Restaurants
Dinner is where a Hills weekend comes together, and the best places are more spread out than most visitors expect. We’ve sorted these by the kind of night you’re after. Menus and opening days change, so check before you head out, and book ahead for weekends. Plan your way home too, as rides can be hard to find in the Hills at night.
Local favourites
The Independent, Gembrook
A restored heritage building on Gembrook’s main street, with Argentinian- and Italian-influenced food built around seasonal local produce and designed for sharing. Make an evening of it and share plates across the table. The Independent is slightly out of the way, so check the driving time before you set out.
(Photo courtesy of The Independent)
Cognoscenti, Belgrave
A small, intimate dining room beside the Cameo Cinema, with a seasonal menu and a considered wine list. Dinner first and a film afterwards makes an easy night out. Make sure you book.
(Photo courtesy of Cognoscenti)
Cosy Pubs & Taverns
Micawber Tavern, Belgrave
Surrounded by trees in Belgrave, Micawber has a spacious beer garden for sunny afternoons and fireplaces inside when the weather turns cold. With pub meals, live music and plenty of room for families and groups, it’s a classic Hills pub for a casual meal or a drink.
Pig & Whistle Tavern, Olinda
An English-style pub with open fires, hearty meals and a beer garden. A good pub lunch or family dinner after a morning in the village.
Kellys Bar & Kitchen, Mount Dandenong
Housed in a 1926 log cabin on the Mount Dandenong Tourist Road, with a classic pub menu and a fire going on cold evenings. We’d pick it for a cold night.
Special occasions
Olinda Tea House, Olinda
A modern Asian-inspired menu in landscaped gardens, a little removed from the bustle of the villages. Suits a long lunch or a celebration.
Citrine, Olinda
Modern Australian dining in Olinda village, with a seasonal menu built around local produce. Our pick for a proper sit-down dinner without leaving the village.
Casual Eats
Station House, Gembrook
A relaxed pizzeria in the centre of Gembrook, close to the Puffing Billy line, known for handmade pizza and Italian-style dishes. Easy before or after a Puffing Billy day.
(Photo courtesy of Station House)
Bam Bams Italian, Avonsleigh
A family-friendly Italian restaurant with pizza, house-made pasta and Italian favourites. The no-fuss dinner if you’re staying around Emerald, Avonsleigh or Cockatoo.
N&N Bánh Mì, Belgrave
Fresh Vietnamese food in Belgrave, good for a quick lunch or takeaway to eat on a walk.
Something different
Babaji’s Kerala Kitchen, Belgrave
If you're after something different from the usual Hills fare, Babaji's serves food from Kerala and southern India. There are dosas, curries and plenty of dishes designed for sharing.
Bonsai Bali, Tecoma
A Chinese and Indonesian restaurant in Tecoma with a particularly good selection of Cantonese-style dishes. You'll find roast duck, claypot dishes, seafood and Indonesian curries on the menu.
The Hungry Hiker, Tecoma
The Hungry Hiker brings Indian and Nepalese flavours to Tecoma, with fragrant curries, traditional Nepalese dishes and a good range of vegetarian and vegan choices. You'll find curries, Nepalese dishes and plenty of spice and flavour on the menu.
