Some days you just have to follow the sunshine, get off the beaten track and see where you land…read more Hopefully you find yourself here at The Daylesford Cidery's The Tavern. What started off as "we'll stop for 1 drink and then go climb a mountain' turned into a lazy 3hr Sunday session. Which only ended because we really had to get home. The staff here are amazingly friendly and helpful. They really know their cider and have a delicious range of locally sourced produce available. Start off with a tasting before you buy a bottle or two. With four distinct varieties it's best to try before you buy. The Tavern area itself is a quaint barn/church hall style building. Big comfy couches, warming rugs and a lot of blue stone. The outdoor area has half a dozen tables and a pizza oven. As well as two very friendly dogs. We'll be back again in winter to sit by the wood fire and drink our cares away.

Perfect spot for a chilled out cider by the fire. Met the new owners, British Claire and her Aussie…read moreboyfriend Macky who makes the cider. The surrounds remind me of many English pubs I've visited in the Cotswolds. Claire served us simple but fresh, tasty and local soups she made (spiced pumpkin and chicken&leek), coupled with handmade soughdough bread. Macky built us a fire and chatted about the 18 different varieties of apples used in the 4 different ciders they produce on site. Just brilliant - go!!!

My wife found Passing Clouds online when looking for a place for lunch for our anniversary weekend…read more Arrived a little early planning on doing some wine tasting and were not disappointed, especially after finding that the tastings were (in my experience, unusually) free. It looks like the menu changes from time to time and the blackboard showed a selection of dishes and starters. There were two meat options for main, those being chicken or pork, with another two vegetarian options. I chose the pork to go along with my Pinot noir and my wife had the grilled asparagus. The pork was roasted and very nice. Peas and broad beans accompanied along with a minty salsa verde. The winner of lunch however was the goats curd on my wife's plate. It was amazing! I would recommend this place and definitely come back. That said, there are many many options in the area. Booking ahead is a must. There are several 2/4 person tables and a couple of long tables. Walk-ins seem to get seated at the long tables. Groups are catered for and on the day we were there, there was a party group downstairs among the oak barrels.

I went to Passing Clouds on the weekend with a large crowd of friends and family. It's a lovely…read moreplace, great grounds and facilities. The staff are wonderful and knowledgeable, creating a fun atmosphere and making you feel welcome. The food is fantastic, following the current trend of simplicity done well... everything is cooked on wood charcoal. They have a great deal where they feed you and they are very generous, the menu changes based on availability so it's likely to be completely different every time you visit. Word of warning, the Google Maps GPS directions will take you astray if not careful.

It may be in the middle of nowhere, but it's a bloody good pub!…read more Radio Springs is the most fantastic and weird mix of a tiny little local, constantly buzzing with the inhabitants of Lyonville, and quite a fancy restaurant, offering some pretty delicious (though not super cheap) dinner options. I had the steak with garlic sauce which was pretty damn drool worthy. The chips & vegies on the side were great too. Radio Springs is a little bit like visiting someone's house- you can sit on the open verandah area and have a beer if the weather is nice, feast on dinner around the fireplace with a live band in the background if that's what suits, or head around to the red room at the back, where you'll feel transported to a different era in the rather elegant and dimly lit dining room. This one is worth a visit for the overall experience. Don't expect a regular restaurant as this place is in a world of it's own, but I'm not complaining!

Between Dalysford and Trentham in what can be called inner rural Victoria, or more to the point a…read moretown called Lyonville, places like the Radio Springs are a bit of an oasis. the place had a wonderful eclecticism going on, and when you walk into the rather small space we found the walls held up be several musicians playing very laid back tunes together. The music is ragtime and 1940s things and the bartender is nowhere to be seen. It's only when the song had finished and one of hem stands up and walks round the other side of the counter that it sinks in. This is pub full if the most intimate of locals, locals from all around. There are actual hotel facilities (unlike several places in Melbourne called a Hotel, which are in fact only a pub). From what I heard they're reasonable rooms and in nice surroundings when the sun's up.

