The Best Restaurants In Canberra (2025)

Great restaurants abound in Canberra, a city that is playing it cool with a diverse array of places to eat and drink.

Visitors to the nation’s capital are spoilt for choice when it comes to discovering great Canberra restaurants. In fact, it seems the list of new and noteworthy places popping up all over the city is never-ending.

That’s why we’ve narrowed down our guide to include some of the best Canberra restaurants, from those that are longstanding institutions to award-winning newcomers worthy of our attention. Below is our list of favourite Canberra restaurants to try right now.

THE SHORTLIST

Hottest dining gem: Such and Such

Hidden gem: Bar Rochford

Family-friendly spot: Agostinis

Best for brunch: Edgar’s

Best for fine dining: Pilot

Casual Eats: Akiba

Great for Special Occasions: Wilma

Most Instagrammable: Such and Such

Best for business lunches: Louis

Best for late-night dining: Akiba

1. Agostinis

The search for the most family-friendly Italian restaurant in Canberra is over. Drumroll please: it’s Agostinis at the East Hotel. This inviting Griffith restaurant is known for its menu of freshly made pasta and pizzas curated by executive chef Francesco Balestrieri to please everyone in the family. Yes that includes Nonna.

a charcuterie board at Agostinis, Canberra — Agostinis serves up memorable Italian fare.

Add to this eclectic Kelly Ross-designed interiors with leopard-print booths and slogans like ‘You had me at pizza’ in pops of pink neon and you will understand the fun, free-wheeling essence of the space. In a full-circle moment, siblings Dan and Dion Bisa pay homage to their mother Marisa whose family owned a restaurant in northern Italy named Agostinis.

Cuisine: Italian
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Fun and free-wheeling
Reviews: 5/5
Location: 69 Canberra Ave, Griffith

2. Bar Rochford

Bar Rochford bills itself as a place to “pull records, sling sharp spirits and love good service".

the classic interior of Bar Rochford, Canberra — Head upstairs to the chic dining space. (Image: VisitCanberra)

That tells you everything you should expect from this hip haven hidden away upstairs in the iconic Melbourne building. This is one of the best Canberra venues – equal parts restaurant and bar – for its fun vibe, elevated food and refined drinks list.

a plate of food on white background at Bar Rochford, Canberra — Bar Rochford has elevated its menu. (Image: VisitCanberra)

It’s Canberra venues like Bar Rochford that Good Food Guide editor Callan Boys cites as making Canberra “one of the most exciting cities to eat in Australia". Like Boys, we’re mad fans of You Am I. And any bar that features a giant portrait of lead singer Tim Rogers feels like it’s part of Canberra’s zeitgeist.

wine bottles displayed on the wall at Bar Rochford, Canberra — Choose from Bar Rochford’s refined drinks list. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Cuisine: Contemporary
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Groovy and grungy
Reviews: 5/5
Location: 65 London Cct

3. Lazy Su

Lazy Su gets top marks for its focused flavours. This neon-lit space is fun and festive like a K-pop speakeasy meets izakaya meets American diner. Chug down a few shots of soju at the Asian eating house which will transport you back to the 90s with its soundtrack of absolute bangers.

dining at Lazy Su, Canberra — Lazy Su is a K-pop speakeasy meets izakaya meets American diner. (Image: Lazy Su)

The common denominator on the menu with Japanese, Korean and American influences is fun. Think wagyu cheesesteak spring rolls with kimchi mayo. Or nori tacos stuffed with sushi rice, salmon and avocado puree. Imagine if you will an eatery with big ambitions and zero pretentions. Oh hey Lazy Su. How do you do?

Cuisine: Japanese, Korean and American fusion
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Groovy and grungy
Reviews: 4/5
Location: 1/9 Lonsdale St, Braddon

4. Such And Such

Nerdy food types be nerding when news broke that Dash Rumble, Ross McQuinn and Mal Hanslow, of two-hatted Pilot in Ainslie were opening a sister venue. That venture is Such And Such , a hole-in-the-wall eatery much more relaxed than Pilot, Canberra’s top fine-dining restaurant, but no less delicious and inventive. You’ll need to book in advance as there are only a handful of tables and a few bar spots.

people dining inside Such And Such, Canberra — Such And Such is a hole-in-the-wall eatery more relaxed than Pilot. (Image: Cassie Abraham)

