Restaurant in Birregurra VIC 3242, Australia
Brae
Remote fine dining restaurant on organic farm in rural Victoria with accommodation. Hyper-seasonal menus using ingredients from their own farm and local producers.
Brae is widely regarded as one of Australia's finest dining destinations, set on a working certified organic farm at 4285 Cape Otway Road in Birregurra, Victoria, approximately 1.5 hours south-west of Melbourne in the Colac Otway region. Chef Dan Hunter, who refined his skills at the three-Michelin-starred Arzak in San Sebastián under Juan Mari Arzak and later led the kitchen at the celebrated Royal Mail Hotel in Dunkeld, opened Brae in 2013 and has since built it into a restaurant of global standing — it has appeared on the World's 50 Best Restaurants list and holds a coveted three-hat rating in the Australian Good Food Guide.
The entire tasting menu is constructed around Brae's own six-acre certified organic farm, which supplies heritage vegetables, edible flowers, foraged herbs, fruit, and eggs. Hunter supplements the farm's output with carefully selected ingredients from regional producers across southern Victoria. The tasting menu, currently priced at approximately AUD $350 per person, changes with the seasons and sometimes week to week, meaning no two visits are identical. Signature preparations have included slow-cooked egg with wattleseed, heritage tomatoes rendered in multiple textures, venison with native botanicals, and cured fish with farm-grown vegetables and cultured dairy — all defined by restraint, precision, and an insistence on allowing produce to speak for itself.
The dining room occupies a restored farmhouse with an atmosphere that is intimate and unhurried. Exposed timber, natural light flooding through windows overlooking paddocks and kitchen garden, and the pacing of a long, multi-course experience give the meal a character that is simultaneously fine-dining in its attention to detail and distinctly warm and rural in spirit. Dress code is smart casual. The wine programme focuses on small Australian producers, with an optional beverage pairing at approximately AUD $195 that adds considerable dimension to the meal.
Brae also offers six on-site guest suites, making an overnight stay possible — a popular choice given the distance from Melbourne and the intensity of the dining experience. Reservations are essential and typically need to be made two to four months in advance. The restaurant opens Wednesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner seatings. Booking through the restaurant's own reservation platform is strongly advised.
Signature dishes
- Farm tasting menu — $350
- Wine pairing — $195
Hours: Wednesday-Sunday lunch and dinner seatings
Reservations: Essential, book well in advance
Visit / Book / Contact
- Official website
- Phone: +61 3 5236 2226
Location
4285 Cape Otway Rd, Birregurra VIC 3242
-38.3333, 143.7667 — View on map
Highlights
- Three-hat Australian Good Food Guide rated farm-to-table restaurant on a working 6-acre certified organic farm in Birregurra, Victoria
- Chef Dan Hunter's hyper-seasonal tasting menu built entirely around the restaurant's own farm produce and carefully sourced regional ingredients
- World's 50 Best Restaurants alumnus offering one of Australia's most sought-after dining experiences
- On-site guest accommodation allows diners to extend the experience with an overnight farm stay
- Optional AUD $195 beverage pairing featuring small Australian producers curated to match each course
Tips
- Book two to four months in advance — the restaurant is one of Australia's most in-demand reservations and fills quickly for weekend seatings
- Opt for the on-site accommodation to avoid the 1.5-hour drive back to Melbourne after a long tasting menu — the suites are set within the farm grounds
- The full tasting menu (around AUD $350) is the only dining format offered; there is no à la carte option
- Come hungry and well-rested — the degustation spans multiple courses and can run well past three hours
- Check the restaurant website directly for seasonal menu updates; the offering changes frequently and menus are not published in advance
FAQ
How far in advance should Brae be booked?
Reservations typically need to be made two to four months ahead for weekend seatings. Midweek availability occasionally opens on shorter notice. Booking via the restaurant's own website is the only method accepted.
Is there accommodation at Brae?
Yes. Brae operates six on-site guest suites set within the farm property. Staying overnight is highly recommended for visitors travelling from Melbourne, and packages combining the dinner and a room are available through the restaurant's booking system.
What is included in the Brae tasting menu price?
The tasting menu is currently priced at approximately AUD $350 per person and covers all food courses. Beverages, including the optional curated pairing at around AUD $195, are charged separately.
Is there a dress code at Brae?
Smart casual dress is expected. The atmosphere is relaxed and rural rather than formally black-tie, but extremely casual attire such as thongs or beachwear would be out of place.
Does Brae cater for dietary requirements?
Yes. The kitchen can accommodate most dietary requirements including vegetarian and vegan needs with advance notice provided at the time of booking. The farm setting supports a wide range of vegetable-forward adaptations.
Accessibility
The restaurant is set within a converted farmhouse on a working farm property, with some uneven ground and gravel paths on approach. The dining room itself is on a single level. Visitors with mobility requirements should contact the restaurant directly ahead of their visit to discuss access arrangements and parking proximity to the entrance.
When to visit
Brae is open Wednesday through Sunday year-round. Spring and summer visits (October to March) allow guests to see the farm at its most productive, while autumn brings a rich harvest character to the menu. Midweek lunch seatings offer the quietest experience.