Everywhere good to eat on the Mornington Peninsula

The spring menu at Lindenderry features vegetables and herbs that acclaimed Chef Diego Cossio has foraged from his very own garden on the estate.

Depending on time and appetite, you can enjoy the paddock-to-plate ethos of this winery dining room by enjoying the Chef journey, a five to six course extravaganza, the more casual Dine option, made up of three or four courses, or the Set three course menu.

The sun-drenched dining room at Lindenderry is all natural tones, with superb views to the manicured gardens of the estate. And the wines, both from Lindenderry itself and from across Australia, are top notch, as you’d expect.

Dish Cult’s top pick:  Chef journey ($145 pp)

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Recently coming in at number 6 on the delicious.100 list of the best places to dine in Victoria, Ten Minutes by Tractor is for those of us that want to taste the Mornington Peninsula on our plate in stunning surrounds.

Head Chef Hayden Ellis is all about what’s local, seasonal and foraged but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t expect sophisticated flavours. While the menu changes seasonally, dishes can include Fraser Island spanner crab, horseradish, crispy chicken and caviar, and mushroom forestry risotto, confit yolk, lardo and truffle toast. And who could possibly go past a lamington crossed Snickers bar for dessert?

Choose between a five course or seven course tasting menu, with matched wines of course, and expect to while away a few hours in very pleasant and extremely delicious circumstances.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Seven course tasting menu ($250 pp)

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If fine dining in an elegant contemporary space overlooking vines and the ocean sounds like your cup of tea, then look no further than Port Phillip Estate.

The menu changes seasonally but expect to begin with dishes such as tartare of grass-fed Wagyu, blackberries grown on the estate and fried tendon. For main, diners can choose from wood roasted market fish, shellfish and vermouth, or cured pork belly with brussels sprout, onion and apple glaze, amongst other dishes. Perhaps you might end your meal with the Chocolate stout cake, or a selection of local and imported cheeses?

Port Phillip Estate describes itself as “casually sophisticated” and Gourmet Traveller recently named it as one of the top 100 dining experiences in Australia, so if you’re looking for something special, this is the place.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Wood roasted kangaroo, macadamia, beetroot and bush pepper

If you’re visiting the Mornington Peninsula and happen to have a hankering for American-style ribs, then book yourself a table at Red Gum BBQ. Be warned, you will need a hearty appetite!

This BBQ and beer hall dishes up slow-smoked Southern-style meat, Victorian craft beers and local wines.

The Happy as a pig set menu for groups of eleven or more will leave you all feeling content. Enjoy free-range pulled pork, grass-fed beef brisket, free-range smoked chicken breast, coleslaw, mac ‘n’ cheese, cornbread, pickle chips, white bread and complementary wine or beer. Are you salivating yet?!

Dish Cult’s top pick: Happy as a pig group set menu ($50 pp)

The restaurant at Polperro is surrounded by gorgeous vines and ancient gum trees. Inside this venue, you’ll discover a menu that’s designed to take you on a culinary journey. It’s a showcase of organic, seasonal produce, paired with wines by Polperro’s acclaimed in-house sommelier.

The menu changes regularly, but diners can enjoy dishes such as Southern waters ling with tomato and tamarind, dry aged Aylesbury duck with Davidson plum, and dessert in the form of pumpkin with Jersey milk and honeycomb.

In a space that has been designed to reflect the passion and love that goes into producing world-class wines, Polperro is definitely an experience to savour.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Four course menu with canapes ($130 pp)

If you prefer things a little more rustic, then you’ll appreciate the vibe at Red Hill Brewery.

Head into the wooden barn and order the ‘beer-friendly’ food – think towering juicy burgers, racks of maple-glazed ribs, and piles of spicy chicken wings, accompanied by nachos and loaded spuds.

Wash it all down with some of the German-style craft beers. Try one of the double barrel range, which utilises flavours like truffle, honey, and cherry to name a few.

Happily, visitors can book the on-site Brewer’s Cottage in case the brews, and spacious deck and grand views of the beer garden make it too hard to leave!

Dish Cult’s top pick: Pork shoulder burger ($20)

Bringing Scandi goodness to the Mornington Peninsula is the Nordie Cafe, where amazing coffee, delicious brunch dishes, and Nordic-inspired lunches are the order of the day.

You can score all-day brekkie here, with the emphasis on local free-range eggs. Order the scrambled eggs on sourdough toast with a side of smoked salmon, or the virtuous but delicious bircher muesli.

If you’re in for lunch, then the Nordie burger with cheddar, cos, tomato and pickle, or the Red Hill rosti with red pepper salsa and chorizo, are sure to please.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Salmon smørrebrød – open Nordic rye sandwich with hot smoked salmon, tarragon mayo, beetroot, fennel and qukes ($18.50)