For the first time ever the Bendigo and Heathcote region has 10 local restaurants included in the 2015 Age Good Food Guide.
Local restaurants included in the guide include The Woodhouse, The Dispensary Enoteca, Masons of Bendigo, Mr Beebes, Bouchon, Wine Bank, Malayan Orchid, GPO and Heathcote’s Merindoc Café and Cellar Door and Willow Room.
City of Greater Bendigo Manager Tourism Kathryn Mackenzie congratulated all of the restaurants, owners and staff that have been included in the 2015 guide.
“The Age Good Food Guide is widely recognised as the ultimate guide to dining in Victoria. It’s the most respected food guide in the state and has been guiding foodies in their dining choices for more than 30 years," Ms MacKenzie said.
“To put it simply if you make it into the guide you are ticking a lot of boxes and doing things right," she said.
“It’s great to see that so many local Bendigo restaurants have been acknowledged in this latest guide. We always knew our region had some great restaurants and cafes and this has simply confirmed it.
Ms MacKenzie said a number of Castlemaine restaurants were in the guide too including the Public Inn, The Good Table, Apple Annies Bakery Cafe, Naam Pla, Bress Winery and Bella Fresca Pizzeria.
“Our region is fast becoming a foodie haven and this is definitely helping attract visitors to the region to experience our fabulous food and wine," she said.
“It’s great for our local economy too as Bendigo’s reputation as a cosmopolitan city continues to soar."
The Dispensary Enoteca and The Woodhouse both scored 14.5 out of 20 and Masons of Bendigo and Mr Beebes both scored 14.
All four restaurants have received a half page in the guide for their high scores. Scores of 15 and above are required to receive a chef’s hat.
The Woodhouse, Malayan Orchid, Mr Beebes and Willow Room are all new inclusions in the guide.
Brewhouse Coffee Roasters, Coffee Business, Merindoc Whistler Café and Re-Public Cured Café were also mentioned in the Country Coffee Trail section for the region.
