When you take the time to choose, oftentimes, you are rewarded with a great gastronomic experience built around the ambience of the restaurant and the attitude of the staff serving you.
In choosing a restaurant, one faces many considerations. Word of mouth or reviews is useful. They give you an idea of what the restaurant is like, especially from people who had been to this place several times. That would be a vote for the restaurant.
But why not take the risk and try out something new each time? Finding the perfect restaurant can be a stressful endeavour. After all, there are so many stores, options, and prices out there to consider. So, finding a restaurant that offers supreme service and a carefully curated selection of food is a true life-saver.
To help you get started on your restaurant hunt, we’ve rounded up our favourite restaurant from right across Yarra Valley, Melbourne.
Table of Contents
Ultimate List of Restaurants in Yarra Valley, Melbourne
SON OF A PIZZAIOLO Melbourne
(03) 9484 9910
Son of a Pizzaiolo… a name that describes exactly who we are. Building on foundations cemented through years of perfecting the art of pizza and Italian cuisine comes the “son” of a pizzaiolo (pizza-maker). A metaphor that simply says, “We took what our father taught us and made it our own”. More than just pizza, we showcase our passion for Italian food and our love of Melbourne through our menu, which is designed to be shared – just like at Nonna’s house.
Stones of the Yarra Valley Melbourne
(03) 8727 3001
Short and sharp, just as they promised: we are thrilled to once again be opening our doors to you all for weddings and special events!
From Saturday, April 17th, The Barn at Stones of the Yarra Valley will reopen for restaurant service on Saturdays & Sundays – for bookings and enquiries, call us.
Rising from the rustic, weather-beaten remnants of a barn left idle for generations,
Stones of the Yarra Valley has emerged as the region’s premier food and wine destination.
With uninterrupted views across vines to the blue-tinged Great Divide, Stones of the Yarra Valley is located on one of the most picturesque and historic properties in the Yarra Valley, combining two superb venues – The Barn and The Stables at Stones –
with a stunning rough-rendered Chapel and Dairy nestled under century-old oak trees.
Weddings at Stones of the Yarra Valley
Stones of the Yarra Valley is the most remarkable wedding venue in the region, fusing history and urbane sophistication to create an unparalleled location for the celebration.
With uninterrupted 360 degree views across vineyards to the blue-tinged mountains beyond, Stones of the Yarra Valley combines a magnificent dining space rising from the stunning remnants of an 1860’s barn with the beauty of a rough-rendered chapel built under century-old oak trees.
For more information or to view our wedding packages for both Stones of the Yarra Valley and The Stables at Stones, click on the link below.
Coombe Yarra Valley
(03) 9739 0178
Land – Legend – History – Heritage
Once the home of Dame Nellie Melba, Coombe Yarra Valley is a property with an unrivalled provenance. Seven acres of stunning gardens surround the beautifully appointed facilities in the restored motor house and clock tower, offering a truly unique cultural destination.
Coombe Yarra Valley provides a stunning location for wine tastings, weddings, private events, or simply dining in the exceptional a la carte restaurant.
RESTAURANT
Once the home of world-famous opera singer Dame Nellie Melba, today Coombe is one of the unique gourmets and cultural destinations the Yarra Valley has to offer.
Situated among seven acres of stunning landscaped gardens, the Estate offers world-class dining experiences, award-winning Estate-grown Coombe Yarra Valley wines, and great insight into the world of Dame Melba via a stroll through the gallery or one of our guided house or garden tours.
Coombe provides the perfect, lavish surrounds for a wine-tasting, wedding or private event, or a luxuriously long lunch in our a la carte restaurant.
Located within the restored motor house and historic clock tower, our restaurant offers an inspiring selection of seasonal and predominantly estate-grown produce.
The restaurant is modern, spacious yet intimate, and overlooks the landscaped market-style courtyard and gardens. The view from the main dining area is that of the Coombe cottage garden ‘avenue’ and glimpses of the oldest swimming pool in Victoria.
