Village Belle
A rollicking hangout, low-key boozer and classy cocktail bar in one.
Contemporary$$
It’s indoor and outdoor. It’s a pumping pub with a fine-dining chef at the helm. It’s a rollicking hangout, a low-key boozer and a classy cocktail bar all at once.
The 1891 corner building that houses Village Belle features original details like arched windows and parapets, plus a new giant steel and glass atrium with a retractable roof and windows. The venue extends over two levels with four distinct zones offering seating for 350 and standing room for 800.
Chef Mathew Macartney (ex-Lake House, Chateau Yering and Char)’s menu is both approachable and classy. House made linguine comes with spicy prawns in a garlicky bisque; a vegetarian pizza is topped with tandoori pumpkin, peppers, red onion and coriander yoghurt; chicken comes as a parma (done three ways) or pan seared and served with cranberry chimichurri, soft herbs and crispy thrice-cooked potatoes.
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Dani Valent is a food writer and restaurant reviewer.
Emily Holgate – Emily is the Assistant Producer for the Good Food App at The Age. She previously wrote for the likes of Broadsheet and Urban List.Connect via email.