The best places to eat outside of Australia’s major cities.
When it comes to talking about great food and top restaurants in Australia, most people tend to talk about the capital cities. And that’s fair enough – Sydney and Melbourne in particular have got some world class dining establishments. But they’re not the only places where you can get an excellent feed. Across the country, dining has long since been more sophisticated than the classic meat pie. But there are some little pockets that are a little bit more culinary than others.
Byron Bay, NSW
People bemoan what’s happened to Byron Bay, with its transformation from quiet little alternative town to a tourist hotspot where the rich weekend breakers are crowding out the backpackers and chilled out types that made it so attractive in the first place. But one by-product of this is that Byron now has some seriously excellent places to eat.
In keeping with the alternative tradition, there tends to be a lot of experimentation going on. It’s a great place to eat modern Australian cuisine, and fusions with recipes from different countries and cultures. There’s also a heavy emphasis on organic produce, and fresh, healthy food.
Amongst the best is Olivo (34 Jonson Street), which is rather stylish and mixes cooking styles from just about everywhere.
Alternatively, for seafood, try Rae’s on Watego’s (8 Marine Parade), which specialises in snapper and Moreton Bay bugs, and the highly rated Fins at the Beach Road Hotel.
Other places to try out for those wanting to eat well in Byron are Dish and Red Ginger, while the Farmer’s Market is a great place to go shopping for those who like to cook for themselves.
Mornington Peninsula, Victoria
The Mornington Peninsula has long been known as Melbourne’s food basket, and in recent years the standard of restaurants has risen to match the standard of the food grown in the region.
Leading the way have been the winery restaurants around Red Hill. Vines of Red Hill is a beacon for fans of experimental cooking, with Kiwi chef James Redfern boasting of seasonal cuisine and spontaneous menus, then serving up unexpected delights like basil ice cream.
The Montalto Estate is also very, very good, with a stunning backdrop overlooking the sprawling vineyards and, intriguingly, a sculpture exhibition. It also arranges picnics amongst the vines to make things more atmospheric.
It’s not all about Red Hill, however, and there are a couple of excellent spots along Port Phillip Bay. The Baths at Sorrento and the Rocks in Mornington both boast top notch seafood and stunning waterside locations.
For something affordable but still based on the freshest possible ingredients plucked straight from the extensive gardens, try the Diggers Club at the Heronswood Estate in Dromana.
And, for something even cheaper (but just as tasty), go and pick your own at Australia’s biggest strawberry farm – Sunny Ridge.
Noosa, Queensland
Hastings Street is often called the most expensive strip of real estate in the country, but it’s not just the shopping that attracts. The upscale end of the Sunshine Coast is also home to a famously good range of restaurants, and eating out – especially doing breakfast – is as much a part of the scene as lazing on the beach.
For that morning meal, you’re spoilt for choice along the main drag, but in the evening, the best spot is Berardo’s. It’s seriously gourmet stuff in a gorgeous setting, with the piano player adding a nice touch.
Elsewhere, Gusto and Dish in Noosaville and Sabai Sabai on Duke Street are hugely popular with both critics and patrons.
Hunter Valley, NSW
The Hunter is more famous for its wines than its food, but a number of very good restaurants have sprung up to cater for the wine tourist market. Many of these restaurants are in the wineries themselves, but there are many that stand alone from the vineyards.
A long term favourite is the Cellar Restaurant in the Hunter Valley Gardens Village, which is well known for its modern Australian menu, and consistently gets the chef’s hat award from the Sydney Morning Herald’s Good Food Guide.
For French-influenced fine dining, the Rock Restaurant (Debeyers Road, Pokolbin) is the place to head for. It specialises in fresh, seasonal ingredients and has won rave reviews since opening a couple of years ago.
For those not after a meal, but a nibble or two to soak up the wine, there are two excellent places to gorge on cheese. The first is the Hunter Valley Cheese Company next to the McGuigan’s winery, but this can get a little crowded, so the Smelly Cheese Shop in Pokolbin is often a better bet. It also has a gourmet chocolate shop next door, so you can get disgustingly fat should you so desire.
Margaret River, Western Australia
Another region where the food has grown up around the wineries is Margaret River. You’re hardly going to be short of choices for a vineyard lunch in the region, but some of the best attached restaurants can be found at Lamonts, Flutes at Brookland Valley and the family-owned Clairault near Yallingup.
It’s great for people with a sweet tooth too. The Margaret River Chocolate Company and the Fudge Factory are the ideal spots for stocking up on treats. And if savoury is more your thing, try the Margaret River Dairy Company – it does excellent cheeses and yoghurts.
This article was originally written for Ninemsn.
Copyright David Whitley