The menu is seasonal. But do order the school prawns in 666 spice if they’re on the menu. You won’t be sorry. The new venue is in Constitution Place, near Canberra Theatre. The interiors were designed by Mark Brook of mymymy and pay homage to the arts precinct with elements of his design adding a touch of theatre.

a seafood plate at Such And Such, Canberra — Enjoy inventive and contemporary dishes. (Image: Cassie Abraham)

Cuisine: Contemporary
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Sophisticated
Reviews: 5/5
Location: 220 London Cct

5. Wilma

Getting around to all the major attractions in Canberra can be a lot as there are so many great things to see and do in Canberra. But you gotta eat, right? We recommend heading to Wilma, a magical spot for a few cocktails and a feed in the heart of Canberra’s CBD.

a staff preparing at Wilma, Canberra — Wilma’s serves progressive pan-Asian dishes. (Image: Wilma)

A two-tier konro yakitori grill takes pride of place in this stunning two-storey eatery, which is named in honour of the animated character Wilma Flintstone, who also cooks over fire.

a spread of food and cocktails on the table at Wilma, Canberra — Hop over to Wilma’s for a yakitori feed and inventive cocktails. (Image: Wilma)

Asian barbecue with Michael Box at the helm never looked so good. Bookend your evening with cocktails at The Pearl, which occupies the ground floor of the two-storey venue. It’s one of the best bars in Canberra for a tipple or two.

the dimly lit dining interior of Wilma, Canberra — Wilma’s is a sophisticated spot for dinner in the heart of Canberra’s CBD. (Image: Wilma)

Cuisine: Asian BBQ
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Magical
Reviews: 4/5
Location: 1 Genge St

6. Rebel Rebel

Acclaimed chef Sean McConnell is behind ultra-cool Canberra restaurant Rebel Rebel , a glam eatery with lofty ceilings in the hotel hub encompassing QT Canberra and Ovolo Nishi.

the dining interior of Rebel Rebel, Canberra — Sit down for a meal at Rebel Rebel, a glam eatery with lofty ceilings. (Image: VisitCanberra)

McConnell held the reins at Monster Bar & Kitchen at Hotel-Hotel (now Ovolo Nishi) for four years. And his love of shared dining continues here with dishes such as kingfish in a burnt mandarin vinaigrette or fried quail with harissa and lemon.

dining at Rebel Rebel, Canberra — Rebel Rebel serves up modern Australian cuisine. (Image: VisitCanberra)

It’s one of the best destinations for dining in Canberra. Enjoy top drops from a modern list of natural wines, local faves and international gems and take home a bottle at a retail price.

a close-up of food on a plate at Rebel Rebel, Canberra — Dine on bold and modern flavours at Rebel Rebel. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Cuisine: Contemporary
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Sleek and sexy
Reviews: 5/5
Location: 21-23 Marcus Clarke St

7. Italian & Sons

Italian & Sons is the more casual offshoot of fine dining restaurant Mezzalira, one of Canberra’s best restaurants. And it has gained its own devoted following in Canberra for its fresh, authentic Italian cuisine.

the dining scene at Italian & Sons, Canberra — This casual eatery was awarded a Chef’s Hat in 2024. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Enjoy a range of cicchietti (snack plates) such as salty anchovies and San Daniele prosciutto with a glass of vino. Or go all out with the tasting menu, which includes shared antipasti and three individual courses.

a plate of food at Italian & Sons, Canberra — Italian & Sons is renowned for serving fresh, authentic Italian cuisine. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Note: Italian & Sons does one of the best negronis in all the land.

Cuisine: Italian
Average price: $$$$
Atmosphere: Dark and moody
Reviews: 4/5
Location: 7 Lonsdale St, Braddon

8. Compa

Matt Moran’s first Canberra venue, Compa , is designed to showcase produce from the Moran Family Farm and local produce that changes with the seasons. The atmospheric Italian steakhouse has exposed wooden beams, white stucco walls and a long kitchen leaving plenty of room for the chefs to exercise their talents.

the interior of Compa, Canberra — Compa features a moody interior. (Image: Buffet Digital / Compa)

The dark, moody space was reimagined by Studio A-N and features wicker shades, cosy booths and softly blended tones and textures. The meaty menu showcases different steaks as well as Snowy River trout and Abrolhos Island scallops served on the shell.

a spread of food on the table at Compa, Canberra — The menu showcases produce from the Moran Family Farm. (Image: Buffet Digital / Compa)

