Must-see restaurants in Victoria

  • Combi

    St Kilda, Elwood & Elsternwick

    Cute-as-a-button Combi feels like a tropical holiday with its beach-shack vibes and colourful superfood smoothies (made with house nut 'mylk', no less)…

  • Rainbow Ice Cream Shop

    Yarra Valley

    Regular customers swear by the pistachio and hazelnut flavours scooped into cups and cones at this cute-as-a-button shop, but all of the ice cream and…

  • Aangan

    Melbourne

    Ask any westsider where to find the best Indian and they'll tell you it's here. Aangan is nothing flash, but it's cheap, flavour-filled and speedy. It's…

  • Foxhole

    Victoria

    Repurposed furniture and country cottage chic combine at this friendly cafe that does good coffee, hearty counter food and a fine line in fruit-laden…

  • Turning Point

    St Kilda, Elwood & Elsternwick

    'Meet me here', reads the neon in all caps in this sleek cafe with pale, polished wood and concrete. You'll want to when the lunchtime beef burger comes…

  • Otway NouriShed

    Great Ocean Road

    An old potato shed converted into a rustic cafe, NouriShed serves sourdough toasties, pies and burgers, along with fair-trade coffee. Scattered about are…

  • Harvest Food & Wine

    Victoria

    A classy operation in the centre of Bendigo's art district, this suave bistro is known for its buttery homemade croissants and pastries, European…

  • Apostle Whey Cheese

    Great Ocean Road

    Apostle Whey Cheese offers free tastings of delectable, award-winning blue cheeses, bries, cow's-milk feta and gumtree-smoked cheddar on its dairy farm…

  • Mister Raymond

    Victoria

    Breakfast, brunch or lunch at Mister Raymond is a good choice, with blue-swimmer-crab omelettes, smashed pumpkin and feta on sourdough, pulled-pork and…

  • Hotel Jesus

    Fitzroy, Collingwood & Abbotsford

    Set in an old post office building, this retro cantina is going for fun with gleaming tiles, red folding chairs and a picture menu. Street food is the…

  • Añada

    Fitzroy, Collingwood & Abbotsford

    Dishes in this lovely little restaurant are alive with hearty Spanish and Muslim-Mediterranean flavours and feature a lot of seafood. It has a great tapas…

  • Mexican Republic

    Great Ocean Road

    This cosy taqueria does authentic soft corn-tortilla tacos, pulled-pork quesadillas and vegan burritos with smoky chipotle mayo. All go beautifully with…

  • Doot Doot Doot

    Victoria

    The golden aura of a 10,000-globe chandelier casts a flattering light over diners at the flagship restaurant in the Jackalope complex. Chef Guy Stanaway…

  • Bunja Thai

    Victoria

    Occupying an old bank (c 1887), this Thai restaurant has a stunning, regal interior. The delicious food includes authentic curries and noodle dishes, and…

  • Mansfield Farmers Market

    Victorian High Country

    On the fourth Saturday of each month, local farmers bring produce to town, setting up along the median strip between the post office and the Delatite…

  • Kenzan

    Melbourne

    Kenzan has an unpromising setting on the edge of a shopping mall but is known for serving some of Melbourne's most sublime sashimi and sushi (since 1981)…

  • Little Bird

    Victoria

    This retro diner along Ballarat's main drag is a narrow, intimate space lined with Formica tables and a display case with delectable cakes, roast-beef…

  • Black Sheep

    Victorian High Country

    The best of Corryong's compact eating and drinking scene, the Black Sheep has the best coffee in town and brunch classics like French toast, or poached…

  • Shelter Shed

    Bellarine Peninsula

    In a wonderful light-filled space with a glowing fire in winter and an inviting garden courtyard for sunny days, this is a great choice for breakfast or…

  • Pier St Kitchen

    Victoria

    Roaming the Mediterranean from Europe to the Middle East, the menu at this casually stylish cafe offers everything from pasta to falafel, spicy sausage…

