RESTAURANTS AND CAFES
There are 13 cafes and 15 restaurants in Bright alone. We have listed those in easy walking distance from abalina cottages. No one really dresses up to go to dinner in Bright even to the white tablecloth restaurants. However, if you care to do so you won’t feel out of place either. Many restaurants are not open on a Sunday or Monday. Try Cafe Chiaro and The Cosy Kangaroo. Both hotels should also be open. Alternatively try the platter below.
Also try the gourmet food (local produce) platter pictured below in cottage 1's courtyard which we can have waiting for you on arrival for $40 for 2 people and $70 including a good bottle of wine. See packages. The actual platter below is provided to us by The Wine and Cheese Bar in Bright.
WHITE TABLECLOTH AND EUROPEAN STYLE RESTAURANTS
Simone’s Restaurant - white tablecloth, licensed, and BYO (wine only) Chefs Hat awards
Closed 4/9- 24/10/08 for annual guided food tour of Italy
Closed Sundays, Mondays & Tuesdays bookings essential
98 Gavan St , Bright (Great Alpine Rd) Ph: 5755 2266
A 2008 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. Try their warm winter antipasto plate to share between 2 - you won't be disappointed.
" the last few times I've been there the food has been superb. It is not pretty food, nor is it minimalist food: it is regional Italian food in the finest style, and I love it for it. It's also a gorgeous restaurant to relax in - and, for $12 (now $16) corkage, they allow BYO. It is my favourite restaurant in the world. " Cambell Mattinson (registered commenter June 2006.
Villa Gusto set 5 course degustation menu 7 nights No BYO Bookings essential Chefs Hat awards
open 7 days from 7pm bookings essential
Awarded a Chef Hat by The Age Good Food guide 2006 & 2007 and 14.5/20 2008
This is a 10 minute drive away 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
Mietta's Review
"Tuscany comes to the Buckland Valley courtesy of Villa Gusto's owner, Colin McLaren and chef, Douglas Elder. It's what the Italian's call fantasia. It's a charming, and luxurious, place ..... to dine at. Log fires in the winter and mountain breezes in the summer. Italian inspired food that uses local ingredients where possible."
The Historic Oriental Boutique Hotel – French cuisine, white table cloth, relaxed dining, licensed (no BYO)
Closed Sundays and Mondays
“Excellence in fine dining in elegant and intimate surroundings. Alpine Tourism Award Winner 2006 - Highly Commended - for excellence in Fine Dining
Poplars Restaurant – French cuisine, white tablecloth, relaxed fine dining, licensed, BYO (wine only) Age Good Food Guide 2008 14/20
Closed Sundays and Mondays
Shop 2E Star Rd, Bright Ph: 5755 1655 Peter Bensen (pianist ) playing Friday evenings fr pm
“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
Sasha’s Wine Bar – old style European cooking, relaxed dining, includes outside dining, licensed, BYO (wine only) CLOSED UNTIL 9TH OCTOBER
2D Anderson St, Bright Ph: 03 5750 1711 or 0409 161 368 email: mrsasha@netc.net.au
Entrees: $10.50 - $17, Mains: $19 – 33 Desserts $9.50 - $11
Sasha's serves very old-style European cuisine. Goulash soup and roast duckling are specialities, as is the chateaubriand.
CONTEMPORARY STYLE RESTAURANTS
The Wine and Cheese Bar Bright - casual inside/outside dining max 20, licensed no BYO
Open for dinner Fridays and Saturdays only - cafe for breakfast & lunch all days except Sunday
Shop 3/104 Gavan St Bright Ph: 5755 5100 Open to 9pm only
Great local produce featured. Very popular with the locals. Only opened Friday and Saturday nights. Book well in advance. Opened 2007.
Liquid Am-Bar – casual inside and outside dining, contemporary decor, licensed (no BYO).
Open in winter Friday, Saturday and Sunday then in Spring closed Tuesday and Wednesday only
8 Anderson St, Bright Ph: 5755 2318 email: woody01@bigpond.net.au
92 on Gavan – relaxed dining in historic building, contemporary decor, licensed (no BYO)
92 Gavan St, Bright Ph: 5755 2333
Lawler's Restaurant – relaxed inside and outside dining, contemporary decor, licensed (BYO wine only) usually open on a Sunday CLOSED TO PUBLIC 1ST SEPT TO 21ST SEPT 08
100 Gavan St (Gr Alpine Rd) Ph: 5750 1304 emil: contact@coachhousebright.com.au
Entrees: $12 - $15, Mains: $19.50 - $28.50 Desserts: $10.50 Cheese (their specialty)
FAMILY & CASUAL RESTAURANTS
Boynton's Winery Cafe (one of our favourities) occasional dinners only - see What's On
Set in the terraced garden of the winery with great views to Mt Buffalo/ Tapas menu
Breakfast (Big Breckie Sundays and Mondays)
Tapas lunch Sat - Mon 9.30am - 3pm, Thurs & Fri 11am - 3pm. Closed Tues & Wed
Feb & March Beer and Tapas Friday nights
Ph 5756 2368 Great Alpine Rd on RHS as going from Bright to Myrtlefgord - about 6 minutes.
The Cosy Kangaroo – family style restaurant. Inside and outside dining.
Closed Wednesdays for dinner in August
Children’s playing area.
