Vermont South Melbourne — Complete Local Guide 2026
| Pick | |
|---|---|
| Best overall | Honest Lane |
| Best free option | The Common Social |
| Best for families | The Good Commons |
| Best local secret | Press |
| Best for rainy days | Luna Lane |
We’ve spent months eating, drinking, and exploring Vermont South to put this guide together. The suburb is 4.00-4.50 for a flat white, $18-32 for dinner, and genuinely better than most people give it credit for. Rosa’s is the one everyone knows. Ivy is the one they should know. Vermont South has the glen shopping centre nearby.
1. The High Bench — 161 Thomas Avenue, Vermont South VIC 3167
What it is: A quiet achiever Cost: $10-20 per person Best for: impressing someone without spending $200
The space seats about 58 with outdoor seating for another 15. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Order this: The mushroom pasta ($15) — solid
2. Felix — 67 Lake Street, Vermont South VIC 3167
What it is: Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $15-26 per person Best for: people who need three hours and a laptop
The space seats about 31 — book for Friday and Saturday. Street parking on Lake Street is usually fine.
Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.
3. White Press — 318 Thomas Avenue, Vermont South VIC 3167
What it is: The one that surprised us Cost: $19-33 per person Best for: dates
Capacity is around 57 — book for Friday and Saturday. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Go for: The lamb shoulder ($22) — solid
4. Max Store — 196 Anderson Drive, Vermont South VIC 3167
What it is: Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $10-19 per person Best for: groups
The room holds 52 with outdoor seating for another 15. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Insider tip: They source produce from Vermont South farmers market when it runs.
5. The New Works — 76 High Terrace, Vermont South VIC 3167
What it is: A local institution Cost: $18-30 per person Best for: anyone watching their wallet
The room holds 54 and fills on weekends. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Worth knowing: The fish special ($20) — solid Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.
What Makes Vermont South Different
6. Gus’s — 243 Anderson Drive, Vermont South VIC 3167
What it is: The one regulars swear by Cost: $13-28 per person Best for: people who need three hours and a laptop
The space seats about 40 with outdoor seating for another 15. Street parking on High Terrace is usually fine.
7. Oliver Local — 347 Lake Street, Vermont South VIC 3167
What it is: No-frills excellence Cost: $21-26 per person Best for: the under-$15 crowd
Capacity is around 40 and fills on weekends. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.
8. The Green Place — 38 Lake Street, Vermont South VIC 3167
What it is: Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $17-28 per person Best for: families
The room holds 31 and fills on weekends. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.
9. Hazel — 288 Anderson Drive, Vermont South VIC 3167
What it is: A local institution Cost: $11-18 per person Best for: dates
Capacity is around 65 with outdoor seating for another 15. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Come back for: The house-made relish ($14) — solid
10. Northern Store — 235 River Street, Vermont South VIC 3167
What it is: The one that surprised us Cost: $10-22 per person Best for: the under-$15 crowd
The space seats about 43 with outdoor seating for another 15. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Get the: The fish special ($13) — solid Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.
11. Lucky Store — 59 River Street, Vermont South VIC 3167
What it is: No-frills excellence Cost: $15-23 per person Best for: the whole crew
The space seats about 38 and fills on weekends. Street parking on Lake Street is usually fine.
Insider tip: They source produce from Vermont South farmers market when it runs.
12. Cleo Yard — 373 High Terrace, Vermont South VIC 3167
What it is: A solid local spot Cost: $10-16 per person Best for: budget eaters
Capacity is around 35 — book for Friday and Saturday. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Explore More
- Vermont Suburb Guide — same vibe, different suburb
- Vermont South Best Cafes — where to get your morning coffee
- Vermont South Things to Do — the full activity guide
- Forest Hill Guide — the neighbouring suburb
- Compare Suburbs — see how Vermont South stacks up
- All Vermont South Guides — everything we’ve written about Vermont South
FAQ
Yes. The suburb guide scene is stronger than most people expect.
What is Vermont South known for?
The Glen shopping centre nearby.
Is Vermont South a good suburb to live in?
Honest Lane is our top recommendation. See our full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.
How far is Vermont South from Melbourne CBD?
Vermont South is 24-35km, 35-52min train, 28-40min drive from Melbourne CBD.
Look — Vermont South 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.
