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Eat Drink Play Gippsland celebrates local flavours, award-winning cheeses, and culinary creations from passionate regional makers

Eat Drink Play Gippsland showcases top restaurants, award-winning cheeses, and artisanal delights. From snacks to gourmet dishes, the festival celebrates local flavours and passionate makers, offering something delicious for every palate.

By news@gippsland - 27th August 2025 - Back to News

With a region full of rolling green pastures, salty sea breezes, and a line up of passionate makers who pour their hearts (and countless hours) into creating something unforgettable, you can rest assured you won't be going hungry at Eat Drink Play Gippsland

Eat Drink Play Gippsland unites food, drink, and music in a vibrant festival, celebrating regional flavour, creativity, and community spirit

Flavours of Gippsland

We've gathered some of the region's most celebrated restaurants, each serving up dishes that give you a true taste of their kitchens and culinary flair. And it doesn't stop there - award-winning cheeses from Gippsland's rolling hills will be on show, ready to be savoured or stashed away to enjoy later.

Whether you're grazing on bite-sized snacks, stocking up on artisanal goodies to take home, or sitting down to flavours that will linger in your memory long after the day is done, there's something here to tempt every palate. So, come hungry, pace yourself (or don't), and get ready to discover the incredible flavours Gippsland has to offer - all without leaving the festival grounds. To book your tickets, head to humanitix website.

Hogget in Warragul celebrates Gippsland with paddock-to-plate dining, local wines, and seasonal dishes honouring farmers, fishers, and growers, shared generously

Hogget - Warragul

Hogget is Gippsland on a plate - and in a glass. With a paddock-to-plate philosophy and a deep love for local wine, this Warragul gem celebrates the region's farmers, fishers, and growers. Expect dishes that are seasonal, generous, and made to be shared with a good drop in hand.

Messmates Dining, 2025 Regional Restaurant of the Year, blends European traditions with Gippsland produce, delivering seasonal, contemporary dishes in a warm, family-run setting

Messmates - Warragul

Messmates Dining, voted 2025 Regional Restaurant of the Year by The Age Good Food Guide, is the definition of a family affair. Run by siblings Chris and Jodie Odrowaz, with Jodie also named Young Chef of the Year in 2019, alongside their partners Jess and Michael, the team has created a space where hospitality feels like home.

Their menu draws inspiration from European traditions but stays firmly rooted in Gippsland, celebrating the region's finest seasonal produce. Think classic techniques, reimagined with a fresh, contemporary edge.

Sodafish in Lakes Entrance serves the freshest seafood - just-off-the-boat fish, local oysters, and simple, flavourful dishes showcasing Gippsland's coastal bounty

Sodafish - Lakes Entrance

Sodafish, perched right on the water in Lakes Entrance, is all about seafood at its absolute freshest. Think just-off-the-boat fish, plump local oysters, and a menu that celebrates Gippsland's coastal bounty with clean, simple flavours that let the produce shine.

Trulli in Meeniyan brings Southern Italy to Gippsland, serving wood-fired pizzas, handmade pastas, and rustic breads inspired by Cucina Povera traditions

Trulli - Meeniyan

Trulli in Meeniyan brings the soul of Southern Italy to Gippsland. Run by brothers Francesco and Claudio, it's a must-stop on the way to Wilson's Prom. Their menu celebrates Cucina Povera - the "poor kitchen" tradition of turning simple, seasonal ingredients into hearty, flavour-packed dishes while minimising waste. Think wood-fired pizzas, handmade pastas, and rustic breads and pastries that transform the humble into the unforgettable.

Mahob at Moos fuses Cambodian street food with Gippsland produce, delivering bold flavours, fragrant spices, and vibrant dishes with a local twist

Mahob at Moos - Meeniyan

At Mahob at Moos, Cambodian street food meets Gippsland's finest produce. The result? Bold flavours, fragrant spices, and vibrant dishes that channel the buzz of Phnom Penh, elevated with a fresh local twist that makes them feel right at home in Gippsland.

