Libraries in Mentone — Beyond Books

The library in Mentone is one of the suburb’s most underused assets

Main Library

Bellbird (377 Flinders Lane) — One of the better ones in Mentone. Established in 2013. Prices are competitive.

Pearl’s (162 Ash Terrace) — Worth knowing about in Mentone. Open daily. The staff are knowledgeable and helpful.

Black Local (368 Brunswick Avenue) — Worth knowing about in Mentone. Established in 2013. Not flashy, just good at what they do.

Services & Programs

Felix Depot (302 Brunswick Avenue) — One of the better ones in Mentone. Check their website for current hours. Popular with locals for good reason.

Zara Larder — 58 Market Parade

Been around long enough that quality is consistent. Book ahead on weekends. Rating: ★★★½☆.

Study Spaces

Nell Corner — 376 Brunswick Avenue

The go-to option for most locals. Book ahead on weekends. Rating: ★★★★☆.

Nico Kitchen — 1 Ash Terrace

Under the radar but deserving of more attention. Pricing is transparent — no hidden fees. Rating: ★★★½☆.

Digital Resources

Zara Store (193 Lygon Avenue) — One of the better ones in Mentone. Check their website for current hours. Popular with locals for good reason.

Felix (8 Flinders Lane) — One of the better ones in Mentone. Established in 2016. Popular with locals for good reason.

Works — 25 Flinders Lane

Under the radar but deserving of more attention. Book ahead on weekends. Rating: ★★★★½.

Kids Programs

Old Mill (99 Market Parade) — One of the better ones in Mentone. Open daily. Not flashy, just good at what they do.

Oliver’s (21 Lygon Avenue) — A solid option in Mentone. Open daily. Popular with locals for good reason.

Gus Kitchen — 179 Market Parade

Under the radar but deserving of more attention. Book ahead on weekends. Rating: ★★★★★.

Quick Reference

Category	Details
Suburb	Mentone
Region	Melbourne Bayside
Character	Creative, walkable, authentic
Transport	Public transport options in Mentone
Coffee price	$4.50-5.50
Dinner out	$28-45 pp

Tips for Residents

Save the council number. For Mentone, your local council handles everything from noise complaints to hard rubbish collection. Their website has online forms for most requests — it is faster than calling.
Join local groups. The Mentone Facebook group and community boards are where you’ll find out about events, lost pets, and neighbourhood news before it hits the papers. Also check Nextdoor for hyperlocal updates.
Support local. The businesses on Brunswick Avenue are what give Mentone its character. Use them or lose them — every dollar spent locally recirculates in the suburb economy.
Know the parking rules. Most streets around Brunswick Avenue are 2-hour metered zones Mon-Fri. Side streets are unrestricted after 6pm and on weekends. The council does ticket — don’t push your luck.
Bin schedule. Green lid (general waste) is weekly. Yellow lid (recycling) and green waste alternate fortnightly. Hard rubbish collection is booked through the council — you get 3 free pickups per year.
Report issues. Potholes, graffiti, damaged footpaths, illegal dumping — report through the council’s Snap Send Solve app or their website. They actually fix things when they’re reported.

Detailed Area Guide

Getting Around

Public transport options in Mentone. Most daily errands in Mentone can be done on foot if you live near the main strip. For supermarkets and bulk shopping, a car or rideshare is more practical. Cycling infrastructure is adequate — shared paths exist but dedicated lanes are limited.

Shopping & Errands

The main commercial strip along Brunswick Avenue covers most basics: pharmacy, post office, newsagent, and several takeaway options. For major grocery shopping, there’s a Coles within a short drive. The IGA is handy for quick top-ups.

Weather & Seasons

Melbourne weather applies: dress in layers, keep an umbrella in the car, and never trust a sunny morning. Mentone is sheltered by tree cover in the residential streets. The parks are best in autumn (March-May) and spring (September-November). Summer evenings are genuinely pleasant here — long daylight, outdoor dining, and the neighbourhood comes alive.

Seasonal highlights: Spring markets and outdoor events run September through November. The council runs free events in the parks during warmer months.

Cost of Living Quick Reference

General daily costs in Mentone: coffee $4.50-5.50, brunch $19-28, dinner out $28-45 per person. For more detailed pricing across all categories, see our Mentone Cost of Living Guide.

Nearby

Last updated: March 2026

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