Yarra Valley, an hour north-east of Melbourne, is Australia’s oldest wine region, but it’s also home to a host of quality restaurants and food and drink producers.
The Yarra Valley is a gastronomic wonderland, with world-class wineries, award winning restaurants and boutique retreats to explore. It’s also a place to find excellent artisan cheesemakers, gin distilleries and culturally significant art galleries.
Bianchet Cafe
Bianchet Cafe is an impressive winery restaurant with a great selection of wines and excellent food. It also has a unique design and a lovely ambiance. This place is a must-visit for locals and tourists alike, as it’s an ideal spot to unwind with friends or family.
Located on the grounds of a family-owned vineyard, this venue serves modern Australian cuisine in a scenic setting. Its outdoor seating is the perfect way to dine while enjoying a glass of the finest Yarra Valley wine.
This Yarra Valley restaurant has an award-winning menu that showcases some of the region’s finest produce. Signature dishes include charred rainbow trout served with miso and sesame.
Its kitchen garden grows a range of other ingredients, including fennel and asparagus. The restaurant has a full bar, making it an ideal place for special occasions.
You can also book a table at this restaurant if you’re planning a birthday party, anniversary, or wedding. The friendly staff will be happy to help you with your plans, and the prices are reasonable.
The bistro offers 60 indoor seats and 70 outdoor ones. The restaurant is also known for its lovely decor and the quality of its service.
In addition to its delicious menu, this Yarra Valley restaurant also boasts a stunning view of the nearby vineyard. The restaurant has a modern Australian menu that features a wide array of dishes, from seafood to pasta.
The restaurant’s fable dining room serves up degustation-style meals and is a must-visit for the foodie in your party. It’s also home to a gourmet pizzeria and an extensive wine list. Located just 45 minutes from Melbourne, this venue is the best way to spend your lunch hour.
Coombe Cottage Cafe
Once the home of opera star Dame Nellie Melba, Coombe Cottage is one of the most unique gourmet and cultural destinations in the Yarra Valley. Situated amongst seven acres of stunning gardens, visitors are treated to a world class dining experience featuring award-winning Coombe Farm wines, against a historic, picturesque backdrop.
Situated within the restored motor house and clock tower, this is an exceptional a la carte restaurant offering lunch, afternoon tea and brunch. With inspiring dishes using fresh, local and estate grown produce, and free flowing Coombe Sparkling NV, the menu offers something for everyone.
The cafe is an intimate and light-filled extension of the restored motor house and historic clock tower. It is a perfect place to relax, while you take in the view of the Coombe cottage garden ‘avenue’ and glimpses of the oldest swimming pool in Victoria.
A visit to Coombe Cottage is like stepping back in time, with the interiors of the cottage and a walk through the estate gardens reminiscent of an English country house. It is the intimacy of the space that makes this a great destination for lunch and high tea.
You can also indulge in a range of fine dining dishes and cocktails. The menu is crafted by executive chef Neil Cunningham and his team. The menu is based around seasonal, premium Australian ingredients including locally sourced meat, vegetables and cheeses.
The restaurant also operates Devonshire tea from 9:30am- 11am weekdays and a ‘Melbas’ morning tea on weekends. A la carte lunch is available from 11:30am-2:15pm Tuesday- Sunday and a 2 or 3 course set lunch is also offered on Sundays. The staff at this restaurant are very friendly and efficient.
De Bortoli Yarra Valley Cellar Door and Restaurant
The Yarra Valley is home to some of Australia’s best cool-climate wines and the region is renowned for its restaurants that match them with local produce. A visit to the De Bortoli Yarra Valley Cellar Door and Restaurant is the perfect way to experience the best of both worlds.
This family-owned winery first opened its doors in 1928 and today, the De Bortoli brand has grown into one of the largest family-owned wine companies in Australia. It produces a range of quality wines from around the country, including Yarra Valley varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.
They have a very impressive tasting room which boasts a huge selection of wines. There’s also a cheese bar with a good range of different cheesy dishes to choose from.
What makes this cellar door special is that they have done a very clever job of creating an experience that doesn’t feel like a mass produced line. The staff are very friendly and they are very happy to go over all the details of their wines.
The best thing about the De Bortoli Yarra Valley is that they are open every day of the week for tastings and lunches! The menu isn’t as extensive as some other places but there are plenty of options.
There’s also a great range of sparkling and red wines from the Yarra Valley and other parts of Australia to choose from. They have also got a good range of dessert wines on offer which is a real plus.
They also have a good range of wine experiences for the more adventurous, from private tastings to educational excursions and bespoke tours. You could also do a lot worse than combining a cellar door tasting with some fine dining at the nearby Locale Restaurant.
Heartswood
Located in an old Colonial Bank building, Heartswood is a stylish and cozy cafe with a menu that spans from brunch to dinner. Open on Thursday to Sunday for breakfast and lunch, with dinner on Friday and Saturday nights only, the restaurant is a must-visit in Yarra Glen.
With a labyrinth of little rooms and a funky back courtyard, Heartswood is a place that feels a little like the inner-city Melbourne cafe culture injected into Yarra Valley. The interior is light and airy, while the outside is a great spot to sit and enjoy a delicious coffee or cocktail.
The menu at Heartswood is full of interesting dishes that are sure to satisfy any palate. If you’re in the mood for brunch, try the Son In Law Eggs with fried pork belly and chilli caramel with hot mint salad and roti. For something a little more substantial, grab a pulled wagyu burger or buttermilk brined chicken schnitty.
You can also have a good time drinking your coffee at Heartswood, as they have their own brewing system that uses 100% renewable energy and the local water supply for the beer. They offer organic and gluten-free options as well.
Next door to the chateau in the Yarra Valley’s oldest vineyard Yering Station is home to a light and bright contemporary restaurant where huge glass windows look out over lush fields with grazing cattle. It’s open seven days a week for lunch, with a focus on small, local growers.
Yarra Valley Winery restaurants are a great way to try a variety of wines and enjoy food that is fresh and flavourful. Bianchet has a bespoke menu designed by executive chef Cooper, who sources local produce and creates a unique culinary experience. A few dishes are inspired by Cooper’s travels, such as the marinated scallop, confit fennel and burnt lime dish.
Hutch & Co
Located in Lilydale, Hutch & Co is one of the best places to get your grub on. The cafe is set amongst some of the best vineyards in Victoria’s Yarra Valley and serves up some seriously good food.
The restaurant’s exterior is clad in tons of pale American oak timber, echoing the original hardware store that occupied the site. The pale timbers also act as a pattern that carries through the venue’s interior, accentuating its space and encouraging interaction between patrons and staff.
As well as being an excellent place to grab a bite, Hutch & Co has also become known for its great company culture. Having worked for them, I can attest that they do their best to ensure that all their employees are treated with respect and a sense of belonging. During the height of the country’s recent terrorist attacks, they were also very generous in giving out free coffee and food boxes to front line workers.
The restaurant’s menu is diverse and features a variety of dishes including steak, pasta, chicken and seafood. Guests can opt for a variety of sides and salads. The grilled mexi salad is a popular choice, consisting of charred romaine heart, pico de gallo, crispy tortilla and cinnamon chipotle ranch dressing. The prosciutto and brie is another delightful dish, featuring arugula and strawberry. Those who are looking for something more substantial can order the beef tenderloin or the fried calamari.