At first glance Bendigo looks like a lot of other small Australian cities, its wide streets lined with banks and chain stores and dotted with a few attractive old buildings. In the gaps, however, are the things that give Bendigo its cosmopolitan edge: the atmospheric cafes filled with locals, the stores selling regional produce, the redeveloped laneways and spaces set aside for simply being. Look below for a few Bendigo experiences that shouldn't be missed.
Restaurants, Cafes and Food Stores in Bendigo
Like a lot of regional towns and cities Bendigo is making the most of the country's 'clean green' image, with a number of food stores and eateries focused on providing local, organic and homemade products. As a result there is a lot of good food and distinctive local tastes out there to be enjoyed.
One of the highlights of Bendigo, food or otherwise, is The Dispensary Enoteca, a little bar/restaurant/cafe tucked up a side alley between Pall Mall and Hargreaves St. This cucina club sociale, as it calls itself, wouldn't look out of place in any of the world's style-conscious cities, its warm, inviting interior and lively atmosphere complemented by the soft blues music that permeates the room. The menu is both seasonal and regional, with some items, such as the chorizo sausage, made on the premises.