LIVE LIKE A LOCAL: Exploring Highett from Sunrise to Sundown

Located in Melbourne's Bayside, Highett has become one of the city's most desirable suburbs, combining a relaxed coastal lifestyle with vibrant cafés, dining, shopping and green open spaces.

At Highett Common, this lifestyle sits right at your doorstep, defining a new level of elevated living in Bayside. From your first coffee of the morning to cocktails after dark, Highett offers a lifestyle that blends coastal calm with the vibrancy of Melbourne's dining and culture.

With Highett Common as your starting point, the very best of Melbourne Bayside is never far away. Stay close to home and explore the neighbourhood's vibrant dining scene, all within walking distance, or take a short drive to spend the afternoon by the beach, wander through nearby parks, shop at Westfield Southland or Brighton's Church Street shopping precinct, and uncover even more dining options to suit every mood.

Morning Rituals: Cafés & Breakfast Culture

There's no better way to start the day in Highett than with coffee and a good breakfast. The cafes are always humming with locals grabbing their morning pick-me-up or catching up with friends to enjoy a delicious meal. Whether you're after something quick before work or looking for a spot to linger over a long brunch, living at Highett Common means you're only moments from some of Bayside's favourite cafés.

The Flour House, known for its artisan breads and perfectly baked pastries, has earned its reputation as a neighbourhood favourite. The cafe also serves up a generous breakfast menu, barista-made coffee and refreshing smoothies, making it a one-stop spot for a perfect morning ritual.

If you’re looking for something even closer to home, Third Wheel Highett is just a short walk from Highett Common and open from 6am on weekdays, it's the kind of cafe that is sure to become your go-to for that essential morning coffee.

Watch the morning unfold for yourself, right here.

Shop, Stroll & Savour: Midday in Highett

As the simplicity of the morning fades and the day comes into full swing, Highett comes alive with energy. Whether you're after a quick bite, a long lunch with friends, or a day spent browsing the shops, Highett Common places you within close proximity to it all.

Andiamo Panino is a great place for a quick midday bite, serving up Italian-inspired paninis, specialist coffee and a tempting selection of Italian-style sweets that have made it a fast favourite with locals. Catch our latest conversation with Andiamo, here.

If you're looking to dine with friends, Highett also offers plenty of spots for a long lunch, including The Hellenic House Project, Aila Restaurant & Bar, and Sons of Mischief. These local favourites serve up great food, friendly faces and the perfect setting for long lunches that linger into the afternoon.

When you're in the mood for a little retail therapy, Highett Common's location places Westfield Southland Shopping Centre just five minutes away, while Brighton's Church Street shopping precinct is less than 20 minutes from home.

Afternoon Leisure: Nature, Coastlines & Cellar Doors

Afternoons are made for reading in the park, unwinding with a walk on the beach, or kicking back at a local wine bar and indulging in a glass or two as the day winds down.

Living at Highett Common means Half Moon Bay, Sandringham Beach, Hampton Beach and Black Rock Beach are all around 10 minutes away, while Brighton Beach is less than 15 minutes from home.

For quieter afternoons, nearby parks such as Basterfield Park and Cheltenham Park, and William Fry Reserve make it easy to unwind with a book or simply enjoy the outdoors. For families, this kind of accessibility is hard to beat, with wide open spaces for children to explore while you take a moment to relax.

When the afternoon calls for something different, local favourites like Railway Wine, Vino e Vita and Somm Wine Bar offer the perfect spot to settle in with a glass in hand as the afternoon drifts into evening.

Gather Around the Table: Dinner Hotspots

As the sun goes down and dinner time rolls around, Highett delivers an impressive dining scene, with restaurants to suit every taste and occasion. Bringing a touch of Italy to the neighbourhood, Abbiocco has quickly become a local favourite - a pasta and wine bar known for giving classic dishes a modern twist, perfect for date night or a dinner with friends. See how Abbiocco does dinner, watch now.

When the mood calls for something relaxed, Paradai Thai and Teo’s Pizza and Bar in Highett, plus Bad Shepherd Brewing Co just up the road in Cheltenham, offer easy-going dining with flavours you won’t forget.

For something a bit moodier, Baia Di Vino, Mr and Mrs P, Baix, and Henry’s are all within 15 minutes from home. With menus that celebrate fresh produce and flavours from across the globe, paired with ambient settings and lively bar energy, these spots make dining out feel special.

After Dark: Cocktails, Tunes & Treats

Dinner might be done, but the night doesn’t have to be; think cocktails, tunes and desserts at some of Bayside’s best spots.

Located within Highett Shopping Village, Hawker Typhoon offers a cosy late-night spot with live music, trivia nights and a curated list of beers, wines and cocktails that keep locals coming back. Meet Tom, the man who's kept the counter for ten years, here.

Other nearby favourites such as Side Hustle Garf’s Bar, Wilbury & Sons and Antique Bar offer a vibrant atmosphere, staying open late to keep the night alive. From cocktails to small bites, these local spots make it easy to keep the good vibes rolling late into the evening.

From your morning coffee at Third Wheel Highett to afternoons at Half Moon Bay, shopping at Westfield Southland and dinner at Abbiocco, life at Highett Common places the best of Melbourne Bayside within easy reach.

Surrounded by beaches, parks, shopping and dining, life here flows effortlessly from sunrise to sundown. The launch of Habitat offers the rare opportunity to be right at the centre of it.

With apartments fully finished, furnished and ready through the Live Now collection, you don't have to wait to make this lifestyle yours. Learn more at here.