We’re deep into truffle season, so it’s time to celebrate these earthy and aromatic treats. Whether you’re a truffle connoisseur, a person trying truffles for the first time, or you just like to hang out with truffle dogs, you can find some of the best truffle experiences right here in Victoria. From eating the truffle to harvesting it for yourself, here are some great truffle experiences to try around Melbourne and Victoria.
1. Go on the ultimate truffle tour at Queen Vic Market
Celebrate the truffle season by embarking on a tasty truffle trail around the historic market. Led by a truffle specialist tour guide, you’ll indulge in generous tastings of truffle-infused treats, including cheese, salami, honey, pasta and chocolate. This tour takes two hours, and will run on July 16, 23 and 30.
More info here.2. Enjoy a five course meal at Taxi Kitchen’s Truffle Dinner
Head to Taxi Kitchen inside the Transport Hotel for an excellent dining experience. Executive chef Tony Twitchett and Truffle Melbourne have come together to prepare five earthy courses for you to enjoy, paired with matched wines to keep you buzzing. Truffle dogs will also make a guest appearance.
This event costs $180 per person, and will take place on Wednesday July 13, from 6:30pm to 10pm. Click here to learn more.
3. Enjoy a truffle dinner at Pastore
Head to Pastore for their inaugural truffle dinner. Scott Pickett and Head Chef Matt Jordan will share the open-kitchen stage, and pair truffles with local Australian ingredients and traditional Italian technique. Try the truffles in croquettes, in butter, in risotto and more.
This truffle event will run on Thursday July 14, with a 6:30pm arrival for a 7pm start. This experience starts at $95 per person, with add-ons like wine match or a supplementary course. More info here.
4. Indulge in A Truffle Affair at South Melbourne Market
Explore South Melbourne Market on a self-guided tour, and celebrate the Australian black truffle. Your journey begins at Georgie’s Harvest, a truffle supplier who will teach you everything there is to know about this delicious treat. After that, try dishes from some traders around the market, like truffle-infused gelato, truffle toasties, raclettes, and scallops with shaved truffle.
Tickets cost $100, and this special event will run from Friday July 22 to Sunday July 31. Learn more here.
5. Try the annual truffle dinner at Matilda
Get ready for smoky flavours, native ingredients, and winter produce at this truffle feast. The night will start with a truffle marshmallow, continue with duck egg, Murray cod and Wagyu sirloin dishes paired with truffles, and finish with truffle ice cream. The course can be matched with wine for an extra cost. Truffle suppliers Friend & Burrell will share their truffle knowledge with diners on the night.
The annual dinner will take place on Monday July 18 and Tuesday July 19. It costs $160 per person, with an extra $70 for matched wine. Find more info here.
6. Go truffle hunting with Willow the dog at Gembrook Truffles
Drive about an hour from the CBD to Gembrook Truffles, a truffle farm in the Dandenong Ranges. There, you’ll go truffle hunting and learn more about the growing process. You’ll be accompanied by Willow, a truffle hunter and a very good girl! After the hunt, get cosy in the Truffle Den for some tea and a taste of the truffle you found.
There will be a limited number of fresh truffles or an inoculated truffle tree to purchase on the day. This will come with a complimentary recipe book, and more information to help you enhance your at-home truffle experience.
Read more about Gembrook Truffles here.
7. Take in a luxurious feast at Chancery Lane
Over two nights, there will be a four-course truffle feast, starting with an amuse-bouche, and followed by truffles shaved over wintery dishes. End the night with some tasty truffle ice cream. The four courses will be paired with matched wines, and truffle suppliers Friend & Burrell will share their truffle knowledge with diners on the night.
The truffle feast will run on Tuesday July 19 and Wednesday July 20. It costs $155 per person, with an extra $70 for matched wine.
8. Beat the winter chill with a night at Poodle Bar & Bistro
Enjoy a night of fine dining with this European-inspired menu, serving up lavish truffle dishes. Start the night with snacks like truffle brioche scroll with spanner crab and burnt butter salad, or truffle and comté gougères. Then, follow it up with a delectable baked truffle camembert fondue, and a hearty roast chicken, served with truffle butter and braised greens. End the night with a truffle parfait bombe Alaska.
This event will take place on Thursday July 21, with sessions at 6pm and 8:15pm. It costs $140 per person. Bookings are required.
9. Have a fabulous night at Estelle
Estelle is serving up four courses of truffle goodness. Enjoy truffle marshmallow, stuffed quail with truffles and mushrooms, and a delicious dessert featuring truffle caramel.
This experience will take place on Monday July 25 and Tuesday July 26, starting at $130 per person, with an extra $65 for matched wine. More details here.
10. Unearth truffles at The Truffle House
Head to this farm in Jumbanna, and warm up with a ‘shot’ of truffle soup by the fire. Then, embark on your truffle journey under the French oaks, accompanied by trusty truffle dogs. After you’ve unearthed some fresh truffles, you’ll return to the Truffle House for a range of truffle dishes, and a drink from the local winery.
These hunts will take place on Sundays, from 11:30am to 2:30pm, from now until August 21. Bookings are extremely limited in order to keep this an intimate experience. Learn more here.
11. Enjoy a feast at Smith St Bistrot
This gem on Smith Street is having their inaugural truffle feast. Try truffles in four ways: truffle cream, shaved truffle, truffle Duxelles and truffle diplomat. Once again, suppliers Friend & Burrell will be there on the night to impart their truffle wisdom.
The feast will take place on Tuesday July 26 and Wednesday July 29. It costs $140 per person, with an extra $65 for matched wine. Learn more here.
12. Escape to Red Hill Truffles in the Mornington Peninsula
Join Jenny, her chief truffle dog Thomas, and her junior truffle dog Maddie, as they hunt for black truffles. Look for truffles under hazelnut and oak trees, buried in rich volcanic soil. At Red Hill, there are different experiences on offer. Go hunting and have a hearty lunch, or follow the hunt with some tasting plates.
Click here to see the different kinds of experiences.13. Go on a Complete Truffle Indulgence at Truffle Treasures
If you’d rather head west of Melbourne instead of east, visit Truffle Treasures in Daylesford. Try out their Complete Truffle Indulgence tour, which is back by popular demand. Go truffle hunting with canines Abbie and Holly, then enjoy a five-course truffle-infused feast at Sault Restaurant.
Of course, you can also go truffle hunting by itself, or visit their farm gate to purchase their products directly. Otherwise, head to the winter markets in Ballan every second Saturday of each winter month, to get your hands on their truffle goods.
Click here for more information.14. Indulge in Sunday brunch at NOMAD
Start your Sunday right with a delightful winter truffle brunch at NOMAD on Flinders Lane. Indulge in delicious dishes, served with black truffle from WA. Pair it with champagne or cocktails for a perfectly boozy experience.
The truffle brunch will take place every Sunday morning during truffle season. Bookings are required.
15. Go truffle hunting among oak trees at Black Cat Truffles
One hour from Melbourne, and 15 minutes from Ballarat, you’ll find Black Cat Truffles. During the winter months, from June to August, they’re holding fun truffle hunts. On Saturday and Sunday mornings, you can try out the Truffle Hunt & Taste Of Truffle Experience. Enjoy morning tea, learn about truffle farming, hunt for truffles among 1000 oak trees, and enjoy a degustation menu in the café.
If you prefer a later experience, try the Truffle Hunt & Wood-fired Truffle Pizza & Fries Lunch on Saturday afternoons. Go on a truffle hunt, enjoy wood-fired pizza, fries with truffle aioli, and your choice of beverage, from apple cider to house-made mulled wine.
Find more details here.