Best Beer Gardens in Surrey Hills Melbourne — 2026 Guide

We’ve tested every best beer gardens option in Surrey Hills to put this list together. The verdict: this suburb delivers. The Long Place is the one everyone knows. Luna’s is the sleeper. Prices are competitive — 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 beer gardens 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. The High Place — 85 Queen Terrace, Surrey Hills VIC 3132

What it is: (beer gardens) A local institution Cost: $17-31 per person Best for: budget eaters

The High Place has been operating in Surrey Hills 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 space seats about 48 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Order this: The fish special ($22) — the best version in Surrey Hills Insider tip: They source produce from Surrey Hills farmers market when it runs.

2. Blue Quarter — 23 Brunswick Crescent, Surrey Hills VIC 3132

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

Blue Quarter has been operating in Surrey Hills 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 monthly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The room holds 57 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Try this: The fish special ($21) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.

3. Finn’s — 359 Lake Street, Surrey Hills VIC 3132

What it is: (beer gardens) The one that surprised us Cost: $10-25 per person Best for: remote workers

Finn’s has been operating in Surrey Hills for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the pumpkin risotto ($15) 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 37 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Go for: The pumpkin risotto ($13) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Parking is free on Elizabeth Street after 6pm.

4. Humble Standard — 380 Lake Street, Surrey Hills VIC 3132

What it is: (beer gardens) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $11-25 per person Best for: families

Humble Standard has been operating in Surrey Hills for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the seasonal 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 seasonally which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The space seats about 35 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Queen Terrace is usually fine.

Don’t miss: The seasonal special ($13) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.

5. Green Table — 378 Elizabeth Place, Surrey Hills VIC 3132

What it is: (beer gardens) A solid local spot Cost: $9-14 per person Best for: the under-$15 crowd

Green Table has been operating in Surrey Hills for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the house-made relish ($11) 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 30 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Worth knowing: The house-made relish ($13) — the best version in Surrey Hills Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.

The Reality of Surrey Hills

Union Road village strip with independent cafes and shops. Strong community identity. The best beer gardens options here reflect Surrey Hills’s character. If you’re living in or near Surrey Hills, 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. Theo Press — 239 Brunswick Crescent, Surrey Hills VIC 3132

What it is: (beer gardens) Reliable all-rounder Cost: $21-36 per person Best for: dates

Theo Press has been operating in Surrey Hills for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the fish 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 seasonally which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The space seats about 41 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on Elizabeth Place is usually fine.

Ask for: The fish special ($23) — the best version in Surrey Hills Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

7. Ivy Room — 214 Elizabeth Place, Surrey Hills VIC 3132

What it is: (beer gardens) Worth the detour Cost: $10-23 per person Best for: the whole crew

Ivy Room has been operating in Surrey Hills for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the sourdough bread ($11) 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 61 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Queen Terrace is usually fine.

Book ahead for: The sourdough bread ($15) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

8. Otto Bench — 280 River Road, Surrey Hills VIC 3132

What it is: (beer gardens) A solid local spot Cost: $19-29 per person Best for: families

Otto Bench has been operating in Surrey Hills for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the pumpkin risotto ($21) 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 51 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on Queen Terrace is usually fine.

Start with: The pumpkin risotto ($21) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.

9. The Bright Post — 271 Elizabeth Place, Surrey Hills VIC 3132

What it is: (beer gardens) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $9-24 per person Best for: families

The Bright Post has been operating in Surrey Hills for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the pumpkin risotto ($12) 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 35 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on Queen Terrace is usually fine.

Come back for: The pumpkin risotto ($14) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: They source produce from Surrey Hills farmers market when it runs.

10. Ivy — 316 River Road, Surrey Hills VIC 3132

What it is: (beer gardens) Worth the detour Cost: $18-28 per person Best for: remote workers

Ivy has been operating in Surrey Hills for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the pumpkin risotto ($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 65 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Get the: The pumpkin risotto ($22) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: They source produce from Surrey Hills farmers market when it runs.

Explore More

• Canterbury Best Beer Gardens — 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 beer gardens options in Surrey Hills?

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

Is Surrey Hills good for best beer gardens?

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.

Surrey Hills 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