Rosebud Capel Sound Tootgarook Rye

rosebud CAPEL SOUND

PHOTO: STEVE BROWN

Discover a world where flamboyant beach boxes sit squarely, staring out to the bay from the sandy shoreline while holidaymakers swim, picnic and play the day away. This part of the Peninsula, where the clouds whirl in orange, pink and purple and the teatrees and banksias bundle, provides pier-sauntering summertime fun for out-of-towners with carnivals and Bay Trail wanderings.

It also offers up some of the best fine dining alternatives with top-end operators settling in the area and sharing their artistry. Coffee, cocktails and cuisine have come into their own in this tucked-away part of the Peninsula, where dedication to all things delicious is steadfast and simply not up for negotiation. The gourmet burger selection is vast, while perfectly pulled pork and Thai cuisine get the nod too. Rosebud, Capel Sound, Tootgarook and Rye are not to be underestimated. Beneath the backdrop of Arthurs Seat sits a cluster of charming yet lively villages that offer crafted cider and roasted coffee, delectable generational grown produce and worldclass dining. All of this is surrounded by vineyards, the sea and a skyscape that can only be described as exquisite as modern Australian and Asian cuisine and Italian flavours come together. Some of the best home-grown spuds you’ll find are thrown in for good measure. And do not forget the New York bagels!

This is the zone where casual sophistication rules, grown from Mediterranean settlement and an understanding that life is far too short not to jump right in and experience the best.

Join us and celebrate excellence.

tootgarook RYE

Blue Mini 102-103 Cooee Café 111 District Kitchen 173 Elements Eatery 104-105 Hawkes Farm 108 ItsaBurger 106 Lime Spice Hawker Beach Bar 109 Mubble 119 Sea Store Beach Café and Bar 110 The Bagelry Co 111 The Milbri 107

THE MILBRI

Blue Mini eatery, emporium, events

A contender for the most unique eatery on the Mornington Peninsula, Blue Mini captures the essence of the everything local. Why? This quirky hub of retro style is situated in the repurposed Rosebud Ten Pin Bowling Alley. Headed by Tracey Fleming and a dedicated team of passionate hospitality professionals, Blue Mini is more than just a café. With a mix of fantastic food, house roasted coffee, local gourmet and a welcoming vibe – it is a destination to meet, eat, drink and linger.

eatery

Known for its innovative all-day brunch menu, the meals at Blue Mini are a fusion of well-known classics such as eggs ‘bennie’, alongside modern dishes with a twist. With access to some of the best produce and suppliers on the Mornington Peninsula, Blue Mini’s meals and homemade cakes and sweets are created from locally sourced goods wherever possible. Blue Mini is also a fully licensed venue with local beer, wine and cider featuring on the menu. The ‘doggy friendly’ courtyard, complete with kitchen herb garden, is perfect for outdoor dining in the warmer months, while the spacious indoor eatery is brimming with features from the old bowling alley. Designed by owner Tracey Fleming using recycled building materials from the original site, this unique sense of style creates a story around the principles of re-use, recycle and renovate.

emporium

The theme continues through the recently remodelled retail emporium featuring a unique range of carefully curated products and giftware with a focus on Mornington Peninsula gourmet, artisans and makers. Homewares, bath & beauty, and fashion items feature alongside daily essentials and local beer, wine, cider. The venue is also home to the small batch, in-house coffee roaster Boneo Road Roasters, proudly using ethically sourced coffee beans. The ‘exhilarate’ house blend has a smooth, rich, full-bodied flavour with caramel notes. Perfect for home use, it is suitable for espresso, filter, press, cold brew or stove top so you can take home the taste and enjoy the flavours of Blue Mini anytime.

events

Taking on the unique character of Blue Mini as a venue, the catering team creates lasting memories for any special occasion. From bespoke wedding receptions and casual events in our ex-bowling alley property, to engagements, parties and corporate events. Whether at Blue Mini or a venue of your choice, your event will be styled to perfection to meet your personal tastes. With all this, Blue Mini is a destination that you’ll want to return to again and again. Opening hours: daily 7am-3pm. #blueministyle Please check website/social media for seasonal changes

Images by Yves Eyes Photography (left, right middle, bottom)

Elements Eatery

Located within the Yawa Aquatic Centre, Rosebud, Elements Eatery is a destinational café with a difference.

