14 top restaurants in Bright to have on your radar

Jo Stewart Jo Stewart
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A classic country pub meal in front of a crackling fireplace, tacos and cocktails in a sunny courtyard, or Neapolitan-style pizzas to die for; there’s a diverse range of Bright restaurants to choose from when you’re travelling through Victoria’s High Country. 

A playground for outdoor adventurers, the mountainous terrain surrounding the picturesque, alpine town of Bright is the perfect place to work up an appetite. Whether you spend your stay rock climbing, bushwalking or just admiring the epic landscapes, be sure to put some of these Bright restaurants on your list. 

Restaurants

One of the true joys of travelling is discovering a delicious dish you never knew existed before. Bright restaurants span a wide range of cuisines and styles, from fine dining in a heritage cottage to Tex-Mex in an open-air courtyard. The next time you visit Bright, keep these restaurants on your radar.   

1. Sir Loin’s Bar & Grill  

Book well in advance to nab a table at this basement bar and grill that’s renowned for serving some of the best steaks in the region. Choose from grass-fed scotch fillet, Bass Strait porterhouse, wagyu sirloin or a one-kilogram King Island tomahawk steak shared with a friend or two. Add a glass of local Feathertop shiraz and some sides (baked truffle mac and cheese is a winner) and you’ve got yourself the perfect dinner to celebrate the end of a long bushwalk or bike ride.   

Address: 14 Barnard St, Bright, VIC

2. Elm Dining

Under the guidance of head chef  Monica Melendez, Elm Dining brings an exceptional fine dining experience to the heart of Bright. Operating from a renovated, Victorian-era cottage that was once a doctor’s surgery and residence, this is a refined-yet-welcoming spot to celebrate a special occasion.

an elegant dining space at Elm Dining, Bright
Elm Dining exudes luxe and elegance. (Image: Danii Forde)

The menu changes with the seasons, but expect unfussy, elegant dishes that champion the region’s best produce. Can’t decide what to order? Opt for the Chef’s Selection to be taken on a curated culinary journey.

a table top view of meals with a hand holding a bottle of wine
Treat yourself to a fine dining experience. (Image: Danii Forde)

Address: 98 Gavan St, Bright, VIC

3. The Yard Bright

Tex-Mex share plates and Australian botanical cocktails are the name of the game at this vibey sister restaurant to Elm Dining. When it’s time to imbibe, simply kick back in the courtyard with a pisco sour or spicy margarita, order some tacos or loaded fries, and let the good times roll.

a table top view of meals at The Yard Bright
Feast on a sumptuous dinner. (Image: Danii Forde)

Address: 98 Gavan St, Bright, VIC 

4. Pepperberry

This modern Australian diner located at boutique hotel Hara House is winning accolades for its menu that blends locally sourced produce with native Australian ingredients.

A meal at Pepperberry restaurant, housed within Hara House hotel in Bright
Pepperberry at Hara House is garnering attention for its modern Australian dining and standout cocktails.

Settle into its ambient surrounds – complete with original bluestone feature wall and a fireplace – for small dishes such as the Pepperberry Plate, with smoked duck, salami and smoked kangaroo and larger plates including baked eggplant with warrigal pesto, couscous and pinenuts and beef adobo with bush tomato, capsicum jam and flatbread.

A considered wine list is drawn from the local regions and bolstered by a stand-out cocktail list with alcoholic and non-alcoholic options.

Address: 2 Ashwood Avenue, Bright, VIC

5. Hometown  

With a reputation for making next-level pizzas, it’s unsurprising that Hometown has a cult following with locals. Made with cold-fermented, hand-stretched dough, Hometown’s wood-fired pizzas are topped with an array of exciting flavour combinations. In fact, the Local (pancetta, wandi apple, chestnut, mozzarella, Brussels, watercress) may just convince purists that sprouts do belong on a pizza.

a pizza on a plate at Hometown restaurant, Bright
Satisfy your pizza cravings.

Address: 5 Camp St, Bright, VIC 

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6. Don Mungo’s

Pizza, cocktails and music collide at this happening spot known for hosting a rotation of DJs and live music after dark. Forget pedestrian pizza flavours, Don Mungo ’s excels at incorporating ingredients (like miso cream cheese, bamboo shoot and chashu pork) you wouldn’t typically see on a pizza. On a warm summer night, make a beeline for the beer garden.  

Address: 90 Gavan St, Bright, VIC  

 

7. Chop Chop Asian Kitchen + Bar

Housed in the former Dr Mauve Bar & Lounge space, Chop Chop Asian Kitchen + Bar serves up pan-Asian dishes ranging from steamed ginger prawn dumplings to green chicken curry and duck pancakes. Veggie options include wok-tossed greens and The Fun-Gi: mixed Asian mushrooms with mint, chilli and toasted rice. Save room for coconut ice cream with Vietnamese coffee and peanut praline for dessert.

