What tends to come to mind when you think of the Mornington Peninsula? Beaches? Absolutely. Local legends? Of course. Standout wineries? Full marks for you! Dotted up and down the rolling hills of the region's hinterland, the restaurants to accompany the vineyards are simply spectacular. We love them so much that we've picked out some of our favourites for you to explore more of.
Foxeys Hangout Winery
There are plenty of places to hang out on the Mornington Peninsula, but we think Foxeys Hangout is fabulous. The Red Hill winery serves informal light lunches in a relaxed atmosphere, with vineyard views over the valley. If you’ve got the time, we highly recommend joining their Sparkling Wine Masterclass!
Check out the current delicious menu at Foxeys Hangout Winery here.
Hickinbotham of Dromana
A journey to the Mintaro Restaurant at Hickinbotham of Dromana is where you'll discover a generous seasonal menu of quality fresh food and local ingredients. And, of course, you'll have access to outstanding wines from this third-generation family business. They have also successfully created their own beer, Hix, to have every tastebud covered!
Keen to visit? Let’s start planning our visit to Hickinbotham of Dromana here.
Positioned alongside the historic Red Hill Estate, it's at Max's Restaurant, where regional produce makes for a marvellous menu. And as the first winery restaurant on the Mornington Peninsula, there have been countless relaxed lunches, romantic meals and group celebrations enjoyed at this leading culinary destination.
Find out more about the exceptional dining experience at Max's Restaurant here.
Polperro Winery in Red Hill has the largest kitchen garden on the Mornington Peninsula and is it bursting with absolute goodness. A visual, textural and seasonal experience awaits you with Polperro Vineyard Dining, where taste triumphs are uncovered in abundance.
Explore more of Polperro Winery (and its unwavering beauty) here.
With sophistication and superb surroundings, it's easy to be dazzled when walking into the Rare Hare dining spaces in Merricks North. Between indoor and outdoor settings, the dishes taken from kitchen to table are bursting with heat and depth of flavour. But, quite simply, no experience here is ever the same.
Find out more about the spectacle of Rare Hare at Willow Creek Vineyard here.
Sustainability, local support and a seasonal à la carte menu are at the forefront of the Stumpy Gully dining experience in Moorooduc. Both lunch and dinner sittings are on offer for a group of under 20 guests, providing an overall intimate culinary experience in modern surroundings.
Look at all the brilliance to expect at Stumpy Gully Vineyard and Restaurant here.
Packed with glorious Victorian produce, the menu at Yabby Lake Restaurant in Tuerong makes for a lunch date to endlessly delight. You might even venture outside in the open air to enjoy alfresco charcuterie on the lawn. The choice? It's yours, of course!
Tempted? Start planning your stopover at Yabby Lake Vineyard here.
Everyone is going gaga for grazing at the award-winning Green Olive at Red Hill. So rally your own group of friends and family together and order away from a menu of share platters, with styles ranging from the Cheese Plate to Farm Plate, Kitchen Garden Plate to Vegan Plate. And let's just make this clear, these guys definitely know how to bring the flavour to the table.
Explore more of Green Olive at Red Hill here.
The Dining Room at Lancemore Lindenderry Red Hill
It’s from paddock to plate where we travel in The Dining Room at Lancemore Lindenderry Red Hill. Surrounded by quintessential hinterland magic, a European-inspired menu is here to enjoy with fresh and seasonal produce as key ingredients.
Explore more of The Dining Room at Lancemore Lindenderry Red Hill here.
Casually sophisticated and consistently sensational. That’s the dining experience on offer at Port Phillip Estate in Red Hill. Along with a strong European influence infused in their seasonal menu, this slice of paradise offers both indoor and outdoor seating options, capturing stunning vineyard and coastal vistas of the region.
Discover more of the magic to be seen at Port Phillip Estate here.
If there's anything to add an extra sparkle to our many wineries around the Mornington Peninsula, it's the accompaniment of distinguished restaurants and dining experiences. We have no doubt you'll find what you are looking for wherever you go.
Make sure to check out our other blogs! We’ve compiled 11 of the best Cellar Doors on the Mornington Peninsula to visit here. And don’t forget about our distinguished Hatted Winery Restaurants of the region to be discovered here.