Restaurants and Cafes
RESTAURANTS IN BRIGHT
abalina cottages - Bright accommodation for singles, couples and families
SPECIALS: third week night a flat $100 and third weekend night 50% off in most off-peak times, Stay 5/Pay 4 arriving on any Sunday (some exceptions) and Stay 7/Pay 6 at any time including long weekends.
Restaurants and Cafes
There are 13 cafes and 15 restaurants in Bright alone. We have mainly listed those in easy walking distance from abalina cottages, your Bright accommodation. You do not need to dress up to go to dinner in Bright even to the white tablecloth restaurants (smart casual at a minimum). However, if you care to do so you won’t feel out of place either.
Fine dining restaurants
Please break away from steak dishes only and try our restaurants' gourmet food using local trout, rabbit, goat, kangaroo, olives, walnuts, chestnuts etc. Try unusual dishes from our Italian and French restaurants as well.
Simone’s Restaurant(Italian) Ph: 5755 2266
white tablecloth, licensed, and BYO wine only at $16 corkage Chefs Hat awards
Closed Sundays, Mondays & Tuesdays bookings essential - book 4 weeks in advance by phone not email
98 Gavan St , Bright (Great Alpine Rd)A 2009 Chef’s Hat awarded restaurant – Age Good Food Guide two chef's hats
As this is an authentic Italian slow cooking restaurant, you must try the Italian rather than the Australian style meat dishes. Vegetable dishes are a speciality. A favourite with the locals for special occasions (it is the most expensive restaurant in town). Simone’s has been awarded the Melbourne Age Good Food Guide Chef’s Hats for a number of years now. Set in a lovely historic building.
Villa Gusto (Italian) Ph 8667 3371
A set 5 course degustation menu Thrs - Sun (No BYO) Bookings essential
Will be open for lunch on Sundays, the cost is $35 for an Italian styled relaxed lunch served between 12pm & 2pm. Bookings required
(10 minutes from Bright in the Buckland Valley)
Ph: (03) 5756 2000; 630 Buckland Valley Rd, Bright 3741 www.villagusto.com.au
Open: Dinner; Licensed; Seats inside 22; Private room Yes
Open: Dinner; Licensed; Seats inside 22; Private room Yes
Bright taxi Service ph (03) 8667 3371 mobile 0447 030 600 and email alpinecarrental@hotmail.com
Will be open for lunch on Sundays, the cost is $35 for an Italian styled relaxed lunch served between 12pm & 2pm. Bookings required
Sole e Luna (modern Italian) Ph 5750 1861
(Great Alpine Rd ) diagonally opposite Bright BreweryHuge local following so booking in advance essential
Have to wait for a table - why not grab a few drinks at the trendy Grape and Grain bar a couple of doors up. Sole e Luna will come and collect you when your table is ready.
Bookings essential Licenced (no BYO)
opening times: Mon - Sat 5:30-late (closed Sundays)
"Born and bought up in Myrtleford, Victoria, Frank has worked as chef for over 12 years. He spent 6 years in Melbourne and the last 7 years working for celebrity chef’s in London, names including Antonio Carluccio, where Jamie Oliver was trained and Aldo Zilli where he ran 3 restaurants for him in the heart of Soho.
Whilst traveling in Italy he found the name Sole e Luna meaning the sun and the moon and decided on it as a name for his restaurant. Frank comes from a Mediterranean background, his father being Spanish and his mum Italian and his culinary skills have been highly influenced throughout his travels in Europe and London. He creates modern Italian dishes with his own flare!
Frank met his partner Kate, who is a chef by trade too, whilst working together in London and they decided to return to Australia to follow their dreams and create Sole e Luna.
Sit back, relax and enjoy the culinary experience at Sole e Luna.
Buon appetitio"
"Born and bought up in Myrtleford, Victoria, Frank has worked as chef for over 12 years. He spent 6 years in Melbourne and the last 7 years working for celebrity chef’s in London, names including Antonio Carluccio, where Jamie Oliver was trained and Aldo Zilli where he ran 3 restaurants for him in the heart of Soho.
Whilst traveling in Italy he found the name Sole e Luna meaning the sun and the moon and decided on it as a name for his restaurant. Frank comes from a Mediterranean background, his father being Spanish and his mum Italian and his culinary skills have been highly influenced throughout his travels in Europe and London. He creates modern Italian dishes with his own flare!
Frank met his partner Kate, who is a chef by trade too, whilst working together in London and they decided to return to Australia to follow their dreams and create Sole e Luna.
Sit back, relax and enjoy the culinary experience at Sole e Luna.
