5 RCA-winning Restaurants to Cook Up New Cravings

There’s something about local restaurants that those who visit often know is there…they just don’t want to share!

As we continue on your delicious drive around Readers’ Choice Award-winning venues around the country, let’s slow the pace down and visit cosy and quaint eateries where the food is always good and everybody knows your name.

Here are five that put a fire in your belly and a caffeine fix in your hand:

Cooking up your new cravings, Kyabram locals and visitors alike flock to Café Three620 on Allan Street to appease serious hunger. Polished wood floors, intimate tables and a calming colour palate of pale grey welcome guests as they catch up over coffee and brunch plates such as the Yankee – housemade waffle, bacon, fried eggs, maple syrup and vanilla ice cream.

 

Later diners delve into the likes of duck and artichoke risotto with roasted peppers, garlic and peas, arborio rice, stock and Parmesan; or grilled marinated lamb fillets, roasted potato wedges and red wine jus, enjoyed with a glass of red wine.

There are picnic baskets on the shelves and vibrant murals on the walls at locally loved The Picnic Basket Café on Channel Highway in Taroona. This quaint Hobart diner projects a cosy vibe of polished wood floors, shabby chic tables and colourful cushions, ideal for lingering over a brew and a bite to eat.

 

Stop in for brunch and check out the goodies in the market store before delving into smashed avocado with Persian feta, poached egg, dukkah, pickled red onion and pomegranate, on grilled sourdough. Join a lively lunch crowd for plates like a Buddha bowl of brown rice, marinated tofu, mushroom, roasted pumpkin, zucchini and greens.

Head to Burgerville on Gavan Street in Bright for gourmet burgers and a wide selection of craft beers from the region. Take a break from retail therapy at Woolworths Bright shopping centre to refuel and recharge at this rustic eatery with recycled timber floors, white subway tiles and black walls; while on balmy days, head to the deck and chill out under market umbrellas with an ice-cold brew.

 

Wrap your hand around a Dirty Sanchez burger with double beef patties and American cheddar, onion rings, spinach, pickled onion and pepper aioli; or the Mad Rooster burger with corn chip-crumbed chicken breast, cheese, tomato, lettuce, onion jam and smoked chipotle ketchup.

The future of pizza is in safe hands at well-loved restaurant Ciccio’s Woodfire Pizzeria on Poath Road in Murrumbeena. This Melbourne institution delivers authentic Italian pizza and pasta in warm and inviting surrounds of red brick, brown leather banquettes and art deco-style prints on the walls while guests salivate over tantalising aromas wafting from the kitchen.

 

Say grazie to starters of pork and beef meatballs with tomato, goats’ cheese and focaccia, before picking up gourmet pizza slices such as calabrese with San Marzano, mozzarella, salami, mushrooms, roasted peppers, olives and Spanish onions.

Great buns make great burgers at Joe’s Milkbar on Russel Street in Albion Park. Nestled inside Albion Park Shopping Village, this burger joint is well-loved for its housemade buns and doughnuts, along with loaded fries and chicken tenders. Rise and shine, it’s coffee time – stop by for an early morning caffeine fix, or dine later in the day in surrounds of whitewashed timber, tiled floors, glowing bulb lighting and potted greenery.

 

Let the Nashboy burger light a fire in your belly, with Nashville hot chicken, coleslaw, pickles and mayo, or chow down on the Americano – beef, double cheese, bacon, caramelised onion, pickles, lettuce, tomato and burger sauce.