The Best Yarra Valley Cafes (2024) | Australian Traveller

From inventive takes on brunch classics to comforting, tried and true dishes, you can find just about anything at these Yarra Valley cafes.

The glut of great local produce hasn’t been lost on these Yarra Valley cafes, which are as committed to purveying outstanding coffee as they are to offering nourishing, elevated and indulgent seasonal dishes.

Planning a visit to the Yarra Valley? Punctuate a day in this bucolic pocket with pit stops at these eight Yarra Valley cafes for maximum caffeine, sustenance and joy.

1. Round Bird Food & Wine Merchants

Best for: Brunch, comfort food

When the former head chef at Yering Station’s restaurant, Laura Webb-James, and the restaurant manager, Evan James, decided to break away and do their own thing, they wanted to create a place where they’d cook the kind of food they’d make for house guests.

the cafe exterior of Round Bird Food & Wine Merchants in Yarra Valley — Stop by Round Bird Food & Wine Merchants for brunch.

And what lucky friends they must have, because at Round Bird Food & Wine Merchants those dishes might include truffled mushroom ‘croque monsieur’ on brioche with mornay sauce, shaved ham and comte, and hotcakes with banana fritters, maple, peanut butter mousse and toasted seeds.

a close-up shot of brunch at Round Bird Food & Wine Merchants, Yarra Valley — Indulge in comforting brunch classics at Round Bird Food & Wine Merchants.

Address: 170 Main St, Lilydale

2. Nancy’s of the Valley

Best for: Retro charm

At Nancy’s of the Valley you may find yourself smiling as soon as you step through the door. There’s something about the mish mash of retro laminate and old wooden tables with mixed chairs from different decades that feels good even before you’ve seen the seasonal and, where possible, organic menu options.

a look inside the Nancy’s of the Valley cafe in Yarra Valley — Nancy’s of the Valley cafe features a nostalgic design.

There’s a separate menu for vegans, and coeliacs are also well catered for, and along with the organic fair trade and locally roasted Silva coffee there are organic teas and turmeric and chai lattes. And there’s a good milkshake selection too if you’re feeling that retro theme.

a vegan-friendly dish at Nancy’s of the Valley cafe — Nancy’s of the Valley is a go-to cafe for vegans.

Address: 3/2460 Warburton Hwy, Yarra Junction

3. Black Vice Cafe and Roastery

Best for: Caffeine fiends

On the region’s outer fringe, Hurstbridge Village (or Hursty, as it’s endearingly known) flies a little under the radar. Its major claim to fame is arguably Greasy Zoe’s, a standout local restaurant. But just a few paces from the hatted micro-venue, you’ll find another crowd-pleaser: Black Vice Cafe and Roastery .

a man carrying his child to Black Vice Cafe and Roastery, Yarra Valley — Black Vice is kid- and dog-friendly cafe.

As the name suggests, this kid- and dog-friendly cafe roasts its own beans, drawing in coffee enthusiasts from across the region; there’s a two-page menu that lists the available blends and single origins alone. The indecisive, or overwhelmed, can opt for the ‘caffeinate me’ set, which includes a milk coffee, a batch brew, and an espresso, all from its seasonal single origin menu.

people dining at Black Vice Cafe and Roastery, Yarra Valley — The under-the-radar Black Vice Cafe and Roastery is an ultimate crowd-pleaser.

The all-day brunch menu offers a more tightly curated selection, spanning the classics (eggs Benny, avo toast etc), as well as a handful of burgers.

the milk coffee at Black Vice Cafe and Roastery, Yarra Valley — Sip on single origin coffee.

