Best Cheap Eats Under $15 in Templestowe Melbourne 2026

We’ve spent months eating, drinking, and exploring Templestowe 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. Half Post is the one everyone knows. Half Table is the one they should know. Templestowe has borders the yarra river with excellent parkland.

1. Iris Store — 109 Bell Road, Templestowe VIC 3132

What it is: Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $20-26 per person Best for: solo diners

Iris Store has been operating in Templestowe for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the mushroom pasta ($24) 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 55 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Order this: The mushroom pasta ($22) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Come on a Tuesday for the quietest experience.

2. Zara Union — 372 Bell Road, Templestowe VIC 3132

What it is: A quiet achiever Cost: $9-22 per person Best for: the work-from-cafe crowd

Zara Union has been operating in Templestowe for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($9) 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.

Capacity is around 35 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Try this: The crispy chicken ($15) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

3. Sol Lane — 201 Willow Lane, Templestowe VIC 3132

What it is: The one that surprised us Cost: $18-25 per person Best for: impressing someone without spending $200

Sol Lane has been operating in Templestowe for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the mushroom pasta ($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 33 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Go for: The mushroom pasta ($20) — the best version in Templestowe Insider tip: Come on a Tuesday for the quietest experience.

4. Old Union — 216 Elm Road, Templestowe VIC 3132

What it is: The one regulars swear by Cost: $12-26 per person Best for: the whole crew

Old Union has been operating in Templestowe for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the daily soup ($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.

Capacity is around 35 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Don’t miss: The daily soup ($15) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Parking is free on West Street after 6pm.

5. Max — 133 Elm Road, Templestowe VIC 3132

What it is: Worth the detour Cost: $9-23 per person Best for: remote workers

Max has been operating in Templestowe for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($11) 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 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on West Lane is usually fine.

Worth knowing: The crispy chicken ($12) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.

Why Locals Stay in Templestowe

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. Sol’s — 353 West Lane, Templestowe VIC 3132

What it is: A quiet achiever Cost: $20-32 per person Best for: groups

Sol’s has been operating in Templestowe for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the charcuterie board ($24) 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 43 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Ask for: The charcuterie board ($22) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.

7. The Sunny Works — 342 Bell Road, Templestowe VIC 3132

What it is: The one regulars swear by Cost: $11-17 per person Best for: parents who want food AND peace

The Sunny Works has been operating in Templestowe for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the house-made relish ($11) 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 40 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Book ahead for: The house-made relish ($16) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: The window seat is the best in the house — arrive early.

8. Ivy — 284 Bell Road, Templestowe VIC 3132

What it is: Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $13-25 per person Best for: kids under 12 who need to burn energy

Ivy has been operating in Templestowe for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($13) 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 40 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Start with: The crispy chicken ($18) — the best version in Templestowe Insider tip: The window seat is the best in the house — arrive early.

9. Bright Commons — 280 West Lane, Templestowe VIC 3132

What it is: Under-the-radar gem Cost: $17-31 per person Best for: families

Bright Commons has been operating in Templestowe for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the house-made relish ($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. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Come back for: The house-made relish ($22) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: The window seat is the best in the house — arrive early.

10. Max Corner — 51 Willow Lane, Templestowe VIC 3132

What it is: Reliable all-rounder Cost: $9-15 per person Best for: budget eaters

Max Corner has been operating in Templestowe for since 2019 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 monthly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

Capacity is around 60 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Bell Road is usually fine.

Get the: The crispy chicken ($11) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.

11. The Common Bench — 33 Elm Road, Templestowe VIC 3132

What it is: A local institution Cost: $16-27 per person Best for: dates

The Common Bench has been operating in Templestowe for since the early 2020s 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 quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

Capacity is around 49 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Order this: The daily soup ($18) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Come on a Tuesday for the quietest experience.

12. Nina’s — 79 Elm Road, Templestowe VIC 3132

What it is: Worth the detour Cost: $22-30 per person Best for: people who need three hours and a laptop

Nina’s has been operating in Templestowe for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the house-made relish ($25) 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 53 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on Sydney Place is usually fine.

Try this: The house-made relish ($26) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.

Explore More

• Doncaster East Cheap Eats Under 15 — 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 cheap eats under 15 scene is stronger than most people expect.

What is Templestowe known for?

Borders the Yarra River with excellent parkland.

What can you eat for $10 or less in Templestowe?

Ada’s 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