I was in Yea over the weekend and stumbled across this wonderful little gallery cafe. My friend's dad was playing with his band at the Yea Autumn Festival and we were hungry afterwards, so we stopped in for a bite. This is simple cafe fare (e.g. muesli and toast for breakfast, sandwiches and salads for lunch) that is prepared with care, no fuss or frills, and served in an airy light-filled space with paintings, drawings, and hand-crafted wares from local artists.
Having learned we'd come up from Melbourne for the day, the owner -- a lovely woman who lives in the area -- apologised for the smallness of the menu. She explained that almost everything was sourced from their family farm, and quite literally brought in from the field to the cafe every morning, meaning that their pantry is seasonal and limited. No apology necessary! Sure, this may not be the fancy foodstuffs of city cafes but cafe food prepared with that kind of honesty nourishes more than the belly.
Bottom line: the ambiance was fantastic, and while my lunch may not have been amazing, it certainly hit the spot: the food was tasty and fresh, and the coffee was good. If you're in the area and can't be bothered heading south for a winery lunch, Gallery 34 is a solid pick. read more
