Best Date Night Restaurants in Templestowe Lower Melbourne 2026

We’ve tested every best date night restaurants option in Templestowe Lower to put this list together. The verdict: this suburb delivers. New Commons is the one everyone knows. Works is the sleeper. Prices are fair — coffee at $4.50-5.50, dinner at $28-45. Residential suburb with Manningham Road strip. Templestowe Lower sits in the Middle East corridor, 14-22km from Melbourne’s CBD, and the best date night restaurants scene here is better than most give it credit for. We’ve been covering Templestowe Lower since MELBZ launched, and the suburb’s options have only improved.

1. Mabel’s — 358 South Grove, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135

What it is: (date night restaurants) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $9-16 per person Best for: impressing someone without spending $200

Mabel’s has been operating in Templestowe Lower for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the fish special ($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.

The space seats about 45 with outdoor seating for another 15. Service is efficient without being rushed. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Order this: The fish special ($12) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: The window seat is the best in the house — arrive early.

2. Remy — 156 High Grove, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135

What it is: (date night restaurants) A local institution Cost: $16-22 per person Best for: groups

Remy has been operating in Templestowe Lower for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($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 52 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Try this: The crispy chicken ($20) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.

3. Sol’s — 176 Park Avenue, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135

What it is: (date night restaurants) Reliable all-rounder Cost: $11-24 per person Best for: the work-from-cafe crowd

Sol’s has been operating in Templestowe Lower for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the charcuterie board ($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 space seats about 59 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Go for: The charcuterie board ($17) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.

4. The Bright Standard — 48 Smith Street, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135

What it is: (date night restaurants) A quiet achiever Cost: $16-28 per person Best for: a quiet meal and a book

The Bright Standard has been operating in Templestowe Lower for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the daily soup ($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 34 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on James Parade is usually fine.

Don’t miss: The daily soup ($22) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

5. The Lucky House — 184 Park Avenue, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135

What it is: (date night restaurants) The one that surprised us Cost: $20-31 per person Best for: the whole crew

The Lucky House has been operating in Templestowe Lower for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the fish special ($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 space seats about 31 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Park Avenue is usually fine.

Worth knowing: The fish special ($22) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.

6. Little Table — 225 Smith Street, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135

What it is: (date night restaurants) No-frills excellence Cost: $17-28 per person Best for: groups of 6+ who want a table without booking six weeks ahead

Little Table has been operating in Templestowe Lower for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the pumpkin risotto ($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.

The space seats about 41 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

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

What Makes Templestowe Lower Different

Residential suburb with Manningham Road strip. Close to Tikalara Park trails. The best date night restaurants options here reflect Templestowe Lower’s character. If you’re living in or near Templestowe Lower, 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.

7. Rosa’s — 152 High Grove, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135

What it is: (date night restaurants) Worth the detour Cost: $22-29 per person Best for: a quiet table for two

Rosa’s has been operating in Templestowe Lower 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 monthly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The room holds 34 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Book ahead for: The mushroom pasta ($27) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.

8. Table — 91 High Grove, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135

What it is: (date night restaurants) The one that surprised us Cost: $22-36 per person Best for: groups

Table has been operating in Templestowe Lower for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the pumpkin risotto ($25) 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 38 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Start with: The pumpkin risotto ($26) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Parking is free on Smith Street after 6pm.

9. The Green Kitchen — 82 Park Avenue, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135

What it is: (date night restaurants) Reliable all-rounder Cost: $10-20 per person Best for: dates

The Green Kitchen has been operating in Templestowe Lower for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the charcuterie board ($15) 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 43 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Come back for: The charcuterie board ($13) — the best version in Templestowe Lower Insider tip: The window seat is the best in the house — arrive early.

10. Remy Mill — 339 High Grove, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135

What it is: (date night restaurants) The one that surprised us Cost: $21-33 per person Best for: groups of 6+ who want a table without booking six weeks ahead

Remy Mill has been operating in Templestowe Lower for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the seasonal special ($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 63 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Get the: The seasonal special ($27) — the best version in Templestowe Lower Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.

11. Rex — 380 James Parade, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135

What it is: (date night restaurants) A solid local spot Cost: $12-26 per person Best for: parents who want food AND peace

Rex has been operating in Templestowe Lower for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the fish special ($12) 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 57 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on High Grove is usually fine.

Order this: The fish special ($14) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.

12. The Golden Local — 242 Park Avenue, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135

What it is: (date night restaurants) A local institution Cost: $13-18 per person Best for: dates

The Golden Local has been operating in Templestowe Lower for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the charcuterie board ($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.

The space seats about 49 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Try this: The charcuterie board ($19) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

Explore More

• Templestowe Best Date Night Restaurants — same vibe, different suburb
• Templestowe Lower Best Cafes — where to get your morning coffee
• Templestowe Lower Things to Do — the full activity guide
• Templestowe Lower Complete Guide — everything about Templestowe Lower
• Compare Suburbs — see how Templestowe Lower stacks up
• All Templestowe Lower Guides — everything we’ve written

FAQ

What are the best best date night restaurants options in Templestowe Lower?

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

Is Templestowe Lower good for best date night restaurants?

Yes. Templestowe Lower has 12+ genuine options. The scene is surprisingly diverse and well worth exploring.

What is Templestowe Lower known for?

Residential suburb with Manningham Road strip.

How far is Templestowe Lower from Melbourne CBD?

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

The truth about Templestowe Lower: 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