The Best Things To Do This Weekend in Preston
Preston’s weekend scene isn’t about tourist attractions. It’s about the rhythm of a multicultural suburb with a food and bar scene worth exploring. A weekend in Preston should include good food, good coffee, a market visit, and time spent in a bar where the bartender knows the regulars.
Saturday: Start at the Market
Preston Market is the suburb’s weekend anchor. Open Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, but Saturday is the main event. The market runs along Cramer Street and the laneways behind High Street.
Go early. The market gets crowded from 10am onwards. Arrive at 8-9am for space, fresher produce, and shorter queues.
What to eat:
- Gozleme from the Turkish stalls ($10-12)
- Fresh juice from the fruit vendors ($6-8)
- Lebanese pastries from the bakeries ($3-5 each)
- Vietnamese banh mi ($10-12)
- Chinese BBQ plates ($12-15)
Budget: $30-50 for a full market meal and coffee.
Saturday: Brunch After the Market
Near the market: Skinny’s on High Street — American-style breakfast sandwiches and solid coffee.
Something different: Arepa Days on Dundas Place — Colombian arepas with scrambled eggs, cheese, or pulled pork.
Sit-down experience: George Jones on Murray Road — ricotta hotcakes, eggs benedict, excellent coffee. Book ahead.
Budget: $20-35 per person.
Saturday: Afternoon Drinks
- Hardout Bar (Plenty Road) — craft beer, local wine, vinyl spinning
- The Keys (Murray Road) — bowling, arcade games, 45 beer taps
- Oliva Social (102-104 High Street) — cocktails in the fairy-lit courtyard
Saturday: Dinner Options
Something nice: Dexter (fire-cooked modern Australian) or Tavolata (handmade pasta), both on High Street. Book ahead.
Mexican: Benzina Cantina — rooftop tacos and margaritas.
Vietnamese: Pho Hung or Lam Lam on High Street. Both under $20.
Pub dinner: The Olympic Hotel bistro on Bell Street.
Budget: $25-50 per person.
Saturday Night
- Oliva Social for cocktails in the courtyard
- Surly’s on High Street for local brews
- Rebel Rebel on Plenty Road for dive bar vibes
- The Keys for bowling or dancing
- Hardout Bar for a session that extends into the early hours
Most Preston bars open until 1-2am on weekends. The 86 tram runs until about 12:30-1am.
Sunday: Recovery
Sunday market is quieter than Saturday — better for a relaxed wander. Same food options, fewer crowds. Moon Rabbit on High Street for a gentle jaffle and flat white. The Olympic Hotel for a Sunday pub lunch.
Family-Friendly Weekend
- Preston Market — kids love the bustle, food samples, and buskers
- The Keys on Murray Road — bowling lanes and arcade before 6pm
- Moon Rabbit and Skinny’s — kid-friendly during the day
- Local parks — Darebin council-maintained playgrounds
FAQ
What’s the best thing to do in Preston on a Saturday? Start at Preston Market early (8-9am), brunch at Skinny’s or Arepa Days, afternoon drinks at Hardout Bar, dinner at Dexter or Benzina Cantina.
Is Preston Market open on Sundays? Yes. Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Sunday is quieter and better for a relaxed visit.
What should I budget for a weekend in Preston? Budget weekend: $120 per person. Mid-range: $175. Splurge: $240.
The Verdict
Preston works best when you don’t over-plan. Pick a central spot — High Street near Murray Road is the sweet spot — start with the market, and see where the day takes you. The suburb is dense enough with good food and drink that you can wander and discover without a rigid itinerary. From $14 pho to fire-cooked modern Australian, from $10 gozleme to cocktails in a fairy-lit courtyard, Preston covers more weekend ground than most inner-north suburbs.
Explore more weekend itineraries:
- [Things to Do This Weekend in Thornbury — 10 min south](/thornbury/)
- Things to Do This Weekend in Northcote — 20 min walk
- [Weekend Guide to Reservoir — 5 min north](/reservoir/)
Explore More of Preston
- Preston History
- Preston Cheap Eats
- Preston Rent Guide
- Preston Date Night Guide
- Preston New Openings
- Preston Things To Do
- Preston Cost of Living
- Preston Young Professionals Guide
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