FVR’s Guidebook
Food scene
This was our first favourite cafe for brunch when we moved to Daylesford seven years ago. Really popular with locals for the best coffee in town and it’s middle eastern influenced breakfast/lunch menu. Worth the wait!
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Pancho Cafe
117 Vincent StThis was our first favourite cafe for brunch when we moved to Daylesford seven years ago. Really popular with locals for the best coffee in town and it’s middle eastern influenced breakfast/lunch menu. Worth the wait!
This super popular brunch spot gets really busy and is best to book if looking to dine after 11am. Great quality produce, with friendly staff makes this a much try cafe!!
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Cliffy's
30 Raglan StThis super popular brunch spot gets really busy and is best to book if looking to dine after 11am. Great quality produce, with friendly staff makes this a much try cafe!!
Not the typical restaurant you’d think of with a visit to Daylesford, but this could be the best Indian you’ll have outside of India. Really friendly, casual atmosphere. Reasonably priced and delicious. Perfect for take-away too!
Spice of India Restaurant
2891 Ballan-Daylesford RdNot the typical restaurant you’d think of with a visit to Daylesford, but this could be the best Indian you’ll have outside of India. Really friendly, casual atmosphere. Reasonably priced and delicious. Perfect for take-away too!
One of the top fine dining experiences in the area. The menu is creative and delicious, but we love going for the atmosphere of the beautiful building in its idealistic setting. Often difficult to get a booking, so plan well ahead.
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Sault Restaurant Daylesford
2349 Ballan-Daylesford RdOne of the top fine dining experiences in the area. The menu is creative and delicious, but we love going for the atmosphere of the beautiful building in its idealistic setting. Often difficult to get a booking, so plan well ahead.
With new local owners, the Virgin Cafe is a refurbished, all day breakfast/lunch space at Hotel Bellinzona. You are guaranteed a table with their huge guest capacity and while menu prices are on the mid-high end, the beautiful surroundings make it a great place for brunch or to relax with a wine in the early afternoon.
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Hotel Bellinzona
77 Main RdWith new local owners, the Virgin Cafe is a refurbished, all day breakfast/lunch space at Hotel Bellinzona. You are guaranteed a table with their huge guest capacity and while menu prices are on the mid-high end, the beautiful surroundings make it a great place for brunch or to relax with a wine in the early afternoon.
For a while, we had only ever got their take away pizza which was fantastic (a little on the expensive side, but the garlic bread + dipping sauce is the best you’ve ever had), but we recently dined in and were so impressed with the service and food!! Bookings are a must, but you can make it casual with pizza or more fine dining with their pasta & mains menu. Totally delicious!
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Beppe
32 Raglan StFor a while, we had only ever got their take away pizza which was fantastic (a little on the expensive side, but the garlic bread + dipping sauce is the best you’ve ever had), but we recently dined in and were so impressed with the service and food!! Bookings are a must, but you can make it casual with pizza or more fine dining with their pasta & mains menu. Totally delicious!
This is the restaurant that put Daylesford on the culinary map, over 20 years ago. It’s mega expensive, but outstanding food and service!
While very high end, there is still a casual vibe to this fine dining establishment. If you have a very special occasion to celebrate, The Lake House is truly a special experience.
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Lake House
4 King StThis is the restaurant that put Daylesford on the culinary map, over 20 years ago. It’s mega expensive, but outstanding food and service!
While very high end, there is still a casual vibe to this fine dining establishment. If you have a very special occasion to celebrate, The Lake House is truly a special experience.
Popular with weddings and “ladies that lunch”, the Bad Habit Cafe and associated gallery is one of the cutest places for lunch or morning & afternoon tea! Check out the Pimms cocktail or book for the classic High Tea.
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The Convent, Daylesford
7 Daly StPopular with weddings and “ladies that lunch”, the Bad Habit Cafe and associated gallery is one of the cutest places for lunch or morning & afternoon tea! Check out the Pimms cocktail or book for the classic High Tea.
The most amazing hot chocolate I’ve ever tasted. Simple, delicious menu with a welcoming homely feel ❤️ Only open weekends (sometimes only Sunday)
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The Daylesford Hot Chocolate Company
22 Raglan StThe most amazing hot chocolate I’ve ever tasted. Simple, delicious menu with a welcoming homely feel ❤️ Only open weekends (sometimes only Sunday)
A new discovery for us, approximately 30mins drive from The Studio, but well worth the drive. Super friendly staff and a great rustic atmosphere with a delicious pub style menu. Beats any of the pubs in Daylesford hands-down.
Guildford Family Hotel
35 Midland HwyA new discovery for us, approximately 30mins drive from The Studio, but well worth the drive. Super friendly staff and a great rustic atmosphere with a delicious pub style menu. Beats any of the pubs in Daylesford hands-down.
