Best places to eat around Halls Gap, Ararat and Stawell
The northern section of the Grampians region has plenty to lure visitors, quite apart from its outstanding natural charms and historic shiraz vines. Here, you’ll find the Great Western subregion, bordered by the goldmining towns of Halls Gap, Stawell and Ararat, and home to Best’s Wines. Travellers come to explore the wonders of Grampians National Park, to taste superb reds and enjoy warm hospitality. The Best’s team likes to get out and about for a meal, a drink or a coffee with the best of them, so here’s our insider guide to the places we love.
Spirit of Punjab, Halls Gap
This long-time local favourite offers a huge menu of Indian classics in a warm, welcoming environment and great views from its beer garden to the Grampians. At Spirit of Punjab, they’re uncompromising about cooking with quality ingredients and freshly roasted and ground spices, so everything is packed with authentic flavour. You can choose your level of chilli-heat too! There’s a short wine list featuring a couple of local drops, including our Rosé, Riesling, LSV Shiraz. There is also beer on tap, including Indian favourite Kingfisher Premium and a local brew from nearby Pomonal Estate.
Open 7 days for dinner 5pm-9:30pm; Friday-Sunday for lunch 12pm-2.30pm; 03 5356 4234; Bookings recommended.
Paper Scissors Rock, Halls Gap
This friendly brewery-restaurant-live music venue has become a social hub for locals. Paper Scissors Rock’s well-priced seasonally changing menu covers all the bases, from a smoked cheddar and taleggio slider through slow-cooked lamb shoulder to mascarpone cheesecake. The beer menu is outstanding, too, with a regular selection on tap including the ‘Normal’ beer and ‘Dark Vader’, a stout, as well as IPAs, XPAs, the occasional one-off keg and seasonal releases.
Open Thurs-Mon 12-8pm. Closed Tues & Wed. 03 5311 3709; Bookings essential.
Image Source: Paper Scissors Rock Brew Co.
Flame Brothers, Halls Gap
An American-style smokehouse, restaurant and bar, Flame Brothers has a ringside position for great views of the Grampians. The menu features a range of down-home classics, like buttermilk fried chicken with ranch dipping sauce, a bunch of burgers and a selection of meats served fresh from the smoker. There’s even key lime pie for dessert, and a good selection of wines, beers and cocktails to match with your meal, including Best’s Sparkling Shiraz. Flame Brothers is also open for Breakfast!
Open daily for breakfast 7:30am-11.45am; lunch and dinner 12pm-10pm. (03) 5356 4279. Bookings essential.
Image Source: Flame Brothers
Halls Gap Hotel
Kid-friendly Halls Gap Hotel is a short walk from the centre of town, with a wraparound verandah to take in the views in warm weather, and a roaring log fire to stave off the winter chill. Halls Gap Hotel’s bistro-style menu is a crowd-pleaser, with plenty of variety, from ‘Korean Fried Chicken’ to pizzas, steaks and more sophisticated fare, like twice-cooked Chinese braised pork. There’s an extensive beer, cider and wine list featuring a number of local drops, including Best’s Great Western Riesling, Chardonnay, Bin 1 Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Open 7 days for lunch and dinner 11:30am to 9pm. Online bookings essential.
Image Source: Halls Gap Hotel
The Kookaburra Hotel, Halls Gap
The Kookaburra Hotel has been a Halls Gap icon for 40 years. Rick and Vonne are passionate about bringing you fabulous food with a menu that boasts all your favourites including spinach crepes, the baked duckling, top-notch steak and sumptuous desserts The Kookaburra is also proud to offer a wide selection of local Grampians region wines – by the bottle or glass – to complement your meal. Including our very own Best’s Bin No. 1 Shiraz.
Open Wednesday to Sunday from 5:30pm- 8:30pm for dinner and 12-3pm on Saturday and Sunday for lunch. Check website for current opening hours. (03) 5356 4222 Bookings recommended.
Sicilians Bar & Restaurant, Ararat
This family-run restaurant has been on the Ararat food scene for more than 30 years. The lunch and dinner menus at Sicilians are huge, and feature a variety of Italian pizza and pasta, salads and more, including some authentic Lebanese classics. The Bourizk family takes a lot of pride in serving freshly prepared food at a reasonable price. The drinks list includes local labels, a few Best’s bottles – and a spot outside under the grapevines is just the place to sample them.
Open Monday-Saturday for lunch 11am-2pm; dinner 5-8pm. (03) 5352 2627. Bookings recommended.
The Ararat Hotel Cafe Bistro
The Ararat Hotel
The wonderful vintage Art Deco building has been given new life after undergoing a major refurbishment of the ‘front bar’. Ararat Hotel Cafe Bistro Open 08.00 am – 10.00 pm 7 days. Call us on 03 5352 2477. Bookings recommended.
Great Western Hotel
Located in the wine village of Great Western, the Great Western Hotel is situated right in the heart of town. The Hotel offers a seasonal menu for both lunch and dinner 7 days a week, order from their usual pub menu, plus wine and beer. The kitchen is open 12pm-2pm and 6pm-8pm. Phone orders (03) 5356 2270.
Salinger’s Cafe
Salingers Cafe in Great Western, a play between the historic building, exposed brick walls and modern dining. With its cozy and relaxing atmosphere, it’s the perfect dining destination in the Grampians Region. Open 7 days a week.
Diamond House Heritage Restaurant, Stawell
With a history dating back to 1868, this restaurant-motor inn’s name comes from the building’s remarkable diamond-design brickwork. And with offerings like ‘bush dust kangaroo’ on the menu, you might think Diamond House is pure Australiana. But long-serving chef Dave Wainwright has plenty of modern-Australian (read multicultural) tricks up his sleeve, so you could choose from coriander prawns with a chilli, lime and ginger ice cream, pappardelle with mushroom ragout or red curry duck, as well as the best steak around. The wine list carries our popular White Gravels Hill Shiraz and the super-premium Best’s Bin No. 0 for you to enjoy with those serious steaks. Plus, each month, Diamond House hosts a popular blues night.
Open daily for dinner from 6pm. (03) 5358 3366. Bookings recommended.
Barney’s Bistro Bar, Pomonal
Just a 10-minute drive from Halls Gap, this classic family restaurant is a real crowd-pleaser located inside a fully restored old wool shed with fun, upcycled décor from material found all around Victoria! The drinks list features a good selection of local wines, including our Bin 1 and Cabernet Sauvignon, along with beers and spirits. Barney’s is very popular with locals and visitors alike, so it’s definitely best to book ahead.
Open Wednesday 4pm-10pm Thursday – Sun 11:30am – Late*
Kitchen 11:30am- 2pm then 5pm – 8pm
(03) 5356 6337. Bookings recommended.
Moyston General Store and Café
For the best coffee in the region, head straight to Moyston General Store, where you’ll also be able to tuck into all-day breakfast, and a lunch menu with some Persian influences, such as a spiced slow-cooked chicken and Persian lamb burger on a charcoal bun. And if you’re around on a Saturday night, make sure to book a spot for a special Persian dinner. The café is licensed, with a good list of local drops, as well as Australian and international beers.
Open Mon-Tues 8am – 1pm; Wed, Thurs, Friday 8am – 4pm; Sat and Sun 9am – 3pm