14 of the best Bendigo cafes to fuel your day

Chloe CannBy Chloe Cann
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From fine food emporiums to scenic lakeside haunts, the best Bendigo cafes launch your Central Victorian escapades in style. 

It’s better known for its remarkable gold rush history and historical architecture, but Bendigo has far more to offer than a boomtown legacy. Christened a UNESCO Creative City and Region of Gastronomy in 2019 – an Australian first – the city has nurtured a burgeoning food and drink scene that capitalises on the fresh produce that abounds the Goldfields region — and doors swing open first thing every morning. We’ve rounded up the best Bendigo cafes to entertain palettes of even the most discerning breakfast and brunch-goers. 

The shortlist 

Best value: Get Naked Espresso Bar
Best views: Whitby
Hidden gem: Bendigo Corner Store Cafe
Best farm-to-table: Peppergreen Farm Cafe
Best pastries: Harvest

1. Fox & Giraffe 

Dishing up some of the finest homemade food in town, Fox & Giraffe is a must-visit while wandering the charming streets of Bendigo. The food is flavour-packed, with the team running a successful catering business that highlights all the peak produce they work with. Step in past the bench seats dotted with cushions to take your pick out of an all-day menu featuring Kel’s Famous Breakfast Wrap with scrambled egg, bacon, cheese and hashbrown, a genius Cob with the Lot crammed with scrambled egg, chorizo, capsicum, onion and cheese, or a grilled Reuben sandwich on sourdough from 9.30am. Take the deliciousness home with you thanks to a retail portion of this Bendigo cafe stocked with gourmet wines, sweet treats, house-made preserved produce and more.  

Cuisine: Modern Australian 

Average price: $$ 

Atmosphere: Friendly 

Location: 145 Bridge St, Bendigo  

2. Old Green Bean 

old green bean cafe in Bendigo
The menu at Old Green Bean features a mix of global and seasonal dishes. (Image: Old Green Bean)

Sample local artisanal handiwork with a cup of joe at Old Green Bean , who roast their own beans. The baristas themselves are equally skilled, ensuring no mug leaves the countertop looking anything short of creamy majestic. Stick around for a mouth-watering feed, too, as the menu covers refined breakfast classics including avocado on toast with beetroot relish, Meredith goat’s feta and pickled onion, plus a Turkish eggs with crispy kale, chilli oil and garlic and dill yoghurt. If you’re arriving in time for lunch, don’t miss exotic midday menu additions like a Middle Eastern roti with spiced lamb.   

Cuisine: Modern Australian for breakfast, while lunch welcomes international influences 

Average price: $$ 

Atmosphere: Cosy 

Location: 179 Lyttleton Tce, Bendigo 

3. The Anxious Goat 

Meals are made with love at The Anxious Goat , a Bendigo cafe arguably best known for their epic toasties filled with the likes of coconut poached chicken and mayo, ham, cheese, tomato and chilli jam, roasted vegetables with pesto, and more. The coffee is equally good, crafted from Proud Mary beans roasted in Melbourne, as are the house-made sweets spanning granola bars, slices and the occasional cake. There’s also some hearty curries to dive into, however, 2025 ushered in a new head chef so the menu is bound to be reinvented with the seasons all over again soon. 

Cuisine: Modern Australian 

Average price: $-$$ 

Atmosphere: Hipster 

Location: 87 View St, Bendigo 

4. Peppergreen Farm Café

Peppergreen Farm in Bendigo
Indulge in a slice of freshly baked cake. (Image: Peppergreen Farm)

Start your morning at the source of all things yummy with a visit to Peppergreen Farm and its cafe and gardens, located in the northern end of town. No matter what’s in season, you’ll sample the freshest of flavours plucked straight from the grounds while seated amid blooming native greenery. Focaccias, gourmet pies, eggs on toast with all the extras, farm salads, quiches and further homemade delights keep visitors smiling, while a solid range of teas, coffee and cold drinks help wash all that goodness down. There’s also a dedicated kid’s menu featuring baked goods and ice-cream. 

