Taste of the Bendigo Region
beautiful Bendigo
Bendigo might have been built on foundations of gold, but the cultural influences of those who came in search of wealth and a better life are more evident than ever in our growing food and wine culture. The city’s new pioneers are the many chefs, restaurateurs and winemakers who are crafting a renaissance of fine dining across the region; developing the unique tastes and flavours of central Victoria for a new generation of eager palates. Bendigo is beautifully positioned in an abundant food bowl. Local restaurants and chefs are blessed with a diverse range of fresh local produce which adorn the regionally inspired dishes they create – from the farm gate to the plate.
our food bowl BENDIGO MELBOURNE
90 Minutes / 100 Food Miles from Melbourne A common passion for local produce, grown in, and grazed on, central Victoria’s gold-enriched soils unites the Life’s a Dish restaurants. Whether it’s meat, fruit and vegetables, dairy products, wine, olives, herbs or honey, these restaurants share the joy and satisfaction that comes from supporting our local growers and producers.
Bendigo is perfectly positioned, with the surrounding regions bursting at the seams with an abundance of local produce varieties. Bendigo’s surrounding regions: The Northern Region: stone fruits, grapes, apples, pears, tomatoes and lettuce. The Eastern Region: winegrowing regions of Heathcote and the Mt Camel Range. The Southern Region: Castlemaine and Maldon’s farmers’ markets and Harcourt’s apples. The Western Region: perfect for olives, winegrapes, linseed, broad acre wheat and lamb.
life’s a dish
“Buon ricordo” is Italian for “good memories” and Life’s a Dish is very much the embodiment of a tradition that began in northern Italy in 1964. The Life’s a Dish concept is a simple yet beautiful one, giving food lovers the opportunity to purchase a unique collectable plate as a souvenir of a memorable central Victorian dining experience. As part of the Life’s a Dish program, restaurants will offer a regular ‘plat de la saison’ (plate of the season) meal consisting of produce and ingredients sourced locally.
Above: Plates from the participating restaurants.
domaine asmara Before settling on their 80 acre property, Andreas Greiving and his wife Henni were citizens of the world. Their experiences of Asia in particular are a huge influence on the menu at Domaine Asmara.
Nowhere else in the region will you find Tom Yum Yabby Soup, or a succulent Yabby Steam Basket made with yabbies farmed in their own dam.
4 Gibb Road, Toolleen (near Heathcote) Phone: 03 5433 6133
Asmara, “love and passion” – the name says it all. And, of course, all the dishes are matched with the perfect choice of wine from their cellar door.
gallery café
It’s fitting that you enter the Gallery Café via the 19th century sculpture annex. The food that leaves Renzo Panozzo’s kitchen is indeed another form of art, sculptured from locally sourced and grown ingredients.
It’s where Bendigo’s art-lovers meet!
Bendigo Art Gallery 42 View Street, Bendigo Phone: 03 5441 8896
Encased in glass like an exhibition piece, and with stunning views across Rosalind Park and historic Camp Hill, Gallery Café is the place where the visual and culinary arts meet. Where better to enjoy a sumptuous selection of light meals, cakes, coffee and a selection of local wines.
hotel shamrock A fixture on the Bendigo social scene since 1854, this grand lady has always been a gracious hostess; seductive or entertaining, depending on her guests’ moods.
Your dining experience can be as casual or stylish as you feel. Head Chef Gregory Syle and his creative team use the finest local produce, matched with an extensive wine list to create a complete dining experience.
Cnr Pall Mall & Williamson Streets, Bendigo Phone: 03 5443 0333
The grand opulence of The Hotel Shamrock is matched with the elegance and contemporary dining of The Balcony Restaurant or for a more relaxed dining experience the Shamrock CafĂŠ & Bar is a great alternative.
la piazza
When Carlo and Sandra Barri opened the doors of La Piazza in 2009, Bendigo knew to expect something very special. Carlo’s name is synonymous with the Bendigo hospitality industry; his love of food cultivated as a young apprentice chef over 30 years ago.
