Bellarine Peninsula
Set in an upside-down barn and surrounded by eclectic, arty objects, this is a vineyard with a difference. Tastings are $5 but involve 14 varietals and…
Must-see restaurants in Victoria
Melbourne
Run by third-generation Italian Australians, D.O.C. is one of the best casual Italian options at the Carlton end of Lygon St. The espresso bar specialises…
Fitzroy, Collingwood & Abbotsford
An oldie but a goodie, this cavernous warehouse place has been feeding droves of Melbourne's veggie-loving residents for decades. Expect inventive fare…
Fitzroy, Collingwood & Abbotsford
Biting into burgers and gulping down beers in an old graffiti-covered train carriage perched on top of a backstreet rooftop – it doesn't get much more…
Victoria
In addition to its acclaimed Dining Room restaurant (two-/three-course menu $76/89), featuring locally sourced contemporary fare, this sophisticated…
Melbourne
Set within a grand Victorian double-storey terrace, elegant Epocha serves interesting European-inspired dishes. Customers pick two or three courses (three…
Geelong
Within the historic paper mill complex, this atmospheric cafe is named for the abundance of antique Rajasthani doors that are stacked against the walls…
Great Ocean Road
The new owners have put tiny Noorat back on the map with a classy refit of this grand 1909 red-brick boozer. The stripped-back front bar exudes country…
Fitzroy, Collingwood & Abbotsford
A stylish deli with a full-vegan twist, this spin-off from the popular Smith & Daughters restaurant creates the closest thing vegetarians will get to meat…
Victoria
Wander alongside the vines to view the 31 permanent works in Montaldo's sculpture garden and then relax over a meal in the well-regarded Mod Oz restaurant…
Yarra Valley
Mac Forbes is one of the best-known winemakers in the valley, and his hybrid tasting room and eatery in Healesville is one of the region's simplest yet…
Victoria
Growing a lot of its own produce, this farm cafe is an excellent not-for-profit social enterprise set up to mentor members of the local community who have…
Melbourne
A quaint, understated restaurant with exposed industrial piping, red brick and a mix of metal and timber tables, the greatest flourish here is the …
Victoria
Uncompromisingly French, the Little Tractor is associated with nearby Ten Minutes by Tractor. You'll dine on Gallic delights such as steak tartare,…
Victoria
Set on a 27-acre farm, this always-bustling family-run enterprise revolves around its modern, light-drenched restaurant, which has outdoor tables…
Geelong
Down the gritty end of Pako St is this industrial-chic cafe with hanging pot plants and dangling light features. It does modern, Instagrammable dishes…
Melbourne
Heston Blumenthal needs no introduction, and while he's not in the kitchen here, his head chef and team serve creative takes on historical recipes, with…
Melbourne Region
Associated with Lake House, this cute cafe in Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens is popular for breakfast and lunch. Sit near the fireplace in winter or in the…
Melbourne Region
A popular local meeting place, this somewhat eccentric pub has a main bar with eight Victorian beers on tap, a dining room serving good pub meals …
Melbourne
Two venues in one, downstairs at Bomba is reminiscent of a buzzing Spanish bodega serving tasty tapas and raciones for the hungry, while upstairs,…
Victoria
A former flour mill (built in 1881) has been transformed into a gathering space for locals. Rustic style and industrial chic combine for a buzzing bar and…
Bellarine Peninsula
Little Mussel is no longer so little since upgrading in 2019 from its old tin-shed location into this shiny new waterfront address within a refurbed…
Victoria
A good place to view the Winton Wetlands' ever-evolving landscape is from the deck of this cafe that's been judged one of Australia's best examples of…
Victoria
A versatile vineyard dining option right on the Murray, scenic Trentham Estate is often the answer when you ask locals where to dine. Most informal are…
Phillip Island
Moving from the Baltic Sea island of Bornholm to this island on the other side of the globe was a major step for the family who runs this friendly cafe,…
Victoria
Known for its single-vineyard pinot noir, Foxeys has a casual cellar door overlooking a picturesque slope of vines. Start your visit with a tasting (three…
Fitzroy, Collingwood & Abbotsford
Straight outta Addis Ababa, the flavours and feel of this Ethiopian restaurant are as authentic as its homemade injera (fermented, pancake-like bread;…
Port Fairy
Seemingly two restaurants in Port Fairy isn't enough, so the team from Gladioli and Conlan's have dived in for thirds – this one dedicated to Asian hawker…
Melbourne
There's plenty of space both indoors and in the courtyard of this light, airy cafe housed in a former recycled-furniture shop (hence the name). The coffee…
Victoria
Moving into a new shop along the main drag in late 2018, this artisanal ice creamery offers seasonal 'one-off' flavours, including gin garden, lemon, lime…
Melbourne
Ridiculously popular Mr Miyagi (named after the fellow from The Karate Kid) has done everything right for its audience: an angsty, self-depreciating neon,…
Victorian High Country
In an 1874 building, the Ironbark has more of a homely cafe feel than your usual country pub, but it's the best spot for a beer in town – featuring…
Victorian High Country
From humble origins, the Milawa Cheese Company now produces a mouth-watering array of cheeses to sample or buy. It excels at soft farmhouse brie (from…
Victoria
Housed in an old weatherboard cottage, this place offers cafe standards at breakfast and lunch; at dinner on Fridays and Saturdays things get a bit more…
Victoria
On the road leading to the beaches in Walkerville or Venus Bay, this modern cafe focuses on food and drink from the South Gippsland region. Its all-day…
Bellarine Peninsula
On the main street, this historic hotel (c 1902, surprise surprise…) is a popular place to soak up Queenscliff's heritage atmosphere. It does…
Great Ocean Road
On a pastoral stretch of the Great Ocean Road is this rustic farm cafe constructed from shipping containers and reclaimed timber. Much of the menu is…
Victoria
Opened in 2018 as an offshoot of Boo's Place in Swan Hill, this cafe adjoined to Lake Boga's Flying Boat Museum has outdoor seating with lake views. Boo's…
Victoria
Get a taste for the region at this cafe-deli-provedore that specialises in South Gippsland flavours. It does all the charcuterie and cheese boards from…
Victoria
A prototypical contemporary Australian cafe with good locally roasted coffee (in this case from Commonfolk in Mornington), Georgie Bass serves delicious…
