When visiting the Mornington Peninsula, there are countless options to dine alfresco and under the sun. You might find a seat with a direct eye line to the waters of Port Phillip. You may choose to pull out a chair only metres from the undulating vines. Or you may well find yourself cocooned by lush flora, with a gourmet spread sprawled on a picnic rug. Outdoor dining on the Mornington Peninsula is something you have to experience in person to appreciate fully. Let's get into the nitty-gritty of why the Peninsula shines when it comes to outdoor dining!
Unlimited Choices
Between the Mornington Peninsula's wineries, breweries and cafes, there exists plenty of opportunity to meander outside to enjoy brilliant food and drink. In terms of beer gardens, it's worth exploring more of all the breweries across the region here. We also suggest paying a visit to the Peninsula Beer Garden, set alongside the championship course at Eagle Ridge Golf Course in Boneo. Winding our way over to the vines, expect to find inviting outdoor cellar door spaces at Mornington Peninsula wineries. Top picks include the vine-side seating area at Mont Rouge Estate in Red Hill and the alfresco deck at Trofeo Estate Winery in Dromana. Forming part of the restaurant, this space invites visitors to indulge in seasonal share-style dishes paired with award-winning terracotta wines. Prefer coffee over wine? Not a problem! We recommend the courtyard space at Blue Mini in Rosebud or outdoor tables at Le Capucin in Portsea for the daily coffee fix. For a touch more sweetness, the colourful courtyard at Mock Red Hill is calling your name for a delicious apple-inspired cocktail and bite to eat.
See what we mean by countless? For more on Mornington Peninsula wineries, breweries, cideries and cafes, click here.
Trofeo Estate
Mont Rouge Estate
Spectacular Views
Breaking news! So many outdoor dining spots on the Mornington Peninsula are a must-visit for their sensational views. Only a splash from the water's edge, Hotel Sorrento is best enjoyed with an alfresco lunch, dinner or catch-up drinks with friends. You'll have a choice of three locations to soak in the sunshine, all with a superb backdrop of Port Phillip. Back to the rolling hills, Phaedrus Estate in Moorooduc is a must-visit for its cheese platters and wine tastings on weekends. Find a seat outside overlooking the vines, basking under the glow of the afternoon sun. One more destination with a view to remember - Port Phillip Estate in Red Hill South! Their deck captures the very best vistas of both coast and country. And according to those who visit, it is the perfect place for a wine tasting!
To take in more stunning views across the Mornington Peninsula, click here.
Port Phillip Estate
Picnics + DIY
Picnics are something we love to talk about here on the Mornington Peninsula. Creative, adaptable and utterly delicious, it would be hard to look past r them! There's something quite lovely about bringing together loved ones to indulge in a smorgasbord of sweet and savoury treats in the open air. It's friendly and comforting. Welcoming and joyful. We shouldn't progress any further without inviting you to take a look at some of the top picnic areas throughout the region here. Don't forget beaches are magnificent go-to spots too! If wanting to source everything for the picnic locally, then you're in the right place. Mornington Peninsula farmgates are bursting with fresh produce and gourmet condiments perfect for the spread. Before we tuck into our feast, we should mention that Green Olive at Red Hill in Main Ridge offers amazing picnic experiences within their farm, vineyard and olive grove. We know the DIY picnic might only be for some, so this is definitely one to check out!
Tuck into more picnic experiences on the Mornington Peninsula here.
Green Olive at Red Hill
Make A Day (Or Night) Of It
One of the best things about outdoor dining on the Mornington Peninsula is that it can often form part of a wider memorable experience. For the adventurers at heart, Wild Adventures Melbourne host Secret Adventure Picnic tours which include a curated picnic lunch in the great outdoors. This is only one of their offered experiences, so make sure to deep dive into all their tours to see which one suits you and the crew best! Alternatively, Mornington Peninsula markets are fully stocked with mouth-watering food stalls and trucks steered by locals. The Point Nepean Portsea Market and Food Yard Night Market are fantastic for their delicious food options. This alongside superb shopping experiences, of course!
For more of the best exploratory-based things to do on the Mornington Peninsula, click here.
Wild Adventures Melbourne
Alfresco At Its Best
While summer may seem the obvious answer for the best time to dine outside, we mustn't shy away from discussing other months of the year. The cooler (yet still mild) temperatures in autumn and spring set a relaxed pace for an open-air meal. And while winter can bring about a frosty chill, it's a lot of fun to get rugged up, and cosy and enjoy a cup of coffee in the brisk breeze. Top tips from us on how to best experience outdoor dining? Plan in advance, book where necessary, pack the sunscreen and don't set a deadline. Because, who knows, a morning spent alfresco brunching may turn into an early evening of drinks!
Red Gum BBQ
For more on everything outdoors across the Mornington Peninsula, see below:
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