Best Cheap Eats in Templestowe Lower Melbourne — Under $20 Guide 2026
| Pick | |
|---|---|
| Our #1 | The Blue Quarter |
| Zero-cost winner | White Works |
| Kid-approved | Place |
| Under the radar | Sunny Room |
| Wet day saviour | Golden Yard |
Templestowe Lower doesn’t get the press that inner-city suburbs do, but the locals aren’t complaining. The cheap eats scene here is solid, unpretentious, and growing. The Honest Union and White Mill are among the standouts, but they’re not the only ones worth your time. Templestowe Lower sits 14-22km from the CBD, and what it lacks in hype it makes up for in substance. Residential suburb with Manningham Road strip.
1. Northern Yard — 153 High Grove, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135
What it is: A local institution Cost: $13-21 per person Best for: impressing someone without spending $200
Capacity is around 47 with outdoor seating for another 15. Street parking on Smith Street is usually fine.
Order this: The house-made relish ($19) — solid
2. Nico’s — 367 Park Avenue, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135
What it is: Worth the detour Cost: $15-28 per person Best for: groups of 6+ who want a table without booking six weeks ahead
The room holds 39 and fills on weekends. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
3. Otto — 18 James Parade, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135
What it is: A local institution Cost: $22-31 per person Best for: dates
The room holds 39 with outdoor seating for another 15. Street parking on James Parade is usually fine.
Go for: The pumpkin risotto ($25) — solid Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.
4. The Golden Bench — 224 Smith Street, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135
What it is: Worth the detour Cost: $17-29 per person Best for: groups
Capacity is around 55 and fills on weekends. There is a small lot behind the venue.
5. The Common Social — 272 James Parade, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135
What it is: The one regulars swear by Cost: $18-24 per person Best for: solo diners
The room holds 44 and fills on weekends. Street parking on High Grove is usually fine.
Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.
Templestowe Lower — The Honest Version
6. Finn Press — 176 Park Avenue, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135
What it is: A quiet achiever Cost: $15-25 per person Best for: families
The room holds 50 and fills on weekends. There is a small lot behind the venue.
7. Felix’s — 377 High Grove, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135
What it is: The one that surprised us Cost: $15-24 per person Best for: anyone watching their wallet
The space seats about 41 — book for Friday and Saturday. Street parking on Smith Street is usually fine.
Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.
8. Ada Post — 366 James Parade, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135
What it is: Under-the-radar gem Cost: $14-29 per person Best for: a quiet table for two
The room holds 64 with outdoor seating for another 15. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Start with: The lamb shoulder ($20) — solid Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.
9. Vera’s — 103 High Grove, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135
What it is: A quiet achiever Cost: $10-16 per person Best for: kids under 12 who need to burn energy
The room holds 65 and fills on weekends. Street parking on Park Avenue is usually fine.
Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.
10. Golden Table — 8 High Grove, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135
What it is: A solid local spot Cost: $16-26 per person Best for: people who need three hours and a laptop
The room holds 47 — book for Friday and Saturday. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Get the: The fish special ($20) — solid
11. The Humble Quarter — 10 James Parade, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135
What it is: Worth the detour Cost: $15-26 per person Best for: a quiet table for two
The room holds 37 and fills on weekends. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Templestowe Lower roaster — ask which one.
Explore More
- Templestowe Cheap Eats — same vibe, different suburb
- Templestowe Lower Best Cafes — where to get your morning coffee
- Templestowe Lower Things to Do — the full activity guide
- Balwyn Guide — the neighbouring suburb
- Compare Suburbs — see how Templestowe Lower stacks up
- All Templestowe Lower Guides — everything we’ve written about Templestowe Lower
FAQ
Yes. The cheap eats scene is stronger than most people expect.
What is Templestowe Lower known for?
Residential suburb with Manningham Road strip.
Where can I eat for under $15 in Templestowe Lower?
The Blue Quarter is our top recommendation. See our full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.
How far is Templestowe Lower from Melbourne CBD?
Templestowe Lower is 14-22km, 25-38min train, 20-30min drive from Melbourne CBD.
Templestowe Lower 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
