5 Best Restaurants in Yarra Valley and Healesville, Victoria

Turning off a country lane, TarraWarra Estate is a series of bold architectural statements: step through a hobbitlike door set into the green hills of its subterranean cellar door to taste the flagship chardonnays and Pinot Noir (open 11–5). Then wander between towering sculptures to the sunny restaurant for innovative Australian cuisine inspired by the bountiful kitchen gardens, set on the estate of nearly a thousand rolling acres of vines (serving noon–3, three courses A$85, four courses A$95, includes a plant-based menu). For a casual option in warm weather, snack beneath the pepper trees at the Summer Deck—call ahead to check opening times. Key to the business is sustainability and provenance, which also embraces the estate's other drawcard, the TarraWarra Museum of Art. Located beside the restaurant, it exhibits contemporary works from the owners' private art collection as well as shows featuring Australian and international artists, which change every quarter. The museum opens 11–5, admission A$10 adults.

Despite the lofty, modern, steel-and-glass interior, this spacious contemporary restaurant in the town of Healesville has a warm, welcoming feel, and serves excellent food. It also hosts a winery's cellar door, along with a gourmet food shop and bakery. Star of the menu is the pizza selection (A$26); wash it down with wine or beer from the region. The "not pizza" category includes sharing plates and mains including a range of paellas (A$32). Don't overlook the spectacularly good house-made bread. The place is popular, especially on the weekend, so it's wise to book ahead.

For a pick-me-up, head into this breezy brewpub, a staple on the Yarra Valley scene. It serves tasty dishes using local and organic produce to accompany its renowned range of craft beers, including crisped Italian pizzas, vegan burgers, and its signature Matilda Bay Burger. The brews are a star-studded line-up, with their Dogbolter dark lager, Owl Original Ale, pale ale and wheat beer all taking out gold at international competitions. If you love it, join a tour of the brewery, which runs on 100% renewable energy.

A real local's café, you'll find families and their pets mingling, with good coffee, an array of tasty brunch dishes including zucchini fritters with grilled haloumi, brekkie rolls (bacon and eggs), tacos, and steak sandwiches.

Housed in an old weather-beaten barn that has been beautifully restored, Stones of the Yarra Valley is set amid vines and apple orchards and surrounded by century-old oak trees with views of the Yarra Ranges. The Barn is a great place for weekend lunches (Saturday serves two courses for A$60 or three for A$75, Sunday's La Famiglia share table costs $85), and the historic Stables restaurant also serves weekend lunch and chef's shared plates tasting dinner on Friday and Saturday (lunch A$70, dinner A$100). The café next door, Meletos, services lunch and dinner daily from 11 am until 7 pm and also has a 23-room Tuscan-inspired guesthouse in a former farm building (from A$340 per night).

Stones' latest venture is No. 7 Healesville, a new urban winery, restaurant, and cellar door in Healesville. Drop in for a tasting, coffee or snack, Thursday--Sunday. www.no7healesville.com