The Gold List 2020 Best International Destination — Melbourne, Australia

Lauded as the melting pot of culture, Melbourne is more than just its ever-radiant street art laneways and renowned coffee from hole-in-the-wall cafés. Melbourne and regional Victoria is a gastronomy of flavours, known for its exquisite epicurean experience and some of the most beautiful vineyards and wineries.

One such highly-anticipated festival in Melbourne is the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival which is typically held in March every year and, plans are in the pipeline for a dedicated festival in Regional Victoria in spring, showcasing more of the state’s abundance of great food and drink than ever before. 

With producers of Victorian food and wine clustered in tight knit communities across this compact state, food producers and wine growers have founded their farms and vineyards in the most beautiful parts of the state.

No longer a stop on short break itineraries, a host of world-class restaurants, innovative chefs and access to quality fresh produce have put Victoria’s regional dining on the gastronomy map for culinary enthusiasts.

As the Yarra River sweeps down from the forest clad Yarra Ranges, it forms a fertile swathe of rich grazing land, vegetable farms and vineyards. Among others, James Halliday Hand Picked Yarra Valley Trail has attracted not only big names like French company Domaine Chandon, but also small winemakers such as Frenchman Dominique Portet.

Ezard@Levantine Hill has won many awards and accolades after only a year of operation. The five and eight course degustation menus have been carefully crafted to match premium Levantine Hill wines. Also located in the Yarra Valley, Oakridge Restaurant offers both vineyard and mountain views and foraged foods from surrounding bushland to create menus rich with the spoils of the region.

Located on prime farmland in the Otway hinterland, the world-renowned Brae in Birregurra continues to set the benchmark for regional dining, recognised internationally as the 58th best restaurant in the world in 2018.

Point Leo Estate’s marquee restaurant situated at Mornington Peninsula, Laura, is an intimate and refined dining place in the setting of the famed sculpture park. Jackalope's fine dining restaurant Doot Doot Doot, offers an ever-evolving five-course tasting menu drawing on seasonal offerings.

Two chefs hatted The Provenance in Beechworth is a true master of balance. Owner-chef Michael Ryan creates Japanese-influenced, contemporary regional cuisine. While dining at Lake House Restaurant - also a 2 Chef Hats and Hall of Fame's 'Australia's Wine List of the Year' - is one for the bucket list for a great gastronomic experience.