Can’t get a booking? Head next door to & Sando, one of the best cafes in Canberra.

a bowl of food at Compa, Canberra — Dig into a satisfying dessert at Compa. (Image: Buffet Digital / Compa)

Cuisine: Steakhouse
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Charming bistro feel
Reviews: 4/5
Location: 148 Bunda St

9. Vincent

Vincent is all about pairing great food with great wine. The name is an amalgam of ‘vino’ which is wine and ‘cent’ which is 100 (the number of bottles the bar aims to have on offer).

the black and sleek dining interior of Vincent, Canberra — The dimly lit dining room at Vincent feels laid-back and relaxed. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Expect unconventional drops from around the globe ready for teaming with small plates such as hiramasa kingfish or beef tartare.

two women drinking wine together at Vincent, Canberra — Expect unconventional drops from around the globe. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Although dining at Vincent is a serious culinary experience, the dimly lit dining room feels laid-back and relaxed. Canberra has a list of great restaurants to choose from. But Vincent is truly one of Canberra’s best places to eat. Sit at the lengthy communal bar to enjoy the conviviality of sharing a meal together.

a bowl of food with a glass of wine at Vincent, Canberra — Vincent is all about pairing great food with great wine. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Cuisine: Contemporary
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Intimate and moody
Reviews: 4/5
Location: 3/48 Macquarie Street, Barton

10. Onzieme

This hatted restaurant is considered one of the best Canberra restaurants for its nose-to-tail approach and hyper-focus on seasonal ingredients.

a staff writing on the glass walls at Onzieme Restaurant, Canberra — Onzieme Restaurant evokes a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. (Image: Lean Timms)

The menu at Onzieme also shifts according to what local makers and growers bring to the restaurant. Leave it to the chef to find inspiration from a bag of potatoes. Or a tray of pomegranates.

a spread of food on the table at Onzieme Restaurant, Canberra — The seasonal menu s on seasonal ingredients at Onzieme Restaurant. (Image: Megann Evans)

It’s not hard to find locals who dine at Onzieme on a regular basis as the atmosphere at the waterfront restaurant could not be more welcoming. In short, Onzieme is one of the best restaurants in Canberra to book if you’ve only got a limited time in Australia’s capital of cool.

a plate of food at Onzieme Restaurant, Canberra — Onzieme prides itself on serving contemporary cuisine. (Image: Megann Evans)

Cuisine: Contemporary
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Welcoming
Reviews: 4/5
Location: 5/39 Kennedy Street, Kingston

11. Mu Omakase

Mu Omakase is where Canberrans head for modern Japanese. And the scene here on a weekend speaks volumes about the intimate omakase eatery as the chatter of happy diners fills the 10-seater space.

people sitting and drinking at the bar counter of Mu Omakase, Canberra — This intimate omakase eatery is a best-kept secret. (Image: VisitCanberra)

The modern Japanese diner, which is part of the Chairman Group, serves a set 12-course omakase menu.

a hand decorating an oyster at Mu Omakase, Canberra — Each item on the menu at Mu Omakase is meticulously prepared. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Access to the eatery is through the swanky Cicada Bar, which is one of the best places in Canberra for a tipple or two. Omakase means ‘to entrust’.

pouring Japanese alcohol into a cup at Mu Omakase, Canberra — Drink up sake at Mu Omakase. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Trust the chef to deliver dishes with artistry and plating precision such as swordfish sashimi or drunken king prawn swimming in a rich lobster bisque.

a cocktail drink on the table at Mu Omakase, Canberra — You can also try their sophisticated cocktails. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Cuisine: Modern Japanese
Average: price $$$
Atmosphere: Intimate
Reviews: 5/5
Location: 1 Constitution Avenue

12. Miss Van’s

Miss Van’s doesn’t disappoint those after pan-Asian flavours in Canberra. The restaurant serves up modern Asian-Australian fare that celebrates founder Andrew Duong’s Laos-Vietnamese roots.

the restaurant exterior of Miss Van’s, Canberra — Miss Van’s restaurant blends indoor/outdoor dining. (Image: Pew Pew Studio)

The menu honours decades of old ways and marries them with new traditions.

an Asian meal at Miss Van’s, Canberra — Enjoy popular Asian dishes at Miss Van’s. (Image: Pew Pew Studio)

