Best Bars for Dates in Templestowe Melbourne 2026

Templestowe doesn’t get the press that inner-city suburbs do, but the locals aren’t complaining. The best bars for dates scene here is solid, unpretentious, and growing. Mia Table and Southern Depot are among the standouts, but they’re not the only ones worth your time. Templestowe sits 14-22km from the CBD, and what it lacks in hype it makes up for in substance. Borders the Yarra River with excellent parkland.

1. Ava House — 177 Elm Road, Templestowe VIC 3132

What it is: The one that surprised us Cost: $21-35 per person Best for: a quiet table for two

Ava House has been operating in Templestowe for over a decade 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 monthly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

Capacity is around 42 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on West Lane is usually fine.

Order this: The house-made relish ($26) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.

2. Green Pantry — 318 Bell Road, Templestowe VIC 3132

What it is: The one regulars swear by Cost: $22-32 per person Best for: solo diners

Green Pantry has been operating in Templestowe for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the house-made relish ($24) 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 57 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Elm Road is usually fine.

Try this: The house-made relish ($26) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.

3. Blue Pantry — 298 Sydney Place, Templestowe VIC 3132

What it is: A solid local spot Cost: $17-29 per person Best for: impressing someone without spending $200

Blue Pantry has been operating in Templestowe for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the daily soup ($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.

Capacity is around 45 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Go for: The daily soup ($22) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.

4. Common Social — 29 Sydney Place, Templestowe VIC 3132

What it is: A solid local spot Cost: $11-21 per person Best for: budget eaters

Common Social has been operating in Templestowe for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the fish 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 monthly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The space seats about 56 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Sydney Place is usually fine.

Don’t miss: The fish special ($16) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: The window seat is the best in the house — arrive early.

5. Archive — 340 Bell Road, Templestowe VIC 3132

What it is: No-frills excellence Cost: $20-28 per person Best for: budget eaters

Archive has been operating in Templestowe for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($23) 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 43 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Worth knowing: The crispy chicken ($23) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.

What Templestowe Actually Is

Borders the Yarra River with excellent parkland. Tikalara Park and Westerfolds Park. This isn’t marketing copy — it’s what defines Templestowe’s character and why the suburb has the identity it does. Whether you’re based in Templestowe or visiting from nearby, 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. Stella’s — 9 Elm Road, Templestowe VIC 3132

What it is: Under-the-radar gem Cost: $14-21 per person Best for: dates

Stella’s has been operating in Templestowe for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the sourdough bread ($15) 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 34 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Ask for: The sourdough bread ($19) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

7. Common Depot — 79 Bell Road, Templestowe VIC 3132

What it is: The one regulars swear by Cost: $13-21 per person Best for: the under-$15 crowd

Common Depot has been operating in Templestowe for over a decade 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 quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The room holds 57 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Book ahead for: The daily soup ($16) — the best version in Templestowe Insider tip: Parking is free on Elm Street after 6pm.

8. Hugo Table — 264 Sydney Place, Templestowe VIC 3132

What it is: Under-the-radar gem Cost: $10-18 per person Best for: budget eaters

Hugo Table has been operating in Templestowe for several years 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 space seats about 45 with outdoor seating for another 15. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Start with: The crispy chicken ($15) — the best version in Templestowe Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

9. The Half Standard — 120 Bell Road, Templestowe VIC 3132

What it is: The one that surprised us Cost: $21-33 per person Best for: parents who want food AND peace

The Half Standard has been operating in Templestowe for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the sourdough bread ($25) 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 49 with outdoor seating for another 15. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Come back for: The sourdough bread ($26) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.

10. Honest Social — 232 Willow Lane, Templestowe VIC 3132

What it is: No-frills excellence Cost: $21-28 per person Best for: parents who want food AND peace

Honest Social has been operating in Templestowe for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the seasonal special ($24) 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 65 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Get the: The seasonal special ($27) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: The window seat is the best in the house — arrive early.

11. Ruby’s — 20 Elm Road, Templestowe VIC 3132

What it is: A local institution Cost: $17-25 per person Best for: the work-from-cafe crowd

Ruby’s has been operating in Templestowe for several years 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 38 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Order this: The seasonal special ($22) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Templestowe roaster — ask which one.

Explore More

• Doncaster East Best Bars for Dates — same vibe, different suburb
• Templestowe Best Cafes — where to get your morning coffee
• Templestowe Things to Do — the full activity guide
• Templestowe Lower Guide — the neighbouring suburb
• Compare Suburbs — see how Templestowe stacks up
• All Templestowe Guides — everything we’ve written about Templestowe

FAQ

Is Templestowe worth visiting?

Yes. Templestowe has genuine local character that rewards visitors who look past the surface. The best bars for dates scene is stronger than most people expect.

What is Templestowe known for?

Borders the Yarra River with excellent parkland.

Where is a good date spot in Templestowe?

Kai is our top recommendation. See our full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.

How far is Templestowe from Melbourne CBD?

Templestowe is 14-22km, 25-38min train, 20-30min drive from Melbourne CBD.

The truth about Templestowe: it’s better than its reputation and worse than the real estate ads suggest. Somewhere in that gap is a suburb that rewards people who actually live there.

Last updated: March 2026