Our favourite places to get a drink
From country pubs and small bars to local wineries and distilleries, these are some of our favourite places for a drink in and around the Hills.
Plan your way home before you go. Rides can be hard to find in the Hills at night, and the roads are dark, winding and sometimes foggy. Cellar doors often have limited opening days, so check before you visit.
Local Favourites
Micawber Tavern, Belgrave
A spacious beer garden among the trees for sunny afternoons, fireplaces for cold ones, and live music. There’s room for families and bigger groups, so it’s an easy pub meal or catch-up with friends.
The Black Bee, Belgrave
An intimate bar with craft beer, wine and cocktails. It feels more like a bar than a pub, so it suits a casual drink and a catch-up.
Classic Country Pubs
Kelly’s Bar & Kitchen, Mount Dandenong
A 1926 log cabin on the Mount Dandenong Tourist Road, with the feel of a traditional mountain pub. Open fires, local wines and craft beers make it a cosy stop for a long lunch or a drink on a cold day.
Paradise Valley Hotel, Clematis
Locals call it The Clemo. This historic pub sits beside the Puffing Billy railway line, and the beer garden is the reason to come: you can watch the train go past with a drink or a meal.
Pig & Whistle, Olinda
With its traditional English pub atmosphere, open fireplaces and outdoor beer garden, the Pig & Whistle suits both cold-weather visits and warmer afternoons. Expect hearty pub food and a classic pint in the heart of Olinda.
Cocktails & Date Nights
Cognoscenti, Belgrave
Right next to the Cameo Cinema, Cognoscenti pairs seasonal dining with a considered wine list and cocktails. The intimate setting suits a date night, especially dinner followed by a film.
(Photo courtesy of Cognoscenti)
The Independent, Gembrook
A restored heritage building on Gembrook’s main street, with Argentinian and Italian influences, a strong wine list and a menu made for sharing. Best with company. The drive to Gembrook is a fair distance from the Hills villages, so check before you set out.
(Photo courtesy of The Independent)
Wine & Distilleries
Morgans Winery and Distillery, Seville
Wine and spirits share the spotlight at Morgans in Seville, where you can explore the winery and distillery in one visit. It's particularly appealing for groups with different tastes, with both wine and distilled drinks to try.
(Photo courtesy of Morgans Winery and Distillery)
Killik Distillery, Belgrave
Belgrave's Killik Distillery brings small-batch spirits together with cocktails, food and events. Visit for a tasting or enjoy the bar and dining offering, with live music on selected occasions.
Emersleigh Estate, Emerald
A small, family-run winery just outside Emerald, with vines and gardens around the cellar door. It’s small and personal, so a tasting feels quite different from visiting a big winery.
Sir Paz Estate, Wandin East
Set among the countryside of Wandin East, Sir Paz Estate offers estate-grown wines and a cellar door overlooking the vines. It's a chance to enjoy a winery experience on the eastern side of the hills, away from the busier cellar-door areas of the Yarra Valley.
Six Acres, Silvan
A small vineyard and cellar door in neighbouring Silvan, making its own wines in a quiet rural setting. A good fit if you’d rather have a smaller tasting than a large estate, and easy to combine with Sir Paz.
(Photo courtesy of Six Acres)
