A Taste of Avon

A Taste of Avon is a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant at 39-41 Tyers Street in the heart of Stratford, known across Gippsland for house-made pasta and a warm, produce-driven kitchen. Dogs are welcome at the outdoor tables, which turns it into an easy sit-down meal stop if you are walking the Avon River paths with your dog.

The dog setup

Dogs join you at the outdoor seating, the deck and street-side tables, and stay outside the main dining room. Tables out front are limited, so call ahead on busy weekend lunches and dinners and let them know a dog is coming. Bring your own water bowl too, since one on site is not guaranteed.

The vibe

The house-made pasta and gnocchi are the standouts, alongside lamb ragu, pork belly and king prawns, with tiramisu and pavlova closing out the dessert list; the wine list and the limoncello get regular mentions from locals. The week runs Wednesday to Sunday only, closed Monday and Tuesday, with dinner service from 5pm midweek and longer lunch-plus-dinner days on Friday to Sunday, so plan your visit around that.

Getting there and parking

The restaurant sits on Tyers Street, Stratford's main strip on the Princes Highway, with free street parking directly out front and along the neighbouring streets. Stratford is about 15 minutes east of Maffra and 20 minutes from Sale, which makes it a straightforward detour if you are travelling through Gippsland.

Close by with the dogs

The Avon River is a short walk from Tyers Street with scenic paths for a pre or post-meal stroll, and Stratford Memorial Park and Knob Reserve are close by for a longer leg-stretch. For coffee the next morning, Sipping Duck Coffee Roasters is on the same strip, and the Barron River Hotel is the other local option, while Sale's fenced dog park is an easy drive east.

Check A Taste of Avon's website for menus and bookings, and request an outdoor table when you ring about your dog.