The restaurant is home to hearty, rustic, country-style cooking.
YARRA Valley Herb Farm combines tourism and health at the scenic gateway to the Yarra Ranges.
The business began 50 years ago as Lilydale Herb Farm and officially opened at its new site, alongside Redgum Australia Gallery, on 3 March.
“It is the first major tourism site on the Maroondah Highway,” owner Lynne McCall said.
“It has beautiful views of the Dandenong Ranges and imposing building and extensively landscaped grounds.”
Ms McCall said Yarra Valley Herb Farm Restaurant featured great views and coffee, beautiful ambience, an extensive wine list highlighting local wineries, and Devonshire teas.
The menu is based on hearty, rustic, country-style cooking with an emphasis on food sensitivities, and gluten free and organic foods.
Ms McCall said the restaurant had “the sense of entering an Aladdin’s cave, where the products and food are a totally new experience for most people”.
Hearty workman’s lunches are available, dinners are served seven days and nights a week and breakfast is on the menu from 8am Wednesday to Sunday.
Ms McCall’s background is in natural therapy and she’s taught natural medicine in more than 10 countries around the world.
She is a qualified clinical nutritionist and a herbalist and brings that experience to her cooking. Her restaurant experience covers more than 30 years.
“The flavours in the restaurant are unique, with an additional special and complete menu of vegan and vegetarian dishes,” she said.
Yarra Valley Herb Farm’s nursery and shop features herbs, spices, natural tea, books, health products, and organic and gluten-free foods.
“The plants in the garden are from ancient times.
“The more than 500 teas and spices are a delicious experience of discovery of new and wonderful smells, tastes and intrigue,” Ms McCall said.
Yarra Valley Herb Farm Clinic offers natural therapy relating to chronic and long-term health issues.
Redgum Australia Gallery features Yarra Valley arts and crafts with gifts, sculptures, paintings and glass works for all budgets.
“The focus of the business is on tourism and health,” Ms McCall said.
Special events will flood the farm following its grand opening – a green St Patrick’s Day luncheon in March, a new Yarra Valley Wine Club starting in April, Mother’s Day, a CFA fundraiser, and herbal cooking classes in May, end of financial year celebrations and Spirit in the Home in June, and Christmas in July.
Once a month the venue will host a fund-raising dinner for a local charity.
As a special during March and April Yarra Valley Herb Farm is offering a free herbal book with all Yarra Valley Herb Shop purchases over $100.
Yarra Valley Herb Farm, with Redgum Australia Gallery, is on the corner of Maroondah Highway and Victoria Road in Lilydale.
Call 9735 4745 to contact the restaurant, 9735 0486 for the nursery and shop, or email yarravalleyherbfarm@gmail.com.
The restaurant is open from 8am to 11pm every day, and the shop and nursery are open 9am to 6pm daily.
