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.

Beyond the winding bitumen and coastal views lies another side to Victoria’s most famous route.

There’s something hypnotic about this stretch of Victoria’s coast. Maybe it’s the way the road hugs the ocean so tightly, or how the cliffs catch the sun in colours you can’t name. Or, for local Victorians who drove this route as kids, maybe it’s the memories of winding through the impossibly tall trees as they seemingly guide you on your journey like wooden guardian angels. Most travellers know it for the 12 Apostles, but there are plenty of alternate experiences on the Great Ocean Road equally as worthy of your time.

So, next time you’re in that neck of the woods, park that car, stretch those legs and try these experiences.

1. Discover living culture at Budj Bim

Budj Bim Cultural Landscape Tourism — Walk across the world’s oldest known aquaculture system. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Breakaway Creek’s Budj Bim Cultural Landscape is a masterclass in educational storytelling. Join a guided tour with Budj Bim Cultural Landscape Tourism to walk across the world’s oldest known aquaculture system, where the Gunditjmara people built sophisticated eel traps and stone channels more than 6,000 years ago.

Budj Bim’s aquaculture system predates Egypt’s pyramids by roughly 2,000 years, making it one of the oldest examples of human engineering on Earth. If that’s not enough to get your history-loving family members involved in this road trip, we’re out of ideas.

2. Unwind in the hot springs at Warnambool

woman relaxing at Deep Blue Hot Springs — Let mineral-rich water heal you.

If your legs need a break after a long drive, Deep Blue Hot Springs is your remedy. The geothermal pools sit just metres from the coastline, filled with mineral-rich water that bubbles up from deep underground. Move between open-air baths, waterfall pools and quiet zones made for meditation.

The water in Deep Blue’s geothermal pools comes from an ancient aquifer nearly 850 metres below the Earth’s surface, which, in non-scientific terms, means it’s far more likely to have healing properties than the mineral water you’d find at the supermarket.

3. Take to the air at Princetown

12 Apostles Helicopters flight alternate experiences on the Great Ocean Road — See an icon from a different view.

You may have seen the Twelve Apostles from the trusty viewing platform, but a helicopter flight with 12 Apostles Helicopters shows you just how sprawling and rugged this coastline really is.

The trip covers everything from Port Campbell to London Bridge (not to be confused with the UK’s own), giving you a rare chance to watch waves carving the limestone cliffs from above. It’s worth noting that the limestone stacks of the Twelve Apostles are said to erode by roughly two centimetres each year, so the longer you leave it, the less of the Apostles you’ll see.

4. Step into the past at Flagstaff Hill

Continue the tour through Warnambool at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village and Museum , a recreated 19th-century port town. Hear stories from the days when shipwrecks were as common as seagulls, with an astounding 180 ships believed to have sunk along the Shipwreck Coast in less than five years.

The night show, complete with lights, sound, and sea spray, brings the coastline’s most dramatic stories to life.

If you’re staying the night, Simon’s Waterfront offers relaxed dining with fresh local seafood and oceanfront views. Order the catch of the day and toast to the sailors who never made it ashore.

5. Learn to surf in Torquay, Lorne, or Anglesea

kid having a lesson with Go Ride A Wave — Learn how to hang 10. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Whether you’ve surfed before or can barely stand on a board, Go Ride A Wave will have you upright in no time. Torquay’s calm beaches are ideal for first-timers, while Lorne and Anglesea bring a bit more energy for those unafraid to get dunked.

Bells Beach, just down the road from Torquay, has even hosted the world’s longest-running professional surfing competition since 1962. So, for those eager to have a gander at pros using surfboards like they’re an additional appendage, the competition usually runs sometime in autumn.

6. Tackle the trails in Forrest

Barwon Flow Trails Otways Flow MTB — Hire a bike and explore MTB trails through the Otways.

Forrest is a haven for mountain bikers thanks to an expansive network of trails through stunning natural scenery. The Forrest trail network has almost 100 kilometres of singletrack across 36 trails, so there’s something for every level of rider. That’s including more than 60 kilometres of purpose-built mountain bike trails winding through the Otways’ dense forest. Cycle through ancient myrtle beech trees and towering tree ferns, with smaller ferns and soft mosses forming a carpet at your feet.

Hire a bike from Forrest MTB Hire and take your pick from easy, scenic rides to more challenging singletracks, such as Red Carpet or Rollercoaster.

7. See wildlife up close in Apollo Bay

bush rat on Wildlife Wonders tour — Get help spotting the locals. (Image: Doug Gimsey)

If spotting koalas and kangaroos in the wild feels like winning the lottery, Wildlife Wonders gives you guaranteed sightings without cages or crowds. Every visit to the sanctuary helps fund the Conservation Ecology Centre which supports endangered species across the Otways, so your business is appreciated by humans and animals alike.

The guided walk takes you through protected Otways habitat where you might spot potoroos (or joey lookalikes for those unfamiliar with a potoroo), wallabies, and sleepy koalas lounging in the trees.

8. Visit the Cape Otway Lightstation

Towering over the sea on a cliff above the Southern Ocean, Cape Otway Lightstation has been guiding ships since 1848. Before the lighthouse was built, Cape Otway was one of the most treacherous points on the Victorian coast, with dozens of shipwrecks occurring in its surrounding waters. Pick the right day, and you may bump into a local willing to tell you about the wreck of Eric the Red .

While at the Cape Otway Lightstation, explore the keeper’s quarters, walk the coastal trails, and take in views that only stop short at the horizon.

And no, contrary to popular belief, the Round the Twist lighthouse is actually located in Split Point, just shy of two hours in the direction of Melbourne. Nothing’s stopping you from embarking on a lighthouse crawl, though.

Plan your next no-stone-unturned journey along this iconic Aussie road at visitgreatoceanroad.org.au.

8 of the best Yarra Valley cafes