An impressive cellar of local wines, sates even the most discerning palate. 2–4 Howard Place, Bridge Street, Bendigo Phone: 03 5444 4499
Carlo’s passion for matching food, wine and impeccable service comes full-circle in a dining experience that features the very best local produce, including a Mediterranean influenced selection – many inspired by Carlo’s Italian heritage.
malayan orchid An icon of the Bendigo dining scene, Bobby and Pamela Yam cleverly blend traditional-style cooking with readily available local produce.
A gentle marriage of Asian and Australian culinary influences
155 View Street, Bendigo Phone: 03 5442 4411
Freshness is the key, with recipes created from locally sourced, seasonal produce. Combined with over 150 wines, including local Bendigo and Heathcote Shiraz, the relaxed ambience ensures a gastronomic experience you’ll savour.
quills
As part of The Lakeview Resort, Quills has quickly grown to become a favourite with diners looking to celebrate a special occasion, or simply enjoy a fine dining experience.
Great food and wine means a genuinely happy time. There’s nothing quite like breakfast on the deck, enjoying your coffee while the morning light glistens off Lake Weeroona; or an evening drink with friends as the sun sets behind the trees.
286 Napier Street, Bendigo Phone: 03 5445 5300
Thomas and Madlen Trch are proud to source all the produce locally for their exciting menu of modern cuisine – right down to the herbs that garnish the dish.
twenty2
Tim and Sharon Carlson have created one of Bendigo’s most versatile café experiences, within earshot of the old post office clock. Twenty2 is all about quality food, with an emphasis on local produce. The big breakfast is a hit with regulars, as are the pancakes made to order and served with fresh strawberries and maple syrup.
And it’s all made right there in the Twenty2 kitchen. 22 Williamson St, Bendigo Phone: 03 5442 8228
Fully licensed, with an extensive range of regional wines, you can enjoy a la carte dining or drop in for coffee and cake.
hand-painted ... Bendigo is well-known for its artisan culture, and for over 150 years Bendigo Pottery has been famous for creating high quality ceramics that have found their way into homes and businesses across Australia and the world. With daily demonstrations, interpretive museum, antique centre and contemporary art spaces, Bendigo Pottery is one of Australia’s most loved and visited tourist attractions.
146 Midland Highway, Epsom (6.5km from Bendigo) Phone: 03 5448 4404
Bendigo Pottery is the perfect partner for the Life’s a Dish program. Artist Sue James has worked with each restaurant to design and hand-paint each dish using architectural features, icons and landmarks as inspiration in creating a wonderful series of collectable plates.
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1. Domaine Asmara 4 Gibb Road, Toolleen Phone: 03 5433 6133
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2. Gallery Café 42 View Street, Bendigo Phone: 03 5441 8896 3. The Hotel Shamrock Cnr Pall Mall & Williamson Street, Bendigo Phone: 03 5443 0333
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6. Quills 286 Napier Street, Bendigo Phone: 03 5445 5300 7. Twenty2 22 Williamson Street, Bendigo Phone: 03 5442 8228
Toolleen (near Heathcote)
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4. La Piazza 2-4 Howard Place, Bendigo Phone: 03 5444 4499 5. Malayan Orchid 155 View Street, Bendigo Phone: 03 5442 4411
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40km from Bendigo GIBB ROAD
TO HEATHCOTE (23km)
your Life’s a Dish passport Collect all 7 plates for your free Bendigo Master Plate. Simply purchase all the Life’s a Dish plates from the seven participating restaurants to receive your complimentary Master Plate. Your passport will be stamped at each venue, then simply presented at the Bendigo Visitor Centre at 51–67 Pall Mall. Bon appétit!
Domaine Asmara
Gallery Café
The Hotel Shamrock
La Piazza
Malayan Orchid
Quills
Twenty2
FREE Master Plate
Take home Bendigo dining memories and stories from only $25.00 per plate. For more information on starting your ‘Life’s a Dish’ collection, visit our website www.bendigotourism.com