Spring is the perfect time of year to unfurl from winter hibernation and take yourself on a gastronomic journey through the Mornington Peninsula. Here, the food and drink scene has been growing in leaps and bounds with more options for tempting your taste buds than ever before. From cellar doors to farmgates, fine dining restaurants to breweries and distilleries, the opportunities to sample local flavours are seemingly endless.

Wine

It’s no secret our region is a wine lovers’ destination, with a particular affinity for producing stunning Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. This is thanks to our cool climate and landscape! Over 50 cellar doors are waiting to be discovered, so now’s the time to start ticking them off your winery bucket list! Many wineries come complete with on-site restaurants, while others are hidden off-the-beaten-track small cellar doors that are well worth stopping by.

Explore more of the Mornington Peninsula wine scene here.

Beer, Cider and Spirits

Prefer something else to quench your thirst? Then gather the crew and head out on the Mornington Peninsula’s Beer, Cider and Spirits Trail! Our region is home to a new generation of movers and shakers crafting a solid reputation for leading the way in this space. Think new age brews, distinctive whiskey, gin and rum, plus ciders made from apples grown at orchards that existed on the Peninsula well before wineries boomed. You’ll find it hard to drive for more than 15 minutes without coming across one of the trail's numerous stops located between the coast and hinterland.

Continue following the Beer, Cider and Spirits Trail here.

Cafes and Restaurants

Tuck into a brekkie with a view while you sip on coffee made from locally roasted beans. Snack on fish and chips by the sea. Or treat yourself to a Chef Hatted restaurant at a vineyard. Better yet, make a day of it and do all three! It’s no wonder that with such abundant fresh produce and an eye for innovation, our well-awarded cafes and restaurants have made a name for the region and continue to push the boundaries.

Find an extensive list of Mornington Peninsula cafes and restaurants here.

Artisan Retailers and Farmgates

From roadside caravans with fresh seafood to artisan cheesemakers, chocolatiers to olive groves, it’s fair to say fresh produce abounds on the Mornington Peninsula. Our artisan retailers stock gourmet goodies perfect for creating your own picnic hampers, while our farmgates are the place to go when you want to cook up a storm!

Click here for a comprehensive guide to Mornington Peninsula artisan retailers and farmgates.

Getting Around

You are now armed with all the information needed to re-discover your taste buds by mixing and matching great food with beverages of all kinds. If you are looking for someone with all the insider knowledge, then we recommend joining a tour with one of the experts. Our top picks include Grape Explorations Australia and MP Experience.

To explore the full list of Mornington Peninsula tour operators, click here.