A Lilydale restaurant in Victoria you need to know about
Nestled at the gateway to Victoria’s famous Yarra Valley, Locavore Studio stands as Lilydale’s best-kept culinary secret. This charming establishment, housed behind a heritage façade, offers a remarkable trifecta of experiences: a restaurant and café devoted to seasonal dishes, a providore stocked with local produce and fine wines, and Proximal, an on-site coffee roastery and tasting room. Opened in 2017 by local Jessie Rae Crossley, Locavore Studio has become a beloved destination, thanks in part to Crossley’s success with Locavore Catering, which serves over 300 weddings annually. When patrons step off Lilydale’s Main Street and into Locavore Studio, they are greeted warmly by a friendly front-of-house team. The inviting 50-seat dining room, bathed in natural light streaming through skylights, features earthy tones and intimate banquette seating in forest green leather. Head Chefs Kyle Noll and Ryan Lynch have crafted menus that spotlight the finest local produce, pulled from the ground, foraged, or caught at sea. Locavore’s breakfast and lunch offerings, available seven days a week, include standout dishes like the chilli scramble, Loca Benny, and chilli caramel pork belly bánh mì. Accompanying these meals is coffee from Proximal, with Owner and Roaster Evan Thompson’s signature ‘Best Friends’ blend being a favorite. Thompson’s passion for coffee extends to innovative and rare brews, with bespoke tastings available for those eager to delve deeper into the world of coffee. Encouraged by the community’s support, Crossley added dinner service with ‘Locavore Nights’ in May, led by Head Chef Ryan Lynch. The seasonal nightly menu features delectable dishes such as… Read More
