Pack your appetite and hit the open road on a culinary adventure that celebrates Australia’s diverse dining landscape. From breezy coastal eateries with sweeping sea views to rustic regional gems brimming with artisanal charm, each stop along the way offers a feast for both the senses and the soul.
Whether you’re craving freshly caught seafood, fire-kissed steak, slow-cooked comfort dishes or inventive plates that showcase local produce, these five restaurants promise memorable meals infused with a true sense of place.
Slow down, savour every bite and let this road trip guide you to flavours worth the journey.
Kacy’s Restaurant, gracing the corner of Bauer Street and The Esplanade in Bargara, is a coastal landmark where breezy sophistication mingles effortlessly with the laid-back spirit of seaside living. Towering palms frame views across the shimmering Coral Sea, while the interior glows with natural light, a space alive with chatter, clinking glasses and the rhythm of the shoreline just beyond.
The ambience is polished yet unpretentious, drawing the outdoors in to shape a dining experience that feels both stylish and relaxed; begin with delicately fresh swordfish crudo, brightened by coconut, ginger, lime and soy, then move to mains such as meltingly tender lamb ribs, enriched with mint, pickled lemon, onion and a drizzle of garlic yoghurt.
Set in the heart of Alexandra, Grant St. Grocer tempts both locals and travellers with a regional dining experience that blends hearty café fare with artisanal charm. Step inside to find rustic character at every turn - weathered timber tables, mismatched country-style settings and shelves laden with small-batch preserves, relishes, local honey and fresh produce.
The air hums with chatter and the hiss of the espresso machine as guests linger over perfectly brewed coffee and generous breakfast plates such as smashed avocado with housemade guacamole, fried eggs, dukkah and crisp bacon. By midday, the mood shifts as friends gather over glasses of local wine, tucking into dishes like golden salt and pepper calamari with tangy Asian slaw and zesty nam jim.
Discover a dish to tempt every palate on the menu at the much-loved beachside brunch haven, Hapi Cafe & Restaurant, perfectly positioned along Point Nepean Road in Dromana. This Mornington Peninsula favourite radiates coastal charm with its breezy, laid-back atmosphere, inviting guests to linger over meals with family and friends either outdoors in the salty sea air or inside where vibrant murals add splashes of colour and woven cane pendents cast a warm golden glow.
Start the day with a decadent Wagyu beef croissant layered with grilled onion, truffle mayo, mustard and melted tasty cheese served alongside crisp fries; or drop in later for golden, crunchy fish tacos loaded with avocado, capsicum, cabbage and drizzled in housemade sauce. On Friday and Saturday evenings, savour hearty mains such as slow-cooked lamb shank Penang curry, steamed rice and stir-fried vegetables.
For a standout steak experience, make your way to 12 Mile Steakhouse on Main Road in Granton. Set within the historic York Hotel, this much-loved pub combines old-world charm with a lively community spirit. The expansive alfresco courtyard, framed by rustic sandstone walls and shaded by market umbrellas, invites long afternoons with sizzling barbeques and fresh country air; while inside, the polished timber bar is the hub for catching up with locals over an icy pint and the latest live sports.
Begin with a Tasmanian favourite - crumbed scallops golden-fried and served with crisp salad, lemon wedges and tangy tartar. The main event is, of course, steak: think juicy, char-grilled Porterhouse plated with crunchy chips, garden salad and a creamy mushroom sauce. For something hearty, the slow-braised lamb shank falls from the bone onto a bed of garlic mash, with broccolini and a robust rosemary jus.
Breathe deeply and let the aroma of wood smoke mingle with the gentle crackle of flames as you step into The Woodshed on Main Street in Kin Kin. Tucked inside the historic Kin Kin Hotel, this intimate dining space invites guests to linger over a seven-course journey that honours fire, flavour, provenance and conversation.
Each dish arrives with unhurried grace, encouraging you to savour not only the tastes but also the stories woven into every plate. Begin with a delicate pork, prune and pistachio pâté en croute before moving on to yabby paired with sweet corn and aromatic curry leaf. For the main, indulge in tender Wagyu and Jersey sirloin accompanied by lion’s mane mushroom, caramelised onion, velvety potato mousseline, café de Paris butter and a refreshing herb salad.