An evening deep in dark Daylesford on a frosty winters night, my partner and I on a lovely weekend…read moreaway elected Rubens as our first feasting feat. Though, firstly we were told they were unable to seat us without a reservation on night like this. So away we went and returned when our time came. The interior is sparsely decorated, a pizza oven feature in the main dining area, a beautiful touch, if it functions, I do not know. Clean, contemporary, functional wooden furniture that cleverly compliment the exposed ceiling beams which are common in these parts. The restaurant was bustling and all seemingly enjoying. The serving staff are polite and professional, attentive however there were a few repeated questions, implying there was a lack of communication and/or organisation with front of house, however given how busy Rubens was this night, staff being over attentive is hardly a complaint. We ordered a Margherita, mostly because we couldn't decide on anything else. The ingredients were so fresh and the base was perfect! However, there was a shocking lack of depth to the flavour. Strange especially as one would assume the Napoli sauce base and the basil pesto on this pizza should be house made? All I could taste was sourness. There was a sad excuse for a garnish of grated beets and sparsely scattered roquette- refer to my photo. For $15, in Daylesford, I was disappointed frankly. Now, for one of the two issues that has lead me to to the two stars. I'll admit I made an adjustment to a menu item which is usually a no no however, the concept wasn't that dissimilar to what was already on there. I asked the for Napoli Marinara with Gnocchi instead of the listed spaghetti- why? Because I wanted Gnocchi. Boy, do I regret this order! I expected floury, potato pillows with fresh seafood and rich Napoli sauce. What I got was, sour mash potato marinara soup. Considering the beautiful meals I saw on other tables, I am unsure how my meal turned out this way. I sent it back. They didn't charge me for it. I would have expected an a word from the manager but didn't hear a peep. I was brought a spaghetti with Napoli sauce in place of my meal ($22) is strange to admit I was surprised we were charged for this, considering it is a basic dish chosen to correct an error? You may be surprised to learn, that the sauce was sour. This is the second reason I have come to the two stars, an Italian inspired/style restaurant that can not master red sauce is an embarrassment. To develop complexity and to balance flavour in a basic red sauce, is admittedly something that requires technique and practice, but possibly one of the most important things a chef/cook must learn. The Mango Island cocktail that is quite popular from all accounts, is very decent, strong and sweet, worth a taste if you happen upon Rubens. If..

We had a pleasant evening meal here at Ruben's…read more The starter sharing plate was delicious, as were the donuts for dessert. The pizza left me disappointed though. The base is not made in house and a bit frozen pizza-ish if I'm honest. Not what you want from an Italian restaurant. The toppings were fresh though. The pasta had by our friends was very nice from all accounts. Staff were very nice and very helpful.

Over the last couple of years I've been here several times and it's consistently had great food and…read morebeer, a solid level of customer focused service, and overall superb ambiance, all the more so in that they're dog friendly so I can take my pupper with me - I'd encourage folks (especially dog owners) to give it a shot

Highly recommended that when you book do not get the corner booth area as the table is far too…read moresmall. One of our guest who is 6foot 4 (btw) had to sit with plate on his knees. The Manager did not come to table after waitress advise he would and totally ignored us. Food was hit and miss. Some meals were good and one was very average especially for the price. Waitress did her best and when paying the so called Manager did not asked how was our meals for obvious reasons. The with plethora of restaurants in this region wouldn't put this as our highest option.

Food was overpriced, tasted awful, and made me physically ill. Service was ok, nothing notable,…read moreambience was fine I guess.

The skinny flat white didn't take long and it tasted all right. It can stand toe-to-toe with what…read moreMelbourne has to offer. Service was quick and we had a couple of choices for our table, so the one next to the fireplace got our vote! #lovefireplaces The menu offers a variety of items for the hungry and the foodies. The seafood chowder was not as creamy as I was hoping for but the taste was fresh and did not disappoint! There could've been another piece of bread but the low carb dieter in me was thankful there wasn't. :)) The home-made lasagne had a generous serving and my pasta-lover wife enjoyed it. And the best dish for us was the Thai-style calamari was perfectly cooked, tender, and flavourful. The salad had a good balance of vegetation and shallots and dressing. The aioli that came with it sealed the deal. We would come back again!