Coombe is delighted to get back to business, and we whole-heartedly thank you for your ongoing support. We continue to monitor and follow the latest advice regarding coronavirus (COVID-19). To read over our current Operating measures, please CLICK HERE.
HIGH TEA
Includes a selection of; Elegant finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones with house-made jams and clotted cream, and a selection of cakes and desserts served alongside free-flowing Coombe Sparkling NV.
Cost: $55.00 per person
Available Wednesday & Sunday from 2:45 pm
24 Hours Cancellation required
2 Hour duration
* Please note any dietary requirements at the time of booking; minimum 24 hours notice required.
Our Story – Coombe Yarra Valley
Once the home of world-famous opera singer Dame Nellie Melba, Coombe Yarra Valley is a unique gourmet and cultural destination. Situated among 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.
Coombe Yarra Valley is the perfect location for a wine-tasting, private event or wedding, a tour of the garden and gallery or simply an outstanding meal in the a la carte restaurant.
Coombe Cottage
Coombe Cottage, the Australian home of famous Australian opera singer Dame Nellie Melba, is located behind the hedge’ at the gateway to the Yarra Valley at Coldstream.
Melba purchased the sixty-acre dairy farm in 1909, renaming the property Coombe Cottage after a house she had rented in England while she was performing at Covent Garden.
Coombe Cottage is still the private residence of Melba’s family and was the home of Melba’s granddaughter Pamela Lady Vestey until she died in 2011.
The Stables at Stones
03 8727 3009
Dating back to 1868, the historic Stables at Stones of the Yarra Valley were originally used by the stable hands of St.Huberts winery as sleeping quarters and blacksmith rooms catering for the large number of horses stabled on the site. Over 150 years have passed since those early days, and following a superb conversion, The Stables at Stones is now one of the region’s most celebrated restaurants and intimate wedding and events venues.
We are thrilled to announce that the Stables at Stones is once again open for restaurant service!
At this stage, we will be opening only for dinner service, with lunch reservations hopefully following in the near future.
We look forward to hosting you at The Stables soon.
The Restaurant
The region’s most celebrated boutique restaurant, featuring seasonal menus crafted each week is showcasing the Yarra Valley’s freshest produce.
We are extremely passionate about ethical and sustainable produce, working closely with Victoria’s best produces and growers to ensure not only the most delicious product but a product that reflects the ethics of who we are as a people and as a business.
We are so excited to once again be able to welcome you all back to our space. Reservations for The Stables are now open for Friday & Saturday Dinner services.
The Stables Stay & Dine Package
Showcasing the very best that our region has to offer, The Stables at Stones’ Stay & Dine Package is the ultimate way to experience our beautiful precinct!
Inclusions:
- Overnight accommodation in a luxury guest room at our sister property, The Farmhouse at Meletos
- Chef’s Selection 4 Course menu for two (excluding beverages)
- Breakfast for two in Meletos’ Café the following morning
- Prices from $540 per couple
- Please note that prices are from $540 per couple, which includes our Giardinetto Room.
Meet The Team
We are incredibly lucky to be able to work with such a talented and diverse group of people at The Stables at Stones.
Stones of the Yarra Valley’s Head Chef Shane Gipp oversees The Stables kitchen team, with Sous Chefs Ryan Smith and Nick Backhouse writing and executing our Seasonal Menus. Working closely with our remarkable team of Chefs is our general Restaurant Manager Marco Del Bianco, whose passion for food and wine drives the entire team to bigger and better things! “It is always so exciting to see what the chefs have created for the week, the challenge, of course, being to find that perfect wine pairing – it’s a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it!”.
Between Marco, our remarkable front of house team and our team of Chefs, The Stables at Stones delivers an impeccable dining experience focused on delivering the best of the Yarra Valley in a relaxed and approachable restaurant space.
