10 top places to eat in Beechworth, Victoria, Australia

Travellers once flocked to Beechworth for the gold mining rush, but today the preserved historical town is drawing crowds thanks to its award-winning produce, cellar doors and hospitality. Discover why everyone’s buzzing about Beechworth honey, sample golden ales in a beer garden, or savour a good old-fashioned high tea, complete with crisp linen and house-made jam.

1. Billson's Soda Bar

Pull up a barstool at Billson's Soda Bar and slurp down a frothy ice cream spider, hot chocolate and colourful soda. The bar is housed inside one of Australia's oldest breweries, and if you're looking for something a little stronger you can also visit the beer garden for a tasting paddle.

2. Provenance

Book ahead for a seat at the hottest tables in Beechworth. Husband and wife team, Michael Ryan and Jeanette Michael Ryan, bring Japanese-influenced contemporary cuisine to the High Country at Provenance, which has been awarded two coveted hats in The Age Good Food Guide. Need a nap after feasting? Spend the night in a converted stable at the back of the restaurant.

3. The Oak View Restaurant & Bar

If you’re keen to sample some local North East Victorian produce while visiting Beechworth, The Oak View Restaurant & Bar is the place to go. This laidback hotel restaurant serves up delicious modern Australian cuisine with award-winning local wines.

4. B Pantry

Head to B Pantry at The Benev wellness retreat for nourishing, wholesome food and great coffee. This bright and airy café offers a paddock to plate menu showcasing fresh, seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. Highlights include tasty Turkish eggs, herby frittata and nourishing greens bowl.

5. Moments & Memories Tea Room

If it's time for tea and scones, head to Moments and Memories Tea Rooms. Take a seat among owner Lyn’s collection of hanging teapots and fine bone China, then choose from over 60 different varieties of tea. Lyn's popular high tea service sees a train of sweet treats, savouries and finger sandwiches emerge from the kitchen atop tiered serving plates.

6. Empire Hotel

Lovingly restored while keeping its heritage details, the Empire Hotel is the place to drop in for a yarn and a drink by the fire during winter, or on the veranda facing the main street in summer. Choose from parmas and burgers at lunch, then watch the menu transform in the evening into contemporary fare like swordfish steaks, pork dumplings and Korean fried chicken.

7. Bridge Road Brewers

Bridge Road Brewers has come a long way since it started in the family shed. Now, it occupies a sprawling heritage coach house and stables in central Beechworth, as well as a place in the hearts of Victoria's devoted craft beer drinkers. Take your time to savour the adventurous beers on tap (ice cream beer, anyone?) and graze on the much-loved pizza menu.

8. Beechworth Honey Shop

There's plenty of buzz at the Beechworth Honey Shop, where you can spy on a hive and taste dozens of different honey varieties. The apiary is run by four generations of family beekeepers, who have also built a Bee School to teach kids about the importance of bees in our environment.

9. Eldorado Road Cellar Door Cantina

The family-run Eldorado vineyard is only a few kilometres from Beechworth, but an intimate cellar door in the heart of town means you won’t even need to go that far to appreciate their hand-picked wines. Seek shade beneath the willow tree in cellar door’s private courtyard in summer or cosy up next to the fire in winter.

10. Ox and Hound

The pressed metal ceiling and embossed tiles might shout French bistro, but the rustic wattle branch chandelier reveals where chef and owner Sean Ford’s heart really lies. Ox and Hound brings French and Italian dishes to life using fresh regional products, with a seasonal backed by nearly 70 wines that hail from across Europe’s best wine regions.

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