The good life comes easy in Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges region.
Take your pick of acclaimed restaurants and welcoming gastropubs, rustic trattorias, vineyard eateries and cosy village cafes. Discover where to eat and what to eat, where to find our best cafés, restaurants and wineries, along with the top spots for brunch, lunch and dinner in Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges.
Sample gourmet dishes of seasonal produce, grown locally. Whether your dining experience is simple or lavish, cheap and cheerful or outright indulgent, you’ll dine on food straight from local farms and sip wines from vineyards just down the road.
Food & drink inspiration in Daylesford & the Macedon Ranges
A Weekend For Our Fellow Francophiles
International travel and those long-missed Euro-trips may be back on the cards. But why fork out all your money on an international airfare when you can get a little taste of France right here in central Victoria?
What’s New in Winter
Winter truly is a magical time in Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges. Fireplaces crackle to life in stylish new accommodation options, while cosy eateries and welcoming wineries serve up cool climate wines pared with heart-warming and wholesome dishes.
Top fireplaces in Daylesford & the Macedon Ranges
As winter closes in on the Daylesford Macedon region, as the air becomes crisp and frost lies on the grass, there’s no better sight upon entering a restaurant or bar than a crackling fireplace.
Cosy Cocktail Lounges & Wine Bars
Whether you’re looking for the perfect pairing to enjoy at home, a delicious cocktail while you’re out and about, or something of the non-alcoholic variety, you’ll find some amazing drinks in the many restaurants, bars, breweries and distilleries dotted around the region
Visit Daylesford
An ideal escape for couples, Daylesford is a land of natural beauty, culinary masterpieces, and indulgent wellness experiences. Just 90-minutes from Melbourne, it’s a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Daylesford was recently named by Booking.com as one of the most welcoming places on the planet. From warm and welcoming hospitality venues, to the many wellness practices and day spas, boutique shops and vibrant art spaces, this is a town that loves and embraces visitors and goes out of its way to make them feel welcome.
A Local’s Guide to the Macedon Ranges
Kyneton local, Shane Caruana, holds the dream job of Head Ranger at Hanging Rock (Ngannelong) Reserve. We chat to him about why he loves his job and we get the inside word on his favourite places to eat, drink and explore around the Macedon Ranges.
Local Treasures
Make your memories last a lifetime with tangible bespoke pieces inspired by our region’s most unique and creative artisans. From paintings and ponchos to gin and jewellery, you’re bound to find the perfect memento of your trip to the Central Highlands to take home and cherish.
A Sparkling Good Life
With panoramic views of the Macedon Ranges landscape, including the imposing and iconic Hanging Rock, it’s easy to understand why legendary wine maker John Ellis OAM and his wife Ann chose this spot to establish their award-winning winery more than 42 years ago.
Meet our Food & Drink operators
Samadhi Retreat
Welcome to Samadhi - The Jewel of Healing Retreats, where tranquility meets luxury in a…
Trentham Food & Wine Company
Local food, wine, beer and cider crafted with community pride.
Truffle Treasures
Truffles are revered all over the world for their unique culinary value – adding umami…
Hesket Estate
Situated on the Northern slopes of Mount Macedon at 660 metres above sea level in the…
Boomtown Winery
Boomtown is a Local Winery, Cellar Bar, Bistro and Events space…a place to gather and…
Daylesford Spirit
More than a mere distillery, we at Daylesford Spirit embrace the essence of our namesake…
Paramoor Winery
At Paramoor, we are committed to producing quality wines that reflect our dedication to…
Woodend Cellar and Bar
A cellar door to the Macedon Ranges, showcasing unique Australian and International wine.
Recipes from our talented chefs
Blood Plum Crostata
The first signs of Autumn are here - cooler evenings, acorns dropping, the scent of ripe apples everywhere - and generous neighbours with offerings of zucchini, tomatoes, flowers and baskets full of plums.
Honey Glazed Ham
We are a land of pork and honey here in Daylesford, with some of the best pig growers and beekeepers in the nation right here on our doorstep.
Richard Cornish’s Tomato and Basil Summer Pie
The perfect way to make the use of the late summer, early autumn bounty of ripe tomatoes. Use the best basic ingredients to make this superb summer pie to serve with food fresh from the grill washed down with an aromatic red wine.
Spaghetti With Chestnuts And Buttered Sage
This simple, yet delicious recipe draws on the sweet and buttery flavour of boiled chestnuts. You can pick up these seasonal delights at one of the many Farmers’ Markets or providores within our region (chestnuts are in season from March to July). Or take it one step further and join a chestnut foraging workshop with the creator or this recipe, Mara Ripani. This is just one of the many sustainably focused workshops available at her Blampied based artisanal cooking school, Village Dreaming.
Sault’s Upside-Down Blood Orange Cake
This Upside-Down Blood Orange cake recipe has been kindly shared by Bec Davern from Sault restaurant
Leonardo Catarcia’s Potato Gnocchi, Taleggio And Speck
Savour Leo’s dishes at Peppers Mineral Springs Hotel, The Argus Dining Room restaurant.