Elements Eatery is operated by experienced hospitality professional and talented local foodie Tracey Fleming, best known for her success as founder of Blue Mini: eatery, emporium, events. Centrally located in Rosebud, Elements operates on a unique hospitality vision: to deliver a locally inspired food experience that promotes healthy food choices, celebrates local produce and embraces an environmentally conscious approach to poolside dining. coastal spirit

Part of the state-of-the art Yawa Aquatic Centre, the inspiration for the Eatery draws on the vibrant local seaside community and the diverse landscapes of the Mornington Peninsula, a region bordered by pristine coastal waters, but with a rich agricultural heart. The welcoming architecture was designed using local materials and timbers that celebrate and encapsulate this beachside, coastal spirit. Patrons have the benefit of two distinct hospitality experiences: casual dining at Elements Eatery or pool-side service at the Elements Grab & Go Kiosk – both with menus offering quality meal options at affordable prices and healthy eating for all.

eatery

With indoor capacity of 100 seats, Elements Eatery also offers an additional 40-seats outdoors for walk-in customers. The Eatery area is serviced by a professional hospitality team delivering friendly and snappy service for groups and individuals to enjoy a morning coffee, relaxed lunch or take-home meal after a gym or swim session. grab & go

Alternatively, the Grab & Go Kiosk is more relaxed, offering families and casual swimmers a welcoming and inclusive space to enjoy healthy food options while poolside or a quick coffee on the go. sustainability

In line with Yawa’s strong commitment to environmental sustainability, Elements Eatery has a philosophy to reduce, re-use & re-cycle and chooses eco-sensitive packaging including a ban on single-use plastics. Come and see why Elements Eatery is a perfect year-round destination café for all ages.

Images by Willow Creative

Open daily. Please check website/social media for seasonal changes

ItsaBurger

Inspired by iconic American hamburger stores, ItsaBurger is serious about serving up the best burgers on the Peninsula, with a super-size side of fun. Owner Grady Patching is a veteran of the hospitality industry and a committed burger aficionado. After six trips to the US, he’s well researched in what makes a memorable burger: “We’re the real deal. We don’t use any fillers in our meat; it’s just wagyu, brisket and a pinch of salt. We make all our own sauces, and everything’s cooked to order.”

No bain-marie with soggy, warm fries here! Fries are crisp and delish, loaded with cheese, bacon, chilli, or plain and seasoned with house blend seasoning. ItsaBurger isn’t trying to be fancy or experimental – it’s a case of stick to the classics and do them well: all-beef patties straight up and well sauced, paired with the usual suspects of pickle, cheese, lettuce, and tomato in a bun toasted to perfection. If beef’s not your thing, there’s plenty of tasty chicken burger options with sauces ranging from smoked barbecue mayo to southern hot sauce. Don’t feel like a burger? Go for a hot dog. There’s a kids’ menu, and vegans and vegetarians are looked after too with the vegan patty burger or vegan chicken schnitzel burger. Order online for delivery or pick-up. Opening hours, Rosebud: dine in or pick up Sunday-Thursday noon8.30pm, Friday and Saturday noon-9pm; delivery Monday-Thursday 5-8.30pm, Friday and Saturday noon-9pm, Sunday noon-8.30pm. Karingal Hub: seven days 11am-9pm

ItsaBurger I 897 Point Nepean Rd, Rosebud I P: 5982 1675 ItsaBurger I 330 Cranbourne Rd, Karingal Hub I P: 9776 6926 www.itsaburger.com.au I ItsaBurgerAU itsaburgerau

The Milbri

Rosebud’s happening café/bar The Milbri has been delivering the goods since 2014. From the outside it might look like a humble café just a stone’s throw from the bay, but inside you’ll find a polished operation. Staff are friendly and attentive, food and drinks are on point – as is the well-made, locally roasted Little Rebel coffee – and the playlist is a considered feature, not an afterthought.

By day, the wooden tables fill inside and out with families and friends who know the brekky here – served until noon – is worth getting up for. The lunch and dinner crowd come for the carefully prepared hawker-style food inspired by Latin American and South-East Asian cuisine. And if cocktails are your thing, settle in at the bar for an expertly crafted jungle Jimmy tiki or Aperol sorbet mimosa.

Owner Chris Fabri studied to be an accountant but working in restaurants when he was a student changed his path. “I’ve never been more passionate about this industry and The Milbri than I am now,” Chris says – and it shows. If you miss out on a table, you can order online and pick up or have it delivered, or book Los Milbros, their outside catering team, for your next event.

Opening hours: seven days 9am-late

Hawkes Farm

For more than 40 years, the Hawkes family have worked the land on their 56ha farm to provide visitors to their farmgate with top-quality seasonal produce, including onions, carrots, strawberries, radishes, corn, and parsley.

It’s the humble spud, though, that has put Hawkes on the map. On the weekend, their hand-cut potatoes are thrice cooked in their food truck for the waiting crowd; they’re rivalled only by their hand-cut crisps in packs to take home. In addition to Hawkes’ produce, there’s a wide range of quality produce and gourmet products from other Peninsula growers and producers that are impossible to resist. Another temptation here is great coffee made using ethically sourced beans from the Peninsula’s Boneo Road Roasters. So when you’ve finished shopping, grab a coffee and sit by the child-friendly vegie patch to relax. You might see farmer Richard or his dad Barry pass by on the tractor. They work on the farm seven days a week, so give them a wave. It’s good to know your farmer and where your food comes from. Hawkes Farm also offers educational group tours, so get in touch for more details. And if you prefer to shop online, there’s a click and collect service available.

Opening hours: seven days from 8am-5pm; closed Christmas Day

Lime Spice Hawker Beach Bar

Located opposite the Rye pier and foreshore, Lime Spice Hawker Beach Bar is the place to be to watch the world go by while enjoying the sweet, sour, salty and spicy flavours of South-East Asia. When the weather’s warm, the bi-fold windows open to let in the sea breeze and the vibe of one of the Peninsula’s most popular coastal townships.