Cuisine: Modern Australian 

Average price: $-$$ 

Atmosphere: Family-friendly 

Location: 40 Thunder St, North Bendigo 

5. Whitby Bendigo

Treat yourself to views across serene Lake Weerona with an al fresco table at Whitby Bendigo . A Bendigo cafe located right on the water, and often host to weddings and large-scale events, the venue serves up generous plates of seasonally inspired fare. Think zucchini, haloumi and mint fritters topped with whatever greens are thriving at the time, plus AM stalwarts done different like the Whitby Benedict with slow braised pork shoulder and apple and pear jam. Sweet tooths will delight in the team’s famed banoffee waffles, arriving as a rainbow-hued mound of honeycomb chunks, salted caramel sauce, banana gel and dark chocolate.   

Cuisine: Modern Australian 

Average price: $$-$$$ 

Atmosphere: Breezy 

Location: 28 Nolan St, Bendigo

6. Peachy 

Peachy cafe in Bendigo
A trusted spot to grab your cup of joe. (Image: The Meadow)

Keep your eyes peeled for the little white flag out front of Peachy , a Bendigo cafe steaming up your morning hit out of a hole in the wall on bustling View St. The family-run business is completely charming, with the team always up for a chat between popping your Honeybird Coffee Roasters order through and grabbing your obligatory ‘brookie’ (in case you’re yet to get amongst the fad, the sugary sensation blends the form of a cookie with a brownie for pure unadulterated gooey-yet-crunchy bliss). While the menu is tight, Peachy merchandise abounds with super slick t-shirts, jumpers and hats up for grabs to help boost your style points.  

Cuisine: Coffee and treats 

Average price: $ 

Atmosphere: Cheery 

Location: 73 View St, Bendigo 

7. Get Naked Espresso Bar

Another Bendigo cafe spruiking the handiwork of Honeybird Coffee Roasters, who are based in Victoria’s stunning Mount Beauty, Get Naked Espresso Bar pours up the good stuff out of an unassuming glass-fronted shopfront on Mitchell St. Step inside for some seriously expert skills as hot styles roll out the door alongside bottled cold drip and the odd pastry or muffin. It’s all about the caffeine rush here, so you can expect a savvy crowd no matter when you time your visit.   

Cuisine: Coffee 

Average price: $ 

Atmosphere: Slick 

Location: 73 Mitchell St, Bendigo 

8. Out Of Order 

Out Of Order Bendigo
The drool-worthy bagels are a crowd favourite. (Image: Out Of Order)

Specialising in loaded bagels and warm hospitality, Out Of Order is a winning Bendigo cafe in the middle of town. While the bagels are undoubtedly the crowd pleaser — think Philly cheese steak, a classic Reuben, a tuna melt, a traditional Lox with chive cream cheese, capers and smoked salmon — there’s also a spread of ultra-fresh sandwiches to consider. Alternatively, leap straight into the fairy bread: white bread smeared with butter and those vibrant hundreds-and-thousands. Wash your pick down with your preferred poison and don’t skip the iced list which spans strawberry matcha, white chocolate and other temptations.  

Cuisine: Bagels and baked goods 

Average price: $ 

Atmosphere: Relaxed 

Location: 325 Hargreaves St, Bendigo 

9. Edwards Providore 

Edwards Providore cafe in Bendigo
Come to this beloved hotspot for mouthwatering brunch. (Image: Edwards Providore)

Coffee from Fitzroy’s famed Industry Beans? Check. Daily baked biscuits and muffins? Check. A menu spanning time-honoured breakfast and brunch classics? Check, yet again. Edwards Providore not only houses a space that ticks all the boxes, but it’s also a great spot to stock up on fresh produce, peruse one-of-a-kind gifts and homewares, and source deli snacks for the road. This fine food haven is located on the outskirts of the city, but venturing only a little out is well worth the extra few minutes. 

Cuisine: Modern Australian 

Average price: $$ 

Atmosphere: Busy 

Location: Shop 7 and 8, Kennington Village, 150 Condon St, Kennington 

10. Hoo-gah 

Hoo-gah cafe in Bendigo
Hoo-gah dishes up Instagrammable sweet treats. (Image: Maybelle & White Photography Studio)

Modelled on the Danish concept of hygge (a quality of cosiness and comfortable conviviality that goes hand in hand with contentment), Hoo-gah is all about embracing life’s simple pleasures in inviting surroundings. Run by husband-and-wife team Gina Triolo and Danny D’Alessandri, this Bendigo cafe is committed to culinary inclusivity, offering punters a range of vegan, gluten-free and FODMAP-friendly options. You’ll find next-level sweets (double stuffed Oreo Biscoff cookies, anyone?) alongside buddha bowls, chilli scrambled eggs, tofu bao buns and plenty more. 

