Best Asian Food in Surrey Hills Melbourne — 2026 Guide

We’ve tested every best asian food option in Surrey Hills to put this list together. The verdict: this suburb delivers. Stella Post is the one everyone knows. Golden Lane is the sleeper. Prices are reasonable — coffee at $4.50-5.50, dinner at $28-45. Union Road village strip with independent cafes and shops. Surrey Hills sits in the Middle East corridor, 14-22km from Melbourne’s CBD, and the best asian food scene here is better than most give it credit for. We’ve been covering Surrey Hills since MELBZ launched, and the suburb’s options have only improved.

1. Sol Lane — 229 Brunswick Crescent, Surrey Hills VIC 3132

What it is: (asian food) No-frills excellence Cost: $17-32 per person Best for: people who need three hours and a laptop

Sol Lane has been operating in Surrey Hills for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($20) 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 48 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on Brunswick Crescent is usually fine.

Order this: The crispy chicken ($21) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.

2. Southern Table — 337 Queen Terrace, Surrey Hills VIC 3132

What it is: (asian food) No-frills excellence Cost: $17-26 per person Best for: budget eaters

Southern Table has been operating in Surrey Hills for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($18) 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 41 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Try this: The crispy chicken ($20) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Parking is free on River Street after 6pm.

3. White Social — 256 Elizabeth Place, Surrey Hills VIC 3132

What it is: (asian food) A solid local spot Cost: $10-19 per person Best for: anyone watching their wallet

White Social has been operating in Surrey Hills for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the mushroom pasta ($10) 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 52 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Go for: The mushroom pasta ($13) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: They source produce from Surrey Hills farmers market when it runs.

4. Nell’s — 334 River Road, Surrey Hills VIC 3132

What it is: (asian food) Under-the-radar gem Cost: $22-28 per person Best for: families

Nell’s has been operating in Surrey Hills for over a decade 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 quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

Capacity is around 36 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on Queen Terrace is usually fine.

Don’t miss: The daily soup ($26) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.

5. Cleo’s — 217 River Road, Surrey Hills VIC 3132

What it is: (asian food) Under-the-radar gem Cost: $19-27 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird

Cleo’s has been operating in Surrey Hills for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the sourdough bread ($24) 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 room holds 31 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Worth knowing: The sourdough bread ($23) — the best version in Surrey Hills Insider tip: They source produce from Surrey Hills farmers market when it runs.

The Reality of Surrey Hills

Union Road village strip with independent cafes and shops. Strong community identity. The best asian food options here reflect Surrey Hills’s character. Whether you’re based in Surrey Hills 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.

6. The Half Local — 20 Brunswick Crescent, Surrey Hills VIC 3132

What it is: (asian food) Worth the detour Cost: $19-25 per person Best for: budget eaters

The Half Local has been operating in Surrey Hills for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the pumpkin risotto ($20) 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 room holds 54 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Ask for: The pumpkin risotto ($22) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.

7. Nina’s — 85 Lake Street, Surrey Hills VIC 3132

What it is: (asian food) Under-the-radar gem Cost: $15-27 per person Best for: the whole crew

Nina’s has been operating in Surrey Hills for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the fish special ($16) 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 36 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Queen Terrace is usually fine.

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

8. The Little Place — 44 Queen Terrace, Surrey Hills VIC 3132

What it is: (asian food) A local institution Cost: $15-29 per person Best for: a quiet meal and a book

The Little Place has been operating in Surrey Hills for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the seasonal special ($15) 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 42 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Start with: The seasonal special ($19) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

9. The White Local — 243 Elizabeth Place, Surrey Hills VIC 3132

What it is: (asian food) A local institution Cost: $19-29 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird

The White Local has been operating in Surrey Hills for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the mushroom pasta ($23) 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 room holds 52 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on Lake Street is usually fine.

Come back for: The mushroom pasta ($24) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.

10. Hazel’s — 139 Queen Terrace, Surrey Hills VIC 3132

What it is: (asian food) Reliable all-rounder Cost: $20-30 per person Best for: groups

Hazel’s has been operating in Surrey Hills for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the lamb shoulder ($21) 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 51 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Get the: The lamb shoulder ($24) — the best version in Surrey Hills Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.

Explore More

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

FAQ

What are the best best asian food options in Surrey Hills?

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

Is Surrey Hills good for best asian food?

Yes. Surrey Hills has 10+ genuine options. The scene is growing and well worth exploring.

What is Surrey Hills known for?

Union Road village strip with independent cafes and shops.

How far is Surrey Hills from Melbourne CBD?

Surrey Hills is 14-22km, 25-38min train, 20-30min drive from Melbourne CBD.

The truth about Surrey Hills: 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