Buon appetitio"
Sol Indian Tandoori restaurant
2 Ireland St Bright (Cnr Cobden St) Ph 5755 1019
Open 7 nights from 5.30pm (also lunch Tues to Sun 11.30am – 2.30pm)
In the Historic Oriental Boutique Hotel (now a restaurant and guesthouse) Licensed, no BYO with beer garden at the back. Opened late September so best Sun – Thurs nights as they find their feet. White tablecloth dining, as summer arrives may have outside dining as well.
Poplars restaurant (French)
www.poplars.com.au 2A Star Rd, Bright ph: 5755 1655
French cuisine, white tablecloth, relaxed fine dining, licensed, BYO (wine only $10 corkage) Mentioned in Age Good Food Guide
Closed Sundays and Mondays bookings by phone (email not recommended) This is a French bistro so often french fries are served particularly with steak. Advise the wait staff if you'd prefer other side dishes. “The menu offers classic bistro dishes including fillet steak with pommes frittes, roasted poussin, confit of duck, soufflés, brulee and lemon tart. The seasonal menu changes throughout the year and is enhanced by a blackboard menu that features the best products available each day. Poplars emulates the traditional, relaxed atmosphere of a French bistro, guests are welcome in the dining room, or in summer at the outdoor café tables under the grapevine. Dining can be as simple as a plate of terrine or rillettes and a glass of wine, a cappuccino and a lemon tart, or as elaborate as a four-course dinner paired with outstanding regional wines. We offer an extensive wine list showcasing premium wines from the valley. We offer an extensive wine list showcasing premium wines from the valley." Review by Campbell Mattinson - registered commenter June 2006.
Contemporary Style Restaurants
Pepperleaf Bush Tucker Restaurant and Bar
Relaxed dining , contemporary decor, licensed (no BYO) closed Wednesdays and Th ursdays 2a Anderson St, Bright Ph: (03) 5755 1537 Open Thurs to Sunday - phone for other nights
Pepperleaf Bush Tucker Restaurant and Bar is located in Bright CBD . It enables diners to enjoy an exclusive Australian cuisine. The menu provides diners with a "Taste of Australia" drawing upon quality Australian produce and native ingredients. No we do not serve grubs and goanna but we do serve authentic Australian dishes wich we prepare in a contemporary style using native or indigenous ingredients. We serve game meats such as crocodile, kangaroo, emu, crocodile and seafood. Native herbs such as lemon myrtle also feature. We try to develop exciting new dishes that maximise the flavour possibilites of Australian native produce.
Liquid Am-Bar
casual inside and outside dining, contemporary decor, licensed (no BYO).Usually closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Visit website for menus . Open for breakfast and lunch also some days closed Tuesdays
8 Anderson St, Bright Ph: 5755 2318 email: woody01@bigpond.net.au
Il Centro Pizza House
Very popular with the locals so phone to book.
Ph 5750 1228 dine in or take-away
Inexpensive pizza/pasta/ veal and chicken parma and schnitzel in contemporary atmosphere. Efficient and friendly service. BYO only.
Corner of Gavan St and Barnard St opposite 92 on Gavan. out their menu on the link below
Lawler's Restaurant (Australian)
Relaxed inside and outside dining, contemporary decor, licensed (no BYO ) Often closed in winter due to school bus bookings. closed Sundays and MondaysChildren's menus included NOTE: Large screen TV in restaurant displays football during your meal (no sound)
100 Gavan St (Gr Alpine Rd) Ph: 5750 1304 emil: contact@coachhousebright.com.au
The Butter Factory Myrtleford
inside and outside dining , views of Mt Buffalo, licensed
5752 2300 email infor@thebutterfactory.com.au breakfast. lunch and dinner.
Tue-Wed 8am-6pm, Thu-Sun 8am-11pmOn the left hand side on the outskirts of Myrtleford coming from Bright (Great Alpine Rd)
The flavour-loving locals of Myrtleford can be found digesting their days away at this foodies' hangout, where Naomi Ingleton cooks up an ever-changing menu of dishes inspired by the local produce from which it is made.
The Myrtleford Butter Factory serves fresh and fine meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner, offering a different menu every day. Naomi Ingleton dubs her Mediterranean-inspired fare "regional cuisine" and has strong permaculture ethos, with many of the vegetables used coming from the factory's own garden.
Built in 1935, the historic butter factory building maintains some original features such as the tiled floor and outside facade, but within its walls, a modern renovation makes for a professional but relaxed atmosphere.
The Myrtleford Butter Factory serves fresh and fine meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner, offering a different menu every day. Naomi Ingleton dubs her Mediterranean-inspired fare "regional cuisine" and has strong permaculture ethos, with many of the vegetables used coming from the factory's own garden.
Built in 1935, the historic butter factory building maintains some original features such as the tiled floor and outside facade, but within its walls, a modern renovation makes for a professional but relaxed atmosphere.