Cuisine: Modern Australian 

Average price: $$ 

Atmosphere: Local 

Location: 4 Mitchell St, Bendigo 

11. Percy and Percy 

percy and percy in Bendigo
This spirited cafe is beloved by coffee aficionados and aesthetes. (Image: Percy and Percy)

Housed within a corner block just outside the CBD that boasts a gorgeous little paved courtyard, bar-style seating out front, plus a smattering of tables inside, Percy and Percy is an all-weather kind of venue with a relaxed atmosphere made for easy Sunday mornings. Owners Elisha and Dan are strong proponents of shopping local and only sourcing the finest ingredients, while baristas work with Coffee Basics beans and milk from independent western-Victoria dairy Inglenook. The chefs tend to select produce purchased from local grocers, Bendigo Fresh, and meat from the award-winning local butcher, Flora Hill Quality Meats. 

Cuisine: Modern Australian 

Average price: $-$$ 

Atmosphere: Homely 

Location: 110 Hargreaves St, Bendigo 

12. Bayleaf Foodstore 

Bayleaf Foodstore in Bendigo
Bayleaf stands out for its artfully plated fare. (Image: Bayleaf Foodstore)

It’s no slapdash affair at Bayleaf Foodstore . Instead, the team at this Bendigo cafe luxuriate in the details: think artfully plated fare, the friendliest staff, and snappy service. The menu has a distinct Hellenic slant, featuring dishes such as spetsofai (Greek pork sausage with red pepper, cannellini beans tomato ragu, poached egg, feta and sourdough) and kolokithokeftedes (zucchini fritters, haloumi, green chilli yoghurt, poached egg and green salad), and the coffee is from Melbourne’s St. Ali Coffee Roasters. 

Cuisine: Modern Australian with heavy Greek influence 

Average price: $$ 

Atmosphere: Infectious 

Location: 102 Mitchell St, Bendigo 

13. Bendigo Corner Store Cafe

Bendigo Corner Store Cafe
Order one of the thoughtfully curated house signatures. (Image: Bendigo Corner Store Cafe)

For an order of wholesome fare, make a beeline for this reliable Bendigo cafe in the ‘burbs, but not far from the reach of the CBD. While the eggs Benny is something of a house signature (think melt-in-your-mouth Otway ham hock on sourdough), Bendigo Corner Store Cafe regularly runs seasonal specials for brekkie, brunch and lunch that might sway you off menu. Past specials have included soft polenta with wilted spinach, grilled asparagus, smoked salmon and whipped crème fraîche; mango, lychee and coconut smoothie bowls with goji berry, cranberry and oat granola; and deep-fried zucchini flowers, plump with chickpea and beetroot, served on a bed of pilaf-style mixed grains. 

Cuisine: Modern Australian 

Average price: $$ 

Atmosphere: Chilled out 

Location: 305 View St, Bendigo 

14. Harvest Food & Wine

Harvest Food and Wine in Bendigo
Harvest Food & Wine operates as a restaurant, deli, and wine cellar. (Image: Harvest Food and Wine)

Continental breakfasts reign supreme at this Bendigo cafe. Situated within Bendigo’s arts precinct, Harvest Food & Wine wears many hats – operating as a restaurant, deli, and wine cellar, too. Waltz in off the street and you’ll be greeted by a gleaming glass cabinet full of lovely cheeses, smallgoods and bronzed pastries, as well as a wall of wine. Harvest is known for many things, but it’s arguably the store’s buttery, flaky croissants that steal the show. There’s also superb house-made lamingtons in addition to a menu of classic breakfast dishes. 

