If you think the Mornington Peninsula is all about beaches and wine, you’re missing one of its best-kept secrets — the food. Tucked between vineyards, rolling hills, and seaside towns are restaurants that make dining here an experience in itself.
The region has built a reputation for elegant plates, relaxed service, and chefs who know how to make the most of local produce. To help you skip the guesswork, here’s a local guide to the most elegant dining spots worth booking a table for.
Restaurants with Vineyards in Mornington Peninsula
Dining among the vines is one of the best ways to experience the Peninsula. Many local wineries now pair their award-winning wines with beautifully crafted meals, creating long lunches that roll into sunset tastings. Here are three vineyard restaurants where food, wine, and scenery all come together effortlessly.
Rare Hare Wine & Food Store
- Address: 166 Balnarring Rd, Merricks North VIC 3926.
- Opening hours: 12 PM – 5 PM
- Price range: AU$10–AU$80
- Signature dishes: Chive waffle, The Hare’s Share ($85pp)
- Vibe check: Rustic, warm, and unpretentious
Part of the Jackalope estate, Rare Hare is what locals call “laid-back luxury.” The space feels both polished and relaxed, with long wooden tables overlooking the vines and an open kitchen that fills the room with the scent of wood-fired cooking. The menu celebrates seasonal produce – meant for sharing, matched with their own wines. It’s the kind of place that turns a simple lunch into a slow afternoon.
Check our list of selected restaurants in Rosebud.
Yabby Lake Vineyard
- Address: 86–112 Tuerong Rd, Tuerong VIC 3915.
- Opening hours: 10 AM – 4 PM
- Price range: AU$80–AU$95
- Signature dishes: Roasted Barramundi; Steak Frites
- Vibe check: Bright, relaxed, dog-friendly with deck seating
Yabby Lake offers a relaxed yet refined vineyard dining experience with a calm, open setting that’s great for long lunches. The deck seating is a highlight — perfect for sunny afternoons and friendly for guests bringing dogs along. The service is consistently warm and attentive, with staff quick to make things right when something isn’t quite perfect. Pair your meal with one of their house wines, which are crisp and easy to enjoy with the seasonal menu.
Main Ridge Estate
- Address: 80 William Rd, Red Hill VIC 3937.
- Opening hours:
- Thur: 11 AM – 5 PM
- Sat: 11 AM – 5 PM
- Sun: 11 AM – 4 PM
- Price range: AU$20–AU$90
- Signature dishes: Wagyu Beef Bresaola; Pork & Apple Sausage Rolls
- Vibe check: Relaxed, open-air, surrounded by nature
Main Ridge Estate feels more like a countryside retreat than a restaurant. Set deep in Red Hill, it’s surrounded by tall trees and rolling hills – a perfect setting for a long weekend lunch. The food here is approachable and full of flavour, with a cellar door atmosphere that feels genuinely local. Come for the wine tastings, stay for the view, and you’ll understand why regulars keep returning.
Australian Restaurants in Mornington Peninsula
The Mornington Peninsula’s food scene shines when it comes to modern Australian cooking. Here, chefs focus on local ingredients and coastal flavours, creating dishes that are both comforting and creative. These two restaurants bring together warm hospitality, seasonal menus, and an unmistakable sense of place.
Barmah Park Restaurant & Cellar Door
- Address: 945 Moorooduc Hwy, Moorooduc VIC 3933
- Opening hours:
- Wed, Thur, Sat: 11 AM – 5 PM
- Fri – Sun: 11 AM – 5 PM
- Price range:
- 2 course meal: $69
- 3 course meal: $87
- A la carte dish (price per dish): $20 – $50
- Signature dishes: Ricotta gnocchi; Baked scallops tarragon.
- Vibe check: Contemporary, relaxed, with vineyard views
Barmah Park is one of those hidden gems that locals love to share with visiting friends. The menu changes with the seasons — bright and fresh in summer, rich and hearty in winter — always built around regional produce. The restaurant’s glass walls open out to rows of vines, making it ideal for long, easy lunches paired with wine tastings next door. It’s fine dining without the fuss.
Laura Restaurant
- Address: 3649 Frankston–Flinders Rd, Merricks VIC 3916, Australia
- Opening hours:
- Thursday to Monday: 12–5 PM;
- Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
- Price range: From AU$35
- Signature dishes: Sea Urchin Mousse; Meredith Farm Capretto
- Vibe check: Intimate, artful, and quietly elegant
Set within the Point Leo Estate, Laura is the kind of restaurant that defines destination dining on the Peninsula. The food is precise and seasonal, with each dish plated like a piece of art. But it’s not just about looks – every flavour feels intentional. Add in floor-to-ceiling windows framing the vineyard and sculpture park, and you get an atmosphere that’s calm, refined, and deeply connected to its surroundings.
