Blacksmith Provedore

High-quality ingredients and regional wines are core to the philosophy at Blacksmith Provedore, an airy oasis offering close-up views of Lake Mulwala. Conceived by Mulwala local Liz McNaught, this elegant venue boasts a Melbourne-worthy vibe, right down to the Dukes Coffee running through the espresso machine.

Then there’s the pizza, made on a three-day slow-fermented sourdough that’s rolled to order. A tomato sauce, made with San Marzano tomatoes slow-cooked for seven to eight hours, is the base for nearly all of them. The hero is the eponymous Blacksmith pizza, starring thinly sliced prosciutto from San Daniele in Italy and buffalo mozzarella from Victoria’s Shaw River, plus rocket and extra virgin olive oil. For a lighter meal, graze from cheese and charcuterie boards featuring produce by small Victorian artisans.

Local wineries from nearby King Valley and Rutherglen are championed here, but you can always opt for a classic spritz or an ice-cold draught beer from the likes of Peroni and Asahi, as well as locals such as Two Suns.

Beyond outstanding food and drink, the summer-ready space alone is worth a visit. The minimal tile and stone fit-out was designed by The Stella Collective in Prahran, and won Best Bar Design at the 2018 Eat Drink Design Awards. Though inspired by summer holidays, Blacksmith is a dining destination for the whole year.

Blacksmith has since opened a sister venue at the Harris Farm Market in Albury, bringing its speciality pizzas and closely curated wines to a wider audience.