Your Weekend in Preston
Preston does weekends well. Whether you plan every hour or prefer to see where the day takes you, this suburb gives you enough options without overwhelming you.
Saturday Morning
The Coffee Run — Start at your local. Moon Rabbit on High Street for a jaffle and flat white. Arepa Days on Dundas Place for Colombian coffee and an arepa. George Jones on Murray Road for a refined espresso.
Preston Market — Open Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Saturday is the main event. Fresh produce cheaper than supermarkets, gozleme from the Turkish stalls ($10), Lebanese pastries from Cedar Bakery ($3-5), and the kind of people-watching that makes weekend mornings worthwhile. Go at 8-9am to beat the crowds.
Park Time — Preston’s green spaces fill up Saturday mornings with runners, dog walkers, and families. The Merri Creek trail from the western edge is perfect for a longer walk.
Saturday Afternoon
Lunch — Walk to somewhere you haven’t tried. Pho Hung on High Street for $14 pho. Takeaway Pizza for wood-fired slices. El Jannah for charcoal chicken.
Shop the Independents — Record stores on High Street for vinyl digging. Op shops. Small homeware stores on the side streets.
Afternoon Drinks — Hardout Bar on Plenty Road for craft beer and vinyl DJs. Oliva Social at 102-104 High Street for a Chinotto Connection. The Keys on Murray Road if you want bowling with your beer.
Saturday Night
Dinner — Book Dexter or Tavolata on High Street for something special. Benzina Cantina for rooftop tacos. Walk into Pho Hung or Lam Lam for a budget option.
After dinner — Oliva Social for cocktails. Surly’s for pet-nats. Rebel Rebel on Plenty Road for dive bar vibes. The Keys for bowling or dancing.
Low-key alternative — Bottle shop run, snacks from the deli, couch.
Sunday
Sleep in. Then coffee. Sunday starts slower. Moon Rabbit won’t judge you for staring at your phone.
Sunday Market — Preston Market is open and quieter than Saturday. Same food, fewer crowds. Good for a lazy breakfast of gozleme and fresh juice.
Sunday Walk — The Merri Creek trail or a loop through the residential streets toward Thornbury.
Sunday Pub Session — The Olympic Hotel on Bell Street for a bistro lunch and a schooner. Relaxed atmosphere, possibly footy on the TV.
FAQ
What’s the best Saturday activity in Preston? Preston Market in the morning, brunch at Skinny’s or George Jones, afternoon drinks at Hardout Bar.
What’s open on Sunday in Preston? Preston Market, most cafes (Moon Rabbit, George Jones, Skinny’s), The Olympic Hotel for pub lunch, and most bars from late afternoon.
Can I do a full weekend in Preston without leaving? Absolutely. Market, brunch, shopping, afternoon drinks, dinner, bar hopping, Sunday recovery — Preston covers it all.
The Verdict
Preston works best when you don’t over-plan. Start at the market on Saturday, find a brunch spot, see where the afternoon takes you. The density of good food and drink along High Street, Plenty Road, and Murray Road means you can wander and discover without a rigid itinerary. A full weekend — from $10 gozleme to $90 dinner at Dexter — for $120-240 per person, all within walking distance.
More on Preston: Preston Suburb Guide · Preston Things to Do · Preston Best Restaurants
Explore More of Preston
- Preston History
- Preston Things To Do This Weekend
- Preston Cheap Eats
- Preston Rent Guide
- Preston Date Night Guide
- Preston New Openings
- Preston Things To Do
- Preston Cost of Living
💬 Discussion
Join the conversation — no account needed