Best Pubs in Malvern — 2026 Guide

Malvern’s pubs scene is established, leafy, family-oriented — and the pubs reflect it. Whether you want a quiet midweek drink or a full Friday night, there are options that don’t require leaving the suburb.

Standard prices: pint $13-15, cocktail $22-28. Happy hour (usually 5-7pm) knocks $3-5 off at most places.

Our Top Picks

1. Nina Larder — 356 Tooronga Road

Hours: Tue-Sun 4pm-late Vibe: Moody, dim-lit, excellent playlist Drinks: $13-15

The pub the suburb rallies around. Nina Larder gets the fundamentals right — good drinks, comfortable room, staff who know the menu. The wine list rotates monthly, which keeps regulars from getting bored. The back room is the best spot — less crowded, better acoustics.

Drink this: Their espresso martini ($13-15). When to go: Tuesday for trivia and half-price pots.

2. Theo — 90 Tooronga Road

Hours: Tue-Sun 4pm-late Vibe: Wine-focused, small plates

The quiet achiever. Theo doesn’t have a PR budget or an Instagram strategy — it has regulars who come three times a week. The beer garden is the draw. The cocktails are made with house-infused spirits.

Best night: Sunday sessions with live jazz.

3. Nell — 321 Wattletree Road

Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-11pm Vibe: Outdoor courtyard, heat lamps in winter Drinks: $13-15

Opened in 2025 and immediately became a regular spot for the under-35 crowd. The tap list leans towards Victorian craft breweries. The space is tighter than Nina Larder — maybe 50 people before it feels packed — but that’s part of the appeal.

What makes it work is the attention to detail. The glassware is considered, the ice is proper, and the bartenders actually taste what they make before serving. The non-alcoholic cocktail list is genuinely creative, not an afterthought. If you hit capacity, put your name down and walk around the block — turnover is quick.

Drink this: The house old fashioned ($13-15). Pro tip: Tuesday is the quietest night and the bartender has more time to chat.

4. High Room — 312 High Street

Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-1am Vibe: Modern gastropub with craft focus Drinks: $13-15

The one for when you want food with your drinks. The kitchen runs until 9:30pm and the share plates are genuinely good, not bar-food-as-afterthought. The wings have a proper chilli kick.

The drinks list complements the food — a cocktail list designed around the kitchen’s flavours. It’s the kind of place where you come for one beer and stay for dinner because you smell the kitchen.

Best combo: The burger with their house lager — simple and perfect. When to come: Any weeknight for a quick meal and drink without the weekend crowd.

5. Merchant — 301 Glenferrie Road

Hours: Wed-Sun 4pm-11pm Vibe: Laneway entrance, exposed brick, jazz on the stereo Drinks: $13-15

The vibe pick. Not the best drinks on this list, but the rooftop view creates an atmosphere the others can’t match. It’s the place to bring someone you’re trying to impress, or to photograph, or both.

The drinks list is short but curated — they do six cocktails and all of them are solid. Food is limited to bar snacks and a single dessert option but you’re not here for the food.

Best for: Sunset drinks on warmer evenings — arrive by 6pm for the golden hour.

Comparison

Practical Info

Happy hour: Most places run 5-7pm weekdays. Nina Larder does $8 house lagers and $15 cocktails during happy hour.

Getting there: Malvern station, tram 5. Don’t drive on Friday/Saturday nights — parking is scarce after 6pm.

Dress code: None of these are bottle-service-and-bouncers. Clean casual everywhere. Merchant skews slightly smarter but won’t turn away anyone in jeans.

Age check: All venues are 18+. Bring ID if you look under 25 — they will ask.

Nearby

• Armadale Pubs
• Malvern Restaurants — eat before or after
• Malvern Things to Do
• All Malvern Guides

Last updated: March 2026

Keep Exploring

More in this area:

• Best Bars in Malvern
• Nightlife Guide in Malvern

Useful tools:

• Melbourne Nightlife Guide
• Find Your Perfect Melbourne Suburb
• Explore Malvern