  • Ferryman's Seafood Cafe

    Victoria

    It’s hard to beat the ambience of dining on the deck of this floating cafe-restaurant (an old Paynesville–Raymond Island passenger ferry), which will fill…

  • Heartattack and Vine

    Melbourne

    Heartattack and Vine is a relaxed space with a neighbourhood feel, all centred on a long, wooden bar. Drop in for coffee morning or night, prop up at the…

  • Black Pudding

    Victoria

    This place turns out great coffee plus fabulous light lunches. Plates are not overly complicated – BLT (bacon, lettuce and tomato, plus avocado, cheddar…

  • Mr D Food & Coffee

    Victoria

    A light-filled, stylish space with pot plants and gleaming wooden floorboards, this corner spot is a great choice for contemporary cafe fare and well-made…

  • Bomboras Torquay

    Great Ocean Road

    Catch the sea breeze while digging into authentic thin-crust pizzas, washed down by a craft beer, and enjoying ocean views from the front terrace. There's…

  • The Baths

    Victoria

    The glassed-in waterfront deck of the former sea baths is a perfect spot for lunch or a romantic sunset dinner overlooking the jetty and the Queenscliff…

  • Darling Cafe

    Melbourne

    This busy cafe is the best this end of South Yarra. At the bottom of an office block with concrete pillars and shiny metal finishes, it remains bright…

  • North Eastern Hotel

    Victoria

    Known locally as the 'Northo', our pick for Benalla's best pub is a versatile and friendly spot combining Beechworth craft beer, a verdant beer garden,…

  • The Rocks

    Victoria

    The open-sided deck overlooking the marina makes this eatery at Mornington Yacht Club a great summer choice. The menu is dominated by fresh seafood and…

  • Very Good Falafel

    Melbourne

    We're calling it: this is Melbourne's best felafel. What started as a venture selling dips at markets is now a small, clean shop that's popular with…

  • T’Gallant

    Victoria

    A firm family favourite, this rustic trattoria serves antipasti, pastas and wood-fired pizzas; you'll sit in a repurposed shed or at outdoor tables…

  • Olé

    Great Ocean Road

    Channelling Frida Kahlo's blue house is this charming weatherboard decorated with vibrant furniture and cactus pot plants. It does authentic street-style…

  • Butcher's Diner

    Melbourne

    Open nonstop, offering breakfasts of steak and eggs between 6am and 11pm; and classic burgers, hand-made dim sims and offal yakitori any time. A curved…

  • Gaffney's Pie Kitchen

    Victoria

    World famous around these parts, Gaffney's award-winning pies, pasties and sausage rolls include a chicken parma pie (Australian as!) with tomato sauce…

  • Grow Naturally

    Bellarine Peninsula

    An attractive little cafe with concertina doors opening to the main street, Grow does a tasty, fresh brunch menu of homemade ricotta hotcakes, spicy…

  • Graze

    Warrnambool

    A hipster-centric deli doing the likes of smoked bacon and poached eggs with sriracha mayo for brekkie, and slow-cooked lamb-shoulder tacos or gourmet…

  • Salty Dog Cafe

    Great Ocean Road

    Sharing space with the Torquay Angling Club right on the sand, this kiosk is just the place for hungry beachgoers to recharge, with homemade sausage rolls…

  • Bangpop

    Melbourne

    Bangpop breathes the colour, vibrancy and flavour of Thailand into otherwise grey surrounds with its bar made from Lego and dangling filament bulbs…

  • Youki's

    Phillip Island

    Forget the greasy fish and chip shops that are found everywhere in Cowes – the best fast food in town is served at this spick and span Japanese joint…

  • Zirky's

    Victorian High Country

    The Z cafe and bistro at the base of the summit run is open year-round with brekky rolls, toasties, burgers and parmas, plus an evening restaurant open…