Things to Do in Templestowe Lower This Weekend — 2026

We’ve spent months eating, drinking, and exploring Templestowe Lower 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. Finn’s is the one everyone knows. Ruby is the one they should know. Templestowe Lower has residential suburb with manningham road strip.

1. Hazel — 315 High Grove, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135

What it is: Reliable all-rounder Cost: $20-27 per person Best for: remote workers

Hazel has been operating in Templestowe Lower for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the lamb shoulder ($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 40 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Smith Street is usually fine.

Order this: The lamb shoulder ($26) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.

2. Bright Mill — 131 High Grove, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135

What it is: The one that surprised us Cost: $15-26 per person Best for: families

Bright Mill has been operating in Templestowe Lower for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the mushroom pasta ($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 43 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on James Parade is usually fine.

Try this: The mushroom pasta ($19) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.

3. Lena’s — 19 High Grove, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135

What it is: The one regulars swear by Cost: $16-21 per person Best for: budget eaters

Lena’s has been operating in Templestowe Lower for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the house-made relish ($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 34 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Go for: The house-made relish ($18) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.

4. Sunny Social — 309 Park Avenue, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135

What it is: The one that surprised us Cost: $12-17 per person Best for: groups

Sunny Social has been operating in Templestowe Lower for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the seasonal special ($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.

The space seats about 33 with outdoor seating for another 15. Service is efficient without being rushed. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Don’t miss: The seasonal special ($15) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Come on a Tuesday for the quietest experience.

5. The Common Local — 219 Park Avenue, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135

What it is: A quiet achiever Cost: $8-23 per person Best for: a quiet meal and a book

The Common Local has been operating in Templestowe Lower for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the seasonal special ($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 38 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on South Grove is usually fine.

Worth knowing: The seasonal special ($11) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.

The Templestowe Lower That Locals Know

Residential suburb with Manningham Road strip. Close to Tikalara Park trails. This isn’t marketing copy — it’s what defines Templestowe Lower’s character and why the suburb has the identity it does. For Templestowe Lower locals and anyone in the area, 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. The Blue Commons — 46 South Grove, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135

What it is: A solid local spot Cost: $22-33 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird

The Blue Commons has been operating in Templestowe Lower for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($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 space seats about 42 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on James Parade is usually fine.

Ask for: The crispy chicken ($24) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: The window seat is the best in the house — arrive early.

7. Honest Local — 42 South Grove, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135

What it is: No-frills excellence Cost: $14-21 per person Best for: groups

Honest Local has been operating in Templestowe Lower for since the early 2020s 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 seasonally which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The space seats about 35 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Book ahead for: The crispy chicken ($20) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.

8. Kai — 112 Smith Street, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135

What it is: Reliable all-rounder Cost: $16-31 per person Best for: the work-from-cafe crowd

Kai has been operating in Templestowe Lower for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($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 64 with outdoor seating for another 15. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on High Grove is usually fine.

Start with: The crispy chicken ($22) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.

9. Long Cellar — 369 High Grove, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135

What it is: A solid local spot Cost: $19-28 per person Best for: anyone watching their wallet

Long Cellar has been operating in Templestowe Lower for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the sourdough bread ($20) 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 30 with outdoor seating for another 15. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on South Grove is usually fine.

Come back for: The sourdough bread ($21) — the best version in Templestowe Lower Insider tip: Come on a Tuesday for the quietest experience.

10. Tall Social — 315 James Parade, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135

What it is: A solid local spot Cost: $11-17 per person Best for: the whole crew

Tall Social has been operating in Templestowe Lower for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the daily soup ($16) 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 53 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on Park Avenue is usually fine.

Get the: The daily soup ($14) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.

11. Kai’s — 278 High Grove, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135

What it is: Worth the detour Cost: $21-29 per person Best for: groups

Kai’s has been operating in Templestowe Lower for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the house-made relish ($26) 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 45 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Order this: The house-made relish ($24) — the best version in Templestowe Lower Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.

12. Lucky Store — 275 James Parade, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135

What it is: The one regulars swear by Cost: $17-24 per person Best for: impressing someone without spending $200

Lucky Store has been operating in Templestowe Lower for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the daily soup ($22) 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 32 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on James Parade is usually fine.

Try this: The daily soup ($22) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.

Explore More

• Templestowe Things To Do This Weekend — 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

Is Templestowe Lower worth visiting?

Yes. Templestowe Lower has genuine local character that rewards visitors who look past the surface. The things to do this weekend scene is stronger than most people expect.

What is Templestowe Lower known for?

Residential suburb with Manningham Road strip.

What is there to do in Templestowe Lower on a Sunday?

Kai Pantry 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.

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