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Top Daylesford restaurants for every foodie’s bucket list

Credit: Visit Victoria

Pauline Morrissey Pauline Morrissey
From lavish lunches to a true farm-to-table experience, these top restaurants highlight Daylesford’s burgeoning dining scene. 

In Victoria’s stunning spa country, there are endless incredible things to do in Daylesford, including indulging in its renowned dining scene. With a focus on fresh, locally sourced produce, many restaurants boast their own kitchen gardens or partner with nearby farms to create seasonal line-ups bursting with flavour. 

Whether you’re seeking a lavish lunch with breathtaking vistas, a modern twist on pub classics, or an Asian-fusion degustation experience, Daylesford has firmly established itself as a haven for food lovers. Here’s a round-up of some of the best restaurants to explore during your visit. 

The shortlist

Fine Dining Gem: Lake House Restaurant
Best Date Spot: Sault Restaurant
Best Farm-to-Table: Du Fermier

Lake House Restaurant

Lake House Restaurant, Daylesford
Lake House Restaurant features elevated interiors. (Credit: Visit Victoria)

Overlooking the tranquil waters of Lake Daylesford, Lake House Restaurant is the veritable star of destination dining in Victoria. Under the leadership of Alla Wolf-Tasker AM, the multi-course fare is crafted from the finest Australian ingredients, much of which comes directly from their nearby Dairy Flat Farm. Guests can opt for an additional farm tour to deepen their connection to their meal. 

For a complete escape, indulge in rejuvenating treatments at the onsite spa – one of Daylesford’s top things to do. Better yet, extend your visit by staying in the venue’s luxurious accommodation, surrounded by peaceful nature. 

Cuisine: Modern Australian 

Average price: $$$$$ 

Atmosphere: Refined 

Location: 2 Leggatt Street, Daylesford 

Kadota Restaurant

Japanese-inspired dining at Kadota Restaurant, Daylesford
Each meal is served in a traditional Kaiseki style. (Credit: Kadota Restaurant)

Blending Japanese precision with local flavours, Kadota Restaurant captures the spirit of omotenashi – the art of selfless hospitality. Helmed by Chef Aaron Schembri and Front of House Director Risa Kadota, Kadota beautifully reflects Aaron’s Daylesford roots and Risa’s Japanese heritage. The restaurant curates an intimate dining affair that combines the best of both worlds. 

Dining here takes the form of a kaiseki-style Japanese degustation, with set menus unfolding at an unhurried pace. Guests can choose between a seven-course ‘short’ menu or the more leisurely ten-course experience, each built around seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, with the option to add a wagyu course for an extra moment of indulgence. 

Cuisine: Japanese Cuisine 

Average price: $$$ 

Atmosphere: Refined 

Location: 1 Camp Street, Daylesford 

Sault Restaurant

countryside dining at Sault, Daylesford
Indulge in a modern Australian menu in a country-style dining space. (Credit: Visit Victoria)

Framed by gorgeous fields of flowers, Sault Restaurant delivers an exquisite culinary journey through its expansive bay windows, which offer sweeping views of the countryside. Its refined modern Australian menu evolves with each harvest, showcasing regional produce, much of which comes straight from the restaurant’s own kitchen garden – from sun-ripened vegetables and herbs to trout smoked on site, paired with a drinks list of regional wines and local gins.   

Guests can indulge in three to four courses, or opt for the impressive seven-course tasting, complete with wine pairings. Each beautifully plated dish is a feast for the eyes – less of an Instagram moment and more akin to being mesmerised by a Monet masterpiece. 

Cuisine: Modern Australian 

Average price: $$$$ 

Atmosphere: Refined 

Location: 2349 Ballan-Daylesford Road, Sailors Falls 

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Farmers Arms Hotel

Farmers Arms Hotel exterior view
Farmers Arms Hotel has retained its heritage charm. (Credit: Visit Victoria)

Steeped in history and charm, the Farmers Arms Hotel is Daylesford’s oldest pub, serving locals and travellers alike since 1857. Whether you’re stopping by for a quick drink or settling in for a hearty meal, this revamped heritage-rich venue welcomes you in with vintage features and a warming fireplace – adding to the pub’s comfort and camaraderie. 

The seasonal menu offers a creative take on classic pub fare. Signature favourites include the duck sausage or a premium wagyu scotch fillet with garlic and thyme butter. Pair your meal with one of their curated local wines or craft beers. 

Cuisine: Classic Pub 

Average price: $$ 

Atmosphere: Casual 

Location: 1 East Street, Daylesford 

Boathouse Restaurant

a spread of dishes at Boathouse Restaurant
The menu showcases the kitchen’s seasonal approach. (Credit: Boathouse Restaurant)

Perched on the edge of Lake Daylesford, the Boathouse Restaurant offers relaxed lakeside dining with sweeping water views across much of the dining room. Warm and welcoming inside during the cooler months, the venue opens out to a sun-drenched deck in warmer weather, making it a favourite for long lunches and easygoing dinners by the water. 