Address: 100 Gavan St, Bright, VIC

 

Pubs, Breweries & Bars

Home to a longstanding microbrewery and surrounded by a number of cool-climate vineyards, Bright is the type of town where finding quality tipples to go with your meals isn’t a problem. Bottoms up!  

8. Bright Brewery 

This dog-friendly, local institution began back in 2005 and over the years it’s grown into a brewing juggernaut. On a clear day, there’s nowhere better to relax than on this brewery’s riverside Hop Terrace with a refreshing Bright Pale Ale.

a glass of cold beer alongside a meal at Bright Brewery
Pair your meal with an ice-cold beer.

If you’re after a meal, there’s pizza, burgers, salads and even a Hero Board which serves up to four people a selection of ribs, wings, sausages, slaw and fried potatoes.

a table top view of meals at Bright Brewery
Go on and grab something to eat.

Your visit might coincide with the Community Keg, an event Bright Brewery hosts each month with a local organisation. To join in, buy a pot of Bright Pale Ale from the Community Keg and instead of paying for your beer, make a donation of your choice to the local beneficiary instead. Cheers to that!

 

people drinking and dining under sun umbrellas outside Bright Brewery
Spend the labour day weekend chugging beer.

Address: 121 Great Alpine Rd, Bright, VIC 

9. Porepunkah Pub

With outdoor dining areas and a games room complete with a pool table, the family-friendly Porepunkah Pub is a real find. Just a seven-minute drive from Bright, this welcoming spot is where to head when you feel like a hearty meal without the fuss. The menu features country pub classics like steaks and parmas (with spaghetti bolognaise and chicken nuggets for the kids). Soak up the sunshine at an outdoor table during the warmer months, or head indoors and make yourself at home by the fireplace with a glass of shiraz in winter – this is a pub for all seasons.  

Address: 13 Nicholson St, Porepunkah VIC 

10. Tomahawks

If you’re after a fun, boozy night out at a low-key spot that channels American dive bar culture, then head to Tomahawks . You may need to join a queue (this place doesn’t take bookings) but once you’re seated inside with a Tiki Sour cocktail in hand, you’ll be glad you lined up.

a bartender mixing up drinks at Tomahawks
Hit up Tomahawks for a quick buzz. (Image: Jesse Hisco Photography)

The greats of America’s south and south-west feature on the menu (fried chicken, ribs, burgers) but there’s some left-of-centre surprises too, such as tempura eggplant and Japanese ‘street corn’ with miso butter, yuzu kosho kewpie and togorashi.

an al fresco dining spot at Tomahawks
There’s plenty of space to dine al fresco. (Image: Jesse Hisco Photography)

Address: 15 Camp St, Bright, VIC 

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Casual dining & takeaway 

Looking for a quick bite to eat without having to get dressed up? Pop into one of these casual eateries for a fast, fresh meal without the fanfare.   

11. Clean Bowled

If the fresh mountain air has inspired you to embrace healthy living, then head to Clean Bowled for a smoothie and nutritious lunch bowl. Packed with fresh vegetables and lean protein, the lunch bowls come in many different varieties, including poke for salmon lovers and a plant-based taco bowl for vegetarians. Add a berry smoothie and you’ll be set for an afternoon of trail running, mountain climbing or cycling. 

a healthy meal at Clean Bowled
Consume healthy greens at Clean Bowled.

 Address: 78 Gavan St, Bright, VIC 

12. Gum Tree Pies

For sustenance on the go, drop into Gum Tree Pies . Freshly baked daily, choose from classics such as steak and pepper or lamb and mint, or go vego with a panang pumpkin. 

Address: 2a Anderson St, Bright, VIC

13. Katsu  

This busy Japanese eatery does a roaring trade in Karaage fried chicken, Teriyaki beef don, Katsu curry and gyoza. Getting takeaway from here is the ideal way to source a delicious, multicourse Japanese feast to enjoy in your motel room or Airbnb living room by night. 

Exterior of Katsu in Bright
This Japanese restaurant is just what you need after a busy day exploring Bright.

Address: 9 Barnard St, Bright, VIC

14. Burgerville

Craving some junk food? With outlets in both Bright and the nearby village of Myrtleford, this family-owned burger joint will hit the spot. Keep it simple with an Easy Cheesy burger or go all-in and order The Hoff, a massive beef burger loaded with American cheddar, pickles, lettuce, onion, aioli, smoked chipotle ketchup and optional chicken nuggets. Yes, chicken nuggets. If you’re thirsty, there’s a range of local beer cans on the menu too.

a close-up shot of a hand holding a big burger at Burgerville, Bright
Their generous burgers will fill your big appetite.

Address: 87 Gavan St, Bright, VIC & 143 Myrtle St, Myrtleford VIC 

Want more travel tips for Bright? We’ve got a round-up of top things to do, incredible cafes to try and wineries to visit during your stay.
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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8 experiences to get the most out of Victoria’s Great Ocean Road

    Louis Costello Louis Costello
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    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

    Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village and Museum
    Visit a time of yore.

    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

    Cape Otway Lightstation
    Delve into the tales of 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.