“Our key focus at The Stables has always been to represent the best seasonal and regional ingredients our corner of the world has to offer. Working closely with suppliers such as Timbarra Farm and Little Creek Cattle (to name but a few!) ensures the quality of the product is always to the highest degree and enables us to pay homage to the growers and farmers with our own take on their incredible work!”
-Ryan Smith, Sous Chef.
Fondata 1872 Restaurant Melbourne
03 9712 0741
Steeped in history, Fondata is the revival of the iconic Weller’s. Ideally positioned in beautiful Kangaroo Ground, the gateway to the Yarra Valley, where the country meets the city.
Fondata is the perfect meeting place to celebrate all occasions. Experience seasonal Italian inspired food by the fireplace in our dining room, sip on locally made craft beer and wine at 1872 Wine Bar or create long-lasting memories in the Weller’s Room, our stunning private dining and events space.
Located in Victoria’s stunning Yarra Valley, just 45mins from Melbourne CBD, Fondata 1872 is a unique venue celebrating Italian food, wine and culture through Italian inspired dishes created from seasonal and local Australian produce. Our lively dining room is the perfect place to spend an afternoon or evening enjoying amazing food, local wines and great conversation. Our restaurant is available for a la carte dining as well as functions and events: a birthday celebration in the bar, a christening in the Wellers room or a Spring wedding ceremony on the lawn followed by an unforgettable reception in the main dining room. Whatever your occasion, we can make it happen! Talk to us.
The Wellers room, for example, loves hosting special occasions: birthday celebrations, boutique weddings, christening, conferencing, networking events, life celebrations and long lunches for up to 60 guests seated or 70 guests stand-up cocktail. Our chefs and kitchen team can create a menu to suit your occasion, and our incredible events team can create cocktails and wines to be served throughout the event. Or there is the Bar Room, a relaxed space with a wonderful country feel with its red brick floors, wooden beams and rustic charm. This space screams “Celebration” with guest access to the alfresco terrace overlooking the lawn & vista. Mingle with family and friends while you watch the sunset over the valley. With the capacity to seat 45 guests or 55 guests stand-up cocktail, this space is the perfect place to enjoy a canape and a local brew. The terrace room is an intimate, private dining space with access to the balcony overlooking the beautiful views of the Yarra. It separates itself from the main dining room by a grand barn door where inside you can enjoy a unique dining experience when our head chef and kitchen team create a menu to suit your event and restaurant crew make your vision come to life with bespoke cocktails and local and international wines. Seating up to 16 guests, this is the ultimate space for your next dinner party, special occasion or product launch.
Create long-lasting memories in the Fondata dining room. With its stunning double-sided heritage fireplace and views overlooking the gardens and rolling hills, it’s easy to feel like you have arrived “home” as you settle in with family and friends. You are seating up to 100 guests or 120 guests stand-up cocktail. Create a bespoke event with styling and menus to make your celebration come to life. Whatever your event, we are here to make it happen.
Head Chef Christopher Lillico’s Italian heritage and early experiences in Italian and European kitchens helped develop his passion for Italian cuisine. Born in New Zealand then having cut his teeth in some of Melbourne’s classic Italian restaurants before heading to Europe to hone his skills. Chris travelled and worked throughout Europe and Italy, bringing back to Australia his love of food and Italian culture. Chris’s passion for Italian cookery is reflected in dishes such as Fondata’s signature dish, the 12-hour slow-cooked lamb, one of those dishes you may remember forever, and it’s a recipe that’s been refined for almost as long, reflecting seasonal, local produce, made in the style of Nonna and full of local flavour. The food at Fondata reflects Chris’s style of preparing things simply utilising the best ingredients available to create a dish that is full of flavour.
Please visit our contact us page for our current opening hours.
Meletos Restaurant Yarra Valley
03 8727 3031
Meletos is now open Wednesday – Sunday, 11 am – late.
Things are a little different this Summer, and we couldn’t be more excited to show you all the wonderful things our team have been working on during the past few months.
