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.

The charm of Mildura is hidden in plain sight along the Sturt Highway. The capital of Tropical North Victoria is in a league of its own.

From the moment you arrive in Mildura , the warm air and palm trees invite you to slow down. While most Australians might drive right past it, Mildura is full of surprises. Here you’ll spend one day witnessing over 50,000 years of First Nations history in a UNESCO-listed National Park, and the next dining in a hatted restaurant after wandering through 12,500 fireflies as the outback sunset bursts to life above. From roadside fruit stalls and family-run wineries to houseboats and galleries, it’s time to explore Mildura.

Feast Street, at the heart of Langtree Avenue in Mildura. — Taste, wander and be surprised in Mildura.

Taste Mildura’s produce

It makes sense to start your trip by addressing the most important question: where to eat. In the beating heart of Australia’s food bowl, sample the local produce directly from the source. And then, of course, experience it through the menu of a hatted chef. Or sandwiched between pillowy slices of Nonna’s ciabatta.

Rows of orchards and olive groves invite you to spend the day traipsing from farm to farm. Taste olives propagated from Calabrian trees brought over in the 40s, oranges picked right from the tree and squeezed into juice and spoons full of honey . Bring the holiday back to your kitchen by stocking your pantry at roadside produce stalls, or calling into the ‘silver shed ’ (Sunraysia’s gourmand Mecca).

Thanks to the warm, balmy air and fertile soils, the wineries dotted along these hills produce award-winning local wines. Like Chalmers , a family-run, innovative winery dedicated to making their wines as sustainable as possible. And picturesque Trentham Estate offers views of the snaking Murray River as you sample their vintages.

Venture beyond the gnarled shadows of olive groves and fragrant rows of blossoming fruit trees and you’ll find an otherworldly side to Mildura. With Discover Mildura as your guide, visit Murray River Salt’s Mars-like stacks. The naturally pink salt is formed from an ancient inland sea and evaporated entirely by the sun to create one of the region’s most iconic exports.

Start your day with just-squeezed sunshine.

Hatted dining & Italian history

Mildura is home to a proud community of Calabrians and Sicilians. This, paired with the exceptional local produce, means that you can find paninos on par with those in Italy. The Italian is a Paninoteca serving up made-to-order, hefty, authentic Sicilian paninos. Nonna Rosa’s pork meatballs, slowly cooked in tomato ragu and served in a crusty, fluffy roll topped with gratings of Grana Padano cheese and salsa verde, will call you back to Mildura for the rest of your days.

To find hatted dining in Mildura, simply follow the staircase down into the basement of the historic Mildura Grand Hotel to find Stefano’s . Following the muscle memory and instinct of his Italian roots, he delivers on the principle of ‘cucina povera’. That is, the Italian cooking ideology that turns simple, local ingredients into magic.

Things to do in Mildura include dining at the acclaimed Stefano’s, where simple local ingredients are transformed into Italian culinary magic beneath the historic Grand Hotel. — Bite into Mildura’s Italian heritage.

Discover a thriving culture scene

The city is alive with culture. Whether it’s painted on the town’s walls, told in ancient yarns, or waiting for you in a gallery.

The Mildura Arts Centre was Australia’s first regional art gallery. Behind the walls of Rio Vista Historic House, you’ll find a lineup of ever-changing exhibitions. The gallery’s wall space pays tribute to the art and songlines of local First Nations People, the region’s awe-inspiring landscapes and more. Outside, on the gallery’s lawn, find 12 contemporary sculptures in the Sculpture Park.

Mildura’s streetscapes are a punch of colour. Swirling strokes of paint blend the winding artery of the Murray River, red dirt and local characters into a story you can see with your own eyes, thanks to the Mildura City Heart’s Mural Art Project . Pick up a copy of the Murals of Mildura guide from the Visitor Information Centre.

Follow the border of NSW and Victoria on a map and you’ll see it hugs the curves of a tiny island on the Murray. That’s Lock Island, where, as the sun and moon trade places, the island comes alive as darkness falls. The island is dotted with 12,500 firefly lights that lead you on a meandering path through the outback sunset. The installation is known as Trail of Lights and was created by the same visionary who dreamt up Field of Light at Uluṟu, Bruce Munro.

Things to do in Mildura include exploring its rich cultural scene. From vibrant street art and ancient stories to exhibitions at the Mildura Arts Centre, Australia’s first regional gallery. — Find culture around every corner.

Wonder at ancient landscapes

The landscapes of Mildura feel almost transcendental. The skyline bursts to life with reds, pinks, and deep, sparkly night skies.

The nature will leave you in awe. See hues of pink water changing with the weather at Pink Lakes inside Victoria’s largest national park, Murray Sunset National Oark. Cast a line into Ouyen Lake. Watch the sunset against 70-metre tall red cliffs that reflect the setting sun. Or get the heart racing and sandboard down the Perry Sandhills dunes, formed 40,000 years ago at the end of an ice age.

Just don’t leave without following the twists and turns of the Murray. Stroll or ride along the Shared River Front Path, or jump onboard a boat for a scenic ride.

Your itinerary will be incomplete without a visit to UNESCO World Heritage-listed Mungo National Park . Head out with an Indigenous ranger to witness ancient campsites and footprints, before standing in awe of ancient civilisation near the discovery site of Mungo Man—Australia’s oldest human skeleton at 42,000 years old.

Mungo National Park at night is a vast, silent landscape where ancient dunes glow under moonlight and stars blanket the sky in breathtaking clarity. — Walk in the footsteps of ancient civilisation.

Meet your home away from home

On equal par with planning your meals and adventures, is finding the perfect place to relax at the end of each day.

Sleep inside a Palm Springs postcard at Kar-Rama . A sleek boutique hotel complete with a butterfly shaped, sun-soaked pool. Here you’re staying right in the heart of Mildura but you’ll feel worlds away. Or if you really wish to connect with nature, a night glamping under the stars at Outback Almonds will have you spellbound.

When in Mildura it’s only right to stay on one of the Murray River’s iconic houseboats . Wake up each day to the calm waters of the Murray lapping outside your window. Enjoy days full of river swims, fishing and exploring. All boats are solar-powered and can be self-skippered or moored along the river.

A solar-powered houseboat on the Murray River in Mildura. — Stay and play on the Murray in a solar houseboat.

Start planning the perfect getaway at mildura.com .

8 of the best Yarra Valley cafes