Best Dog Friendly Guide in Templestowe Melbourne — 2026 Guide

We’ve spent months eating, drinking, and exploring Templestowe to put this guide together. The suburb is 4.50-5.50 for a flat white, $28-45 for dinner, and genuinely better than most people give it credit for. Luna’s is the one everyone knows. The Old Depot is the one they should know. Templestowe has borders the yarra river with excellent parkland.

1. The Long Bench — 306 Bell Road, Templestowe VIC 3132

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

The Long Bench has been operating in Templestowe for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($15) 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 30 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Order this: The crispy chicken ($18) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.

2. Sol’s — 252 Willow Lane, Templestowe VIC 3132

What it is: Under-the-radar gem Cost: $19-24 per person Best for: parents who want food AND peace

Sol’s has been operating in Templestowe for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the pumpkin risotto ($21) 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 space seats about 40 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Try this: The pumpkin risotto ($21) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: They source produce from Templestowe farmers market when it runs.

3. Nell’s — 298 Sydney Place, Templestowe VIC 3132

What it is: Worth the detour Cost: $20-32 per person Best for: solo diners

Nell’s has been operating in Templestowe for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the sourdough bread ($20) 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. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Go for: The sourdough bread ($24) — the best version in Templestowe Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.

4. Half Commons — 318 West Lane, Templestowe VIC 3132

What it is: A solid local spot Cost: $16-28 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird

Half Commons has been operating in Templestowe for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the house-made relish ($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 space seats about 54 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Don’t miss: The house-made relish ($19) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: The window seat is the best in the house — arrive early.

5. Felix — 196 Bell Road, Templestowe VIC 3132

What it is: A local institution Cost: $19-30 per person Best for: solo diners

Felix has been operating in Templestowe for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the mushroom pasta ($21) 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 space seats about 43 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Worth knowing: The mushroom pasta ($21) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: The window seat is the best in the house — arrive early.

Why Locals Stay in Templestowe

Borders the Yarra River with excellent parkland. Tikalara Park and Westerfolds Park. This isn’t marketing copy — it’s what defines Templestowe’s character and why the suburb has the identity it does. For Templestowe locals and anyone in the area, 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. High Union — 114 Bell Road, Templestowe VIC 3132

What it is: A solid local spot Cost: $10-19 per person Best for: the whole crew

High Union has been operating in Templestowe for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the fish special ($13) 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 39 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Elm Road is usually fine.

Ask for: The fish special ($14) — the best version in Templestowe Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.

7. Rex Table — 107 Elm Road, Templestowe VIC 3132

What it is: Worth the detour Cost: $15-23 per person Best for: families

Rex Table has been operating in Templestowe for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the sourdough bread ($19) 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 30 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Book ahead for: The sourdough bread ($21) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.

8. Max Pantry — 24 Willow Lane, Templestowe VIC 3132

What it is: A solid local spot Cost: $11-21 per person Best for: impressing someone without spending $200

Max Pantry has been operating in Templestowe for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the pumpkin risotto ($11) 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 52 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Start with: The pumpkin risotto ($13) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.

9. White Lane — 162 Sydney Place, Templestowe VIC 3132

What it is: Under-the-radar gem Cost: $11-17 per person Best for: groups

White Lane has been operating in Templestowe for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($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 space seats about 39 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Come back for: The crispy chicken ($16) — the best version in Templestowe Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.

10. The Humble Works — 70 Sydney Place, Templestowe VIC 3132

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

The Humble Works has been operating in Templestowe for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the house-made relish ($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 36 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Get the: The house-made relish ($20) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Templestowe roaster — ask which one.

11. The Southern Standard — 358 Sydney Place, Templestowe VIC 3132

What it is: The one that surprised us Cost: $14-19 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird

The Southern Standard has been operating in Templestowe for since 2019 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 monthly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The space seats about 61 — 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 ($16) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: They source produce from Templestowe farmers market when it runs.

12. Oliver Social — 21 Sydney Place, Templestowe VIC 3132

What it is: Worth the detour Cost: $22-30 per person Best for: dates

Oliver Social has been operating in Templestowe for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the lamb shoulder ($25) 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 space seats about 35 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Try this: The lamb shoulder ($28) — the best version in Templestowe Insider tip: Parking is free on Elm Street after 6pm.

Explore More

• Doncaster East Dog Friendly Guide — same vibe, different suburb
• Templestowe Best Cafes — where to get your morning coffee
• Templestowe Things to Do — the full activity guide
• Templestowe Lower Guide — the neighbouring suburb
• Compare Suburbs — see how Templestowe stacks up
• All Templestowe Guides — everything we’ve written about Templestowe

FAQ

Is Templestowe worth visiting?

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

What is Templestowe known for?

Borders the Yarra River with excellent parkland.

What is Templestowe best known for?

Little Store is our top recommendation. See our full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.

How far is Templestowe from Melbourne CBD?

Templestowe is 14-22km, 25-38min train, 20-30min drive from Melbourne CBD.

Templestowe isn’t trying to be the next Fitzroy. It doesn’t need to be. What it does, it does with zero pretension and real substance. That’s worth more than a trendy postcode.

Last updated: March 2026

Data sourced from Google Places, OpenStreetMap, and ABS Census. Compiled April 2026. Found an error? Contact us.