Address: 946 Heidelberg – Kinglake Rd, Hurstbridge

4. Locavore Studio

Best for: Creative, elevated flavours

Helmed by chef Jessie Rae Crossley, whose resume includes stints behind the burners at restaurants across Europe, as well as in the kitchens of super yachts and ski chalets, the menu at Locavore Studio is decidedly cheffy.

the cafe exterior of Locavore Studio, Yarra Valley — Dine al fresco at Locavore Studio. (Image: Hugh Davison @hughdavison_)

Forget your garden variety eggs on toast: at Locavore, you’ll find complex flavours with nods to several different corners of the globe on the ever-changing seasonal menu.

a look inside Locavore Studio, Yarra Valley — Sit down inside the sleek and classy cafe. (Image: Hugh Davison @hughdavison_)

Those in the savoury breakfast camp might opt for a chilli scramble served with fermented garlic and preserved lemon labneh, oyster mushrooms, sesame and peanut crisp and fried mint, while sweet tooths can gorge on a towering heap of black sesame pancakes that feature cameos from rosella jam, peanut butter ganache and fermented strawberry ice cream.

a delectable dish at Locavore Studio, Yarra Valley — Choose from Locavore’s creative and delectable menu. (Image: Hugh Davison @hughdavison_)

Almost any dietary (nut-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, veggie or vegan) will find a delectable option to pursue here.

Address: 148 Main St, Lilydale

5. The Yarra Valley Smokery

Best for: Carnivores

While a smattering of vego options lie on the menu at this Lilydale eatery, it’s the locally sourced and house-smoked meats that are the real trump card. The 18-hour-smoked beef brisket is a standout, and comes in three different iterations. And for a wildcard appetiser, try out the smoked dim sims. Stock up on provisions from The Yarra Valley Smokery’s cafe larder, such as pastrami, salmon, cheese and butter. Two words of advice for first timers: come hungry.

Address: 96 Main St, Lilydale

6. Harrow and Harvest Cafe

Best for: Parents after their brunch fix, insta-friendly food

A cosy, eclectically styled venue in Lilydale, Harrow and Harvest Cafe ticks all kinds of boxes. Artfully plated breakfast, brunch and lunch dishes in a riot of colours.

a cafe staff in pink apron holding a bowl of pink food at Harrow and Harvest Cafe — Harrow and Harvest Cafe serves up insta-worthy dishes. (Image: Chapter and song photography)

An array of innovative and decadent drinks (hello iced white chocolate with matcha dust and whipped cream). An open fireplace to cosy up next to in winter, as well as a sun-licked courtyard to exploit come summer.

a table-top view of food at Harrow and Harvest Cafe, Yarra Valley — Hit up Harrow and Harvest Cafe for an artfully plated breakfast. (Image: Chapter and song photography)

Not to mention a huge indoor kid’s playroom, packed with beautiful wooden toys. All packed into a cute little converted former church that dates back to the 1890s.

pouring sauce over a breakfast meal at Harrow and Harvest Cafe, Yarra Valley — Each plate is bursting with colours and flavours. (Image: Chapter and song photography)

Address: 42-44 Castella St, Lilydale

7. Arthurs Creek Coffee Company

Best for: Community vibes, coffee nerds

The focus at this Warrandyte cafe might lie primarily with the coffee — they roast their own fair-trade sourced beans after all. But you’ll find a small selection of pastries, cakes and toasties on offer here too, including some gluten-free options.

Arthurs Creek’s knowledgeable baristas are on hand to help you select the perfect single origin beans for your brew. And you can stock up on coffee gear, peruse the collection of locally made jams, and admire the local artworks lining the walls too.

See also Silva Coffee Roasters , Warburton.

Address: 272 Yarra St, Warrandyte

8. My Little Kitchen Cafes & Bar

Best for: Inventive twists on classic dishes

Something of a local haunt, the guiding philosophy at My Little Kitchen (or MLK to regulars) is to put a fresh spin on classic brunch dishes.

a brunch meal alongside drinks at My Little Kitchen, Yarra Valley — Enjoy inventive takes on classic brunch dishes.