Cuisine: Modern Australian 

Average price: $$ 

Atmosphere: Chic 

Location: 55 View St, Bendigo 

Discover the best accommodation options in Bendigo

Chloe Cann
Chloe Cann is an award-winning freelance travel and food writer, born in England, based in Melbourne and Roman by adoption. Since honing her skills at City St George's, University of London with a master's degree in journalism, she's been writing almost exclusively about travel for more than a decade, and has worked in-house at newspapers and travel magazines in London, Phnom Penh, Sydney and Melbourne. Through a mixture of work and pleasure, she's been fortunate enough to visit 80 countries to date, though there are many more that she is itching to reach. While the strength of a region's food scene tends to dictate the location of her next trip, she can be equally swayed by the promise of interesting landscapes and offbeat experiences. And with a small person now in tow, travel looks a little different these days, but it remains at the front of her mind.
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Heathcote has evolved into the ultimate eco-escape for foodies

    Margaret BarcaBy Margaret Barca
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    From cabins to canvas, craft distillers to destination dining, Heathcote locals reveal their eco-savvy passions in ways that resonate with those seeking to travel lightly. 

    Heathcote , on traditional Taungurung Country in Central Victoria, is synonymous with its garnet-hued shiraz, but wine isn’t the only string to its bow. The town itself is sprinkled with heritage buildings from the gold rush era, and beyond that a growing collection of sustainable gastronomy and eco-friendly escapes. Nearby Bendigo, one of only 65 cities in the world recognised as a UNESCO Creative City and Region of Gastronomy, plates up an astonishing calibre of produce, wine and food for its size. Increasingly the entire region is taking up the challenge, though Heathcote in particular shines with its focus on sustainability. 

    Pink Cliffs GeologicalReserve
    The dramatic landscape of Heathcote’s Pink Cliffs Geological Reserve. (Image: Visit Victoria/Emily Goodfrey)

    The eco-stays bringing sustainability to Heathcote 

    Yellow BoxWood’s safari-style tents
    Yellow Box Wood’s safari-style tents are nestled on 40 hectares of bushland. (Image: Emily Goodfrey)

    Andee and Lisa Davidson spent years working in southern Africa before settling in Heathcote. “We had a vision of how this could be,” explains Andee. “We wanted a retreat, but one that was off-grid and environmentally sustainable.” Now, at Yellow Box Wood , two luxury safari-style tents are at the heart of 40 hectares of rolling hills and native bush, with kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, goanna and birdlife aplenty. It’s all solar-powered, wood for the fire is mainly fallen timber, and water is collected on the carport roof.  No lack of creature comforts though – en suite with rain shower, espresso coffee maker, comfy seating, wood-burning fire all set to go. There’s also a solar-heated, mineral salt pool in a bush setting, walking tracks, and even a mini bush golf course.  On my visit, I put the vision to the test. Cocooned in the plush four-poster bed I can glimpse the stars, while the heater casts a golden glow on the canvas. In the morning, I wake to a blush-pink sunrise, kangaroos feeding and a soundtrack of magpies.

    Mt Ida Eco Cabin
    Mt Ida Eco Cabin is rustic and simple but oozes comfort. (Image: Graham Hosking)

    If a tent is not your style, Stephen and Cally Trompp’s carbon-neutral Mt Ida Eco Cabin might entice with its generous deck and farmland views.   Inside the cabin, corrugated iron walls as rusty as a shearing shed, gleaming (recycled) floorboards, timber truss ceiling (crafted by Stephen), wood-fired heater and an old-school turntable with a pile of vinyls to spin. It’s fun, and a little boho. “Everything is recycled. The cabin takes maximum advantage of the sun in winter. It’s all solar-powered. Don’t panic, though,” says Stephen, “you can still charge your phone and get 4G reception!” Settle into an Adirondack chair on the deck or pedal off on a mountain bike to suss out the wineries.  

    A taste of Spain in Central Victoria 

    Three Dams Estate
    Three Dams Estate make Spanish-style wine.

    Another person with a vision is Evan Pritchard at his Three Dams Estate where the wines reflect his deep love of Spain and of Spanish-style grapes, such as tempranillo. Afternoons in the ‘wine shed’ or cantina are matched with music (flamenco is a favourite), Spanish bites from tapas to paella (with Evan on the pans!) and views to Mount Alexander. Sustainability is also a passion. “You don’t need to buy anything. We decided to be off-grid from the start, but it is a lifestyle change,” he says. “You need to think about it and be careful.” Everything here is recycled, reassembled, refurbished. Evan has an electric car (with solar-powered charger), solar-power for the winery, and even a jaunty little electric tractor/forklift. “I love the idea of all the things you can do using the sun.” Sipping a crisp rosado (a Spanish rosé) with Evan in the sunshine, I couldn’t agree more. 

