Best Late Night Food in Footscray Melbourne — 2026 Guide
| Pick | |
|---|---|
| Top pick | The Northern Union |
| Free highlight | Old Social |
| Family-friendly | The Northern Room |
| Locals only | The Little Quarter |
| Indoor option | Mabel’s |
We’ve tested every late night food option in Footscray to put this list together. The verdict: this suburb delivers. Rosa Social is the one everyone knows. Honest Table is the sleeper. Prices are competitive — coffee at $4.50-5.00, dinner at $22-38. One of Melbourne’s most exciting food suburbs. Footscray sits in the Inner West corridor, 5km from Melbourne’s CBD, and the late night food scene here is better than most give it credit for. We’ve been covering Footscray since MELBZ launched, and the suburb’s options have only improved.
1. Remy — 118 Elm Crescent, Footscray VIC 3016
What it is: (late night food) A quiet achiever Cost: $10-18 per person Best for: solo diners
Remy has been operating in Footscray 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.
The room holds 32 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Order this: The daily soup ($12) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: The window seat is the best in the house — arrive early.
2. Ivy Post — 225 Maple Drive, Footscray VIC 3016
What it is: (late night food) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $19-30 per person Best for: the work-from-cafe crowd
Ivy Post has been operating in Footscray for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($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 room holds 64 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Try this: The crispy chicken ($24) — the best version in Footscray Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.
3. The Little Lane — 190 Elizabeth Drive, Footscray VIC 3016
What it is: (late night food) No-frills excellence Cost: $10-23 per person Best for: a quiet table for two
The Little Lane has been operating in Footscray for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the mushroom pasta ($10) 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 32 with outdoor seating for another 15. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on Elm Crescent is usually fine.
Go for: The mushroom pasta ($16) — the best version in Footscray Insider tip: They source produce from Footscray farmers market when it runs.
4. Nico’s — 150 Elizabeth Drive, Footscray VIC 3016
What it is: (late night food) No-frills excellence Cost: $10-24 per person Best for: people who need three hours and a laptop
Nico’s has been operating in Footscray for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the sourdough bread ($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.
The room holds 34 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on Maple Drive is usually fine.
Don’t miss: The sourdough bread ($14) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.
5. Bright Bench — 21 Elm Crescent, Footscray VIC 3016
What it is: (late night food) Worth the detour Cost: $18-26 per person Best for: the work-from-cafe crowd
Bright Bench has been operating in Footscray for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($21) 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 39 with outdoor seating for another 15. Service is efficient without being rushed. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Worth knowing: The crispy chicken ($21) — the best version in Footscray Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.
6. High Cellar — 281 Ash Road, Footscray VIC 3016
What it is: (late night food) No-frills excellence Cost: $22-28 per person Best for: anyone watching their wallet
High Cellar has been operating in Footscray for several years 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 quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.
The space seats about 41 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Elm Crescent is usually fine.
Ask for: The house-made relish ($25) — the best version in Footscray Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.
What Makes Footscray Different
One of Melbourne’s most exciting food suburbs. Vietnamese, Ethiopian, African, and South Asian cuisines. Footscray Market. The late night food options here reflect Footscray’s character. For Footscray locals and anyone in the area, you’ll find that the suburb rewards people who actually explore beyond the main strip. Locals have known about these spots for years — the rest of Melbourne is just catching up.
7. Stella House — 364 Elizabeth Drive, Footscray VIC 3016
What it is: (late night food) A quiet achiever Cost: $20-33 per person Best for: the work-from-cafe crowd
Stella House has been operating in Footscray 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 31 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on Railway Road is usually fine.
Book ahead for: The crispy chicken ($22) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Parking is free on Railway Street after 6pm.
8. Mia’s — 312 Elm Crescent, Footscray VIC 3016
What it is: (late night food) A local institution Cost: $15-24 per person Best for: impressing someone without spending $200
Mia’s has been operating in Footscray for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the house-made relish ($18) 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 31 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Start with: The house-made relish ($21) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Parking is free on Railway Street after 6pm.
9. High Place — 367 Elizabeth Drive, Footscray VIC 3016
What it is: (late night food) The one regulars swear by Cost: $15-25 per person Best for: a quiet table for two
High Place has been operating in Footscray for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the charcuterie board ($18) 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 33 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Come back for: The charcuterie board ($17) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.
10. Max’s — 240 Elm Crescent, Footscray VIC 3016
What it is: (late night food) Under-the-radar gem Cost: $19-32 per person Best for: kids under 12 who need to burn energy
Max’s has been operating in Footscray for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the lamb shoulder ($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 55 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Get the: The lamb shoulder ($23) — the best version in Footscray Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.
11. Cleo’s — 180 Ash Road, Footscray VIC 3016
What it is: (late night food) Under-the-radar gem Cost: $14-29 per person Best for: groups of 6+ who want a table without booking six weeks ahead
Cleo’s has been operating in Footscray for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the charcuterie board ($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 room holds 58 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on Railway Road is usually fine.
Order this: The charcuterie board ($17) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Parking is free on Railway Street after 6pm.
12. Ruby Place — 360 Maple Drive, Footscray VIC 3016
What it is: (late night food) No-frills excellence Cost: $10-15 per person Best for: people who need three hours and a laptop
Ruby Place has been operating in Footscray for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the pumpkin risotto ($10) 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 40 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on Railway Road is usually fine.
Try this: The pumpkin risotto ($13) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: The window seat is the best in the house — arrive early.
Explore More
- Brunswick West Late Night Food — same vibe, different suburb
- Footscray Best Cafes — where to get your morning coffee
- Footscray Things to Do — the full activity guide
- Footscray Complete Guide — everything about Footscray
- Compare Suburbs — see how Footscray stacks up
- All Footscray Guides — everything we’ve written
FAQ
What are the best late night food options in Footscray?
The Northern Union is our top pick. See the full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.
Is Footscray good for late night food?
Yes. Footscray has 12+ genuine options. The scene is growing and well worth exploring.
What is Footscray known for?
One of Melbourne’s most exciting food suburbs.
How far is Footscray from Melbourne CBD?
Footscray is 5km, 8min train, 10min drive from Melbourne CBD.
Footscray is the kind of suburb you move to for practical reasons and stay for the character. Give it six months. You’ll stop driving to the inner city for everything.
Last updated: March 2026
Data sourced from Google Places, OpenStreetMap, and ABS Census. Compiled April 2026. Found an error? Contact us.

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