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Restaurant

Bar Merenda

117 Vincent St, Daylesford VIC 3460, Australia

Recommended by 31 people

Updated

Find Bar Merenda

117 Vincent St, Daylesford VIC 3460, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 476 076 764
HoursMonday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM Tuesday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM Wednesday: Closed Thursday: Closed Friday: 12:00 – 11:00 PM Saturday: 12:00 – 11:00 PM Sunday: 12:00 – 9:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Bar Merenda

Daylesford’s essential pour. Bar Merenda captures an effortless European enoteca vibe—warm, focused, and free of pretension. Regional diners treat the weekly set menu as the sharpest move in town, shaped by what local Victorian growers harvest each week. Expect crusty house focaccia, cod crudo, and seared mackerel alongside deep cellar picks and regional vermouth stirred into cold martinis. Upstairs, the dining room stays calm and courses unfold at an unhurried pace, leaving real breath between plates while staff guide your glass without hovering.

  • Curated Pours & Local Vermouth: A thoughtful cellar list pouring regional Victorian bottles alongside local vermouth stirred into house martinis.
  • Seasonal European Plates: A weekly rotating lineup pairing pristine local produce with dishes like house focaccia, mackerel, and cod crudo.
  • Unhurried Upstairs Dining: A calm upper dining room delivering informed, attentive table service structured to give each course breathing room.
  • Chef-Selected Tasting Menu: A multi-course tasting format celebrated by travelers for generous portions, pacing, and exceptional value.
RestaurantRestaurantWine Bar

What's On at Bar Merenda

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Diners Choose Bar Merenda

An unpretentious European enoteca in Daylesford blending hyper-seasonal produce, deep regional cellars, and warm hospitality—book your table upstairs now.

  • Unhurried Pacing Built to Savour

    Multi-course tasting menus are structured without rigid sitting intervals, giving diners natural breath between dishes to genuinely unwind.

    the servings were paced out really nicely so we had enough time to savour everything and still felt like we had a 'breath' between meals.

    Sarah Francis

  • Dynamic Seasonal Produce & Local Pairings

    Menus evolve around regional Victorian growers and small-scale winemakers rather than fixed, year-round distributor staples.

    it was lovely to have seasonal produce highlighted with matching wines.

    Angela Watson

  • Effortless Counter Sessions

    Drop in at the bar for curated wine, conservas, and snacks without committing to a full tasting sequence or fixed reservation slot.

    Left 4 hours later after snacking and yapping the afternoon away.

    David Brosnan

  • Flexible Pre- and Post-Dinner Stops

    The room doubles as an approachable local enoteca for an aperitif, regional vermouth martini, or nightcap before moving on.

    If you come to Daylesford you must visit, if not for a meal, then a pre or post dinner tipple.

    jonny cortizo

  • Memorable Milestone Gatherings

    Holiday dinners and birthday celebrations achieve premier culinary standards with honest warmth, free of stiff pretension.

    Looking back we all agreed we wished we’d celebrated at Bar Merenda instead.

    Dora D

  • Elevated Dining with Personal Care

    Knowledgeable cellar recommendations and thoughtful hosting transform shared destination meals into an engaging group event.

    Some restaurants are an experience as much as a meal, Bar Merenda is one of those.

    Luke Murphy

Guest favourites from the weekly rotating seasonal menu and bar

  • Chef's Set Menu

    We had the $110 set menu and every dish was absolutely delicious.

    Dora D

  • Beef Tartare

    Entrees of a green vegetable tart and a beef tartare were awesome

    Sarah Blunt

  • Focaccia

    The focaccia was sublime, honestly one of the best we've had.

    Dominic Mazur

  • Mackerel

    The mackerel was the highlight. Beautifully executed and exactly the kind of dish you hope to find at a place like this.

    Dominic Mazur

Other favorites

Complement your meal with house desserts, regional aperitifs, and seasonal market sides.

  • Local Vermouth Martini

    tried the local wine and the local vermouth in the martinis, a smart detail that quietly anchors the experience in place.

    Michael Bugelli

  • Custard Tart

    Especially enjoyed the flathead fish and custard tart.

    Phoebe Mackay

  • Crème Caramel

    We finished the meal with the sinful creme caramel. It texture was so smooth that it melt in the mouth.

    Ipoh Mali Leong

  • Beet Salad

    The beet salad was unique, the beets were like nothing we had tasted before.

    Luke Murphy

Beyond the menu

From host-made vintages to vinyl-spun records, these thoughtful hospitality details enrich your visit—book ahead to secure your sitting.

  • Restaurateurs' Own Bottlings

    Guests are frequently treated to pours of the hosts' own wine labels—such as their A&C Ainsworth Grenache and private Shiraz—poured alongside seasonal plates.

  • Regional Vermouth Martinis

    Martinis are prepared using regional vermouth, a considered beverage detail that intentionally grounds the drinks list in local Victorian terroir.

  • Turntable Vinyl Soundtrack

    An analog turntable spins eclectic vinyl records in the dining room, setting a lively, unpretentious tone that complements the relaxed pacing.

  • Allergy-Attentive Set Menus

    The kitchen seamlessly modifies multi-course set menus for guests with allergies, ensuring full variety and generous portions are preserved without fuss.

Before you head over

Practical advice to help you navigate seating and pacing. Book your table ahead to secure Daylesford’s standout seasonal pour and plate.

  • Reserve Well in Advance

    Weekend dinner services fill quickly—secure an upstairs table early to guarantee your spot for the full seasonal set menu.

  • Plan for an Unhurried Sitting

    Courses unfold at a deliberate, relaxed tempo designed to let the meal breathe, so plan for an unhurried evening.

  • Drop by the Bar for Casual Visits

    If you arrive without a reservation, take a stool at the bar downstairs for regional wines, conservas, and impromptu snacks.

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