Eat like a local: Yarra Valley

Ryan has lived and worked in the Yarra Valley for most of his career. Even though he is the Executive Chef for Showtime Event Group in Melbourne, he still loves living in the Yarra Valley and doesn’t mind the long commute. For him, it’s the ideal place to escape the big city bustle and quietly raise a family. As for food, Ryan will be the first to tell you the Yarra Valley more than holds its own.

Where do you go for your morning coffee?

“It’s a short walk for us to Milki & Miller which is a fantastic coffee shop. It has been transformed from a milk bar and now they do delicious coffee, milkshakes and breakfast.”

What about your favourite bakery?

“There are two that I really like – for a cheeky pie I go to Beechworth Bakery in Healesville but for the best breads and tarts it’s the Yarra Valley Artisan Baker.”

What’s the best brunch spot?

“There are a lot of good ones but my favourite at the moment, hands down, is The General Food Store in Emerald. It has a trendy inner city vibe but in a country setting. Their whole philosophy revolves around fairness – fairness towards community, towards suppliers and towards staff. You can feel it. The employees are so warm and friendly, it feels really welcoming. The food and coffee are great too!”

What’s your favourite winery or cellar door?

“With so many local wineries around this is a hard choice. I really like Innocent Bystander in Healesville. While there are no vineyards on site it’s still a great cellar door and restaurant with a fantastic atmosphere. They have a large selection of wines on tap and the tasting paddle comes out in cool little beaker decanters. They even make their own cider. After a long week of work I often find myself coming here to unwind.”

Best takeaway food?

“There is this really cute Italian shop and pizzeria in Montrose called La Lupa Romana. They do the best wood fire pizzas. For me their signature one is the Isabella, it has fior di latte, gorgonzola, pear and prosciutto San Daniele. Delicious.”

Where would you take the whole family?

“Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery is an absolute must for families travelling through. You can learn some things by watching the staff make chocolate truffles or you can do a chocolate-making course of your own. There are more than just sweets here too, the café is a great place to grab lunch with a beautiful view or for the parents to sit down and relax while the kids go wild.”

I’d take someone to dinner at…

“Eleonore’s at the Chateau Yering Hotel, it’s where my wife and I went on our first date. You almost feel like royalty in this elegant dining room. Everything is 5 star here, the hotel, the restaurant, the service and the food.”

The Yarra Valley’s secret gem is…

“I truly believe the next big explosion on the scene will be the newly renovated and revamped Hubert Estate. They have it all, beautiful land, history, an amazing restaurant, a stunning event space, an Indigenous art gallery and even a wellness centre! Quarters, their restaurant has a custom made wood burning grill that gives everything, from seasonal vegetables to local cuts of meat, a next-level flavour. The wood burning oven makes a great pizza too. They are doing big things over there.”

The Yarra Valley is a great place to eat because…

“The Yarra Valley has a really unique food culture. Here you feel more connected to the natural surroundings and the food that you’re eating. All the menus highlight locally sourced produce that is essentially grown at your doorstep – it doesn’t get any better than that. And on top of that it’s the scenery, with all the vineyards there are so many spectacular views to take in. I feel truly fortunate to call the Yarra Valley my home.”

Your Yarra Valley address book:

Milki & Miller: 24 Alcheter Cres, Boronia VIC 3155

Beechworth Bakery: 316 Maroondah Hwy, Healesville VIC 3777 (also other locations around Victoria)

Yarra Valley Artisan Baker: 1/2876 Warburton Hwy, Wesburn VIC 3799

The General Food Store: 377 Belgrave-Gembrook Rd, Emerald VIC 3782

Innocent Bystander: 316-334 Maroondah Hwy, Healesville VIC 3777

La Lupa Romana: 2/11 Leith Rd, Montrose VIC 3765

Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery: 35 Old Healesville Rd, Yarra Glen VIC 3775

Eleonore’s Restaurant at Chateau Yering: 42 Melba Hwy, Yering VIC 3770

Quarters Restaurant at Hubert Estate: 1-3 St Huberts Rd, Coldstream VIC 3770

Want to Eat like a local closer to home? Check out our local guides to Windsor and St Kilda to find lots of great places to eat and drink.