Northcote’s food scene has always been about substance over pretension. While some suburbs charge $28 for a bowl of granola with a gold leaf garnish, Northcote’s best kitchens are busy making genuinely brilliant food at prices that don’t require a second thought. This is the inner north’s most underrated eating strip — and the fact that you can eat like royalty for under $20 is the worst-kept secret on High Street.
Here’s where your money goes furthest.
1. Wazzup Falafel
Ahmad Al Alaea has been running Wazzup Falafel with the kind of single-minded dedication that turns a suburban shopfront into a Melbourne institution. Everything is made in-house — the falafel, the fatteh, the hummus, the pickles, everything. Time Out named Wazzup one of Melbourne’s top 25 venues in 2025.
Order this: The falafel plate ($16) with extra fatteh. The fatteh — layered with crispy pita, warm chickpeas, tahini, and cumin — is the kind of dish that changes your entire afternoon. Grab a falafel pita ($12) if you’re on the move.
Where: 363A High Street, Northcote Hours: Tue-Sun, 11am-9pm
2. Tahina
A vegetarian Israeli street food spot slinging loaded pita pockets, shakshuka, two types of falafel, and salads that actually taste like something. The smoothies are basically a meal in themselves.
Order this: Loaded pita pocket ($14) with everything stuffed in. The shakshuka ($13) on a weekend morning with a fresh pita for dipping is peak Northcote brunch without the 45-minute wait.
Where: 363 High Street, Northcote Hours: Mon-Sun, 11am-9pm Insider tip: Weekday lunch special — pita + drink + side for around $15. Best value meal on High Street.
3. 300 Grams
Twenty-five seats. No truffle aioli, no wagyu blends with a backstory, just properly smashed beef patties on soft buns. They also do a plant-based version with vegan cheese that’s genuinely worth ordering.
Order this: The original beef burger ($14) with a side of southern fried chicken ($12) if you’re sharing. Walk five minutes to the Rucker’s Hill lookout for a sunset burger with a city skyline view.
Where: 304A High Street, Northcote Hours: Wed-Sun, 11:30am-9pm
4. Curry Cafe
The tables are basic, the lighting is fluorescent, and the curry is absolutely sensational. Three generations of families sharing tables on a Tuesday night. The lamb pasanda is creamy and fragrant, the paneer makhani is rich without being heavy, and the eggplant curry is the dark horse that rewards the adventurous.
Order this: Lamb pasanda ($17) with rice and a mango lassi ($5). BYO wine — no corkage fee.
Where: 286 High Street, Northcote Hours: Tue-Sun, 5:30pm-10pm Insider tip: A bottle from Samuel Pepys (the bottle shop opposite Palace Westgarth) and dinner at Curry Cafe is the Northcote power move.
5. Yuni’s Kitchen
Located behind Northcote’s old Uniting Church — walk down a path alongside the building to find it. Husband and wife team Yuni and Matthew Kenwrick serve food inspired by Yuni’s upbringing in Yogyakarta, Java. Genuinely one of the cheapest and best date dinners in Melbourne — two mains, a side, and BYO wine for about $50 total for two.
Order this: Nasi campur ayam ($16). The ikan pepes ($18) — barramundi steamed in banana leaves with sambal. Laksa ($15) on a cold day.
Where: Behind the Uniting Church, 255-257 High Street, Northcote Hours: Wed-Sun, 11:30am-2:30pm, 5:30pm-9pm
6. Mesob Ethiopian
Ethiopian food is inherently communal — you share from the same platter, tearing injera and scooping stews. The doro wat is rich and slow-cooked, the vegetarian platters are enormous, and the live jazz on weekends turns dinner into an event. BYO with no corkage.
Order this: Mixed platter for two ($35) — enough for three people honestly. Solo: the vegetarian combo ($16) is massive with five or six different preparations.
Where: 303 High Street, Northcote Hours: Mon-Sun, 5:30pm-10pm
7. Brother Bon
Pan-Asian vegan food that proves vegetarian doesn’t need to be preachy or expensive. Fragrant noodle soups, dumplings, stir-fries, and gua bao that rivals the meat versions. Vietnamese-style cocktails and local beers round it out.
Order this: Gua bao ($14 for three) — fluffy steamed buns with crispy tofu, pickled veg, and peanut crumble. The laksa ($16) on a rainy day is medicinal.
Where: 448 High Street, Northcote Hours: Wed-Sun, 10am-3pm, 5pm-9pm
8. Va Penne
Cosy Sicilian neighbourhood spot. Home-style pastas, nostalgic desserts, and a bread basket you’ll want to smuggle home. Walk-in bar seats are always available even when the dining room is full.
Order this: The namesake penne ($19) with seasonal sauce. Sicilian-style cannoli ($9) for dessert.
Where: 371 High Street, Northcote Hours: Wed-Sun, 5:30pm-10pm
9. Pizza Meine Liebe
Woodfired, produce-driven pizza. Thin, slightly chewy bases with clever combos. They don’t deliver — grab your pizza and eat it on the Northcote Social Club deck if you’re buying a drink there.
Order this: Whatever’s seasonal. Margherita ($17) to start is the test.
Where: 301 High Street, Northcote Hours: Thu-Sun, 5:30pm-10pm
10. Ruckers Hill
French-leaning bistro at the base of Rucker’s Hill, ex-Bistro Thierry chef. The steak frites ($26) is at the top end of “cheap eats” but the portion size and quality make it an absolute steal. The soup and bread ($14) with a glass of house red ($10) is the budget move.
Where: 87 High Street, Northcote Hours: Wed-Sun, 5:30pm-10pm Insider tip: Right next to Palace Westgarth. Movie + dinner is the classic Northcote date night for about $60 total.
The Bottom Line
A solo dinner at Wazzup Falafel costs $16. A date night at Yuni’s Kitchen with BYO wine costs $50 for two. A burger and a sundae at 300 Grams costs $22. Northcote’s cheap eats scene is the real deal — not “cheap” as in compromise, but cheap as in these kitchens genuinely care about great food more than Melbourne’s latest ridiculous prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the cheapest meal on High Street? A falafel pita at Wazzup for $12, or a burger at 300 Grams for $14. Both are genuinely excellent, not just cheap.
Where can I BYO with no corkage? Yuni’s Kitchen, Mesob Ethiopian, and Curry Cafe all have zero corkage BYO policies.
What’s the best cheap date night in Northcote? Yuni’s Kitchen with a BYO bottle — two mains, a side, and wine for about $50 total. Or Mesob’s mixed platter for two ($35) with BYO.
The Verdict
Ten venues, all on or near High Street, all reachable by the 86 tram or a short walk from Northcote or Merri station on the Hurstbridge/Mernda line. St Georges Road connects south to Fitzroy if you want to keep going. Northcote’s cheap eats scene is carrying the inner north right now.
More from the neighbourhood: Date Night in Northcote · Things To Do This Weekend · Cheap Eats in Thornbury · Budget Eats in Fitzroy North
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