8 of the best Port Fairy cafes to add to your list

Jo StewartBy Jo Stewart
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From a casual beachfront cafe with cracking ocean views to a specialty roastery known for cranking out top-notch coffee, there’s a strong selection of Port Fairy cafes to choose from on your next visit.

When travelling on the Great Ocean Road, Port Fairy’s unique combo of heritage buildings and incredible food and wine options make it a must-visit town. Whether you’re after a veggie-packed brunch, quick coffee pitstop or a classic burger and shake combo, there are plenty of Port Fairy cafes to choose from.

1. Port Fairy Coffee Roasters

This speciality coffee roaster  and retail store does a roaring trade all year long. Stop by for a takeaway latte, smoothie or cold pressed juice, or drop into the shop to grab a fresh salad or loaf of sourdough for later.

the exterior of Port Fairy Coffee Roasters
Stop by for a takeaway latte at Port Fairy Coffee Roasters.

If you love a dark roast, be sure to buy a bag of the Dead Man’s blend beans to take a little slice of Port Fairy goodness home with you.

roasting coffee beans at Port Fairy Coffee Roasters
Grab some takeaway beans at this specialty coffee roaster.

Address: 59a Bank St, Port Fairy

2. Bank Street + Co

The well-travelled owners of this popular corner cafe bring influences from around the globe to the menu of Bank Street + Co . You’ll see hints of Greek, Italian and Middle Eastern cuisine shine through in the dishes, whether it’s a Turkish bread toastie or seafood linguine. Open (early) for breakfast and lunch, this superb cafe doesn’t take bookings, so you’ll have to try your luck for a table. If you’re an early riser, you’ll be pleased to know that this place opens at 6:30am for all your caffeine and brekkie needs.

a plate of food with coffee at Bank Street + Co
Bank Street + Co. serves up Greek, Italian and Middle Eastern cuisine. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Address: 28 Bank St, Port Fairy

3. The Farmers Wife Harvest Cafe

Whether you’re after smashed avo on sourdough for breakfast, a filling panini for lunch, or a rich, chocolate brownie with a cup of Earl Grey tea in the afternoon, head to this comfy cafe tucked down an alley (look for the blackboard on the main street). In summer the courtyard is an especially great spot to bask in the sunshine while enjoying brunch or lunch.

coffee and pastries at The Farmers Wife Harvest Cafe
Head to The Farmers Wife Harvest Cafe for breakfast.

Address: 47 Sackville St, Port Fairy

4. The Mill

Open for breakfast, lunch and takeaway, this busy little cafe’s indoor and outdoor seating makes it a top option all year round. During summer, sit out the front and enjoy a chicken burger and milkshake in the sun. During winter, bunker down inside with a warming hot chocolate. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free menu options make The Mill a winner for visitors with dietary requirements too.

Address: 42 Sackville St, Port Fairy

5. Home Grown

If you’re after a nourishing yet delicious feed, make a beeline for Home Grown . As a cafe that champions local, organic and homegrown produce, you’ll find plenty of healthy options here. For breakfast, you can’t go past Greens Galore, a poached egg dish topped with a generous serving of sauteed greens, smashed peas, Meredith feta and pepitas.

a close-up shot of food at Home Grown cafe, Port Fairy
Home Grown cafe champions local, organic and homegrown produce. (Image: Gunilla Forbes)

Fairtrade coffee, organic tea, chai, protein smoothies, fruit lassis, babyccinos and puppyccinos made with lactose-free milk means everyone in the family (including your four-legged friends) can enjoy a pitstop here.

a close-up shot of food at Home Grown cafe, Port Fairy
Opt for a nourishing yet delicious feed at Home Grown cafe. (Image: Gunilla Forbes)

Address: 2/32 Bank St, Port Fairy  

6. Rebecaa’s Cafe and Ice Creamery

It’s all about the sweet stuff at Rebecca’s Cafe . During summer, the freshly churned fruit sorbets fly out the door, while the house-baked biscuits, cakes and slices are popular all year round. Stop by to grab a takeaway coffee and slice of cake to enjoy on the road or pop in for an ice cream cone after a day at the beach. Looking for some gifts? Buy jars of mini Yo-Yo biscuits or slabs of rocky road for friends and family back home.

Address: 70/72 Sackville St, Port Fairy

7. Gregory’s Cafe Restaurant

Open for both lunch and dinner on the weekends, Gregory’s  straddles the line between cafe and restaurant. Whether you want a light lunch of toasted paninis or something more substantial like lamb shanks with mashed potato and gravy, Gregory’s Cafe Restaurant can do both! Bookings recommended.

a food plate at Gregory’s Cafe Restaurant, Port Fairy
Gregory’s is perfect for brekkie, lunch or dinner.

