Best Dog Friendly Guide in Templestowe Lower Melbourne — 2026 Guide
| Pick | |
|---|---|
| Top pick | Little Standard |
| Free highlight | Zara Local |
| Family-friendly | The Old Standard |
| Locals only | The Northern Commons |
| Indoor option | Max’s |
Templestowe Lower doesn’t get the press that inner-city suburbs do, but the locals aren’t complaining. The dog friendly guide scene here is solid, unpretentious, and growing. The Tall Corner and Iris Place 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. Ada Local — 300 Park Avenue, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135
What it is: A solid local spot Cost: $20-30 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird
Capacity is around 63 and fills on weekends. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Order this: The lamb shoulder ($22) — solid Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Templestowe Lower roaster — ask which one.
2. Good Commons — 307 High Grove, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135
What it is: Worth the detour Cost: $18-27 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird
Capacity is around 59 — book for Friday and Saturday. Street parking on James Parade is usually fine.
3. Sol Room — 253 South Grove, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135
What it is: A quiet achiever Cost: $17-31 per person Best for: people who need three hours and a laptop
The space seats about 47 and fills on weekends. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.
4. Zara’s — 200 South Grove, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135
What it is: The one that surprised us Cost: $10-16 per person Best for: the whole crew
The space seats about 42 with outdoor seating for another 15. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Insider tip: They source produce from Templestowe Lower farmers market when it runs.
5. Mill — 170 South Grove, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135
What it is: The one that surprised us Cost: $17-29 per person Best for: remote workers
Capacity is around 40 with outdoor seating for another 15. Street parking on Smith Street is usually fine.
What Makes Templestowe Lower Different
6. Green Commons — 39 Park Avenue, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135
What it is: A solid local spot Cost: $13-21 per person Best for: remote workers
The space seats about 33 with outdoor seating for another 15. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.
7. The Good Kitchen — 64 James Parade, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135
What it is: Under-the-radar gem Cost: $18-29 per person Best for: impressing someone without spending $200
The space seats about 56 — book for Friday and Saturday. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
8. Bright Bench — 190 High Grove, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135
What it is: No-frills excellence Cost: $8-21 per person Best for: remote workers
The space seats about 59 with outdoor seating for another 15. Street parking on High Grove is usually fine.
Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.
9. Oliver Post — 329 High Grove, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135
What it is: The one that surprised us Cost: $8-14 per person Best for: anyone watching their wallet
The space seats about 40 with outdoor seating for another 15. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
10. Operator — 80 Smith Street, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135
What it is: A solid local spot Cost: $19-34 per person Best for: solo diners
The room holds 58 and fills on weekends. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Get the: The lamb shoulder ($24) — solid Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.
11. Leo Bench — 138 Smith Street, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135
What it is: No-frills excellence Cost: $13-28 per person Best for: groups
Capacity is around 44 with outdoor seating for another 15. Street parking on Smith Street is usually fine.
Order this: The crispy chicken ($17) — solid Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.
Explore More
- Templestowe Dog Friendly Guide — 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 dog friendly guide scene is stronger than most people expect.
What is Templestowe Lower known for?
Residential suburb with Manningham Road strip.
What is Templestowe Lower best known for?
Little Standard 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
