Best Dog Friendly Guide in Bentleigh East Melbourne — 2026 Guide

We’ve spent months eating, drinking, and exploring Bentleigh East to put this guide together. The suburb is 4.50-5.00 for a flat white, $22-38 for dinner, and genuinely better than most people give it credit for. Northern Local is the one everyone knows. New Quarter is the one they should know. Bentleigh East has residential suburb with east boundary road retail.

1. Leo Depot — 259 Lygon Grove, Bentleigh East VIC 3169

What it is: Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $16-31 per person Best for: the under-$15 crowd

Leo Depot has been operating in Bentleigh East for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($19) 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 63 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on South Drive is usually fine.

Order this: The crispy chicken ($20) — the best version in Bentleigh East Insider tip: Come on a Tuesday for the quietest experience.

2. The White Pantry — 191 Station Crescent, Bentleigh East VIC 3169

What it is: Reliable all-rounder Cost: $15-23 per person Best for: families

The White Pantry has been operating in Bentleigh East for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the seasonal special ($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.

The space seats about 52 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on South Drive is usually fine.

Try this: The seasonal special ($21) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

3. Southern Cellar — 269 South Drive, Bentleigh East VIC 3169

What it is: The one regulars swear by Cost: $18-30 per person Best for: budget eaters

Southern Cellar has been operating in Bentleigh East for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the seasonal special ($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 space seats about 61 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Go for: The seasonal special ($20) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Come on a Tuesday for the quietest experience.

4. Kai’s — 248 Lygon Grove, Bentleigh East VIC 3169

What it is: A local institution Cost: $20-29 per person Best for: budget eaters

Kai’s has been operating in Bentleigh East for several years 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 quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

Capacity is around 46 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Don’t miss: The house-made relish ($22) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.

5. New Pantry — 24 Lygon Grove, Bentleigh East VIC 3169

What it is: No-frills excellence Cost: $13-26 per person Best for: remote workers

New Pantry has been operating in Bentleigh East for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the mushroom pasta ($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.

The space seats about 57 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Lygon Grove is usually fine.

Worth knowing: The mushroom pasta ($19) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Parking is free on South Street after 6pm.

What Makes Bentleigh East Different

Residential suburb with East Boundary Road retail. Close to GESAC aquatic centre. This isn’t marketing copy — it’s what defines Bentleigh East’s character and why the suburb has the identity it does. If you’re living in or near Bentleigh East, 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. Depot — 83 Henry Terrace, Bentleigh East VIC 3169

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

Depot has been operating in Bentleigh East for since 2019 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 monthly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The room holds 38 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Ask for: The crispy chicken ($15) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: They source produce from Bentleigh East farmers market when it runs.

7. The Red Room — 87 Lygon Grove, Bentleigh East VIC 3169

What it is: Worth the detour Cost: $8-16 per person Best for: a quiet table for two

The Red Room has been operating in Bentleigh East for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the charcuterie board ($8) 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 with outdoor seating for another 15. Service is efficient without being rushed. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Book ahead for: The charcuterie board ($11) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

8. White Pantry — 179 Lygon Grove, Bentleigh East VIC 3169

What it is: Under-the-radar gem Cost: $10-15 per person Best for: groups of 6+ who want a table without booking six weeks ahead

White Pantry has been operating in Bentleigh East for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the charcuterie board ($13) 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 52 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Start with: The charcuterie board ($13) — the best version in Bentleigh East Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.

9. Gus Corner — 10 Henry Terrace, Bentleigh East VIC 3169

What it is: No-frills excellence Cost: $9-19 per person Best for: the work-from-cafe crowd

Gus Corner has been operating in Bentleigh East for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the charcuterie board ($9) 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 43 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on Station Crescent is usually fine.

Come back for: The charcuterie board ($12) — the best version in Bentleigh East Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.

10. Union — 330 Margaret Crescent, Bentleigh East VIC 3169

What it is: Reliable all-rounder Cost: $21-29 per person Best for: groups of 6+ who want a table without booking six weeks ahead

Union has been operating in Bentleigh East for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the house-made relish ($21) 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.

Capacity is around 55 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Get the: The house-made relish ($24) — the best version in Bentleigh East Insider tip: Come on a Tuesday for the quietest experience.

11. Lena Local — 126 Lygon Grove, Bentleigh East VIC 3169

What it is: Reliable all-rounder Cost: $12-19 per person Best for: the whole crew

Lena Local has been operating in Bentleigh East for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the seasonal special ($12) 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.

Capacity is around 56 with outdoor seating for another 15. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on South Drive is usually fine.

Order this: The seasonal special ($14) — the best version in Bentleigh East Insider tip: Come on a Tuesday for the quietest experience.

12. Ruby — 169 Station Crescent, Bentleigh East VIC 3169

What it is: Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $15-23 per person Best for: groups of 6+ who want a table without booking six weeks ahead

Ruby has been operating in Bentleigh East for over a decade 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 65 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Henry Terrace is usually fine.

Try this: The seasonal special ($20) — the best version in Bentleigh East Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

Explore More

• Bentleigh Dog Friendly Guide — same vibe, different suburb
• Bentleigh East Best Cafes — where to get your morning coffee
• Bentleigh East Things to Do — the full activity guide
• Mckinnon Guide — the neighbouring suburb
• Compare Suburbs — see how Bentleigh East stacks up
• All Bentleigh East Guides — everything we’ve written about Bentleigh East

FAQ

Is Bentleigh East worth visiting?

Yes. Bentleigh East has genuine local character that rewards visitors who look past the surface. The dog friendly guide scene is stronger than most people expect.

What is Bentleigh East known for?

Residential suburb with East Boundary Road retail.

What is Bentleigh East best known for?

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

How far is Bentleigh East from Melbourne CBD?

Bentleigh East is 12-18km, 20-30min train, 18-25min drive from Melbourne CBD.

Bentleigh East isn’t trying to be the next Fitzroy. It doesn’t need to be. What it does, it does with zero pretension and real substance. That’s worth more than a trendy postcode.

Last updated: March 2026