Captains of Emerald - Food VIC

Jen Absolutely phenomenal dining experience at The Independent! From the moment we walked in, we were in great hands — Kate served us and was incredibly attentive, helpful, and warm throughout the evening. Every single dish we tried was outstanding. The empanadas were a perfect start, followed by the special lasagna croquette — rich, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The roasted rockling with tomato fonduta was delicate and perfectly balanced. We also had the the house-made spicy pork, which delivered just the right amount of heat, a lot! But the star of the meal was hands down the cordero (slow-roasted lamb shoulder)melting, fall-off-the-bone tender, and probably the best lamb I’ve ever tasted. The sides were just as impressive — the smoked maple carrots were sweet and smoky, the couscous was fluffy and flavorful, and the donut dessert was the perfect finish. Every dish felt like it was made with love, using top-quality ingredients and executed with serious skill. Full of flavour, spices, and depth — just layer upon layer of deliciousness. To top it off, the red sangria was exactly how I like it — bold, strong on the wine, and incredibly satisfying and refreshing. Been here before, and the bar has not dropped. Highly recommend The Independent — we’ll absolutely be back!

Casey Milne Secret hidden gem! Quite literally As you drive or walk past this “cafe” you take no notice- we assumed it was your typical corner bakery cafe, the chairs outside might be your only space to sit while you eat… It felt like walking into cafe ‘Nania’ as we strolled on in- the wheelchair accessible path was fantastic as we came with a friend that required a wheelchair. We’re here from Brisbane, and came with no expectations, thinking because the rural location might impact produce/materials… but have we had the shock of our lives! The food, service and prices have all put city living to shame! We got the Big Breaky, the Veggie Bruschetta, and the Hash Benny! And they were all unreal! Massive servings, and seeming high quality ingredients- that looked like they were made with a lot of Love! Thanks everyone for such an amazing experience! Keep up the good work!

Holly Baker Food was good! But i heard the boss lady talking to one of her staff very poorly. She was only a kid, I just think it’s a shame as the food is great but everyone up in the hills is meant to treat eachother kindly.

E Phillips Food is great! Super yummy! Worth a visit.

Foodie We ordered pizza and calamari with chips today, and wow — everything was amazing! The pizza is honestly the best in the southeast, bursting with flavour and perfectly cooked. The calamari and chips were super fresh, crispy, and absolutely delicious. And the service? Fantastic! The staff were friendly, welcoming, and made the whole experience even better. We left so happy and impressed, and we will definitely be coming back!

Carmen Dienhoff We celebrated my birthday with a big group of friends here. There are several areas that can accommodate groups. Meals were delicious and very good value. Nothing was too much trouble for the lovely smiling staff. My guests loved Cork at Cooks corner so much that they are making future bookings.

Donovan Lim Food serviced hot and tasty. If you are looking for other then fish & chips and pizza, this is definitely the place for a good dinner.

Jenn Excellent fish and chips. Generous serving — the gummy flake was meaty, with a light, crispy batter that wasn’t oily at all. Potato cakes were surprisingly tasty too. Friendly service topped it off.

Georgia We had our wedding reception at Yarra Ranges Estate in December 2025 and had the most wonderful experience working with Anna and Catherine. They run such a great wedding venue and you are well supported and taken care of down to the little details. The food is absolutely delicious and the venue is rustic but modern and the perfect size. We had so many compliments. So glad we chose this venue. Thanks to all the staff who helped make our night a memorable one!

Alysa Clorley If I could give this gorgeous cafe more than 5 stars I would! Set in the lovely little town of Cockatoo is Brunch On McBride. There’s a great amount of indoor seating with a relaxed ambiance. It’s a pretty little cafe cosmetically but the coffee and food is the main reason why you come here. The owners Elise & Paul are just the nicest people. Their coffee is rich and hot, they have a great selection of homemade cakes/muffins/slices. Perfect sized sandwich bar with a huge selection and they even have a fridge with home made items to buy and take home such as their delicious lasagne. They are open for breakfast (my absolute favourite), morning tea, lunch and then close mid afternoon 6 days a week (closed Mondays). Pricing is excellent and they are happy for you to bring in your own take away coffee mug to fill up! Take the trip and come and visit. Love this cafe!!