Surrey Hills Melbourne — Complete Local Guide 2026

We’ve spent months eating, drinking, and exploring Surrey Hills to put this guide together. The suburb is 4.50-5.50 for a flat white, $28-45 for dinner, and genuinely better than most people give it credit for. Good Corner is the one everyone knows. Little Mill is the one they should know. Surrey Hills has union road village strip with independent cafes and shops.

1. Old Depot — 160 River Road, Surrey Hills VIC 3132

What it is: The one regulars swear by Cost: $20-25 per person Best for: impressing someone without spending $200

Old Depot has been operating in Surrey Hills for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the fish special ($20) 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 58 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Order this: The fish special ($22) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: The window seat is the best in the house — arrive early.

2. Ada Cellar — 16 River Road, Surrey Hills VIC 3132

What it is: The one that surprised us Cost: $8-22 per person Best for: a quiet table for two

Ada Cellar has been operating in Surrey Hills for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the pumpkin risotto ($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 58 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Try this: The pumpkin risotto ($10) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: They source produce from Surrey Hills farmers market when it runs.

3. Mia Cellar — 344 Queen Terrace, Surrey Hills VIC 3132

What it is: A quiet achiever Cost: $8-20 per person Best for: a quiet table for two

Mia Cellar has been operating in Surrey Hills for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the lamb shoulder ($9) 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 48 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Lake Street is usually fine.

Go for: The lamb shoulder ($11) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Surrey Hills roaster — ask which one.

4. Rex — 1 Brunswick Crescent, Surrey Hills VIC 3132

What it is: The one regulars swear by Cost: $9-23 per person Best for: the whole crew

Rex has been operating in Surrey Hills for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the mushroom pasta ($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 31 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on River Road is usually fine.

Don’t miss: The mushroom pasta ($15) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: The window seat is the best in the house — arrive early.

5. Rosa Store — 22 Lake Street, Surrey Hills VIC 3132

What it is: A local institution Cost: $12-24 per person Best for: remote workers

Rosa Store 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 quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The room holds 30 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Worth knowing: The pumpkin risotto ($17) — the best version in Surrey Hills Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.

Why Surrey Hills Is Worth Knowing

Union Road village strip with independent cafes and shops. Strong community identity. This isn’t marketing copy — it’s what defines Surrey Hills’s character and why the suburb has the identity it does. Whether you’re based in Surrey Hills or visiting from nearby, you’ll find that this history shapes everything from the food culture to the community events. The locals who’ve been here longest will tell you the suburb has changed dramatically, but the bones are still good.

6. Iris’s — 124 Elizabeth Place, Surrey Hills VIC 3132

What it is: A solid local spot Cost: $22-27 per person Best for: groups

Iris’s has been operating in Surrey Hills for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the mushroom pasta ($27) 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 60 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on Brunswick Crescent is usually fine.

Ask for: The mushroom pasta ($27) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

7. Good Press — 334 Elizabeth Place, Surrey Hills VIC 3132

What it is: A quiet achiever Cost: $15-30 per person Best for: kids under 12 who need to burn energy

Good Press has been operating in Surrey Hills for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the daily soup ($19) 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 45 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Book ahead for: The daily soup ($19) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Parking is free on Queen Street after 6pm.

8. Rosa — 341 Brunswick Crescent, Surrey Hills VIC 3132

What it is: The one that surprised us Cost: $17-30 per person Best for: solo diners

Rosa has been operating in Surrey Hills for since the early 2020s 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 42 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on Brunswick Crescent is usually fine.

Start with: The pumpkin risotto ($20) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: They source produce from Surrey Hills farmers market when it runs.

9. Golden Cellar — 293 Lake Street, Surrey Hills VIC 3132

What it is: The one that surprised us Cost: $16-25 per person Best for: a quiet table for two

Golden Cellar has been operating in Surrey Hills for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the daily soup ($20) 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 30 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on Queen Terrace is usually fine.

Come back for: The daily soup ($20) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.

10. Southern Post — 85 Elizabeth Place, Surrey Hills VIC 3132

What it is: Reliable all-rounder Cost: $11-18 per person Best for: groups of 6+ who want a table without booking six weeks ahead

Southern Post has been operating in Surrey Hills for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the pumpkin risotto ($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.

Capacity is around 33 — 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 pumpkin risotto ($13) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

11. Finn Pantry — 274 Queen Terrace, Surrey Hills VIC 3132

What it is: The one that surprised us Cost: $19-25 per person Best for: parents who want food AND peace

Finn Pantry has been operating in Surrey Hills for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the mushroom pasta ($24) 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 54 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Order this: The mushroom pasta ($22) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: The window seat is the best in the house — arrive early.

Explore More

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

FAQ

Is Surrey Hills worth visiting?

Yes. Surrey Hills has genuine local character that rewards visitors who look past the surface. The suburb guide scene is stronger than most people expect.

What is Surrey Hills known for?

Union Road village strip with independent cafes and shops.

Is Surrey Hills a good suburb to live in?

Gus Place is our top recommendation. See our full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.

How far is Surrey Hills from Melbourne CBD?

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

Look — Surrey Hills won’t win any design awards. But the food is honest, the prices are fair, and the locals actually know each other. In Melbourne, that’s increasingly rare.

Last updated: March 2026