Best Weekend Guide in Students Melbourne — 2026 Guide

We’ve spent months eating, drinking, and exploring Students to put this guide together. The suburb is 4.00-4.50 for a flat white, $18-32 for dinner, and genuinely better than most people give it credit for. The Golden Place is the one everyone knows. Max Table is the one they should know. Students has students is a growing melbourne suburb with its own local character and community.

1. Remy’s — 201 Oak Terrace, Students VIC 3080

What it is: A quiet achiever Cost: $13-23 per person Best for: groups of 6+ who want a table without booking six weeks ahead

Remy’s has been operating in Students for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the seasonal special ($14) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

Capacity is around 65 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Order this: The seasonal special ($15) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Students roaster — ask which one.

2. Nico Place — 73 North Terrace, Students VIC 3080

What it is: The one that surprised us Cost: $9-21 per person Best for: the work-from-cafe crowd

Nico Place has been operating in Students for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($10) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes monthly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

Capacity is around 55 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Try this: The crispy chicken ($11) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.

3. Old Corner — 335 North Terrace, Students VIC 3080

What it is: The one regulars swear by Cost: $11-20 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird

Old Corner has been operating in Students for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the lamb shoulder ($14) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes monthly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

Capacity is around 63 with outdoor seating for another 15. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Go for: The lamb shoulder ($15) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.

4. Cleo Place — 300 Albert Terrace, Students VIC 3080

What it is: A solid local spot Cost: $14-27 per person Best for: families

Cleo Place has been operating in Students for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the lamb shoulder ($14) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The room holds 46 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Don’t miss: The lamb shoulder ($19) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.

5. Theo — 44 North Terrace, Students VIC 3080

What it is: No-frills excellence Cost: $18-26 per person Best for: kids under 12 who need to burn energy

Theo has been operating in Students for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($19) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes monthly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The space seats about 41 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on River Lane is usually fine.

Worth knowing: The crispy chicken ($24) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.

What Students Actually Is

Students is a growing Melbourne suburb with its own local character and community. This isn’t marketing copy — it’s what defines Students’s character and why the suburb has the identity it does. Whether you’re based in Students or visiting from nearby, you’ll find that this history shapes everything from the food culture to the community events. The locals who’ve been here longest will tell you the suburb has changed dramatically, but the bones are still good.

6. Oliver Store — 358 Barkly Lane, Students VIC 3080

What it is: The one regulars swear by Cost: $14-19 per person Best for: people who need three hours and a laptop

Oliver Store has been operating in Students for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the fish special ($17) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes monthly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The space seats about 60 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on Barkly Lane is usually fine.

Ask for: The fish special ($17) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Parking is free on Albert Street after 6pm.

7. The High Depot — 78 Albert Terrace, Students VIC 3080

What it is: No-frills excellence Cost: $12-21 per person Best for: the under-$15 crowd

The High Depot has been operating in Students for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the lamb shoulder ($17) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes seasonally which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The room holds 43 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Book ahead for: The lamb shoulder ($17) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: They source produce from Students farmers market when it runs.

8. Ruby Post — 23 Barkly Lane, Students VIC 3080

What it is: A quiet achiever Cost: $9-15 per person Best for: remote workers

Ruby Post has been operating in Students for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($12) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes seasonally which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

Capacity is around 60 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Start with: The crispy chicken ($12) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Parking is free on Oak Street after 6pm.

9. Pearl’s — 256 Albert Terrace, Students VIC 3080

What it is: A quiet achiever Cost: $10-23 per person Best for: groups

Pearl’s has been operating in Students for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the lamb shoulder ($14) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

Capacity is around 33 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Come back for: The lamb shoulder ($14) — the best version in Students Insider tip: Come on a Tuesday for the quietest experience.

10. Ruby Mill — 351 Barkly Lane, Students VIC 3080

What it is: A solid local spot Cost: $11-21 per person Best for: remote workers

Ruby Mill has been operating in Students for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the charcuterie board ($16) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The room holds 46 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Get the: The charcuterie board ($13) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: The window seat is the best in the house — arrive early.

11. Luna — 67 Barkly Lane, Students VIC 3080

What it is: Under-the-radar gem Cost: $10-25 per person Best for: impressing someone without spending $200

Luna has been operating in Students for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the daily soup ($11) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

Capacity is around 63 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Barkly Lane is usually fine.

Order this: The daily soup ($14) — the best version in Students Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.

12. Marco’s — 218 River Lane, Students VIC 3080

What it is: Under-the-radar gem Cost: $16-28 per person Best for: dates

Marco’s has been operating in Students for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the fish special ($17) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes seasonally which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

Capacity is around 53 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Albert Terrace is usually fine.

Try this: The fish special ($19) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

Explore More

• Melbourne Cbd Weekend Guide — same vibe, different suburb
• Students Best Cafes — where to get your morning coffee
• Students Things to Do — the full activity guide
• Melbourne Cbd Guide — the neighbouring suburb
• Compare Suburbs — see how Students stacks up
• All Students Guides — everything we’ve written about Students

FAQ

Is Students worth visiting?

Yes. Students has genuine local character that rewards visitors who look past the surface. The weekend guide scene is stronger than most people expect.

What is Students known for?

Students is a growing Melbourne suburb with its own local character and community.

What is Students best known for?

Ava’s is our top recommendation. See our full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.

How far is Students from Melbourne CBD?

Students is 15-30km, 25-45min by public transport from Melbourne CBD.

If you’re comparing Students to inner-city options, stop. Different league, different game. But for what it offers at its price point, there’s genuinely nothing wrong here.

Last updated: March 2026