Try popular dishes such as the banh mi, which has been on offer since Miss Van’s beginnings as a shipping container food outlet, through to the spicy, sour seafood tom yum filled with black mussels, squid and prawns.

the bright and colourful dining interior at Miss Van’s, Canberra — Soak up the bright and colourful ambience at Miss Van’s. (Image: Pew Pew Studio)

Cuisine: Contemporary Asian
Average price": $$$
Atmosphere: Modern and fun
Reviews: 4/5
Location: Shop 4, 113-119 Marcus Clarke St

13. eightysix

For a restaurant to stand out in the crowded Canberra landscape it has to be special. With not one but two venues (in Braddon and Woden), eightysix should be on your list of eateries to try when visiting Canberra for a long weekend.

the dining interior of eightysix north, Canberra — Pop by eightysix north for an unforgettable dining experience. (Image: Pew Pew Studio)

There are subtle differences between the two – eightysix Braddon is all about experimentation, with quirky menu items like raw kingfish with pickled cumquats, jalapenos and eschalots. But the restaurant’s southern venue tilts towards Italian fare with dishes such as pork Milanese and ricotta gnocchi in fennel sugo.

a plate of food on black background at eightysix south, Canberra — The restaurant’s southern venue tilts towards Italian fare. (Image: Pew Pew Studio)

Cuisine: Modern Australian
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Modern and fun
Reviews 4/5
Location 45 Furzer St, Phillip; Corner Elouera and Lonsdale Streets, Braddon

14. Terra

Terra means earth and this dining room is a mix of stone and wood and textures that resemble Canberra’s natural surrounds. The set-up at Terra is canteen-style. Choose from a protein and various sides or one of its massive burgers. The crispy hot chips have a cult following here for the miso gravy that brings an unexpected flash of tanginess. The vibe at dinner is a tad more refined. But it’s still Terra’s chargrilled, smoked and woodfired meats that take centre stage. And the sides are not to be outdone, particularly the iceberg salad with sesame praline and cucumber pickles.

Cuisine: Modern Australian
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Modern and fun
Reviews: 4/5
Location: 40 Marcus Clarke St

15. Edgar’s

Canberra has long had its fair share of great places for brunch. And Edgar’s is up there with the best of them. This farm-to-table Ainslie eatery has been going strong for more than two decades and the food is exceptional. There will always be certain standbys on the menu no matter the month – such as the brioche cinnamon toast or brekky burger.

people dining at Edgar's, Canberra — Edgar’s is a vibrant, multi-venue destination. (Image: The Inn at Edgar’s)

When your food is ready, take it to an outdoor table outside where you can make friends with some local MAMILs. Edgar’s is our pick for a low-key Canberra brunch.

a spread of food on the table at Edgar's, Canberra — Don’t miss out on the exceptional menu at Edgar’s. (Image: The Inn at Edgar’s)

What makes Edgar’s Inn so enticing is the fact you can go from breakfast to lunch and dinner within the multi-venue space, which includes Wakefield’s Bar & Wine , Mama Dough , Edgar’s and Edgar’s Inn .

the dining interior of Edgar's, Canberra — Edgar’s is a top spot for brunch. (Image: The Inn at Edgar’s)

Cuisine: Modern Australian
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Warm and enticing
Reviews: 5/5
Location: 1 Edgar St, Ainslie

16. Raku

The fact you’re likely to see high-profile politicians or diplomats from the Japanese Embassy here hints at the fact you’ll be richly rewarded with dinner at Raku .

the dining interior of Raku with moody lighting — Pull up a seat at the ultra-chic Raku. (Image: VisitCanberra)

The restaurant also draws international students keen to explore beyond their own neighbourhood. The raw bar in the centre of the dining room at Raku tells you all about the quality of the sushi and sashimi on offer.

sushi at Raku, Canberra — Dine authentic Japanese at Raku. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Take a seat at the counter in this elegant space with blond timber tones and moody lighting and you’ll feel like you’ve tumbled down an alleyway in Tokyo. Recommended is the express lunch.

the sleek dining interior of Raku, Canberra — Be transported to Tokyo in this sleek Japanese eatery. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Cuisine: Japanese
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Moody and elegant
Reviews: 4/5
Location: 148 Bunda St

17. Chairman & Yip

This dimly lit restaurant is a Canberra institution that has been going strong for almost three decades. While it’s moved from its original spot in Civic to Barton, Chairman & Yip remains vamped up, all dark slatted woods and stacked stones that demarcate the dining room.

