If you’re in Melbourne’s inner north and want a relaxed lunch followed by a hit of greenspace and playtime for the kids, there’s a little gem worth including in your city day out: Hareruya Pantry in Carlton, paired with the leafy Lincoln Square playground right across the road.
Japanese Treats at Hareruya Pantry Carlton
Hareruya Pantry (Japanese for “sunny shop”) is a tiny but mighty takeaway spot tucked on Lincoln Square South. It’s become a favourite for locals, students and visitors alike for its mouth-watering bento boxes, Japanese snacks and creative ice creams.
What you can expect:
- Loaded bento boxes – vibrant, generously filled bentos with options like ground beef and egg on rice, fish bento and vegetarian inari sets make for a tasty lunch with a twist.
- Savory snacks & treats – onigiri, karaage and other small bites add variety if you’re looking for something quick between activities.
- Coffee & drinks – we love the matcha and hojicha lattes, which are fragrant and well-made, giving adults a nice caffeine hit alongside lunch or dessert.
- House-made gelato – this is a real standout. Japanese-inspired flavours like sesame, matcha and yuzu are available in cups or wrapped in mochi (daifuku style) or between rice wafers (monaka). The mochi option makes this treat especially fun and unique.
We love that the vibe here is relaxed but busy – the shop has a handful of stools but no dedicated tables, so it’s perfect for grab-and-go lunches or dessert you can take straight to the park.
While the bento boxes look a little fancy at first glance and definitely lean more grown-up, I was pleasantly surprised by how kid-friendly they actually are. My fussy eaters had no trouble finding something they were happy with — plain rice, egg, and even a sausage tucked into one of the bentos. And then there’s the gelato. That part was an easy win. Japanese-inspired flavours or not, it went down very well and definitely didn’t disappoint.
Stretch Your Legs: Lincoln Square & Playground
Right across from Hareruya Pantry is Lincoln Square South, one of Melbourne’s leafy inner-city parks and home to a wonderfully creative playground.
It’s not your typical swings-and-slides park — the play space has been thoughtfully designed around huge Moreton Bay Fig trees, giving it a bit of a natural treehouse feel:
- Big climbing structures – timber play towers with rope bridges and nets give older kids plenty to explore.
- Slides & swings – classics that work for a range of ages, nestled among shady spots for parents to keep an eye on the action (and unwind).
- Nature play elements – balance logs, music chimes and small cubbies tucked under foliage add variety and spark imagination.
- Picnic and grassy areas – perfect for spreading a blanket once lunch is done and letting littlies run free.
The design of Lincoln Square Playground has even earned recognition for its creative use of space and play value, making it a destination stop for inner-city families.
Why This Pair Works for Families
A lunch-and-play stop like this is a super easy way to enjoy the city with kids without the pressure of a long sit-down meal. Grab a bento, sip a matcha latte or scoop some mochi-wrapped gelato, then wander across the way to let the kids burn off energy under the trees.
Parents on Tripadvisor have specifically called out this pairing — eating their treats on park benches or the grass, with the playground right there for kids to explore.
Tips for Visiting
- Go outside peak times: Hareruya can get busy during lunch and early evening, with lines forming on sunny days.
- Take it to the park: Limited seating inside makes Lincoln Square a great dining spot on fine days.
- Pack a picnic rug: There’s plenty of grassy space for toddlers to roll or for a relaxed family lunch outdoors.
- Take the tram: If you’re on the tram line, it couldn’t be more convenient, stopping right beside Lincoln Square.
