Piknik

Piknik is a cafe and larder housed in a converted Golden Fleece petrol station, between Queenscliff and Portarlington.

Aside from the bread (which is sourced from renowned Queenscliff bakery Alchemy Woodfire Bakehouse), the team makes everything on site – from the wall of jams, chutneys and relishes to the daily selection of tarts, cakes and scones.

Allpress coffee is made with Allansford-based Sungold milk, which is also churned into seasonal ice-creams. Meats from Western Victoria and Tasmania are smoked on site, which chefs Hamish Hames and Scott Marshall weave through a constantly changing menu that’s informed by local seasonal produce.

Piknik is known for its gluten-free muesli (which you can take home from the larder), as well as its Drysdale goats cheese and caramelised onion tart. For something a little heartier, try the kitchen’s take on steak and eggs – a hotpot of braised beef cheek, kipfler potatoes, tomato and a free-range egg from Kossies in nearby Stonehaven.

There’s an on-site orchard (brimming with pears, cumquats, tamarillos, limes, lemons and passionfruit) and a veggie patch to supply the kitchen. Locals also bring in excess fruit from their own trees, which is transformed into small batches of grapefruit marmalade, beetroot and orange relish or apricot and vanilla jam.

The cafe is licensed, so you can also enjoy local wines or a Melbourne Gin Company G&T (the lime’s from the garden) with lunch or dinner.

Explore Queenscliff further using our detailed Out of Town to Queenscliff guide.