Think avo on toast, but with lemon cream cheese, coconut sambal, and Four Pillars gin hollandaise. Or a shakshuka, zhuzhed up with braised lamb shoulder and a harissa-spiked tomato sauce. Given its popularity, online bookings are highly recommended on weekends.

a close-up of a dish at My Little Kitchen, Yarra Valley — My Little Kitchen puts a fresh spin on classic brunch dishes.

Address: 274 Maroondah Hwy, Healesville

Check out the 10 best Yarra Valley restaurants for 2024.

Torquay’s Bells Beach is considered one of the best surf beaches in the world.

It’d be easy to think Australian surf culture was born around the right-hand point breaks of the Gold Coast and Byron Bay. These regions seem the epitome of how the world views Aussie surfers – bronzed (or burnt), languishing in warm water and sunshine. The reality is a lot different.

The rise of surf culture along Victoria’s coastline

surfers at Bells Beach in Australia — Surfers stand on the shore at Bells Beach, where the country’s biggest surfing competition is held each year. (Image: Getty/Filed Image)

True Aussie surf culture was born on the chilly waves of Victoria’s winters, when huge swells from the Great Southern Ocean hit cliff-lined beaches along the Great Ocean Road . These beaches were the ultimate proving ground – surfers from all over Australia arrived in panel vans and VWs to do battle with the biggest waves they could find.

Surfers take advantage of the huge swells from the Great Southern Ocean at Bells Beach. (Image: Tourism Australia/Cameron Murray)

There are surf breaks all along this very picturesque coast – but those around Torquay were most revered. The ultimate test of a surfer’s ability – and durability – however, was Bells Beach: Australia’s answer to Hawai‘i’s Pipeline. Just beyond, the breaks at Jan Juc and Winkipop beckoned.

an aerial view of surfers at Bells Beach — Hit the waves along the picturesque coast. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Torquay became surfing’s Silicon Valley: HQ for the entire Australian surf culture revolution. Four young locals worked out of their backyards in Torquay to create two of the world’s biggest surf labels – Rip Curl and Quiksilver , which soon became the region’s biggest employers.

surfers out at Bells Beach — Surfers out at Bells Beach, Victoria’s most famous beach. (Image: Tourism Australia/Cameron Murray)

Rip Curl started sponsoring the Bells Beach Pro in 1973 – and have done ever since. It’s been going since 1962 – making it the world’s longest continually run surfing contest. Held every Easter, it’s part of the world surfing tour. Spectators line its 30-metre-high cliffs to watch the world’s best take on enormous waves – it’s the ultimate coliseum for the sport and has inspired generations of Aussie surfers to join the list of heroes whose names are on its iconic bell.

Follow the waves through Victoria’s surfing heartland

Australian National Surfing Museum, Torquay — The Australian National Surfing Museum in Torquay. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Just behind Torquay’s main drag, you can see all that history on display at the world’s best surf museum – the Australian National Surfing Museum . Here you can take your time absorbing the 100-year-or-so history of Australian surfing and check out the 150-strong surfboard collection.

surfboards on display at Australian National Surfing Museum — The museum holds surfing memorabilia, including a room dedicated to the history of boards. (Image: Tourism Australia)

But classic Aussie surf culture can be observed in everyday life all over the Great Ocean Road and Torquay. Surfing dictates life here; no work is done until the big swells have come and gone. Just being here provides a window into 60-odd years of rebellion against convention; for no-one likes nine-to-five living on the Great Ocean Road.

surfing memorabilia at Australian National Surfing Museum — The varied displays celebrate the Bells Beach competition, surfing legends and Aussie surf culture. (Image: Tourism Australia)

There’s less panel vans and VW Beetles these days, but surf culture still rules life. Surfers run this coast; you’re better off keeping out of their way when they’re running down past you to face the biggest swells – then hear them swap stories at cafes, restaurants and bars all around you.

surfing at Bells Beach — The beach near Torquay is Australia’s answer to Hawai‘i’s Pipeline. (Image: Visit Victoria/William Watt)

8 of the best Yarra Valley cafes