Family Restaurants
Il Centro Pizza and Pasta closed Monday
Very popular with the locals so phone to book.
Ph 5750 1228 dine in or take-away
Inexpensive pizza/pasta/ veal and chicken parma and schnitzel in contemporary atmosphere. Efficient and friendly service. BYO only.
Asian Food
Bright Chinese Restaurant BYO only open 7 nights
108 Gavan St, Bright (Gr. Alpine Rd) Ph 5750 1155. Popular with the locals.
Suganya Thai Restaurant
2/11 Ireland St Ph: 5755 2380 closed Mondays and Tuesdays
Licensed and BYO. Authentic food.
Alpine and Star Hotels (see info below)
open 7 days
Hotels Alpine and Star (courtesy bus to and from hotel)
www.brightpubs.com.au (see menus on website)
Both hotels - The Star and The Alpine - have good menus and good chefs. The dining area of The Alpine is more upmarket with The Star more of a family hotel with a TAB. Try the Asian cuisine from the Sri Lankin chefs.
Every Saturday night the bar comes alive with a live band. Bands come from all over Victoria to play the hits of today and the classics of the past.
When there isn’t a band playing there is always the Jukebox which has such a variety it would be hard not to find something you like.
With the expansion of the floor area there is now plenty of room to dance to the band or Juke Box.
Alpine Hotel 7-9 Anderson St 5755 1366
The Star Hotel 91 Gavan St (Gr Alpine Rd) Ph: 5755 1277
Take-away
Rok Salt
Great grilled fish, tampura batter, hand cut potatoes and salads. Anderson St
Il Centro Pizza and Pasta
closed Mondays
Efficient with great priced meals. Dine in or take away. BYO only
Ph: 5750 1228
Efficient with great priced meals. Dine in or take away. BYO only
Ph: 5750 1228
Bright Chinese Restaurant open 7 nights to 8pm
108 Gavan St, Bright (Gr. Alpine Rd) Ph 5750 1155. Popular with the locals.
Suganya's Thai Restaurant
2/11 Ireland St Ph: 5755 2380 Licensed closed Mondays and Tuesdays
Bright Take Away - battered and crumbed fish etc
30 Ireland St Ph: 5750 1400. Also hire oyut DVD's
Park Inn Take Away & DVD/Video Hire – Fish and Chips etc
2 Delaney Ave (Gr. Alpine Rd) Ph: 5755 1309
head out along Great Alpine Rd towards Hotham – 400 m past the bridge in Bright on the RH side. Also hires DVD's.
head out along Great Alpine Rd towards Hotham – 400 m past the bridge in Bright on the RH side. Also hires DVD's.
Subway Bright
78 Gavan St (Gr. Alpine Rd) Ph: 5755 5177
Charcoal Chicken
Opening July 2010. Next to Sole e Luna and Bendigo Bank. Why not have a few drinks at trendy Grape and Grain bar two doors up then grab your chicken on they way home.
Cafes
The Riverdeck Cafe – great view of the park and river
Great Alpine Rd, Bright – to the rear of the Information Centre overlooking the river
Modern cafe, with a deck overlooking the river and attached to the Visitors Information Centre. Try their pasta. focaccias, big breakfast, pancakes etc from a wide menu. Great for kids as good distance between tables as well as an outside deck. Great winter thick hot chocolate. Mugs are good value and better size.
Modern cafe, with a deck overlooking the river and attached to the Visitors Information Centre. Try their pasta. focaccias, big breakfast, pancakes etc from a wide menu. Great for kids as good distance between tables as well as an outside deck. Great winter thick hot chocolate. Mugs are good value and better size.
Coral Lee - very tasty food
Opened in October 2010 (Barnard St Bright, this small cafe and has proved a hit with the locals right from the start. Modern 50s style including music but with well priced and extremely tasty breakfasts and lunches. Great for those wanting to be transported back a little in time, Closed on Tuesdays. Inside and outside dining.
Cafe Velo
Situated to the rear off the Bright Oriental Boutique Hotel (now a restaurant, cafe and guesthouse). Great breakfast and coffee in retro cafe. Sunny outside deck. Licensed. Cycists can ride in with bike racks and storage for helmets. Cafe has a bike theme. At the top Ireland St on the Corner of Cobden St. Council carpark opposite on Cobden St side.
Ginger Baker
Spectacular rear setting in Bright on the river if you dine at the rear of the cafe. Licensed. Located next to the Bridge on the Great Alpine Rd on the way to Mt Hotham. Not open every day.
Boynton's Winery Cafe- spectacular views
Great Alpine Rd about 15 minutes from Bright (RHS) heading towards Myrtleford.
Cafe open for 2 course chef quality in summer through to autumn . Or as well and outside outside these times enjoy selecting a range of food from the deli bar.
