Chips in: Paul and Jan Phillips savouring a delightful Mother’s Day meal at the Gargarro Botanic Garden Café.
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Dive into the heart of the Goulburn Valley’s culinary scene with Jan and Paul Phillips. Every Friday, the pair will serve our readers with their knowledge of our communities’ restaurants, cafés and pubs — one plate at a time.
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Ever since we started sharing ‘A Story with Every Bite’, our readers have been eager to suggest places to visit. One such gem that was highly recommended is the Gargarro Botanic Garden Café; visiting it truly was a pleasure.
The township of Girgarre has truly outdone itself with its botanic garden and charming café, which serve as a testament to community spirit, dedication and culinary excellence.
Despite its modest population of just 550, Girgarre shines as a Victorian gem, surpassing expectations. It’s the little town that not only could but did!
Overcoming adversity with remarkable resilience, Girgarre has created a destination that attracts visitors from near and far.
The annual Girgarre Moosic Muster showcases the town’s creative spirit, featuring a diverse array of skilled musicians who not only entertain, but also share their knowledge through workshops.
And then there’s the botanic garden project, a marvel still unfolding with four stages yet to come.
When the Heinz company closed its doors, leaving a significant void in the community, life in Gigarre looked grim. Then, the Australian Consolidated Milk company stepped in and now provides employment for 90 people.
Generously gifted land and water by the Heinz company, along with support from ACM, the Kilter family, Rushworth Community Bank and many other benefactors, Girgarre rallied together to turn a dream into reality — the stunning botanic garden.
Part of this reality is the remarkable Gargarro Botanic Garden Café, bustling with activity. On the day of our visit (Mother’s Day), it served over 280 plates amid the spectacular garden setting, where children played and families savoured the atmosphere.
Café owners Leon McAsey and Joel Raglus exude passion for the region, their dedicated staff and joyously bringing delicious food and warm hospitality to this progressive town.
Centrally located between Shepparton, Echuca, Rochester, Kyabram and Rushworth, the café draws not only locals but visitors from neighbouring towns and beyond.
A mere half-hour drive from Shepparton, it’s well worth the journey. The menu showcases local produce and wines alongside a diverse range of offerings.
We tried the prawn crepes and battered whiting, followed by indulgent homemade cheesecake — every dish was a delight.
And let’s not forget Joel’s delectable sweets, paying homage to iconic chocolate bars with a Mars Bar slice, Violet Crumble cheesecake, Jaffa cake and more.
In terms of value, it’s exceptional.
The café is open Wednesday to Sunday, ready to welcome you from 7:30am to 4pm. It is closed Monday and Tuesday.
Food pricing for Gargarro Botanic Garden Café, rated by Jan and Paul: $$
(Expensive $$$, moderate $$ good value $)
Classic comfort: Crunchy battered whiting, fluffy white chips and a refreshing side of crisp salad.
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Succulent prawn crepes: Flavours wrapped in delicate folds.
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Relaxed setting: Jan and Paul Phillips outside the café.
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