    The vineyard redefining sustainable winemaking 

    Silver Spoon winery
    The Silverspoon Estate winery is completely off-grid. (Image: Graham Hosking)

    On the other side of Heathcote, Silver Spoon Estate demonstrates sustainability on a more extensive scale. Tracie and Peter Young’s winery, cellar door, award-winning restaurant and their own house are all solar-powered and off the grid. Sustainability is intrinsic to everything they do.  The property sprawls across 100 hectares, with 20 hectares under vine – shiraz, viognier, grenache, tempranillo. As the climate has changed, so too has the approach. These are dry-grown vineyards. “We prune for drought. That means lower yields but more intense flavours,” says Peter.  The fine-dining restaurant offers sweeping views, a wood-burning fire and a deck for languid lunches. Head chef Ben Hong sources regional, sustainable ingredients and weaves estate wines into the menu – think crispy wild mushroom arancini, viognier-infused chicken breast.   

    Silver Spoon’s award-winning restaurant
    Silver Spoon’s award-winning restaurant.

    Heathcote’s other hidden gems 

    Heathcote Wine Hub
    Heathcote Wine Hub is housed in a 1855-built timber church.

    Not all local wineries have a cellar door, but I find local treasures at the Heathcote Wine Hub , a petite 1855 timber church in the main street, lovingly returned to life by Karen Robertson and Carey Moncrieff.  “Carey is a scrounger,” says Karen. “He doesn’t throw a single thing away.” He does, however, craft things into something quite special. Heritage floors, light-filtering lancet windows and shelves of regional wines create the perfect ambience for wine tasting. Or order a glass and linger over a cheese platter.  

    Heathcote is not all wine, of course. Nathan Wheat and partner Vanessa Curtis run Envy Distilling with a committed sustainable ethic – and a serious love of gin. Their small-batch distillery produces grape-based gin, and soon brandy. Distilled water is reused in an ingenious cooling system. All waste is treated on site. They buy excess wine from winemakers to distil and buy recycled barrels. “Distilling with the sun,” as Nathan says. Each Envy gin has its own story. Spicy, award-winning The Dry, is designed to capture the region’s dry, rugged nature. Pull up a stool at the bar (reclaimed timbers and tiles, of course), order a Gin Flight, or kick back with a cocktail and let Nathan share his eco journey.   

    Envy gins
    Sample gins at small-batch distillery Envy.

    A traveller’s checklist 

    Getting there

    It’s less than two hours’ drive from Melbourne. The scenic route we take goes past Sunbury, then along a splendid country road through Romsey and the magic, boulder-strewn landscape of Lancefield. Watch for kangaroos on the road! 

    Staying there

    Go off-grid in style at Yellow Box Wood for glamping or try Mt Ida Eco Cabin for a couple’s weekend hideaway. 

    Eating there

    French dishes at Chauncy
    Award-winning French restaurant Chauncy.

    At award-winning Chauncy , French chef Louis Naepels and sommelier wife Tess Murray have created a tiny, elegant pocket of rural France. Meticulously restored 1850s sandstone building, sun-drenched dining room, impeccable service, a menu suffused with local flavours and thoughtful wine pairings.  

    Fodder is both cafe and social hub. Chef Mo Pun and sister Lalita serve classic Aussie breakfast-to-lunch fare, though their Nepalese heritage sneaks through. 

    Playing there

    Sanguine Estate
    Sip on wines among the vines at Sanguine Estate. (Image: Visit Victoria/Emily Godfrey)

    Sanguine Estate ’s cellar door and terrace overlook bucolic vineyards. Its award-winning, dry-grown wines include the distinctive D’Orsa Blanc dessert wine, reflecting the family’s Swiss-Italian heritage. Order a charcuterie board and stay a while. Keep it carbon neutral by cycling some (or all) of the 50-kilometre O’Keefe Rail Trail to Bendigo.  

    At Bridgeward Grove , learn about the property’s Old Mission Grove heritage olive trees, do a sommelier olive oil tasting, and stock up on sustainably grown olives and oil. Explore the unique landscape, wildflowers and wildlife of pink cliffs geological reserve.