people dining at Chairman & Yip, Canberra — The interior at Chairman & Yip is elevated with dark slatted woods and stacked stones. (Image: Stuart Miller)

Solve the dilemma of what to order and opt for the tasting menu, which includes duck pancakes, crispy pork belly with pineapple compote and binchotan-grilled wagyu steak paired with wines from nearby wineries. The Chairman Group also has Lanterne Rooms, Mu, Cicada Bar and the Karl Bar.

a Cantonese dish at Chairman & Yip, Canberra — Dine on modern Cantonese dishes at Chairman & Yip. (Image: Stuart Miller)

Cuisine: Modern Cantonese
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Moody and elegant
Reviews: 4/5
Location: 1 Burbury Cl, Barton

18. Akiba

This modern hawker-style food hall is popular with Canberra’s university students who converge here to meet new friends. The showy Asian diner is all neon nights, exposed brickwork and long communal tables that run the length of the colourful corner eatery.

Gather your tribe to enjoy a mix of street-food-style snacks at Akiba such as Japanese fried chicken and kimchi and stacked steamers of dumplings.

cooked shrimps on a plate at Akiba restaurant in Canberra — Akiba champions Pan Asian cuisine. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Order a few ‘akipops’ (boozy juices) from Thursdays to Sundays when DJs transform the dining room into a dance floor. Weekend arvos equal yum cha. Akiba is a sibling to Liquita, Wilma and The Pearl, all restaurants to have on your radar in Canberra.

neon electric electric signage at Akiba restaurant in Canberra — Come Thursday nights, Akiba transforms into a dance floor.

Cuisine: Pan Asian
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Vibey food hall
Reviews: 4/5
Location: 40 Bunda St

19. Louis

The city of Canberra was in mourning when one of its most acclaimed restaurants, Aubergine, was shuttered in 2022. But chef Ben Willis is back, as culinary director at Louis Dining .

the dimly lit dining interior of Louis, Canberra — Dine at the dimly lit Louis, a Euro-style bistro in Canberra. (Image: Dexter Kim)

The Euro-style bistro was designed by award-winning Sydney-based design firm Luchetti Krelle and is popular with political heavyweights due to its proximity to the Parliamentary Triangle.

the interior details of Louis restaurant, Canberra — Settle into the moody dining room for Gallic fare.

The French fine diner at Hotel Realm is as dreamy for a business lunch as it is for dinner. Sit at one of the tan banquettes around the high tables in the bar section. Or settle into the midnight blue dining room for Gallic fare such as potato and leek pithivier with broccolini and parsley puree.

the terrace of Louis restaurant, Canberra — Louis is designed by award-winning Sydney-based design firm Luchetti Krelle.

Cuisine: French
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: European-style bistro
Reviews: 4/5
Location: 18 National Circuit, Barton

20. Ondine

Ondine reads like a love letter to Europe. And while its laid-back bistro ambience and moody blue hues beckon, it’s the gastronomic experience that will make this your favourite new casual place to eat out in Canberra. Exchange smug glances with some of the other savvy diners who are also here to enjoy a leisurely afternoon meal with a glass of wine. The menu at this Canberra restaurant includes a prix fixe option for three courses from $67, surely one of the best-value meals in Canberra. Flag down your waiter to request the herbed pork rillettes, chicken liver pate and traditional French onion soup.

a spoonful of custard dessert on a plate at Ondine, Canberra — The menu skews towards French cuisine. (Image: Ondine / Pew Pew Studios)

Cuisine: Modern European
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Casual bistro vibe
Reviews: 4/5
Location: 7 Duff Place, Deakin

21. Pilot

Pilot certainly found an audience when it descended on the suburb of Airlie. The acclaimed restaurant in the middle of this hip strip has made a big impact on the city’s dining scene since opening in 2019. In fact, it’s fair to say it prompted a raft of restaurateurs to seek opportunities in the suburbs.

the dining interior of Pilot, Canberra — Pilot has elevated the city’s dining scene. (Image: VisitCanberra)

The two-hatted restaurant offers tasting menus for lunch and dinner. Check @pilotrestaurant on Instagram to see what the chefs are cooking up on any given day. Elevated bites may include the blue mackerel cracker served in a potato dip with herbs and lemon described as ‘fish and chips but kinda backwards’. Or the broad-bean minestrone that is as wholesome as it is pretty.

