A great country pub is hard to beat. Whether it’s a long, relaxed lunch in a scenically situated beer garden during summer, or a roast by a crackling fire in winter, the community spirit, quality local produce, drinks and good times flow freely. From inland to the coast, here are 10 regional Victorian pubs serving cracking meals that we reckon are worth the drive this summer, and beyond.

Just maybe double check with the venue that they’re open before you set off — opening hours can vary, especially over summer.

The Bunyip Hotel, Cavendish

When ex-Movida head chef James Campbell returned to his hometown, he brought with him a modern take on Western District kitchen classics. Most of his dishes – from the great mutton tomahawk to chargrilled quail with boudin blanc – are sourced from local farms.

Some, like the sweet caramel pillows he calls ‘golden syrup dumplings’, are straight from his nana’s cookbook. Rub shoulders with local farmers in this 1860s pub, set against the clear waters of the Wannon River and the Grampians.

Open Thursday to Sundays, 17-25 Scott Street, Cavendish bunyiphotelcavendish.com

Daylesford Hotel, Daylesford

Chef Rob Kabboord, formerly of three-hatted Quay in Sydney, joined the well-oiled team from Daylesford’s popular Cliffy’s Emporium last spring to take on this grand two-storey hotel in the heart of town.

From leadlight windows to worn timber floors, this old pub has authentic gold-rush vibes. Expect bar snacks like Dutch bitterballen and high-level but honest pub classics such as a juicy club sandwich, crumbed lamb brains, or Scotch fillet steak frites with creamy tarragon dressing.

Open seven days, 2 Burke Square, Daylesford, daylesfordhotel.com.au

Gold Mines Hotel, Bendigo

A few minutes from the heart of Bendigo, opposite a 150-year-old gold mine, is this beautifully intact gold-rush pub with a snug front bar, private dining rooms, and a maze-like outdoor garden.

Order a whopping 500-gram dry-aged rib-eye steak cooked over coals in the Mibrasa wood stove, a buttery crusted lamb pie, or a smoky, brined half-chicken, served with pickled veg. With a smart and lengthy wine list and a cheese board paired with Victorian fortified reds, the Gold Mines is perfect for long weekend lunches.

Open Wednesday to Sunday, 49-57 Marong Road, Golden Square, goldmineshotel.com.au

Guildford Family Hotel, Guildford

History lives at the Guildford Family Hotel near Castlemaine. Built in 1855, the original stables, well and music hall next door remain untouched since the gold fever ripped through the valley.

Inside the fires crackle, the floors are uneven, the service is honest, and tributes to legendary AFL footballer Ron Barassi, who was born in Guildford, line the wall.

In the historic kitchen, the team cooks much-loved dishes such as duck sausage with silky mash and rich onion, classic sticky lamb shanks with a red wine jus, and a retro sticky date pudding.

Open Wednesday to Sunday, 35 Fryers Street, Guildford guildfordfamilyhotel.com.au

The Gunbower Hotel, Gunbower

This old-school pub on a branch of the Murray River features red gum logs burning in the fireplace in winter, while cod and perch fishers line the bar in summer. Local farmers rub shoulders with out-of-towners who’ve heard about the famous steaks.

Owner Richard McGillivray breeds his own cattle, raising them on native grasses. After dry-ageing them, he grills every porterhouse and rump steak himself. Farmer, publican and chef McGillivray is also a dab hand at crisp-skinned roast duck and crumbed lamb cutlets made to a family recipe.

Open Tuesday to Sunday, 18 Main Street, Gunbower gunbowerhotel.com.au

Marlo Hotel, Marlo

This hotel and pub in East Gippsland dating back to 1886 faces the sun as it sets over Lake Corringle, flooding the sky with golden light. The region is stunningly beautiful, from ancient forests to untouched beaches.

Basic but comfortable, with a bar filled with fishers and farmers, the kitchen specialises in steak from nearby farms and seafood fresh from Lakes Entrance Fishermen’s Co-op.

Order the deep-fried flake, coated in beer batter made with ale brewed at the nearby Sailors Grave Dunetown brewery.

Open seven days, 19 Argyle Parade, Marlo, marlohotel.com.au

Merrijig Inn, Port Fairy

The floorboards creak, the old windows rattle, but the metre-thick stone walls cocoon you in the front bar of this 180-year-old pub.

Overlooking the River Moyne, the Merrijig Inn is home to chef Tanya Connellan, who writes a new menu daily focusing on local seafood and farm produce. Dishes include snapper fillet from Portland with pureed cauliflower grown on the side of a local volcano, and crunchy pav topped with strawberries and rhubarb from a neighbouring garden – all accompanied by drinks from an award-winning wine list.

With a garden in summer and crackling fires in winter, this old pub oozes beguiling charm.

Open Friday to Monday, 1 Campbell Street, Port Fairy, merrijiginn.com

Radio Springs Hotel, Lyonville

The Radio Springs Hotel is its own universe of early 20th-century knick-knackery in a 1920s pub in a small village in the Central Highlands. There’s no TV, no pokies and no Wi-Fi – just bar banter and classic pub meals. The crisp, juicy porchetta is back on the menu, as is corned beef with creamy mash and mustard sauce.

Order a pint of Holgate Brewery ESB pulled on the hand pump and enjoy the bar conversation. Local musicians and comics perform regularly, and on Thursday nights, classic B-grade movies are shown in the screening room.

Open Thursday to Sunday, 1 High Street, Lyonville, radiospringshotel.com.au

Seven Creeks Hotel, Euroa

Annie Mahon was once a famous Melbourne publican, running the Lemon Tree in Carlton and the Lord Newry in Fitzroy. For over 15 years, she and her family have been transforming this Federation-era pub by the banks of Seven Creeks into a beautiful, sprawling place to eat, drink and sleep. The landscaped beer garden is cool and shaded, ideal for summer sessions.

Open seven days, 2 Tarcombe Street, Euroa, sevencreekshotel.com

The Victoria, Rutherglen

After being shuttered for four years, The Victoria reopened in early 2024 after a contemporary refurbishment. Brendan Anderson, formerly head chef at the Stokehouse, is on the pans. His menu features modern favourites like meltingly delicious whipped cod roe served with pillow-like bread straight from the oven, and golden crisp nuggets of cacio e pepe polenta bites. Main dishes include smoky slow-cooked lamb shoulder from the Kiewa Valley, and a local grass-fed rump steak – perfectly matched with a glass of full-bodied Rutherglen Durif.

Open Tuesday to Sunday, 90-94 Main Street, Rutherglen, victoriahotelrutherglen.com.au