Cognoscenti Food & Wine

Best Known For

Crumbed pork cotoletta with creamy fennel and cabbage slaw and green peppercorn sauce.

Those passing through the Dandenong Ranges find cosy neighbourhood restaurant Cognoscenti Food & Wine on Burwood Highway in Belgrave. Just 50 minutes from Melbourne’s CBD, this stylish dining destination is well worth the trip, with a rustic ambience of recycled timber floors, potted greenery and shelves stocked with wine selections. On balmy days, the courtyard is the ideal spot for sunny cocktails, while grazing on snacks such as wood-fired oysters, nduja, honey, sherry and lime butter; while evening diners may start with BBQ grilled calamari, ajo blanco, golden raisins, pine nut and green olive salsa. For the main, delve into wood-fired chicken supreme, sauce chasseur, pancetta, potato gratin and grilled baby vegetables; finish with Basque cheesecake and roasted berry compote.