French Restaurants in Mornington Peninsula
There’s something about French food that feels right at home on the Mornington Peninsula – elegant yet comforting, rich in flavour but never showy. The region’s French-inspired spots bring the romance of Parisian dining to the coast, combining great produce, thoughtful presentation, and a relaxed local charm.
Ouest France Bistro
- Address: 180 Main St, Mornington VIC 3931
- Opening hours:
- Tuesday: 4–10 PM
- Wednesday–Saturday: 12–10 PM (Closed Sunday & Monday)
- Price range per dish: AU$20–AU$50
- Signature dishes: Margret De Canardl, Duck breast with orange sauce.
- Vibe check: Classic European, cosy, friendly service
Right in the heart of Main Street, Ouest France Bistro brings a slice of the French Riviera to the Peninsula. The menu is simple but beautifully executed — rich sauces, perfectly cooked meats, and an excellent wine list. The team here keeps things personal; you’ll often see the chef chatting with regulars. It’s the kind of spot where dinner feels unhurried, the lighting is soft, and you linger just a little longer over dessert.
Le Bouchon French Cuisine
- Address: Unit 10/2–8 Russell St, Balnarring VIC 3926
- Opening hours:
- Tuesday–Thursday: 5:30 – 9:30 PM
- Friday – Saturday: 12 – 2:30 PM. 5:30 – 9:30 PM
- Price range: AU$56–AU$450
- Signature dishes: Steak Tartare; French Onion Soup
- Vibe check: Intimate, elegant, and warmly lit
Le Bouchon is where locals go to celebrate something special. The space is small and inviting – think candlelight, polished wood, and the gentle hum of conversation. Each plate feels crafted with care, from traditional starters to indulgent mains. Prices reflect the quality, but the service and attention to detail make it well worth it. For anyone craving a classic French dining experience for their romantic getaway, this is the place to book ahead for.
Italian Restaurants in Mornington Peninsula
Good Italian food always feels like comfort, and on the Mornington Peninsula, that warmth comes with a coastal twist. Local chefs use regional ingredients — fresh seafood, handmade pasta, wood-fired bread — to create plates that feel both familiar and elevated. These two Italian spots are loved by locals for their heart, flavour, and atmosphere.
Bau Bau Dining
- Address: 18 Ranelagh Dr, Mount Eliza VIC 3930
- Opening hours: 12 PM – 9 PM
- Price range: AU$25–AU$65
- Signature dishes: Swordfish Tartare; Veal Ragout Pasta
- Vibe check: Cosy, intimate, quietly stylish
Bau Bau Dining’s space is small but full of energy – warm lighting, polished wood tables, and an open kitchen where you can watch chefs at work. The menu leans fresh and coastal, with seafood playing a big role, and every dish feels honest and carefully balanced. Perfect for a date night or a slow lunch over good wine.
Barn & Co.
- Address: 238 Myers Rd, Balnarring VIC 3926,
- Opening hours:
- Thursday and Sunday: 11:30 AM–4 PM
- Friday and Saturday: 11:30 AM – 9 PM
- Closed on other days
- Price range: AU$15–AU$40
- Signature dishes: “Chef Feed Me” Menu; Mushroom Pizza
- Vibe check: Cosy, rustic, and full of charm
Set in a converted barn surrounded by trees and garden beds, Barn & Co. feels exactly like the kind of restaurant you’d hope to stumble across in the countryside. The atmosphere is warm and genuine, with wooden tables, glowing lights, and friendly staff who clearly love what they do. The food is generous and seasonal – the “chef feed me” menu is a local favourite for a reason. It’s the perfect blend of casual dining and fine taste.
Where to Stay When You Visit Mornington Peninsula
After a long lunch or a sunset dinner, there’s nothing better than staying close to the coastal trails. The Mornington Peninsula offers everything from cosy beach houses to modern holiday homes surrounded by vineyards. Many stays are just a short drive from the restaurants above, making it easy to turn a good meal into a weekend escape.
For a stay that feels relaxed and personal, Go Coastal Holidays offers locally managed accommodation across the Peninsula – including Rye, Sorrento, Blairgowrie, and Dromana. Each home is carefully prepared, eco-friendly, and backed by a team that truly knows the area. Whether you’re here for a quiet couple’s getaway or a foodie trip with friends, Go Coastal makes your stay effortless from start to finish.