Fine dining at its best. We were able to get a table but, suggest you book!!…read more I honestly wasn't sure when I first saw the menu but, that quickly all went away after the first bite of the eggplant chips with raw beef!!! You could tell the chips were made with care and precision. I was wanting to order another plate. The first of our mains was the 1/2 baby chicken which was a large cut for one. I tend to eat the items on my plate singularly (I'm weird) but, this dish forced you to combine and I simply loved it!! The balance is obviously the main strength. The second main was the duck. I have NEVER had cooked at this high standard and the quince dressing was perfect with it. We were full after all this but we wanted to continue eating because the food was so delicious. I loved the chilli pineapple (with a one-punch) and ice cream sandwich, and the house made apple sorbet was very fresh.

Very sweet interior with mixed pattern antique porcelain plates and cozy environment. My friend and…read moreI started with the fennel salad which was crisp and flavorful. I had a seared piece of barramundi in a crab broth with greens and coconut rice, so satisfying and the broth was spectacular. My friend had the lamb ribs which were well prepared, and a very large portion. The only thing that was a miss for us was her charred kale and purple sweet potato salad which had a dressing too sweet for our palates. The wait staff was very friendly and attentive, would highly recommend!!

It's a very good cafe. Could have been a little more special as a restaurant if they'd gone for a…read moreslightly more upmarket fit out. That being said the food is very good with a lovely view of the lake.

A beautiful spot for a coffee or meal. Lovely setting. Would absolutely recommend. Could lose a…read morecouple hours there easy sitting on the deck taking it all in.

To walk in to a cafe and instantly feel warm, welcome and be treated to a roast the owner, Vigen in…read morethis case, can wax lyrical about is surely a virtue of a country community with big heart. I was craving a proper coffee and with a little Internet ninja prowess somehow happened upon legend of Buffalo Girls. Driving down Duke Street we thought perhaps it had closed as no visible signs were around in this residential street. Sure enough, a few hundred meters down a gravel lane and behind a store called Lark, a door ajar led us to this coffee house. It's stripped back. A historic warehouse with ample seating, Vigen's tools of his trade up front and a central high-table for communal coffee drinking or, as the bags laid out tell the tale of a group stamping and bagging session for the beans he roasts in Kensington for Buffalo Soldier (his wholesale side of the business. It's the bean end of the business). It's a family affair here and afar, with most of the beans being sourced from his family's farms in Africa. Make no mistake, Vigen knows he's good (and backs it up with a coffee that is as good as you hope) but knows his limits and while great things are happening for this coffee roaster don't expect him to be in every cafe any time soon. Buffalo Soldier is about maintain quality over quantity. He's the kind of guy who is the eyes and ears of Daylesford. He knew exactly where to direct us for dinner and when it came time to select a bag of beans to take home, I'd initially chosen his Kenyan blend before he stopped and asked me, "Do you want something completely different to what you've tasted before?" and with a nod he started pouring a Rwandan roast into a bag for us. There were a few eats on the counter - freshly baked muffins and biscuits - but this place is about the bean. The exceptionally satisfying bean.

If you're coming up from Melbourne, you're probably used to the idea of the best places being a…read morelittle hard to find, so go sneaking behind the main street of Daylesford and you just might stumble upon Buffalo Girls Coffee Bar. It's a big old converted warehouse colourfully kitted out with impressive street art and an perfectly mismatched selection of retro furniture and fittings. The coffee is just fantastic. Whether you're a latte drinker or after something a little more fancy, Vigen will no doubt whip you up a flawless drink, and do it with a smile. There's something weirdly wonderful about the grungy feel of the place- sneaking away from the cappuccino drinking day spa types and stopping by here to read the paper and get your caffeine fix. Give it a go, for sure.