Address: 1/32 Bank St, Port Fairy

8. Charlie’s On East

This casual, kid-friendly spot right on the beach is perfect for a no-fuss post-swim brekkie, lunch, coffee or snack. No need to dress up here – just rock up in your flip-flops and boardshorts and perch yourself at a table out the front. Spending a leisurely morning enjoying a coffee and a plate of Eggs Benedict with ocean views is the rare type of simple pleasure this no-frills cafe gets right.

Address: 4 Hughes Ave, Port Fairy 

Now read our guide to the best restaurants in Port Fairy.

Jo Stewart
Jo Stewart is a freelance features writer who pens stories about nature, pop culture, music, art, design and more from her home in the Macedon Ranges of Victoria. When not writing, you can find her trawling through vinyl records and vintage fashion at op shops, antique stores and garage sales.
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The Gold Rush town that’s become Victoria’s best country escape for foodies

    Jocelyn PrideBy Jocelyn Pride
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    The well-preserved Gold Rush town where an idyllic country vibe meets the best of city living.

    Cafe culture

    ‘Slow down’ is the mantra of Tortoise Espresso , and it’s apt for anyone visiting town. This local coffee hangout was the brainchild of Lloyd Meadows, who at 16 started it as a hole in the wall of an old pub. Five years on, it graces a fine shopfront with a menu of around 60 different coffees. Other one-off centrally located daytime cafes, such as Saffs, Togs, Saint Florian and Lazy Bones, are tucked into historic buildings and serve creative menus featuring local produce. A personal favourite is Origini, where chef Luca Sartori brings a taste of northern Italy to his rustic restaurant. For the best banh mi outside Vietnam head to Super Hero, and the pastries at Johnny Baker are legendary.

    the Saint Florian Cafe, Castlemaine
    Saint Florian is one of many businesses tucked away in a historic building. (Image: Griffin Simm)

    On the town’s fringe you’ll find some treasured cafes: Blackbird. Grist, Doveton Corner Store, and the cosy Aitken’s Corner. The Mill precinct also brings another dimension to Castlemaine. Located directly opposite the beautiful Botanical Gardens, this once-derelict woollen mill is a hive of creativity and collaboration. Retaining an industrial feel, it is home to a myriad of 44 unique businesses, galleries and studios that stretch over the three-hectare site.

    Brilliant brews, bars and food

    diners at The Mill, Castlemaine
    The Mill is home to many local businesses. (Image: Visit Victoria/Michelle Jarni)

    The Mill is also home to one of Castlemaine’s bespoke breweries, Shedshaker Brewing Company and Taproom. Within the sensitively restored walls of the oldest part of the building (circa 1875), small-batch, handcrafted beer features alongside fine wholesome food and live music.

    A more recent newcomer to the brewing scene is Love Shack . Starting small as a laneway pop-up in 2021, visionaries Conna Mallett and Harry Cox were armed with a Melbourne beer culture pedigree, which helped them create a great new ‘pub’ that feels as though it’s been there since the 1850s. Other atmospheric bars and restaurants are dotted around town – Grafting Cellars for local wines by the pour; buzzy Mostyn Street Cellars; Table Records plays vinyl on weekends; and the quirky Maurocco bar is not to be missed.

    food and drinks at Love Shack Public Bar & Bistro, Castlemaine
    The nostalgic Love Shack Public Bar & Bistro serves comfort food. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    For food you’ll write home about, the hatted Bar Midland serves exquisite dishes from Victorian-only produce. The freshly renovated Wild is located in the original firestation, Voor Ouker specialises in Indonesian/Dutch fusion, and the Railway Hotel oozes English pub charm.

    the Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
    Theatre Royal is the longest continually operating theatre on the mainland. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)

    Much-loved Teatro Regio, found in the magnificent Theatre Royal , is the go-to for pizzas with a twist. As mainland Australia’s longest continually running theatre, this grand dame is also one of more than a dozen performance spaces that add to a rich and diverse entertainment and festival scene.

    pizza at Theatre Royal
    Dine before a show at Theatre Royal. (Image: Tourism Australia/Visit Victoria)

    Quirky country stays

    Quirky, authentic and perfectly located, the Midland Hotel is a private hotel that dates back to 1879. Each of the nine rooms at the Northern Arts Hotel is different and named in honour of an Australian artist. Castlemaine Boutique Accommodation also has a range of properties to suit all types of travellers.