If you’ve been in for a coffee at The Elstern Social lately, you’ll know the vibe — regulars propping up the counter, someone’s laptop open in the corner, the smell of a chilli scramble coming out of the kitchen. Turns out that vibe has been noticed further afield too: The Elstern Social has just been named a Finalist in the Cafe category of the 2026 Local Business Awards.
You can see the listing for yourself here: The Elstern Social — 2026 Local Business Awards, Cafe Finalist.
What it actually means to be a Finalist
The Local Business Awards go through a proper judging process, looking at how a business is actually run — service, consistency, reputation, community standing — not just a popularity contest. Making the shortlist in the Cafe category puts The Elstern Social up against some genuinely good competition across the country, so being named a Finalist is a nice bit of validation for a cafe that’s really only been part of the Glen Huntly Road strip for a short while.
It’s also a fair reflection of what’s been happening on the ground — a 4.7 out of 5 rating, more than a hundred five-star reviews, and a steady stream of locals from Elsternwick, Elwood, Caulfield and further afield who keep coming back.
Here are the 6 Reasons why locals rate it
1. Coffee
The coffee is genuinely good. The Elstern Social pours St. Ali coffee — one of Melbourne’s most respected roasters, known for its single-origin beans — and the baristas behind the machine know what they’re doing. This isn’t a place pulling a mediocre shot and hoping the brunch makes up for it; regulars specifically call out the St. Ali blend as a reason they keep coming back.
2. Brunch Menu
The brunch menu earns repeat visits. The chilli scramble has a bit of a cult following, the big breakfast is properly big, and there’s a rotating list of seasonal specials alongside regulars like berry pancakes, eggs benedict, and a chicken caesar salad that doesn’t feel like an afterthought. Burgers and pizza are on there too if you’re after something more filling later in the day. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diners are looked after as well, not just given one token option — handy if you’re organising a group booking with mixed dietary needs.
3. Events Space
It doubles as an events space. Behind the cafe front, The Elstern Social hosts everything from birthdays and engagement parties to corporate functions, baby showers, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs and Christmas parties, with room for anywhere from a small group up to 250-odd guests. There’s no venue hire fee — you just pay for food and drinks — and for anyone running a corporate event, there’s a proper sound system, WiFi and AV support so presentations don’t turn into a scramble for an HDMI cable.
4. Work-Friendly Cafe
It’s a decent place to actually get work done. Free WiFi, power points at most tables, and nobody hovering to turn the table over. If you want to camp out for a few hours with a laptop, it holds up.
5. Accessibility and Pet-Friendly Facilities
It’s set up for everyone. Fully licensed, pet-friendly, and wheelchair-accessible with ground-floor entry — the kind of detail that matters a lot more to people with prams or mobility needs than it does to a lot of cafes bothering to think about.
6. Location
And the location works. Right on Glen Huntly Road, about a ten-minute walk from Elsternwick Station, with street parking around if you’re driving in from Caulfield, St Kilda, Brighton or South Yarra.
The details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 572 Glen Huntly Road, Elsternwick VIC 3185 |
| Phone | (03) 9191 2308 |
| theelsternsocial@gmail.com | |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 7am–3pm · Saturday–Sunday, 8am–3pm |
| Rating | 4.7 out of 5 |
| Nearest station | Elsternwick Station, about a 10-minute walk |
| Directions | Open in Google Maps |
Walk-ins are welcome any day of the week. For events or bigger group bookings, it’s best to call ahead or check the venue hire page.
Who’s dropping in
Most of the regulars come from Elsternwick itself, but there’s a fair contingent making the trip from Elwood, Glen Huntly, South Yarra, Caulfield, St Kilda, Brighton and Fitzroy South too — close enough for a short drive or a train to Elsternwick Station.
Come say hello
Whether it’s a quick coffee on the way to the station or you’re planning a birthday for forty people, being named a 2026 Cafe Finalist is a nice excuse to swing past if you haven’t already. Walk in whenever, or book a table if you’d rather lock in a spot.
A few questions people ask
Is The Elstern Social actually a Finalist in the 2026 Local Business Awards?
Yes — it’s been named a Finalist in the Cafe category. The official listing is on the Local Business Awards site.
What's the best thing to order?
The chilli scramble and the big breakfast are the two most talked-about, but the seasonal specials board is worth checking each visit, and the coffee holds its own regardless of what you order to eat.
What coffee does The Elstern Social use?
St. Ali — a well-known Melbourne roaster. Cups here are made with St. Ali beans, which is part of why the coffee gets singled out as much as the food does.
Where is it exactly, and is there parking?
572 Glen Huntly Road, Elsternwick, about a 10-minute walk from Elsternwick Station. There’s street parking along Glen Huntly Road and the side streets nearby.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes, it’s pet-friendly.
Can I host a party or work event there?
Yes — birthdays, engagement parties, corporate functions, baby showers, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, Christmas parties, that sort of thing, for groups from around 20 up to 250 or so. There’s no venue hire fee, just food and drink costs.
Do you cater for vegetarians, vegans or gluten-free diets?
Yes, there’s a proper range across the menu, and the kitchen can adjust dishes for group bookings.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
Yes, ground-floor entry throughout, so it works fine for prams and mobility aids too.