Wine & Estates
Beautiful cellar door and of course great wine! Favourite is Macedon Ranges Chardonnay. If you get a chance to book the Winemakers Lunch on a Monday we highly recommend, but bookings essential.
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Passing Clouds Winery
30 Roddas LnBeautiful cellar door and of course great wine! Favourite is Macedon Ranges Chardonnay. If you get a chance to book the Winemakers Lunch on a Monday we highly recommend, but bookings essential.
Even if you’re not a huge cider fan, you will definitely find a style you’ll like. We recommend the tasting paddle to try their full range. We’ve had great food here too, but it’s a cool place to sit, drink and enjoy the view.
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Daylesford Cider Company
155 Dairy Flat RdEven if you’re not a huge cider fan, you will definitely find a style you’ll like. We recommend the tasting paddle to try their full range. We’ve had great food here too, but it’s a cool place to sit, drink and enjoy the view.
Situated 50 minutes out of Daylesford in the town of Wooden is the great Holgate brewery. Check out their seasonal & limited releases and grab a meal in their restaurant.
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Holgate Brewhouse
79 High StSituated 50 minutes out of Daylesford in the town of Wooden is the great Holgate brewery. Check out their seasonal & limited releases and grab a meal in their restaurant.
Sightseeing
More than a farmers market, this Sunday market is a local favourite which is a “must do” visit, where you’ll find candles, crafts, DVDs, herbs, plants, produce and trash ‘n treasure stalls, plus so much more.
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Daylesford Sunday Market
18 Raglan StMore than a farmers market, this Sunday market is a local favourite which is a “must do” visit, where you’ll find candles, crafts, DVDs, herbs, plants, produce and trash ‘n treasure stalls, plus so much more.
Only 5 mins drive from The Studio, the falls can be beautiful, especially after heavy rain fall. Also fill your containers with local mineral water at the entrance to the falls.
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Sailors Falls & Mineral Springs
Ballan-Daylesford RoadOnly 5 mins drive from The Studio, the falls can be beautiful, especially after heavy rain fall. Also fill your containers with local mineral water at the entrance to the falls.
We enjoy walking around our local lake every weekend and we know you will love the views! We provide all our guests with seed to feed the ducks and other bird life around the lake. It’s a must do!
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Lake Daylesford
We enjoy walking around our local lake every weekend and we know you will love the views! We provide all our guests with seed to feed the ducks and other bird life around the lake. It’s a must do!
Another favourite for rarities, antiques and unique pieces, the Mill Market is a great places to spend a few hours browsing the stalls and reliving childhood memories from the 70s, 80s & 90s.
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Izinketho zomthwalo we-Mill - Daylesford
105 Central Springs RdAnother favourite for rarities, antiques and unique pieces, the Mill Market is a great places to spend a few hours browsing the stalls and reliving childhood memories from the 70s, 80s & 90s.
We love Cristina’s art, even purchasing a piece for The Studio. Art is an individual taste, but we certainly recommend visiting the gallery, especially if you like abstract, multimedia painting.
black gallery Daylesford
1 Hospital StreetWe love Cristina’s art, even purchasing a piece for The Studio. Art is an individual taste, but we certainly recommend visiting the gallery, especially if you like abstract, multimedia painting.
While Sailor Falls is only 5 mins away, if you are looking for a half day trip, definitely visit the township of Trentham via Trentham Falls. It’s a beautiful walk and a much more dependable view. Of course, more spectacular after heavy rains :)
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I-Trentham Falls, Umlilo Coliban
Trentham Scenic Reserve RoadWhile Sailor Falls is only 5 mins away, if you are looking for a half day trip, definitely visit the township of Trentham via Trentham Falls. It’s a beautiful walk and a much more dependable view. Of course, more spectacular after heavy rains :)
We have multiple sculptures around the property from Overwrought with possibly a few more to come :) If wrought iron is your style, the garden/gallery is a 20min drive via Daylesford to Bampied. Maybe have lunch at the nearby Swiss Mountain Hotel which gets a great wrap.
Overwrought Sculpture Garden and Gallery
3409 Midland HwyWe have multiple sculptures around the property from Overwrought with possibly a few more to come :) If wrought iron is your style, the garden/gallery is a 20min drive via Daylesford to Bampied. Maybe have lunch at the nearby Swiss Mountain Hotel which gets a great wrap.
One of the aspects we love about living within the forest are the birds & animals that also consider our property their home. Edgar’s Mission is a 153 acre sanctuary for domestic animals and is a great place to visit. It is an hour drive from us, but can be incorporated into a day trip to Trentham, Kyneton or Malmsbury. Check their free & paid tours via their website
Edgar’s Mission
81 Bridies LnOne of the aspects we love about living within the forest are the birds & animals that also consider our property their home. Edgar’s Mission is a 153 acre sanctuary for domestic animals and is a great place to visit. It is an hour drive from us, but can be incorporated into a day trip to Trentham, Kyneton or Malmsbury. Check their free & paid tours via their website