Best Cheap Eats in Strathmore Heights Melbourne — Under $20 Guide 2026
| Pick | |
|---|---|
| Our #1 | Red Place |
| Zero-cost winner | The Blue Works |
| Kid-approved | The Bright Press |
| Under the radar | Hazel Post |
| Wet day saviour | Otto Quarter |
We’ve spent months eating, drinking, and exploring Strathmore Heights 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. Mabel’s is the one they should know. Strathmore Heights has strathmore heights is a growing melbourne suburb with its own local character and community.
1. Hugo Store — 226 Thomas Parade, Strathmore Heights VIC 3063
What it is: Reliable all-rounder Cost: $20-35 per person Best for: solo diners
Capacity is around 46 — book for Friday and Saturday. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Order this: The pumpkin risotto ($25) — solid
2. Commons — 261 Margaret Drive, Strathmore Heights VIC 3063
What it is: Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $17-29 per person Best for: the whole crew
The room holds 50 and fills on weekends. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
3. Cleo Store — 130 Anderson Place, Strathmore Heights VIC 3063
What it is: Worth the detour Cost: $14-23 per person Best for: impressing someone without spending $200
The room holds 52 and fills on weekends. Street parking on Young Avenue is usually fine.
Go for: The daily soup ($18) — solid
4. New Social — 251 Margaret Drive, Strathmore Heights VIC 3063
What it is: The one that surprised us Cost: $15-24 per person Best for: the work-from-cafe crowd
Capacity is around 31 — book for Friday and Saturday. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.
5. Stella Table — 313 Thomas Parade, Strathmore Heights VIC 3063
What it is: Reliable all-rounder Cost: $14-27 per person Best for: a quiet meal and a book
Capacity is around 45 with outdoor seating for another 15. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Worth knowing: The daily soup ($18) — solid
Why Strathmore Heights Is Worth Knowing
6. Remy’s — 168 Anderson Place, Strathmore Heights VIC 3063
What it is: A local institution Cost: $21-28 per person Best for: remote workers
Capacity is around 48 — book for Friday and Saturday. Street parking on Anderson Place is usually fine.
Insider tip: They source produce from Strathmore Heights farmers market when it runs.
7. Half Standard — 278 Thomas Parade, Strathmore Heights VIC 3063
What it is: A solid local spot Cost: $14-25 per person Best for: a quiet table for two
The room holds 58 — book for Friday and Saturday. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Book ahead for: The lamb shoulder ($18) — solid Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.
8. Cleo Cellar — 355 Margaret Drive, Strathmore Heights VIC 3063
What it is: A solid local spot Cost: $8-15 per person Best for: people who need three hours and a laptop
The room holds 40 and fills on weekends. Street parking on Margaret Drive is usually fine.
Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Strathmore Heights roaster — ask which one.
9. The Common Commons — 123 Anderson Place, Strathmore Heights VIC 3063
What it is: A local institution Cost: $20-33 per person Best for: groups of 6+ who want a table without booking six weeks ahead
The space seats about 64 and fills on weekends. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
10. Rex’s — 114 Market Avenue, Strathmore Heights VIC 3063
What it is: The one regulars swear by Cost: $12-17 per person Best for: groups
The room holds 40 — book for Friday and Saturday. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Insider tip: They source produce from Strathmore Heights farmers market when it runs.
11. Finn Table — 330 Anderson Place, Strathmore Heights VIC 3063
What it is: A solid local spot Cost: $8-21 per person Best for: groups
The space seats about 37 — 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.
12. Sol Depot — 250 Market Avenue, Strathmore Heights VIC 3063
What it is: Under-the-radar gem Cost: $21-28 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird
The room holds 34 with outdoor seating for another 15. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Explore More
- Melbourne Cbd Cheap Eats — same vibe, different suburb
- Strathmore Heights Best Cafes — where to get your morning coffee
- Strathmore Heights Things to Do — the full activity guide
- Melbourne Cbd Guide — the neighbouring suburb
- Compare Suburbs — see how Strathmore Heights stacks up
- All Strathmore Heights Guides — everything we’ve written about Strathmore Heights
FAQ
Yes. The cheap eats scene is stronger than most people expect.
What is Strathmore Heights known for?
Strathmore Heights is a growing Melbourne suburb with its own local character and community.
Where can I eat for under $15 in Strathmore Heights?
Red Place is our top recommendation. See our full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.
How far is Strathmore Heights from Melbourne CBD?
Strathmore Heights is 15-30km, 25-45min by public transport from Melbourne CBD.
Strathmore Heights isn’t trying to be the next Fitzroy. It doesn’t need to be. What it does, it does with zero pretension and real substance. That’s worth more than a trendy postcode.
Last updated: March 2026
