Best Late Night Food in Templestowe Lower Melbourne — 2026 Guide
| Pick | |
|---|---|
| Best overall | Luna’s |
| Best free option | Nell’s |
| Best for families | Gus Depot |
| Best local secret | The Long Lane |
| Best for rainy days | River’s |
Templestowe Lower has genuine late night food options that most people outside the suburb don’t know about. Half Lane and Honest Room lead the pack, but there’s depth here. The suburb sits 14-22km from the CBD in Melbourne’s Middle East region, and what it lacks in hype it makes up for in substance. Residential suburb with Manningham Road strip. Locals have known this for years. Whether you’re a long-time Templestowe Lower resident or just passing through, these are the places worth your time and money in 2026. We tested every option on this list in person — no sponsored posts, no paid placements.
1. Oliver Mill — 198 James Parade, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135
What it is: (late night food) The one regulars swear by Cost: $12-20 per person Best for: anyone watching their wallet
Oliver Mill has been operating in Templestowe Lower for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($14) 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 58 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Order this: The crispy chicken ($16) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.
2. Rex Room — 21 James Parade, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135
What it is: (late night food) Worth the detour Cost: $9-22 per person Best for: anyone watching their wallet
Rex Room has been operating in Templestowe Lower for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the daily soup ($13) 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 62 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Try this: The daily soup ($13) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.
3. Ivy Kitchen — 163 Smith Street, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135
What it is: (late night food) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $13-27 per person Best for: groups
Ivy Kitchen has been operating in Templestowe Lower for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the fish special ($18) 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 59 with outdoor seating for another 15. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on James Parade is usually fine.
Go for: The fish special ($19) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Come on a Tuesday for the quietest experience.
4. The Long Bench — 342 Park Avenue, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135
What it is: (late night food) No-frills excellence Cost: $20-33 per person Best for: impressing someone without spending $200
The Long Bench has been operating in Templestowe Lower for since the early 2020s 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 seasonally which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.
The room holds 51 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on South Grove is usually fine.
Don’t miss: The seasonal special ($26) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: The window seat is the best in the house — arrive early.
What Templestowe Lower Actually Is
Residential suburb with Manningham Road strip. Close to Tikalara Park trails. The late night food options here reflect Templestowe Lower’s character. For Templestowe Lower locals and anyone in the area, 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.
5. Hugo Mill — 74 High Grove, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135
What it is: (late night food) A solid local spot Cost: $17-26 per person Best for: dates
Hugo Mill has been operating in Templestowe Lower for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the seasonal 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 seasonally 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. Street parking on South Grove is usually fine.
Worth knowing: The seasonal special ($23) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: They source produce from Templestowe Lower farmers market when it runs.
6. Half Works — 285 Smith Street, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135
What it is: (late night food) The one regulars swear by Cost: $11-25 per person Best for: impressing someone without spending $200
Half Works has been operating in Templestowe Lower for over a decade 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 quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.
The room holds 58 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on James Parade is usually fine.
Ask for: The seasonal special ($15) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Templestowe Lower roaster — ask which one.
7. Nico Mill — 295 Park Avenue, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135
What it is: (late night food) A quiet achiever Cost: $11-24 per person Best for: a quiet table for two
Nico Mill has been operating in Templestowe Lower for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the sourdough bread ($13) 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 41 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Smith Street is usually fine.
Book ahead for: The sourdough bread ($17) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.
8. Finn Press — 86 Park Avenue, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135
What it is: (late night food) A solid local spot Cost: $16-21 per person Best for: a quiet table for two
Finn Press has been operating in Templestowe Lower for since the early 2020s 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 seasonally which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.
The room holds 34 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Start with: The pumpkin risotto ($20) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Templestowe Lower roaster — ask which one.
9. Felix’s — 171 Smith Street, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135
What it is: (late night food) Worth the detour Cost: $14-23 per person Best for: groups
Felix’s has been operating in Templestowe Lower for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the daily soup ($17) 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 33 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Come back for: The daily soup ($18) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Templestowe Lower roaster — ask which one.
Explore More
- Templestowe Late Night Food — 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 late night food options in Templestowe Lower?
Luna’s is our top pick. See the full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.
Is Templestowe Lower good for late night food?
Yes. Templestowe Lower has 9+ genuine options. The scene is growing 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.
Look — Templestowe Lower 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

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