The menu reflects owner and executive chef Nixson Thambithurai’s esteemed culinary background, with a focus on flavour-driven dishes made using local produce. For the full experience, head along on a Saturday evening when The Boathouse Experience is on offer – a seven-course tasting menu that showcases the kitchen’s seasonal approach, best enjoyed with a glass from the thoughtfully curated regional wine list. 

Cuisine: Modern Australian 

Average price: $$$ 

Atmosphere: Casual 

Location: 1 East Street, Daylesford, VIC, 3460 

Bistro Terroir

dining at Bistro Terroir
The raclette is a must-try.

Bringing a touch of French flair to Daylesford, Bistro Terroir is an intimate neighbourhood gem helmed by Michelin-trained Chef Matthew Carnell. With its moody interiors and a tucked-away courtyard, it offers an inviting space for a relaxed yet elegant dining experience. The menu highlights classic French dishes like escargot and steak frites, with a focus on in-season ingredients and rotating mains. 

To elevate your meal, pair it with a selection from their expertly curated wine list, featuring bottles from Victoria and France that perfectly complement the French-inspired cuisine. And the crème de la crème is finishing the evening with a satiating crème brulee.  

Cuisine: French Cuisine 

Average price: $$$ 

Atmosphere: Moody 

Location: 6/8 Howe Street, Daylesford 

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Jackie’s on Vincent

Far from your typical local Chinese restaurant, Jackie’s on Vincent brings a unique fusion of Asian and Western flavours, shaped by Chef Jackie’s Chinese heritage and Australian influences. The cosy, intimate setting, paired with dishes made using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, creates a warm, homely atmosphere that keeps diners coming back. Crowd favourites often include Szechuan pepper calamari and slow-cooked boneless goat curry. 

Situated along the southern stretch of Vincent Street – Daylesford’s steadily growing ‘eat street’ – this well-loved spot is ideal for a satisfying dinner followed by a relaxed stroll through the town centre.   

Cuisine: Asian Fusion 

Average price: $$ 

Atmosphere: Casual 

Location: 1/123 Vincent Street, Daylesford, VIC, 3460 

Du Fermier

dining at Du Fermier
Du Fermier serves meals that champion local produce.

Tucked away in Daylesford’s neighbouring town of Trentham, Du Fermier offers a flavourful exploration akin to dining in someone’s home. With its cosy, French farmhouse-style ambience, this beloved restaurant is helmed by Chef Annie Smithers, who crafts produce-driven dishes using ingredients harvested from her own garden. 

Without a fixed menu, diners are treated to a surprise multi-course meal, often featuring local meats, fresh vegetables, and classic French flavours. With only a few service days each week, it’s wise to book ahead to secure a spot. Opt for the matched wines for an extra indulgent touch, and be sure to visit during spring and summer, when the kitchen garden is in full bloom. 

Cuisine: French Cuisine 

Average price: $$$ 

Atmosphere: Rustic 

Location: 42 High Street, Trentham   

Bar Merenda

the dining space at Bar Merenda
Dine in an eclectic space. (Credit: Bridget Angee)

For several years, Bar Merenda has been a much-loved Daylesford wine bar, known for its curated list of local and European wines and quietly excellent food. As word spread and rave reviews followed, the team expanded upstairs, opening a bespoke 18-seat dining room that allows the kitchen to shine while the bar below continues to hum with its original energy. 

Now home to a sunflower-yellow dining room upstairs, Bistro Merenda offers an intimate, set-menu experience – whether it’s a pared-back two-course Monday evening menu or a four-course feast later in the week, a visit here feels like being welcomed into a dinner party crafted around the very best produce Daylesford and its surrounds have to offer. 

Cuisine: Classic Mediterranean 

Average price: $$$ 

Atmosphere: Relaxed and intimate 

Location: 117 Vincent Street, Daylesford

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Pauline Morrissey

Pauline Morrissey

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7 ways to switch off and reconnect with nature in Albury Wodonga

Credit: Destination NSW

    Kate Bettes Kate Bettes
    Continue
    Switch the hustle and bustle for a weekend of birdsong and greenery on the border.

    Straddling the Murray River where New South Wales meets Victoria, Albury Wodonga is just hours by car or train (or even a quick flight) from many major cities, but it feels a million miles away from the everyday.

    Here, you’ll find a blend of relaxed country lifestyle and modern city amenities, where a booming culinary scene and vibrant arts offerings meet a rich Indigenous history and stunning natural vistas. Spend time amongst river red gums, wildlife-filled wetlands and winding waterways.

    Ready to roll on the river? Here’s where to begin.

    1. Birdwatch in Wonga Wetlands

    The scenic Wonga Wetlands along the Wagirra Trail and Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk, West Albury.
    Walk along Wonga Wetlands, looking for local birdlife. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    It might be close to Albury’s CBD, but Wonga Wetlands feels a watery world away. This former grazing land has been restored to 80 hectares of lagoons, billabongs and river red gums, and you can now wander three kilometres of walking trails as you spot cormorants, spoonbills, egrets and sacred kingfishers. More than 170 bird species call the wetlands home, thanks to the Murray’s cycle of flooding and drying, so pack a picnic, settle in at a bird hide, and pull out those binoculars.