95 Gavan St Bright (Gr. Alpine Rd) Ph: Ph: 5750 1838
Extensive and reasonably priced menu
2005 Victorian family restaurant of the year. Consistent Alpine Business award winner 2003. 2004. 2006. Open 7 days breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Cafe Chiaro – a favourite with locals for its ambience and inexpensive casual dining BYO only. Usually open on a Sunday as well. Closed Tuesdays
8 Barnard St, Bright Ph: 5750 1999 email: cafechiaro@bigpond.com
Great for a Sunday night or midweek for pasta and pizza where you’ll leave only paying about $50 a couple for 2 courses. This is a restaurant where you will find yourself talking to the people at the next table. Wil cook glutin free foods and cater for other needs.
Back to Basics (mainly open as a cafe for lunch)
Gavan St/Great Alpine Rd Bright
Good old fashioned home style cooking. Check out the tradtional English roast on some nights. Standard cofee (e.g plunger)
ASIAN CASUAL RESTAURANTS & TAKE AWAYS
Bright Chinese Restaurant
108 Gavan St, Bright (Gr. Alpine Rd) Ph 5750 1155
Get Spiced (open every night except Wednesdays - take away also)
2/11 Ireland St Ph: 5755 2380 email: bottingt@bigpond.net.au
“Get Spiced Indian and Asian Restaurant serves authentic Indian and Thai cuisine. We offer a large selection of gluten free and vegetarian dishes. Alfresco dining in our private courtyard during summer. Children’s menu. Two course banquet from $25 per person plus full menu. Takeaway menu options as well. Fully air-conditioned for all year round comfort and plenty of car parking at rear of restaurant.”
HOTELS
Both hotels - The Star and The Alpine - have good menus and good chefs. The dining area of The Alpine is more upmarket but best avoided on a Friday and Saturday night unless dining early. The Star is the family hotel.
Alpine Hotel 7-9 Anderson St 5755 1366
The Star Hotel 91 Gavan St (Gr Alpine Rd) Ph: 5755 1277
TAKE AWAYS
Park Inn Take Away & Video Hire – good crumbed fish
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.
Rok Salt
Great grilled fish and hand cut potatoes.
Anderson St
Bright Pizza – pizzas & pastas –phone your booking otherwise it will be a long wait
113 Gavan St (Gr. Alpine Rd) Ph: 5750 1400
Bright Take Away - battered fish etc
30 Ireland St Ph: 5750 1400. Also hire oyut DVD's
Subway Bright
78 Gavan St (Gr. Alpine Rd) Ph: 5755 5177
Also see under restaurants Cafe Chiaro, Bright Chinese Restaurant, Get Spiced
CAFES (not the full list)
NEWEST The Wine and Cheese Bar (great local produce)
Shop 3/104 Davan St Bright - opposite the Visitor Centre and Bright Brewery
Breakfast and lunch daily (dinner Friday & Saturday nights to 9pm).
This is Bright's newest eatery. A very trendy setting opposite the Visitor Information Centre and Bright Brewery it is also a shop front for 5 Star Adventure Tours. Tracy has a small menu using locally produced products. Very reasonably priced. Great breakfast if you want something out of the ordinary but go elsewhere is you want your standard bacon and eggs.
Boynton's Winery Cafe (closed for winter)
Great Alpine Rd about 5 minutes from Bright (RHS) heading towards Myrtleford.
I suggest a tapas lunch at Boyntons Winery (great views and a beautiful setting to unwind) Café open Sat – Mon (9.30am – 3pm), Thurs & Fri (11am – 3pm), closed Tuesdays & Wednesdays. . Breakfast Sat, Sun and Mon with Big Breckie $12pp.
Jackie’s Tea Room & Eatery Good value
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. They have exclusivity on this treat. Great food and great ambience. Also try any of their soups and their ploughman’s lunch which is excellent value.
Kelly’s Humble Spud –well priced casual meals
13 Ireland St, Bright Ph: 5755 2077
Great value for an inexpensive meal – our favourite is the curried sausages and large baked potato. Great for morning winter sun. There is also a fireplace in the back room. Average ambience but great food.
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.
Food, Wine Friends – good ambience for coffee and light meals
2/6 Ireland St, Bright – Ph: 5750 1312
Beanz of Bright - trendy with great ambience
103 Gavan St - Ph: 5750 1200
BAKERIES WITH ATTACHED CAFES
Bright Bakery
80 Gavan St Bright Ph: 5750 1128
Edelweiss Bakery
5 Ireland St, Bright Ph: 5755 1428
OUT OF TOWN BUT WORTH THE VISIT
Red Stag Restaurant and Deer Farm (15-20 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.
Bellas’s of Harrietville - trendy new cafe on left just before ascent to Hotham
231 Gr. Alpine Rd Ph 5759 2750
Phone first to see if they are open. Recent tourist award winner. Great soup on in winter.
Devonshire Tea at Lavender Hue, Harrietville (20 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 on the river which are lovely in any season. Tell Verona Ian and Lesley sent you. Lavendar products for sale.
The Range Restaurant Myrtleford 16/20 2 chef's hat award 2008 Country Restaurant of the Year
See restaurant reviews www.range.net.au
03 5752 2885
rangerestaurant@yahoo.com.au
258 great alpine rd | myrtleford | 3737 victoria | australia