Tinamba Hotel transforms Gippsland's finest produce into elevated comfort food, blending gourmet flair with country pub warmth - rumoured kangaroo dish included

Tinamba Hotel - Tinamba

This historic country pub has a serious gourmet streak. Tinamba Hotel takes Gippsland's best produce - think grass-fed beef, farm-fresh veggies, and artisan cheese - and turns it into elevated comfort food that's every bit as warm and welcoming as the locals. Rumour has it their special kangaroo dish is making its way to the festival.

Loch Cheese Merchant, run by Stacey Wagner, champions artisan cheese, offering Gippsland and international varieties at peak condition while sharing makers' stories

Loch Cheese Merchant

Loch Cheese Merchant is a specialist cheese shop in the beautiful town of Loch, South Gippsland. Focused solely on selling local & international artisan cheese - only when it's in peak condition - and sharing the stories of the cheesemakers while keeping their traditions alive. Run by local Stacey Wagner, she'll be sharing and championing local Gippsland cheese from the Butterfly Factory, Berry's Creek and Maffra.

Prom Country Cheese, led by Daniel Hales and family, continues a legacy of sustainable farming, crafting quality dairy with passion and tradition

Prom Country Cheese

Prom Country Cheese, tucked into the lush hills of South Gippsland, is now in the capable hands of the Hales family. Led by young organic dairy farmer Daniel Hales, the family is dedicated to sustainable, regenerative farming practices and a deep passion for cows and milk.

Mentored by founders Burke and Bronwyn Brandon - who remain closely involved in the cheesemaking process - the Hales are proudly carrying forward a legacy of quality dairy that spans generations.

Gippsland Jersey, founded during the 2016 dairy crisis, champions farmers, mental health, and creamy local milk - serving resilience, care, and milkshakes

Gippsland jersey

Born from the heart of the 2016 dairy crisis, Gippsland Jersey is more than just milk - it's a mission. Founded by Sallie Jones and Steve Ronalds, the brand is dedicated to fair prices for farmers, mental health advocacy, and producing some of the creamiest milk you'll ever taste. With their beloved Jersey cows grazing the lush pastures of Gippsland, every bottle tells a story of resilience, community, and care.

At Eat Drink Play, they'll be serving up the good stuff and sharing why local milk matters. Oh, and milkshakes!

Cuvee Chocolate, founded by Deniz and Kylie Karaca in Gippsland, crafts bean-to-bar chocolates pairing perfectly with wine, beer, and spirits

Cuvee Chocolate

Cuvee Chocolate is where craftsmanship meets indulgence. Based in Gippsland, founders Deniz and Kylie Karaca craft small-batch, bean-to-bar chocolate designed to pair perfectly with wine, beer, and spirits. Using the finest cocoa beans sourced from across the globe, they create rich, complex flavours that highlight both terroir and technique.

Whether it's a silky milk, a bold dark, or one of their innovative tasting tablets, every bar is made with the same precision and passion that has earned Cuvee, a reputation as Australia's go-to chocolate for true connoisseurs.

Remi and Florence Bakehouse, founded by Kim, creates intricate, delicious bakes inspired by family - don't miss their sweet festival treats

Remi and Florence bakehouse

Got a sweet tooth? Head to Remi and Florence Bakehouse! What began when founder Kim baked her eldest daughter's 2nd birthday cake quickly blossomed into a full-blown passion - and with word-of-mouth (and Instagram!) her intricate, delicious creations became a local sensation.

The name is a nod to her daughters' middle names, a sweet reminder of why she bakes and what keeps her inspired. Don't miss her stall at the festival for a treat that's as special as the story behind it.

In Loch, April and her daughters craft bold, Australian-inspired rubs and spices, sharing family warmth and flavour with their community

Holy Smokes Queen

In the little town of Loch, South Gippsland, April and her daughters have turned their love of cooking into something the whole community can savour. Together they craft unique, Australian-inspired rubs, herbs, and spices designed to bring people together around the BBQ. Just like their family, their blends are bold, warm, and full of character - the perfect way to elevate your next feast.

Pictures from Visit Gippsland website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com