Best Dog Friendly Guide in Cheltenham Melbourne — 2026 Guide

We’ve spent months eating, drinking, and exploring Cheltenham 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. Kai is the one everyone knows. Vera Local is the one they should know. Cheltenham has ikea anchors it as a retail destination.

1. Collective — 84 Bourke Terrace, Cheltenham VIC 3194

What it is: Under-the-radar gem Cost: $11-22 per person Best for: a quiet table for two

Collective has been operating in Cheltenham for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the lamb shoulder ($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 30 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Order this: The lamb shoulder ($13) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.

2. Oliver’s — 312 Church Street, Cheltenham VIC 3194

What it is: No-frills excellence Cost: $22-31 per person Best for: groups

Oliver’s has been operating in Cheltenham for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($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 room holds 41 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Try this: The crispy chicken ($25) — the best version in Cheltenham Insider tip: The window seat is the best in the house — arrive early.

3. Ada — 291 Church Street, Cheltenham VIC 3194

What it is: Reliable all-rounder Cost: $12-17 per person Best for: families

Ada has been operating in Cheltenham for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the sourdough bread ($17) 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 32 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Go for: The sourdough bread ($15) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Come on a Tuesday for the quietest experience.

4. Leo Table — 221 Church Street, Cheltenham VIC 3194

What it is: The one regulars swear by Cost: $12-17 per person Best for: kids under 12 who need to burn energy

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

The space seats about 59 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Don’t miss: The fish special ($18) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Cheltenham roaster — ask which one.

5. High Yard — 256 Bourke Terrace, Cheltenham VIC 3194

What it is: A solid local spot Cost: $20-34 per person Best for: budget eaters

High Yard has been operating in Cheltenham for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($22) 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 55 with outdoor seating for another 15. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Worth knowing: The crispy chicken ($24) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

The Reality of Cheltenham

IKEA anchors it as a retail destination. Southland shopping centre nearby. Bayside beach access close. This isn’t marketing copy — it’s what defines Cheltenham’s character and why the suburb has the identity it does. If you’re living in or near Cheltenham, 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. Nina Room — 260 Collins Lane, Cheltenham VIC 3194

What it is: The one that surprised us Cost: $17-22 per person Best for: groups of 6+ who want a table without booking six weeks ahead

Nina Room has been operating in Cheltenham for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the mushroom pasta ($21) 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 52 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Ask for: The mushroom pasta ($21) — the best version in Cheltenham Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.

7. Marco Post — 344 Collins Lane, Cheltenham VIC 3194

What it is: A quiet achiever Cost: $8-13 per person Best for: remote workers

Marco Post has been operating in Cheltenham for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the mushroom pasta ($12) 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 60 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Book ahead for: The mushroom pasta ($13) — the best version in Cheltenham Insider tip: The window seat is the best in the house — arrive early.

8. The Little Depot — 291 Park Street, Cheltenham VIC 3194

What it is: A quiet achiever Cost: $8-19 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird

The Little Depot has been operating in Cheltenham for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the sourdough bread ($11) 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 47 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Start with: The sourdough bread ($12) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: They source produce from Cheltenham farmers market when it runs.

9. The New Quarter — 7 Church Street, Cheltenham VIC 3194

What it is: A local institution Cost: $14-23 per person Best for: people who need three hours and a laptop

The New Quarter has been operating in Cheltenham for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the mushroom pasta ($17) 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 52 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Come back for: The mushroom pasta ($19) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Cheltenham roaster — ask which one.

10. Felix — 266 Bourke Terrace, Cheltenham VIC 3194

What it is: A local institution Cost: $19-28 per person Best for: solo diners

Felix has been operating in Cheltenham for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the charcuterie board ($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 44 with outdoor seating for another 15. Service is efficient without being rushed. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Get the: The charcuterie board ($22) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: They source produce from Cheltenham farmers market when it runs.

11. Quarter — 234 Collins Lane, Cheltenham VIC 3194

What it is: Reliable all-rounder Cost: $20-28 per person Best for: groups of 6+ who want a table without booking six weeks ahead

Quarter has been operating in Cheltenham for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the sourdough bread ($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.

Capacity is around 59 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Order this: The sourdough bread ($23) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

Explore More

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

FAQ

Is Cheltenham worth visiting?

Yes. Cheltenham 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 Cheltenham known for?

IKEA anchors it as a retail destination.

What is Cheltenham best known for?

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

How far is Cheltenham from Melbourne CBD?

Cheltenham is 18km, 32min train, 25min drive from Melbourne CBD.

The truth about Cheltenham: 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