The hawker-style street food menu is inspired by the cuisines of Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore. Head chef Lachy Cashman and his team – many of whom are from South-East Asia – bring skill and authenticity to their cooking. In keeping with culture and tradition, the dishes are designed for sharing, from fried pork belly with dry red curry to char kway teow, from school prawns with seaweed aioli and housemade furikake to Vietnamese coffee flan. All your hawker-style favourites are here, and glutenfree and vegetarian options are available.

An ice-cold beer is always a perfect match with hawker food, and St Andrew’s Beach Brewery pale and golden ale is on tap. Local wines, bubbles and cider are on the list too. If you prefer a cocktail, Basil Mojito is a house specialty, or there’s Lime Spice Tea Party that you can order in a carafe to share. Venue manager Misty Tinoi and her team make sure the atmosphere here is vibrant, fun and relaxed. A mural featuring a mama-san keeping a watchful eye over proceedings adds to the mood. Book your table online. Opening hours: Wednesday-Saturday noon-late for lunch and dinner; Sunday from noon for lunch

Sea Store Beach Café and Bar

Directly opposite Rye’s foreshore you’ll find Sea Store Beach Café and Bar. Just look for the stylish blue and white striped umbrellas shading the pavement tables. Those in the know are here every morning for excellent coffee made with Industry Beans coffee beans or chai made with sticky chai.

Owner Trent Smith is a veteran of the hospitality industry. With more than 25 years’ experience, he was well prepared to make his own café a success. Together with his wife Leanna and their team, Trent has established Sea Store’s reliable reputation in two short years since opening to become a community favourite.

The look and feel is beachy and light, with white walls, bare wood tables, tropical plant-themed cushions and an abundance of lush indoor plants. It’s like sitting in a beachside garden oasis. The menu matches the beachy casual vibe, and you’ll be set for breakfast, brunch, or lunch. Eat in or grab something to go – perhaps a housemade sausage roll, egg and bacon roll, or gourmet toastie. Egg breakfasts with all manner of sides are a highlight, and at lunch the burgers hit the spot. Sea Store is fully licensed with local beers on tap, local wines, and cocktails. There’s even a playroom for kids complete with a beach box, blackboard, picture books and colouring in. It’s easy to see why Sea Store Beach Café and Bar is Rye’s go-to place. Opening hours: seven days; see social media for details.

Cooee Café

Cooee Café owner Sharon Brindley has a natural sense of hospitality and passion for her work. “I’m a people person, and I’ve always worked around food,” Sharon says. However, there’s more to Sharon’s café/ takeaway shop in the Rosebud Industrial Estate than meets the eye.

Born and bred on the Peninsula – Bunurong country – Sharon is a Yamatji/Noongar woman whose family hails from Western Australia. At Cooee, the only Indigenous café on the Peninsula, Sharon is exploring her heritage through cooking with Indigenous ingredients. Regulars come for homestyle cooking, with generous serves of burgers or lasagne with bush tomatoes, or stir-fried chicken and rice with Native Oz Bushfoods quandong and bush lime-flavoured chilli sauce. Sweet-tooths love white chocolate flavoured with Davidson plum from Sharon’s own Jala Jala Treats range. Upstairs is a space dedicated to Indigenous art and food products such as teas, condiments, and spices. Sharon works in collaboration with Indigenous-owned food businesses to create Indigenous food hampers and gift packs. If you’re keen for a good feed and to connect with culture, Cooee is your place. Opening hours: Monday-Friday 6am-3pm; Saturday 7am-2pm; closed Sunday

Cooee Café I 1/7 Thamer St, Capel Sound I P: 5986 4414 www.cooeecafeandcatering.com.au I CooeeCafe cooeecafe

The Bagelry Co

The Bagelry Co is an unassuming brunch and lunch spot opposite the bay that attracts those who know the real deal when it comes to seriously good bagels. There are bread rolls shaped to look like bagels and then there’s authentic New York-style boiled bagels. It’s the latter that you’ll find here. Boiling the bagels before they’re baked gives real bagels their authentic chewy crust.

Owner Gavin Diener, a Peninsula resident for 30 years, is a self-confessed “coffee nut” who tried his first bagel in Israel more than two decades ago. Opening his bagelry café

is a long-held dream. Alongside fabulous bagels there’s artisan doughnuts, Noisette pastries, excellent Allpress coffee, Prana Chai and Mork specialty hot chocolate.

Locals and tourists alike stop in for unfilled bagels in take-home packs or individually; or filled bagels bursting with flavour and goodness. The Traditional with salmon, cream cheese, dill, capers, and red onion on a bagel of your choice will keep you going. There’s 13 different flavours to choose from, including onion bagels, seeded, herb or plain (plain GF available). Good luck deciding!

Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday 7.30am-3pm; Saturday and Sunday 7am-4pm; closed Monday. Check Google for Summer hours