By Renee Wood
When the air starts to cool and the crisp frosts move in, its the perfect time to sit down and enjoy a nice extended lunch or dinner by the fire at one of the Yarra Valley’s many hospitality venue.
The region is filled with small towns bursting with flavours and excitement, with Autumn bringing a change to the season and menu.
Here are some tried and true town main strips that have plenty to offer when looking for a place to dine this season.
1. Healesville
You will easily find the main street of Healesville as Maroondah Highway leads you straight to the heart of town, with plenty of local cafes and restaurants open to visitors.
Cafes offer a variety of choice for day dining, including Willow and Jackson and Cherry Tree are popular spots to wind down with a coffee. Local hotels such as the Grand Hotel and Healesville Hotel will also tick the boxes for a traditional pub feed. Further down town, winery cellar doors and breweries are open for lunch through to dinner dining including Innocent Bystanders and Matilda Bay Brewery.
2. Yarra Glen
Yarra Glen is home to cafes and restaurants, while wineries are within driving distance including Zonzo Estate and Greenstone Vineyards.
Yarra Valley Grand Hotel on Bell Street has a great menu while also providing a bistro environment for families and ‘The Snug’ section is perfect for an adult dining experience. Heartswood is also on Bell Street, where you can soak up the architecture of the old Colonial Bank building.
3. Warburton
After exploring Warburton’s local natural landscapes, there are many hospitality venues to sit down and relax at.
Alpine Hotel has recently undergone a renovation and there is a great menu to select from. Riverview Cafe and Wine Bar is another to try, with an excellent outdoor dining area out the back.
4. Seville
Seville offers a unique dining experience with a hidden historic tram along the Lilydale Warburton Trail at the Carriage Cafe Seville.
The main street along the Warburton Highway also has other cafe offerings, with burgers, smoothies and more on offer at Branded Burgers and Cafe
5. Lilydale
At the gateway to the Yarra Valley you will find plenty of dinning choices, from cafes to pubs and Asian inspired cuisine.
Imm Oon Thai Restaurant & Bar has you covered for curry kick, while you can dine in a renovated old church at Harrow and Harvest Cafe on Castella Street.
