Things to Do in Templestowe Lower This Weekend — 2026
| Pick | |
|---|---|
| Our #1 | Kai Pantry |
| Zero-cost winner | Ivy Corner |
| Kid-approved | The Bright Cellar |
| Under the radar | Nell’s |
| Wet day saviour | Kai Room |
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
The space seats about 40 with outdoor seating for another 15. Street parking on Smith Street is usually fine.
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
The space seats about 43 and fills on weekends. Street parking on James Parade is usually fine.
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
The space seats about 34 — book for Friday and Saturday. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
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
The space seats about 33 with outdoor seating for another 15. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Don’t miss: The seasonal special ($15) — solid
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 space seats about 38 and fills on weekends. Street parking on South Grove is usually fine.
Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.
The Templestowe Lower That Locals Know
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 space seats about 42 — book for Friday and Saturday. Street parking on James Parade is usually fine.
7. Honest Local — 42 South Grove, Templestowe Lower VIC 3135
What it is: No-frills excellence Cost: $14-21 per person Best for: groups
The space seats about 35 — book for Friday and Saturday. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
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
The space seats about 64 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. 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
The room holds 30 with outdoor seating for another 15. Street parking on South Grove is usually fine.
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
The room holds 53 and fills on weekends. Street parking on Park Avenue is usually fine.
Get the: The daily soup ($14) — solid 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
The room holds 45 and fills on weekends. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
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
The space seats about 32 with outdoor seating for another 15. Street parking on James Parade is usually fine.
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
Yes. 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
Data sourced from Google Places, OpenStreetMap, and ABS Census. Compiled April 2026. Found an error? Contact us.