a table-top view of food at Pilot, Canberra — The two-hatted restaurant offers tasting menus for lunch and dinner. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Cuisine: Contemporary Australian
Average price: $$$$
Atmosphere: Fancy fine diner
Reviews: 5/5
Location: 1 Wakefield Gardens, Ainslie Shops

22. Lunetta & Lunetta Trattoria, NSW

the restaurant interior of Lunetta & Lunetta Trattoria, NSW — Dine on Italian-inspired cuisine in the private dining space. (Image: Lillie Thompson)

Lunetta and Lunetta Trattoria have flung open their doors in one of Canberra’s much-loved modernist buildings perched atop Red Hill. While Lunetta Trattoria is the low-key relaxed Italian neighbourhood hang on the ground floor, Lunetta is the more elevated offering in every sense of the word. Expect drama and beauty at every turn thanks to the considered interiors by studio ACME, which honour the building’s original bones.

Cuisine: Modern Italian
Average price: $$$$
Atmosphere:
Reviews: 4/5
Location: Downstairs/60 Red Hill Dr

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Located just an hour north-west of Melbourne, the largely undiscovered Macedon Ranges quietly pours some of Australia’s finest cool-climate wines and serves up some of Victoria’s best food.

Mention the Macedon Ranges and most people will think of day spas and mineral springs around Daylesford, cosy weekends away in the countryside or the famous Hanging Rock (of enigmatic picnic fame). Or they won’t have heard of the Macedon Ranges at all.

But this cool-climate destination has been inconspicuously building a profile as a high-quality food and wine region and is beginning to draw serious attention from oenophiles and epicureans alike.

The rise of Macedon Ranges wine

liquid gold barrels at Kyneton Ridge Estate Winery — Barrels of liquid gold at Kyneton Ridge Estate Winery. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)

With elevations ranging from 300 to 800 metres, Macedon Ranges vineyards are among the highest in the country. This altitude, combined with significant day/night temperature swings, makes for a slow ripening season, in turn nurturing wines that embody elegance and structure. Think crisp chardonnays, subtle yet complex pinot noirs and delicate sparkling wines, along with niche varietals, such as gamay and nebbiolo.

Despite the region’s natural advantages – which vary from estate to estate, as each site embodies unique terroir depending on its position in relation to the Great Dividing Range, soil make-up and altitude – the Macedon Ranges has remained something of an insider’s secret. Unlike Victoria’s Yarra Valley or Mornington Peninsula, you won’t find large tour buses here and there’s no mass marketing drawing crowds.

Many of the 40-odd wineries are family-run operations with modest yields, meaning the wineries maintain a personal touch (if you visit a cellar door, you’ll likely chat to the owner or winemaker themselves) and a tight sales circle that often doesn’t go far beyond said cellar door. And that’s part of the charm.

Though wines from the Macedon Ranges are just starting to gain more widespread recognition in Australia, the first vines were planted in the 1860s, with a handful of operators then setting up business in the 1970s and ’80s. The industry surged again in the 1990s and early 2000s with the entry of wineries, such as Mount Towrong, which has an Italian slant in both its wine and food offering, and Curly Flat , now one of the largest estates.

Meet the new generation of local winemakers

the Clydesdale barn at Paramoor. — The Clydesdale barn at Paramoor. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)

Then, within the last 15 years, a new crop of vignerons like Andrew Wood at Kyneton Ridge Estate , whose vineyard in 2024 was the first in the Macedon Ranges to be certified by Sustainable Winegrowing Australia; Geoff Plahn and Samantha Reid at Paramoor , who have an impressive cellar door with a roaring fire and studded leather couches in an old Clydesdale barn; and Ollie Rapson and Renata Morello at Lyons Will , who rapidly expanded a small vineyard to focus on top-shelf riesling, gamay, pinot noir and chardonnay, have taken ownership of local estates.