Red Stag Restaurant
Great views from spectacular new renovation. Well priced tasty meals. Feed the deer, goats and emu as well at the deer farm. Gift shop has some surprises. 20 minutes away with turnoff on the left on the way back to Myrtleford. Open 7 days. A must while you are here.
Jackie’s Tea Room & Eatery Good food in historic building
breakfast, lunch to afternoon tea. Shop 1, 6 Ireland St Ph: 5750 1303 Licensed
Try their hot chocolate which is a thick chocolate sometimes needing a spoon. Cost is $4 but takes ages to consume so you can take a book or go for a chat without finishing too quickly.
The Happy Spud
13 Ireland St, Bright Ph: 5755 2077
Inexpensive meals (potato with hot and cold toppings, sour cream and cheese).
Inexpensive meals (potato with hot and cold toppings, sour cream and cheese).
Food, Wine Friends – good ambience for coffee and light meals
2/6 Ireland St, Bright – Ph: 5750 1312
Beanz of Bright - trendy cafe
103 Gavan St - Ph: 5750 1200
Back to Basics (mainly open as a cafe for lunch)
Gavan St/Great Alpine Rd Bright
Home style cooking. Lunch and some breakfasts. Brewed coffee only. Huge sandwiches is their specialty (may take two of you to eat just one).
The Sweet Retreat
Barnard St
Try their hot chocolate, good value milkshakes and coffee. Tempt yourself with chocolates made on site.
Bakeries with attached cafes
Bright Bakery
80 Gavan St Bright Ph: 5750 1128
Edelweiss Bakery
5 Ireland St, Bright Ph: 5755 1428
. Good range for lunch.
Out of town but worth a visit
Red Stag Restaurant and Deer Farm (20 minutes away)
324 Hughes Lane, Eurobin Ph: 5756 2365 open 7 days
Lunch on the deck is always a favourite place for us. Well priced and generous servings. Try their special sausages. Then go and feed the deer, goats and emus. Spectacular views from recently renovated restaurant. with huge glass walls to capture the views.
Lunch on the deck is always a favourite place for us. Well priced and generous servings. Try their special sausages. Then go and feed the deer, goats and emus. Spectacular views from recently renovated restaurant. with huge glass walls to capture the views.
The Butter Factory Myrtleford - inside and outside dining , views of Mt Buffalo, licensed
ph 5752 2300 email infor@thebutterfactory.com.au breakfast. lunch and dinner.
If you are running laty on your arrival day, stop here for dinner (bookings needed though) as it is 23 minutes from Bright
Tue-Wed 8am-6pm, Thu-Sun 8am-11pm
On the left hand side on the outskirts of Myrtleford coming from Bright (Great Alpine Rd)
"The flavour-loving locals of Myrtleford can be found digesting their days away at this foodies' hangout, where Naomi Ingleton cooks up an ever-changing menu of dishes inspired by the local produce from which it is made.
The Myrtleford Butter Factory serves fresh and fine meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner, offering a different menu every day. Naomi Ingleton dubs her Mediterranean-inspired fare "regional cuisine" and has strong permaculture ethos, with many of the vegetables used coming from the factory's own garden.
Built in 1935, the historic butter factory building maintains some original features such as the tiled floor and outside facade, but within its walls, a modern renovation makes for a professional but relaxed atmosphere."
The Myrtleford Butter Factory serves fresh and fine meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner, offering a different menu every day. Naomi Ingleton dubs her Mediterranean-inspired fare "regional cuisine" and has strong permaculture ethos, with many of the vegetables used coming from the factory's own garden.
Built in 1935, the historic butter factory building maintains some original features such as the tiled floor and outside facade, but within its walls, a modern renovation makes for a professional but relaxed atmosphere."
Bellas’s of Harrietville - trendy cafe on left just before ascent to Hotham
231 Gr. Alpine Rd Ph 5759 2750
Phone first to see if they are open. Well priced meals with generous servings
Phone first to see if they are open. Well priced meals with generous servings
Devonshire Tea at Lavender Hue, Harrietville (22 mins along Gr. Alpine Rd towards Hotham)
Great Alpine Rd, Harrietville Ph: 5759 2558
20 minutes from Bright on the Great Alpine Rd
Phone first as they are not always open particularly midweek and during winter,
The timber cafe is set in beautiful grounds which are lovely at any time of year. Set the bubbling Ovens River . Tell Verona that Ian and Lesley sent you. Lavendar products for sale.
20 minutes from Bright on the Great Alpine Rd
Phone first as they are not always open particularly midweek and during winter,
The timber cafe is set in beautiful grounds which are lovely at any time of year. Set the bubbling Ovens River . Tell Verona that Ian and Lesley sent you. Lavendar products for sale.