Some places wear their history lightly, letting the stories seep through the floorboards and the beams, letting them speak softly between bites. Others lean in, showcasing their heritage in full-bodied grandeur while reinventing the dining experience entirely. In the realm of food and lifestyle, there’s something undeniably romantic about sitting down to a plate of modern Australian fare inside a former church, cottage or century-old pub. These historic venues offer more than just a meal—they serve a sense of place.
Whether it’s a converted chapel in the Yarra Valley or a steakhouse hidden behind a pink door in Ipswich’s oldest bakehouse, each of these five dining destinations marries architectural character with a menu that speaks to today’s tastes. Here’s where to go when you want the past to enrich your plate.
Tucked away in the leafy heart of the Dandenong Ranges, Dine Divine invites guests to savour more than just food. Housed in a former rural church along Mt Dandenong Tourist Road, this venue embraces its storied bones—arched stained-glass windows, dark polished wood floors and soaring ceilings—offering everything from a sophisticated lounge and bar to an alfresco courtyard drenched in mountain air. The atmosphere is reverent yet relaxed, making it the perfect stop on a Yarra Valley weekend sojourn.
The menu pays homage to classic comfort with a refined twist. A brunch of slow-cooked beef and Guinness pot pie is hearty enough to impress the hungriest hiker, while prawn and pork paella croquettes showcase clever fusion. The pan-seared rump of lamb is the standout, plated with roasted portobello mushrooms, golden potatoes and a verdant olive and green bean salad—a dish that feels both rustic and elevated. Finish with a sticky date pudding, rich in nostalgia and butterscotch.
The Royal Hotel – Harrisville, QLD
There’s old-school charm and then there’s The Royal Hotel Harrisville, a Queenslander pub built in 1875 that’s seen more stories than most country towns ever will. Located on Wholey Drive in the Scenic Rim, this historic pub still wears its age proudly—dark wood interiors, memorabilia-lined walls and a welcoming bar buzz make it feel like a living museum of mateship and memory. It’s the kind of place where time slows and a second round is inevitable.
The food is classic pub done right, with generous portions and a cheeky sense of comfort. You’ll find garlic prawns bathed in creamy sauce and salt-and-pepper calamari done just right. But the lamb ragu steals the spotlight—an Italian-inspired number slow-braised until fall-apart tender, tossed through pillowy gnocchi and finished with a richness that lingers. Pair it with a robust red and settle in; this is heritage hospitality at its finest.
Bakehouse Steakhouse – Ipswich, QLD
Enter through the playful pink door and you’ll be greeted by an interior that surprises—Bakehouse Steakhouse is part industrial-chic, part heritage nostalgia, wrapped up in the bones of a 19th-century brick bakery on Darling Street. Inside, the vibe is dynamic and youthful: exposed brick, recycled timber, lush greenery and an open-plan layout that embraces both history and high spirits. It’s a place where the past underpins the buzz of the now.
The kitchen brings a contemporary edge to the classic steakhouse formula. Kick things off with tempura soft-shell crab and pickled cabbage that sings with sweet heat. Then settle into the 14-hour slow-cooked beef cheek—so tender it barely needs a knife—nestled on a bed of truffled mash and blistered cherry tomatoes. A veal and red wine jus pulls everything together with the kind of balance that turns steakhouse fare into something worthy of celebration.
Altar Wine Bar doesn’t just hint at its ecclesiastical origins—it celebrates them. Located in the rolling green of Milton’s countryside, this unique venue rests within the garden-laden grounds of the Old Church. A trio of gardens, a sun-drenched marquee and a reimagined shearing shed bar create a laidback, almost whimsical experience that blends rustic charm with coastal polish. It’s a wine lover’s sanctuary with soul.
The menu is a modern Australian ode to the good stuff. Small plates like prawn and chive dumplings and Peking duck spring rolls invite grazing, but the Bavette steak is where the kitchen flexes its finesse. Served with a rich red wine beef sauce and classic jacket potato with sour cream and chives, it’s an understated masterpiece. Pair it with a glass from their thoughtfully curated wine list and toast to the art of slow living.
Once home to Bright’s local doctors, the charming Victorian cottage that now houses Elm Dining on Gavan Street offers an intimate and elegant dining setting steeped in local lore. The space has worn many hats over the years—a surgery, a residence, an art gallery—and today, after a thoughtful refurbishment, it stands as one of the region’s most refined restaurants. With an alfresco terrace by the river and interiors that nod to its storied past, Elm feels effortlessly timeless.
The food mirrors the setting—refined yet rooted in flavour. A starter of spiced lamb belly with mirin gastrique and chilli oil sets a bold tone. But it’s the koji and ginger marinated pork chop that delivers the knockout punch. Served with roast apple, a garlic and chilli purée and a rich koji jus, the dish offers layers of umami and sweet-heat balance. It’s inventive, elegant and perfectly in sync with the character of its surroundings.
These venues prove that great food doesn’t need to come with shiny new fittings to feel special. In fact, there’s something uniquely satisfying about tasting contemporary culinary brilliance in a place that’s weathered time with grace. From sandstone churches to century-old pubs and restored cottages, these historic venues offer not just a seat at the table—but a seat in history.
