Food & Drink

One of the pleasures of food and drink is that they are often a shared experience – think about the times you’ve gotten together with friends and exchanged interesting ideas and opinions. In addition to having enjoyed a good meal, you left the table better informed with most senses more than likely fulfilled. Our Food and Drink section is all about the unique, best practice experiences on the Mornington Peninsula. In this section we like to inspire and inform readers with a mix of stories from around the Pen.

Vulcano Gelato Sorrento

At Love the Pen, we’ve never hidden our bias: gelato, done properly, beats ice cream every time. It’s denser, more expressive, less about sugar rush and more about flavour, texture and restraint. When it’s good, it doesn’t need explaining. It just lands.

Foundation Bulk Food Store

In a world where mass production and plastic waste dominate, stores like Foundation Bulk Food Store offer a much-needed alternative. Every purchase here supports local growers, keeps money in the community, and helps reduce landfill. It’s about choosing food that nourishes, products that protect the planet, and businesses that genuinely care.

Indian Villa Rye

From the bustling streets of Punjab to the breezy shores of the Mornington Peninsula, Indian Villa is more than a restaurant. It’s a story of two friends, Harry and Amid, who brought with them not only their culinary skill but also the spirit of hospitality deeply woven into Indian culture. With two restaurants — one in Dromana and one in Rye — they’ve created places where heritage, flavour, and community come together in every shared meal.

The Hidden Kitchen

At The Hidden Kitchen, they believe breakfast should be bold, honest, and served with heart. Every day from 8am to 2pm, their kitchen turns out piping hot cooked breakfasts alongside a mouth-watering selection of sandwiches, wraps, rolls, and fresh salads. Their award-winning homemade pies, pasties, sausage rolls, and house-made sweet treats have earned loyal fans—and a few gold medals too.

The Kitchen Tootgarook

For the past few years, whenever we’ve travelled the long sweep of Point Nepean Road — which is often — one little shopfront has always hummed out to us. A flicker of light, a kind of beacon in the sea. Blink and you’ll miss it — a dark corner store wedged between Rosebud, Capel Sound and Rye — but once you’ve noticed it, you can’t unsee it.

JimmyRum Distillery

Located in the bustling commercial district of Dromana, Jimmy Rum Distillery stands out as a unique gem. It's not just a haven for rum enthusiasts but a place that offers a unique blend of culinary delights, spirited beverages, and a lively yet laid-back atmosphere. As the first dedicated craft rum distillery in Victoria, it's a testament to the passion and creativity of its founder, James McPherson, fondly known as Jimmy.

Indian Villa Dromana

From the bustling streets of Punjab to the breezy shores of the Mornington Peninsula, Indian Villa is more than a restaurant. It’s a story of two friends, Harry and Amid, who brought with them not only their culinary skill but also the spirit of hospitality deeply woven into Indian culture. With two restaurants — one in Dromana and one in Rye — they’ve created places where heritage, flavour, and community come together in every shared meal.