Going back to the early days, Llew Knight’s family was one of the pioneers of the 1970s, replacing sheep with vines at Granite Hills when the wool industry dwindled. Knight is proud of the fact that all their wines are made with grapes from their estate, including a light, peppery shiraz (some Macedon wineries purchase fruit from nearby warmer areas, such as Heathcote, particularly to make shiraz) and a European-style grüner veltliner. And, as many other wineries in the region do, he relies on natural acid for balance, rather than an additive, which is often required in warmer regions. “It’s all about understanding and respecting your climate to get the best out of your wines,” he says.

farm animals atKyneton Ridge Estate — Curious residents at Kyneton Ridge Estate. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)

Throughout the Macedon Ranges, there’s a growing focus on sustainability and natural and low-intervention wines, with producers, such as Brian Martin at Hunter Gatherer making waves in regenerative viticulture. Martin previously worked in senior roles at Australia’s largest sparkling winemaking facility, and now applies that expertise and his own nous to natural, hands‑off, wild-fermented wines, including pét‑nat, riesling and pinot noir. “Wild fermentation brings more complexity,” he says. “Instead of introducing one species of yeast, you can have thousands and they add different characteristics to the wine.”

the vineyard at Kyneton Ridge Estate Winery — The estate’s vineyard, where cool-climate grapes are grown. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)

Most producers also focus on nurturing their grapes in-field and prune and pick by hand, thus avoiding the introduction of impurities and the need to meddle too much in the winery. “The better the quality of the fruit, the less you have to interfere with the natural winemaking process,” says Wood.

Given the small yields, there’s also little room for error, meaning producers place immense focus on quality. “You’re never going to compete in the middle [in a small region] – you’ve got to aim for the top,” says Curly Flat owner Jeni Kolkka. “Big wineries try to do things as fast as possible, but we’re in no rush,” adds Troy Walsh, owner and winemaker at Attwoods . “We don’t use commercial yeasts; everything is hand-harvested and everything is bottled here, so we bottle only when we’re ready, not when a big truck arrives.” That’s why, when you do see a Macedon Ranges product on a restaurant wine list, it’s usually towards the pointy end.

Come for the wine, stay for the food

pouring sauce onto a dish at Lake HouseDaylesford — Dining at Lake House Daylesford is a treat. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)

If wine is the quiet achiever of the Macedon Ranges, then food is its not-so-secret weapon. In fact, the area has more hatted restaurants than any other region in Victoria. A pioneer of the area’s gourmet food movement is region cheerleader Alla Wolf-Tasker, culinary icon and founder of Daylesford’s Lake House.

For more than three decades, Wolf-Tasker has championed local producers and helped define what regional fine dining can look like in Australia. Her influence is palpable, not just in the two-hatted Lake House kitchen, but in the broader ethos of the region’s dining scene, as a wave of high-quality restaurants have followed her lead to become true destination diners.

the Midnight Starling restaurant in Kyneton Ridge Estate Winery — The hatted Midnight Starling restaurant is located in Kyneton. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)

It’s easy to eat well, whether at other hatted restaurants, such as Midnight Starling in the quaint town of Kyneton, or at the wineries themselves, like Le Bouchon at Attwoods, where Walsh is inspired by his time working in France in both his food offering and winemaking.

The beauty of dining and wine touring in the Macedon Ranges is that it feels intimate and unhurried. You’re likely to meet the winemaker, hear about the trials of the latest vintage firsthand, and taste wines that never make it to city shelves. And that’s worth getting out of the city for – even if it is just an hour down the road.

Delicate dishes on the menu at Midnight Starling. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)

A traveller’s checklist

Staying there

the accommodation at Cleveland Estate, Macedon Ranges — Stay at the Cleveland Estate. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)

Soak up vineyard views from Cleveland Estate near Lancefield , embrace retro charm at Kyneton Springs Motel or indulge in lakeside luxury at the Lake House .

Eating there

Enjoy a four-course menu at the one-hatted Surly Goat in Hepburn Springs, Japanese-inspired fare at Kuzu in Woodend or unpretentious fine dining at Mount Monument , which also has a sculpture park.

Drinking there

wine tasting at PassingClouds Winery, Macedon Ranges — A tasting at Passing Clouds Winery. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)

Settle in for a tasting at Boomtown in Castlemaine, sample local drops at the cosy Woodend Cellar & Bar or wine-hop around the many cellar doors, such as Passing Clouds .

the Boomtown Winery and Cellar Bar signage — Boomtown Winery and Cellar Bar. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)

Playing there

a scenic river in Castlemaine — Idyllic scenes at Castlemaine. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)

Wander through the seasonal splendour of Forest Glade Gardens , hike to the summit of Hanging Rock, or stroll around the tranquil Sanatorium Lake.

purple flowers hanging from a tree — Purple flowers hanging from a tree. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)

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