Victoria
The beer garden here takes up as much real estate as the entire Criterion Hotel of which it's a part. Shady umbrellas and good views of the lake combine…
Must-see restaurants in Victoria
Fitzroy, Collingwood & Abbotsford
A light, airy eatery serving casual but stylish Middle Eastern dishes, from hummus plates with tahini and a garlic green chilli vinaigrette, to chicken…
Fitzroy, Collingwood & Abbotsford
This small, unfussy local is a hot spot for ramen. The noodles are made here daily and there are a few broths to choose from, including a vegetarian…
Victoria
This rustic provedore specialises in seasonal South Gippsland produce, and is all about everything local, low waste and organic. As well as cheeses, milk,…
Victoria
The lane running beside the George Hotel buzzes with all-day diners. At the front is a bright cafe with breakfast, light meals and a bar; at the back is a…
Melbourne
Andrew's is a family-run, wildly popular institution that's been around since 1939. Its walls are wood-panelled and covered with photos of local celebs…
Phillip Island
One of the few eateries on the island that stays open till late, this attractive wine bar is a popular choice after the Penguin Parade (book ahead). At…
Melbourne
Arguably Melbourne's favourite banh mi, Nhu Lan pumps out dirt-cheap, takeaway Vietnamese rolls at super-human speed. Choose from salad with or without…
Melbourne
For a small corner cafe, Babajan whips up some big Turkish flavours. Kirsty Chiaplias, who runs the show, has culinary cred going back years from working…
Victoria
In a magnificent old building with a wraparound balcony and deck overlooking the Campaspe River, this cheerful bakery prepares breads, pies, cakes and…
Fitzroy, Collingwood & Abbotsford
A light, airy, welcoming space in the heart of hip Gertrude St, Archie's is the place to head for a killer coffee, boozy brekkie, a mid-morning burger and…
Victoria
A short detour off the main highway from Warragul is this fine-dining winery-restaurant showcasing everything that's great about the region. Its ever…
Victoria
A further boost to Ballarat's dining credentials, this city diner fires up the wok for its modern hawker food. Start with the hard-to-resist sampler…
Bellarine Peninsula
Run by an Italian-Aussie husband-and-wife team, this authentic gelateria offers a range of delicious seasonal, homemade flavours as well as popsicles,…
Melbourne
A bright gem among the old-school Italian restaurants of Lygon St, this cafe feels like an emissary from Melbourne’s contemporary brunch scene. A light…
Yarra Valley
Generally acknowledged as the home of Marysville's best coffee (beans from Great Divide Roastery), this bustling cafe on the main strip has a large…
Victoria
A fine example of the contribution of migrants to Shepparton's culinary culture, this excellent Turkish restaurant turns out tasty gozleme (traditional…
T Cavallaro & Sons Pasticceria
Melbourne
Virtually unchanged since 1956, this tiny Italian-style bakery is famed for its cannoli, often dubbed the best in Melbourne. It bakes other lip-smacking…
Bellarine Peninsula
All aboard the Q Train! Enjoy a six-course degustation menu of local produce and drinks while chugging along the Bellarine rail line in a historic train…
Melbourne
Up to 280kg of meat can be cooked in the tank at this restaurant and bar, which serves some of the best barbecue in Melbourne. With lots of timber,…
Melbourne
This airy cafe with its blond wood furniture and lofty ceiling is the perfect place to fuel up for the day. The menu is colourful and inviting, with such…
Melbourne
Clamber over cobblestones and follow the red neon to this buzzing mod-Asian restaurant, characterised by high ceilings, concrete beams and colourful…
Geelong
In a seriously awesome location at the end of Cunningham Pier, this vibrant and breezy restaurant specialises in Asian street-food dishes. Otherwise, stop…
Victorian High Country
A popular cafe-restaurant at the entrance to the Dinner Plain alpine village, Mountain Kitchen's menu is focused squarely on homemade items using regional…
Melbourne
Many come here for thin-crust, bubbly-edged pizzas topped with ingredients like bitter-sweet chicory and lemon or wild mushrooms with truffle oil, but it…
Fitzroy, Collingwood & Abbotsford
With a silver airstream coffee caravan and carpets out the front, and a greenhouse complete with a pond and four-legged customers indoors, eclectic Grub…
Melbourne Region
Extending the Melburnian obsession with boutique-roasted coffee into this semi-somnolent hamlet in Wombat State Forest, Martin St. is a hip cafe and…
Victoria
For generous, no-nonsense bistro food or a family dinner, you can’t beat the local pub with its views of the Grampians. Dishes include pizzas, chicken…
Melbourne
Sit on the sidewalk with a blue lavender spritz and stuzzichini against the geometric glass window while gossiping over spaghetti with crayfish, or get a…
Melbourne
This little two-storey eatery serves Mexican street food and home cooking, all designed to be shared. Wash it down with a cocktail, a shot of tequila, a…
Victorian High Country
It’s hard to believe this unassuming timber shack on the highway 5km from Mt Beauty is an award-winning restaurant, specialising in exceptional modern…
Victoria
Sneakily hidden down a city laneway is this industrial-chic cafe in a converted heritage warehouse, full of in-the-know patrons sipping Seven Seeds…
Victoria
Marco Polo is an atmospheric place with Persian rugs and brass hookahs. It serves traditional Afghan dishes – kebabs, kormas, boranis – and nan bread…
Melbourne
Crowd-favourite Top Paddock is industrial-chic, with road signs repurposed as stools, exposed piping, white tiles and your choice of timber communal…
Victorian High Country
This inner-city-chic micro-roastery cafe on Beechworth's main strip has polished concrete floors and designer fittings along with great breakfasts and…
Phillip Island
On the mainland side of the bridge heading into Phillip Island is this vibrant and friendly little cafe serving top-notch pour-over, espresso and cold…
St Kilda, Elwood & Elsternwick
Si Señor is a bustling Mexican joint with pink neon signage and a sunny courtyard (although wi-fi doesn't reach out the back). Tasty spit-and-grilled…
St Kilda, Elwood & Elsternwick
This architecturally fitted out historic pub is all about upmarket pub grub, from burgers and pizza to larger share dishes from the wood-fired grill, like…
Melbourne Region
Tucked down a lane off the main shopping strip in a corrugated iron shed, this bakery is owned by brothers with more than 25 years of baking experience…
Victoria
An in-crowd frequents this trendily converted cottage, but its staying power is due to its reliably tasty Mediterranean-inspired food – on Saturdays a set…
