Re'em Yarra Valley Restaurant

Re'em is the hatted restaurant at Helen & Joey Estate on Spring Lane in Gruyere, set above the vineyards with views over the estate lakes. It is the Yarra Valley long-lunch pick for dog owners: dogs are welcome in the outdoor seating areas of the estate, while the indoor dining room stays people only.

The dog setup

Book an outdoor table and your leashed dog can settle beside you looking over the vines. The estate's cellar door and grounds also welcome dogs outdoors, so you can pair a tasting with lunch. This is a formal dining room service, so a dog that lies quietly for a couple of hours is the right fit; bring your own water bowl and keep your dog tucked in beside the table rather than on the walkways. Note that the on-site hotel has a no-pets policy for overnight stays, so this is a day trip, not a stay.

On the plate

The kitchen works in a modern Asian-influenced style built on local and estate produce, matched to Helen & Joey's own wines. Set-course menus with pairings are the main event, and the prawn roll and yum cha service get regular mentions. Restaurant lunch runs Friday to Monday and dinner on Friday and Saturday nights; the cellar door trades 10am to 5pm daily. Confirm dog seating on the terrace when you book, and book ahead, because weekend sittings fill early.

Getting there and parking

The estate is at 12-14 Spring Lane, Gruyere, up in the hills off the Yarra Glen Road side of the valley. Free on-site parking is available at the cellar door, a short walk from the restaurant entrance.

Close by with the dogs

Two other Gruyere cellar doors on PawScapes welcome dogs outdoors: SOUMAH of Yarra Valley and Squitchy Lane Vineyard. For a leg-stretch before lunch, the Greenstone Vineyards grounds at Yarra Glen are close, and Seville Recreational Reserve Dog Off Leash Area is the nearby fenced option. More valley stops are on the Gruyere guide and the VIC restaurants list.