Food forecast: Three places to eat and drink in Victoria this weekend
Fancy lunch or a drink in the autumn sun? Here are our three top picks for the best places to dine and drink.
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Make the most of the sunshine this weekend by going out for lunch or drinks in Melbourne and regional Victoria.
Every weekend the Saturday Herald Sun will share three places to while away the afternoon with great food and drinks.
Whether you’re out for a day trip, we’ll recommend places to suit all budgets and interests — tailored to our state’s unpredictable weather.
Saturday showers are forecast in the late afternoon and evening and on Mother’s Day Sunday it is mostly dry reaching a partly cloudy top of 19C.
IN MELBOURNE
20 Booker St, Spotswood.
While the sun in shining in Melbourne, you must make the most of time spent outside.
Grazeland permanently lives on an open-air space half the size of the MCG, packed with 50 food and drink vendors serving international cuisines like woodfired pizzas, beef empanadas, potato peirogis, lobster rolls and even deep-fried haggis — which tastes surprisingly good. There’s even a space dedicated to all things sweet, with the Japanese souffle pancakes a hit.
Cost: $-$$
Kid-friendly? Yes
Pro-tip: There’s a few — get in early, as seats fill up quickly. Catch the train to Spotswood station, rather than drive and spend time looking for a park. Once inside, make a beeline for the area with the wide-screen TV to watch the footy (and eat and drink, of course).
IN WINE COUNTRY
882 Maroondah Hwy, Coldstream
This Yarra Valley winery officially launched its new $30m winery and function space on Thursday. While you’ll need to book in advance for wine tastings in the new area, you can marvel at its architectural beauty from the expansive green lawns. Wine tastings and lunch are available in Levantine’s existing cellar door, but make sure you book ahead. If you’re after wine tastings, know you’ll be in capable hands with clued-up staff.
Cost: $$-$$$
Kid-friendly? Yes, but the kids may have more fun elsewhere.
Pro-tip: Wine nerds can geek out with one of Levantine’s tastings which compares the brand’s entry-level wines against its luxe offering, which is made in the Yarra Valley and inspired by France’s best wine regions. Cost $140 per person for three, 50ml tastings and $175 with snacks.
IN THE REGIONS
BALLARAT
Make a weekend of it and visit Ballarat for the first weekend of the now month-long Heritage Festival. Start your weekend at Cobb’s Coffee on Lydiard St or brunch at Johnny Alloo, followed by a pasta lunch at Ragazzone, afternoon drinks at Aunty Jacks or Roy’s and finish with a dinner at Moon and Mountain or Lola Ballarat at the Provincial Hotel. That’s just scraping the surface of the region’s other food gems.
Cost: $-$$
Kid-friendly? Yes
Pro-tip: Book ahead as these venues usually fill-out of a weekend. Take the car for an easier trip but the train is another manageable option.
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