Brae

Top choice in Great Ocean Road


Regarded as one of Australia's best restaurants, Brae was established in 2012 by acclaimed chef Dan Hunter, who made his name at Dunkeld's Royal Mail Hotel. The restaurant mostly uses whatever's growing in its 12 hectares of organic gardens to create delightful gastronomic concoctions, all masterfully presented and with plenty of surprises.

Set within an attractive farmhouse cottage, Brae serves an eight-course tasting menu that changes daily, with flavours reflecting what traditionally grows in the area, including many Indigenous ingredients, which are arguably the highlight. Food is matched with regional wines, as well as offerings from local breweries and distilleries. For good reason the restaurant is a regular on the list of the World's Best 100 Restaurants; it reached number 44 in 2017. Reservations are essential, and need to be made well in advance. Their on-site boutique accommodation is also wonderful for a splurge.