In a city better known for its gold-rush heritage, grand Victorian architecture and cool-climate charm, Babae is making an equally compelling case for Ballarat as a destination for exceptional dining.

Nestled in the historic village of Buninyong, just outside Ballarat, The Buninyong Hotel is a 19th-century country pub that brings together old-world charm and contemporary hospitality.

Tucked inside Ballarat’s historic Provincial Hotel, Lola brings a touch of European elegance to the regional dining scene.

Set within the grounds of Mercure Ballarat, Peasant Osteria is the latest incarnation of the restaurant from restaurateur Dan Tesoriero and chef Douglas Kerr.

At Aunty Jacks, in the heart of Ballarat’s CBD, that connection between brewery, kitchen and table is taken a step further, with the beer not only poured fresh from the source but becoming part of the restaurant’s broader food and sustainability story.

There are restaurants that make you feel like you’ve gone out for dinner, and then there are restaurants that make you feel like you’ve been invited around the table for a feast.

Melbourne’s dining scene is never short on impressive steakhouses, but The Meat & Wine Co’s newest opening brings something more than prime cuts and polished service to the table.

Tucked away in Melbourne's north-west, La Vallée has quietly built a reputation as a neighbourhood favourite where generous portions, woodfired cooking and genuine hospitality come together.

In the heart of Ascot Vale’s Union Road precinct, a new Italian dining destination is bringing the warmth, generosity and regional diversity of Italy to Melbourne’s inner north-west.

Perched 300 metres above the city streets below, Eureka 89 has long been one of Melbourne's most iconic dining destinations, offering unparalleled panoramic views that stretch across the skyline, Port Phillip Bay and beyond.

As the vines turn golden and the air in the Yarra Valley takes on a crisp autumn edge, there are few places more inviting for a long lunch than Isabella’s Restaurant at Rochford Wines.

Tucked away along the bustling main street of Cowes, Pino's Trattoria has long been considered one of Phillip Island’s dining institutions.

Tucked within the leafy surrounds of Ramada Resort by Wyndham Phillip Island, Flametrees Restaurant, Cafe & Bar offers a relaxed yet polished dining experience that feels perfectly suited to a Phillip Island escape.

Beach HQ is the kind of place visitors gravitate towards for a long lunch or relaxed dinner after a day exploring Phillip Island’s rugged coastline and wildlife attractions.

Set within the heart of Moama, Junction is one of the region’s standout dining destinations, bringing together sophisticated contemporary cooking, local produce and the rich history of the Murray River.

Warm, energetic and effortlessly stylish, Embr captures the kind of convivial dining experience Australians can’t get enough of right now.

Opa Echuca is bringing the spirit of a modern Greek taverna to the heart of the Murray.

Located within Moama Bowling Club, The Bistro offers a relaxed and family-friendly dining experience that makes it an easy choice for visitors to the Echuca-Moama region.

Melbourne’s love affair with low-and-slow barbecue continues to grow, and now the city’s north has a destination that delivers the full experience.

Now, with a refreshed menu and the appointment of new head chef Ian Ho, the restaurant enters a compelling new chapter—one that feels both grounded in tradition and unmistakably contemporary.

Shelly, the latest concept from the team behind Shelanous, is less a restaurant and more a three-hour descent into joyful chaos—equal parts degustation, immersive theatre and communal experiment.

The eastern suburbs have a fresh new dining destination, with the opening of The Groove Train Blackburn injecting warmth, generosity and plenty of flavour into Whitehorse Road.

Step through the doors of 98 Lygon St and you could swear you’ve crossed continents.

Banksia, led by Head Chef Nishant Arora, brings an elegance that feels effortless—rooted in skill, shaped by experience, and softened with warmth.

Perched on level 80 of The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne, Atria isn’t just Melbourne’s highest dining destination—it’s one of its most elevated experiences in every sense.

Windows Restaurant at Pullman & Mercure Melbourne Albert Park invites guests to rediscover refined dining.

Melbourne’s dining scene has just ascended to new heights with the arrival of Zekkai, a sky-high penthouse restaurant, cocktail bar, and club that brings together world-class Japanese dining, curated drinks, and an atmosphere of sheer sophistication.

One of Brisbane’s most celebrated dining destinations has spread its wings south, with Blackbird Melbourne now open on Flinders Lane.

In the heart of Bangkok’s Chinatown, a striking five-storey building that once housed a century-old Chinese herbal medicine shop now hums with quiet reverence.

Melbourne’s love of ribs just got a serious upgrade with the opening of Ribs & Rumps in Ringwood.