    2. Explore the Murray River

    picnicers in Noreuil Park albury wodonga nature autumn
    Take a picnic to enjoy in Noreuil Park. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    The Murray River runs between Albury and Wodonga, where locals swap desks and deadlines for shaded riverbanks. Less than a kilometre from Albury’s CBD sits Noreuil Park, the city’s favourite stretch of riverfront. Cool off on the famous loop float, hire a kayak, launch a stand-up paddleboard or cast a line.

    Afterwards, chuck a rug on the lawn under a plane tree, fire up one of the free barbecues and watch the water as you munch on some Murray cod.

    3. Take a sculpture walk

    Albury Wodonga Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk
    See the art along the Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk.

    Albury Wodonga’s three sculpture trails showcase the Murray through First Nations tales on foot or by bike. Along the Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk, 15 contemporary Aboriginal artworks celebrate kinship and Country. The Crossing Place Trail passes the Wodonga Scar Tree, where local Indigenous people once harvested bark to craft canoes, and the Gateway Island trail tells you how the Murray sustained First Nations people for millennia.

    4. Get moving on local tracks and trails

    bike rider on albury wodonga nature trails
    Take your bike to Hunchback Mountain Bike Park.

    More than 100 kilometres of trails cross Albury Wodonga’s hills, reserves and riverbanks. Mountain bikers can tackle the championship-calibre descents of Nail Can Hill, weaving through eucalyptus forest where the rare crimson spider orchid blooms, or hone their skills at Hunchback Mountain Bike Park‘s 29 graded trails.

    Keen to explore on foot? Huon Hill makes the sore legs worth it, with lookouts across Lake Hume and the Kiewa Valley, while McFarlanes Hill meanders through stringybark woodland and rocky outcrops.

    For a slower pace, the 44-kilometre High Country Rail Trail hugs the shores of Lake Hume, crossing the red-pillared Sandy Creek Bridge before rolling into Tallangatta.

    5. Check into restorative stays

    Couple standing outside the retro inspired Astor Hotel Motel in Albury
    Check into one of Albury Wodonga’s over 60 accommodation options. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    Some moments call for a boutique hotel. Others call for backing the caravan up beside the lake. Whether you’ve spent the day splashing in the Murray, furiously clocking kilometres on the bike trails or entertaining kids in playgrounds at the water’s edge, there’s somewhere to lay your head.

    From motels shaded by river red gums to lakeside holiday parks and boutique hotels, Albury Wodonga’s 60-plus accommodation options mean you’re never far from a morning walk along the Murray or dinner on Dean Street. But be warned: book ahead. You might not be the only one craving a weekend by the Murray, especially in the school holidays.

    6. Enjoy delicious dining options

    yardbird restaurant
    Enjoy incredible meals in Albury Wodonga.

    Every paddle, bushwalk and bike trail deserves a proper meal afterwards. Once you’ve swapped out your damp swimmers or your dusty trainers and start to sniff out a feed, you’ll quickly discover you’re surrounded by one of Australia’s richest agricultural regions.

    Unsurprisingly, Albury Wodonga’s dining scene is all about that Riverina produce. We’re talking Murray cod (of course) but also premium local beef from the valleys, olive oil from nearby groves, cool-climate wines and European-style cheeses.

    The restaurants, wine bars and breweries around Dean Street and Junction Square are all within easy reach, serving everything from modern Australian and Mediterranean to Thai, Vietnamese, Italian and classic wood-fired steakhouse fare. Looking for a riverside brunch? A comforting bowl of dumplings on a winter evening? Or up the ante with the vibrant flavours of Europe? Whatever the craving, there’s a table waiting.

    7. Get out on Lake Hume

    lake hume at sunset in albury wodonga nature
    Be sure to stay for a Lake Hume sunset.

    When you’re ready to dial up the solitude, trade the river for a veritable inland sea: Lake Hume. Just 15 minutes from Albury and Wodonga, it’s one of Australia’s largest water storage reservoirs. In other words, there’s plenty of space to swim, paddle and stake out a patch of shoreline all to yourself.

    Take the long way through Riverina farmland, stopping at the dam wall to appreciate just how enormous Lake Hume is. Cast a line for Murray cod, rainbow trout, golden perch or redfin and unpack a bag of bakery treats beneath the trees before launching a kayak into the vastness.

    Afterwards, stop by the Bonegilla Migrant Experience, where the remaining accommodation blocks tell the stories of more than 320,000 post-war migrants who passed through between 1947 and 1971. Give yourself time to walk through the preserved camp, stopping to digest the photographs, personal stories and artworks that reveal what it meant for residents to begin a new life at the edge of the world.

    Even if you’re exhausted, stay until twilight. The sunset is about to put on a hell of a leaving show for you.

    Start planning your escape into nature at visitalburywodonga.com.