8 Foodie Escapes in Victoria

Victoria has gained international acclaim for its world-class food and wine. Many visitors set their sights on food-focused Melbourne — and our guide to the Top Foodie Hotels in Melbourne is a great starting point — but there's plenty to discover in rural Victoria, too. Head down to the magical Mornington Peninsula for fabulous wineries and farm-to-table restaurants, or to the much-lauded vineyards of the Yarra Valley. Bucolic Daylesford is also famed for its rich farmland and sensational seasonal produce. Luckily for us, many of Victoria's best restaurants also have rooms. Unwind in striking modernist suites overlooking verdant vineyards or forest-framed rivers, soak up dazzling views of Mount Sturgeon from the privacy of your terrace, or take a scenic stroll through sculpture-filled lakeside gardens. Sipping sundowners with a view over Port Phillip Bay's not half bad either! Whether you're dreaming of a romantic escape, a family-friendly holiday or a special celebration with friends, Victoria's foodie escapes await.

For a Wonderful Winery

• Lancemore Lindenberry Red Hill is an elegant vineyard retreat in the marvellous Mornington Peninsula. Romantic rooms and suites are clad in soothing tones, and Chef Tony Brazendale offers superb seasonal set menus in the acclaimed Dining Room. The hotel's Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines are best tasted with winemaker Barney Flanders at the cellar door on weekend afternoons.
• The Mitchelton Hotel sits on a Goulburn Valley vineyard with fifty years of winemaking history. A striking, design-led modern masterpiece, the hotel itself offers sleek and stark, steel-grey and white interiors overlooking a refreshing infinity pool. The adjoining Mitchelton Gallery of Aboriginal Art is excellent, as is the serene spa. The Provedore serves cracking breakfasts and lunches, whilst Nagambie Lakes district produce is paired with the vineyard's own wines — and regional favourites — at The Muse.

For a Family-Owned Favourite

• Lake House in lovely Daylesford has been transformed from a mining site to a beautiful country hotel over the past 40 years. The dedicated owners champion Australian artists through their design, and farm-to-table dining in the beloved restaurant, with produce sourced from 38-acre Dairy Flat Farm, which they also run. Foodies will adore the farm tours and workshops, as well as the innovative seasonal cuisine. One of Victoria's top foodie hotels, Lake House has been setting the bar for the region's country hotels for decades.
• Hotel Sorrento has been family-owned since 1872. A glamorous hotel on the cliff above Port Phillip Bay, it's a beautiful destination for a romantic escape, with understated cream-and-white guest rooms boasting sink-into tubs and sea-view balconies. Gather at Salt Bar for live music after savouring George Calombaris' gourmet Australian cuisine at the Dining Room, and Junlin Yi's Cantonese delights at Shihuishi. Fabulous.

For a Neighbourhood Hub

• Hotel Frangos is a characterful boutique bolthole in the heart of Daylesford. A neighbourhood hotspot, the hotel hosts regular events, and showcases seasonal Victoria produce in the resto-bar decorated by artist DavidBromley's bold mural wall. Pair mouth-watering dishes with Daylesford and Macedon region wines, or icy craft beers and cool cocktails. The hotel has 15 bright and playful guest rooms.

For Exceptional Destination Dining

• Jackalope has become a Mornington Peninsula icon, with farm-to-fork cuisine sourced from the 12 acres of grounds as well as neighbouring farms. Contemporary spaces echo agricultural buildings, set around an original heritage farmhouse. Modern Asian flavours meet Australian produce under the guidance of Chef Michael Wickham at Doot Doot Doot, mixologists create unusual cocktails at Flaggerdoot, and fresh cuisine complements the estate's world-class wine at Rare Hare. A bold foodie favourite.
• The Royal Mail Hotel is a destination dining dream, with the region's largest kitchen garden, degustation menus at Wickens — Chef Robert Wickens' award-winning gastronomic restaurant — and relaxed, all-day dining at Parker St Project. The 30,000 bottle wine cellar boasts the largest private collection of Bordeaux and Burgundy in the Southern Hemisphere, and offers sommelier-led tours and tastings. Retreat to stylish rooms with Mount Sturgeon views after Grampians National Park hikes.
• Brae sits on 30 acres of organic farmland, where produce for the restaurant's acclaimed — and ever-changing — tasting menus is grown. Chef-owner Dan Hunter has gained a reputation for sensational seasonal fare, making this one of Australia's best restaurants. Six slick suites invite keen foodies to linger a little longer. Such is the focus on the restaurant, that you can't reserve a room unless you have a lunch booking. Dazzling.

STILL NOT SURE?

• Expand your search to include all the best places to stay in Victoria.
• Alternatively, check out our list of 9 Top Foodie Hotels in Melbourne.
• Or contact one of our friendly Gurus for advice.

 

Written by Saskia Walker

posted Monday, 15th April 2024