We just know you are going to love Meletos’ stunning new outdoor dining space – The Garden.
Featuring our rotisserie cranking over hot coals and one of the best views in the region, we’ve created a Mediterranean style dining experience under the Yarra Valley sun.
Inside The Café, our kitchen team have crafted a Summer à la carte menu, offering one of the Yarra Valley’s most celebrated dining experiences.
Reuniting with the ones we love most has never looked this good.
Stay & Dine
Summertime in the Yarra Valley is the best time to visit our little corner of the world. Lush green rolling hills, budburst, long evenings, warmer weather – what’s not to love! With The Meletos’ Cafe lying adjacent, The Farmhouse has designed six superb stays & dining experiences for guests to choose from.
The Providore at Meletos is now open Wednesday to Sunday 10 am – 4 pm (5 pm on weekends) and is looking as brilliant as ever.
The Providore has all the essentials from our famous sourdoughs, wine, local produce and takeaway meals right through to a carefully curated collection of giftware and homewares for those looking for something special this season.
Our Online Store is open – brimming with goodies, from giftware to classic Meletos ingredients and a great selection of wines – let us bring a little piece of Meletos to you!
For those needing a relaxing getaway, The Farmhouse at Meletos Hotel Reservations is now open.
We would like to thank you all for your support during this incredibly trying year; we are so very excited to see you all again.
OTree Restaurant & Receptions Yarra Valley
03 9735 0538
We are happy to have our doors open and be able to welcome everyone back to Otree.
We are open for Lunch from 12 pm & Dinner from 5.30 pm.
CLOSED TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY
Dining
WE ARE OPEN FOR RESTAURANT DINING
Please see our Lunch & Dinner pages for more information.
Our modern Australian cuisine showcases the best Yarra Valley produce whilst complimenting the local cool climate wines of the area and abroad. Our seasonally changing menu, along with our friendly hospitality and warm atmosphere, make for a memorable dining experience.
Reservations are recommended. To make a reservation, please phone us at 9735 0533 or make an enquiry through our online reservation form.
We will be adhering to all Government operating guidelines in place to minimise the risk of COVID-19. We, please ask for your patience and assistance in following all booking instructions.
We look forward to welcoming you to Otree for Lunch & Dinner!
Our stunning architecturally designed limestone building adorned by our magnificent 100-year-old Oak tree views towards the Dandenong ranges at the entrance of the Yarra Valley. The spacious restaurant and picturesque courtyard provide excellent choices for every special event or celebration.
Our modern Australian cuisine showcasing the best local Yarra Valley produce is complemented by our friendly service and welcoming atmosphere. Our menu reflects the areas of gourmet seasonal fare whilst complementing our famous local boutique wines.
Opened in March 2016, we are a family business that is dedicated to welcoming locals and tourist alike to share in the joy of good food and hospitality.
Bianchet Yarra Valley
03 8288 1847
Bianchet Yarra Valley is situated at the gateway to the world-renowned Yarra Valley, only 15 mins from Eastlink.
Bianchet remains true to its roots as one of the oldest vineyards in the Yarra Valley with a charm and quaintness all of its own. We offer both our wines produced onsite and have a full wine list to complement our French-inspired menu.
SUNDAY BREAKFAST
We are now serving a marvellous 3-course Breakfast every Sunday!
This includes a complimentary Mimosa on arrival.
EVENTS
Bianchet is one of the most versatile venues in the Yarra Valley.
We have a range of options for you to choose from and are sure to have something to suit your special occasion.
WEDDING
Bianchet is the perfect place to have your big day with everything in one place. We offer a variety of options to make your wedding a special occasion it deserves to be.
Round Bird Can’t Fly Yarra Valley
(03) 97359727
WELCOME TO OUR LITTLE NEST
Round Bird was born out of long-nurtured dreaming’s and an irresistible desire to fly solo.
