locals actually recommend.

1. The Common Store — 348 North Street, Richmond VIC 3158

What it is: (beer gardens) Reliable all-rounder Cost: $14-27 per person Best for: solo diners

The Common Store has been operating in Richmond for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the charcuterie board ($18) 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 65 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Edward Avenue is usually fine.

Order this: The charcuterie board ($16) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: The window seat is the best in the house — arrive early.

2. Standard — 131 North Street, Richmond VIC 3158

What it is: (beer gardens) A quiet achiever Cost: $22-33 per person Best for: parents who want food AND peace

Standard has been operating in Richmond for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the daily soup ($22) 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 61 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Try this: The daily soup ($26) — the best version in Richmond Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.

3. Northern Press — 161 Albert Parade, Richmond VIC 3158

What it is: (beer gardens) A quiet achiever Cost: $17-23 per person Best for: budget eaters

Northern Press has been operating in Richmond for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the fish 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 quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The room holds 30 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on Edward Avenue is usually fine.

Go for: The fish special ($20) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.

4. Pearl’s — 261 Albert Parade, Richmond VIC 3158

What it is: (beer gardens) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $20-30 per person Best for: groups of 6+ who want a table without booking six weeks ahead

Pearl’s has been operating in Richmond for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the seasonal special ($23) 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 63 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on Bell Crescent is usually fine.

Don’t miss: The seasonal special ($25) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.

Why Locals Stay in Richmond

Bridge Road and Victoria Street are major dining strips. Victoria Street is Melbourne’s Vietnamese food heartland. The best beer gardens options here reflect Richmond’s character. Whether you’re based in Richmond or visiting from nearby, 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. The Southern Quarter — 75 Albert Parade, Richmond VIC 3158

What it is: (beer gardens) Reliable all-rounder Cost: $21-33 per person Best for: dates

The Southern Quarter has been operating in Richmond for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the daily soup ($23) 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 63 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on Albert Parade is usually fine.

Worth knowing: The daily soup ($26) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.

6. Zara — 286 Albert Parade, Richmond VIC 3158

What it is: (beer gardens) A quiet achiever Cost: $21-27 per person Best for: dates

Zara has been operating in Richmond for since the early 2020s 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.

Capacity is around 46 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Ask for: The daily soup ($23) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.

7. The Bright Place — 118 Edward Avenue, Richmond VIC 3158

What it is: (beer gardens) A quiet achiever Cost: $14-23 per person Best for: people who need three hours and a laptop

The Bright Place has been operating in Richmond for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the charcuterie board ($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 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on Bell Crescent is usually fine.

Book ahead for: The charcuterie board ($19) — the best version in Richmond Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

8. Iris — 254 Bay Lane, Richmond VIC 3158

What it is: (beer gardens) No-frills excellence Cost: $19-31 per person Best for: kids under 12 who need to burn energy

Iris has been operating in Richmond for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the pumpkin risotto ($23) 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 50 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on Edward Avenue is usually fine.

Start with: The pumpkin risotto ($21) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.

9. Rex — 57 Bell Crescent, Richmond VIC 3158

What it is: (beer gardens) Worth the detour Cost: $19-34 per person Best for: the work-from-cafe crowd

Rex has been operating in Richmond for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($23) 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 32 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Bay Lane is usually fine.

Come back for: The crispy chicken ($21) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.

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FAQ

What are the best best beer gardens options in Richmond?

Nico Social is our top pick. See the full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.

Is Richmond good for best beer gardens?

Yes. Richmond has 9+ genuine options. The scene is established and well worth exploring.

What is Richmond known for?

Bridge Road and Victoria Street are major dining strips.

How far is Richmond from Melbourne CBD?

Richmond is 3km, 5min train, 8min drive from Melbourne CBD.

The truth about Richmond: it’s better than its reputation and worse than the real estate ads suggest. Somewhere in that gap is a suburb that rewards people who actually live there.

Last updated: March 2026

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