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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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Explore historic wine towns and sculpture trails on a 3-day self-guided Murray River cruise

    Ricky French Ricky French
    Continue
    Slow down and find your rhythm on a Murray River journey through time and place. 

    Trust is a funny thing. It seems not that long ago that my mother was insisting on pouring the milk into my cereal bowl, because she didn’t trust me not to slosh it over the table, and yet here I am on the Murray River at Mildura in far north-west Victoria, being handed the keys to a very new and very expensive luxury houseboat. 

    After a crash course in how not to crash, I’m at the wheel of the good ship Elevate – pride of the All Seasons fleet – guiding her upstream past red-ochre cliffs as pelicans glide above the rippled river and kookaburras call from reedy banks. There’s a brief moment of breath-holding while I negotiate a hairpin turn around a jagged reef of skeletal, submerged gum trees, before a cheer rings out and calm descends as the timeless river unfurls in front of us.    

    Murray River
    The Murray River winding through Yarrawonga. (Image: Rob Blackburn)

    Setting sail from Mildura 

    Murray River birds
    Home to a large number of bird species, including pelicans. (Image: The Precint Studios)

    A journey along the Murray River is never less than magical, and launching from Mildura makes perfect sense. Up here the river is wide and largely empty, giving novice skippers like myself the confidence to nudge the 60-tonne houseboat up to the riverbank where we tie up for the night, without fear of shattering the glass elevator (the boat is fully wheelchair accessible) or spilling our Champagne.  

    My friends and I spend three days on the water, swimming and fishing, sitting around campfires onshore at night, and basking in air so warm you’d swear you were in the tropics. The simplicity of river life reveals an interesting dichotomy: we feel disconnected from the world but at the same time connected to Country, privileged to be part of something so ancient and special.  

    Stop one: Echuca  

    19th-century paddlesteamers
    A historic 19th-century paddlesteamer cruises along the Murray River. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    The six-hour drive from Melbourne to Mildura (or four hours and 20 minutes from Adelaide) is more than worth it, but you don’t have to travel that far to find fun on the river. Once Australia’s largest inland port, Echuca is the closest point on the Murray to Melbourne (two hours 45 minutes), and you’ll still find a plethora of paddlesteamers tethered to the historic timber wharf, a throwback to the thriving river trade days of the 19th century. The PS Adelaide, built in 1866 and the oldest wooden-hulled paddlesteamer operating in the world, departs daily for one-hour cruises, while a brand-new paddlesteamer, the PS Australian Star, is launching luxury seven-night voyages in December through APT Touring.  

    The town is also a hot food and wine destination. St Anne’s Winery at the historic Port of Echuca precinct has an incredibly photogenic cellar door, set inside an old carriage builders’ workshop on the wharf and filled with huge, 3000-litre port barrels. The Mill, meanwhile, is a cosy winter spot to sample regional produce as an open fire warms the red-brick walls of this former flour mill.  

    Stop two: Barmah National Park 

    Barmah National Park
    Camping riverside in Barmah National Park, listed as a Ramsar site for its significant wetland values. (Image: Visit Victoria/Emily Godfrey)

    Just half-an-hour upstream, Barmah National Park is flourishing, its river red gum landscape (the largest in the world) rebounding magnificently after the recent removal of more than 700 feral horses. The internationally significant Ramsar-listed wetland sits in the heart of Yorta Yorta Country, with Traditional Owners managing the environment in close partnership with Parks Victoria. Walkways weave through the forest, crossing creeks lined with rare or threatened plants, passing remnants of Yorta Yorta oven mounds and numerous scar trees, where the bark was removed to build canoes, containers or shields.  

    The Dharnya Centre (open weekdays until 3pm) is the cultural hub for the Yorta Yorta. Visitors can learn about the ecological significance of the Barmah Lakes on a 90-minute river cruise, led by a First Nations guide, or take a one-hour, guided cultural walking tour along the Yamyabuc Trail.  

    Stop three: Cobram 

    Yarrawonga MulwalaGolf Club Resort
    Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    Continue east to Cobram to find the southern hemisphere’s largest inland beach. Swarming with sun-seekers in summer, the white sand of Thompson’s Beach is shaded by majestic river red gums and dotted with hundreds of beach umbrellas, as beachgoers launch all manner of water craft and set up stumps for beach cricket. But the beach is at its most captivating at sunset, when the crowds thin out, the glassy river mirrors the purple sky, and the canopies of the gum trees glow fiery orange. 

    The region is also home to some fine resorts and indulgent retreats. Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort has two riverside championship golf courses, luxury apartments and self-contained villas. While not strictly on the Murray, the historic wine town of Rutherglen is rife with boutique (and unique) accommodation, including an exquisitely renovated red-brick tower in a French provincial-style castle at Mount Ophir Estate. Fans of fortified wines can unravel the mystery of Rutherglen’s ‘Muscat Mile’, meeting the vignerons and master-blenders whose artistry has put the town on the global map for this rich and complex wine style.  

    Stop four: Albury-Wodonga 

    First Nations YindyamarraSculpture Walk
    First Nations Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk is part of the Wagirra Trail. (Image: Carmen Zammit)

    Follow the river far enough upstream and you’ll arrive at the twin border cities of Albury-Wodonga. The Hume Highway thunders through, but serenity can be found along the five-kilometre Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk – part of the Wagirra Trail that meanders through river wetlands just west of Albury in Wiradjuri country. Fifteen sculptures by local First Nations artists line the trail, conveying stories of reconciliation, enduring connection to culture, local Milawa lore and traditional practices. It feels a long way from Mildura, and it is, but the pelicans and kookaburras remind us that it’s the same river, the great conduit that connects our country. 

    A traveller’s checklist  

    Staying there

    New Mildura motel Kar-rama
    New Mildura motel Kar-rama. (Image: Iain Bond Photo)

    Kar-Rama is a brand-new boutique, retro-styled motel in Mildura, with a butterfly-shaped pool and a tropical, Palm Springs vibe. Echuca Holiday Homes has a range of high-end accommodation options, both on the riverfront and in town. 

    Playing there

    BruceMunro’s Trail of Lights in Mildura
    Bruce Munro’s Trail of Lights in Mildura. (Image: Imogen Eveson)

    Artist Bruce Munro’s Trail of Lights installation, comprising more than 12,000 illuminated ‘fireflies’, is currently lighting up Mildura’s Lock Island in the middle of the Murray. Murray Art Museum Albury (MAMA) is a hub for contemporary art, with a rotating roster of exhibitions, and is a major outlet for young and First Nations artists. 

    Eating there

    Mildura’s diverse demographic means it’s a fantastic place to eat. Andy’s Kitchen is a local favourite, serving up delicious pan-Asian dishes and creative cocktails in a Balinese-style garden setting. Call in to Spoons Riverside in Swan Hill to enjoy locally sourced, seasonal produce in a tranquil setting overlooking the river.