Many late nights, tattered recipe page, and strong coffee’s later, and Round Bird hopped out of dreams and into reality.
The philosophy behind the food is to cook for our customers as we would for house guests; wholesome comfort food prepared with love to be enjoyed amongst friend and family.
Our food culture is refined yet simple dishes with pure, bold flavours showcasing seasonal produce at its finest.
Round Bird Can’t Fly’s menu is thoughtfully crafted around seasonality and availability of produce.
We source our products from local suppliers to reduce food miles from the farm to your plate.
Round bird’s focus is the celebration and representation of local produce.
Freshly baked bread, locally roasted coffee, premium milk and boutique wines are a few of the things you will find.
YOU’RE IN GOOD HANDS
Round Bird Can’t Fly the first solo venture of Laura Webb-James and Evan James.
Ten years ago, they met while working at the same fine diner; Evan was making coffee’s for the bleary-eyed staff, Laura was podding an entire 10kg box of peas. A mutual love of food, coffee, wine and good service brought them together.
Their experience in hospitality is considerable- a combined total of 37 years in the industry. Both spent most of their careers in fine dining.
Laura’s background includes such places as the Book Shop Café, Brasserie by Phillipe Mouchel, Wildflower and most recently Yering Station, where she was head chef.
Even’s background includes Number 8 Restaurant Wine Bar, the Brasserie by Phillipe Mouchel, Fidel’s Cigar Lounge, The Court House, The Graham, and most recently Yering Station, where he was restaurant and Cellar Door manager.
Wild Cattle Creek Estate Yarra Valley
03 5964 4756
Restaurant – Cellar Door – Weddings – Accommodation
Set among 19 acres of landscaped gardens and vineyard, Wild Cattle Creek Estate opens our doors to you and your guests for the perfect Yarra Valley Winery experience.
We feature an onsite, onsite restaurant serving the freshest of local ingredients, a cellar door to taste our range of estate-grown wines, a function room for your event or ultimate Yarra Valley Wedding and luxurious onsite, onsite accommodation for your Yarra Valley getaway.
Wild Cattle Creek Estate Restaurant
OPENING HOURS
Lunch: 12 pm till 2 pm – Wednesday – Sunday
Dinner: 6pm til 7:30pm – Friday & Saturday
Closed Monday & Tuesday
The restaurant at Wild Cattle Creek offers modern Australian dining.
Utilising fresh local produce along with premium international products, our chefs promise you a dining experience you will not forget.
Coldstream Brewery Restaurant Yarra Valley
03 9739 1795
THE PUB
Visit the home of the Shivering Man at Coldstream in the Yarra Valley. Taste through a paddle in the Brewery Bar, catch up with mates over a pint in the Pub or enjoy lunch or dinner packed full of Yarra Valley produce. You might even learn a little about the infamous Shivering Man. We are now open for dine-in! Click below to book.
For larger groups, please email [email protected] with the date, time and number of people expected. Max group is 25 for a seated function only until further notice.
THE BEER
We started out brewing in what is now The Brewery Bar.
A lot changed since 2007 – we’ve added three new beers to their line-up along with a cider, and they’re now available nationwide.
Brewing no longer happens on-site, but the beers are true to the original recipes; high-quality hops, malt and yeast that were trialled, tested and tested many a time out at the Pub.
There’s no better way to honour a former Brewery than to turn it into a pub, so come pay your respects and have a brew or two.
THE CIDER
Made from 100% Victorian apples, our cider is pure goodness, with no concentrates or powders here.
Our apples are crushed and then cold fermented – essentially, the magical turning apples into alcohol process happens in the cold – giving our cider its delightful fizz.
We finish with a filter to leave our Coldstream Cider crystal clear, and that’s it.
Coldstream Cider – clean, crisp and ready to drink.
What makes a restaurant popular?
Unlike the slow-cooked, simmering cauldron of delicious gravy cooked to perfection, there is no recipe for a successful restaurant business. There is no hard and fast rule to make a restaurant a success, but with keen observation and careful analysis, one can identify the qualities of a good restaurant. From those, we derive the critical elements of a successful restaurant business. We went to great lengths to identify these key traits of successful restaurants and compiled them in a listicle for your benefit. Read along, and thank us later.
Drive through any large city, and you’re almost guaranteed to see at least one restaurant that won’t exist the following year. Restaurants fail because of poor management and poor decision making on the part of the owner. A successful restaurant understands its image, what its customers want and how to deliver results.
Qualities That Make A Great Restaurant!
Serving high-quality food
When people walk through the restaurant doors, they are expecting to enjoy their meal. A good restaurant does not compromise when it comes to serving great food. Setting high standards when it comes to food quality is vital, and it is important to ensure that customers get the same quality every time. Good serving quality and tasty food will earn a restaurant a good reputation, causing customers to make return visits. A good restaurant will have a highly experienced chef who prepares meals using the best, high-quality ingredients to ensure consistency.
The dining experience
Apart from serving good food, customers look for a good overall experience when they visit a restaurant. When you go out, you want to know that you are eating in a clean environment and getting the best service. A great restaurant will ensure that the wait staff help to enhance the guest experience through being courteous and maintaining a great attitude. The servers need to be knowledgeable about the cuisine, something very helpful when you love exotic cuisine! Addressing issues promptly and making sure that the food and drinks get to the customers in a timely manner is important.
The restaurant ambience
There is a good reason why successful restaurants invest vast resources to create the perfect atmosphere. The fact is that the atmosphere can go a long way in determining whether customers keep coming back or stay away. People like to have a dining experience that is enjoyable, and this includes a great location, the right mood, the best character and the right atmosphere. The factors that affect the restaurant’s ambience include decor, comfortable seating, background music, openness, and lighting. It helps to be unique or different as this helps the restaurant to stand out from the rest.
Restaurant cleanliness
Restaurant cleanliness is essential, and it will determine whether customers enjoy the dining experience. No one wants to eat in a place that is dirty as it reflects badly on the overall service. Keeping the space clean is not something the management can take lightly as it can have very serious consequences. Cleanliness will help to avoid potential issues such as illness. Creating a good impression is very important, and clean space will encourage people to sit and anticipate a great meal. All areas must be kept clean, and this includes the front and back of the restaurant, restrooms and employee areas.
Something unique
Most people are looking for something different when they decide to dine out. A great restaurant promises to offer something that is not available elsewhere. Being different is a good thing, and it is a quality to look out for when choosing a restaurant. If providing good food and service is all that a restaurant can offer, that is nothing new. If customers can get the same experience from dozens of other restaurants, they are bound to overlook the restaurant. A great restaurant will have one or several unique features that will stand out in the patron’s mind, and this creates a competitive advantage.
The price factor
The price is an important consideration when people are dining out, and it takes into account the different characteristics of the restaurant. People pay for the overall experience and not just the food, and that is why some restaurants charge much more than others. Restaurant customers expect the prices to reflect the type of food, level of service and the overall atmosphere of the restaurant. People will not complain when they feel that they are getting value for their money, and a reputable establishment will always strive to set a balanced price. Prices that seem unreasonable will upset customers, discouraging repeat business, while unreasonably low prices tend to raise suspicion about the food and service quality.
There are many restaurants in every region, but it is not unusual to find that while some are always filled, others remain empty night after night. Most people look for popular restaurants because they know that all those people cannot be wrong. If you are looking for somewhere to dine for a special occasion, make sure you do some research.
Equally important, you will be able to plan menus and set prices quickly and easily based on current supplier costs as well as changes in operating expenses.
Running a highly successful restaurant requires that careful attention is given to a host of factors, each of which contributes towards creating a flourishing business. It’s most important to get the basics of food quality, service and price right and work consistently to raise overall standards.
