Messmates Dining

We had our first dinner out without the kids in nine years, and Messmates was the perfect choice. Absolutely incredible food and genuinely attentive, polished service. Every dish was divine and the whole experience felt special. Highly recommend to anyone dining in Warragul. We’ll definitely be back.

This was, without a doubt, one of the best dining experiences of my life. We made the trip up from Melbourne to finally dine at Messmates after following their journey on Instagram and hearing rave reviews. Even with high expectations, nothing could have prepared me for just how extraordinary the entire evening would be. From the very moment we walked through the door, the warmth of the service set the tone. Mel was exceptional going above and beyond to guide us through the menu, perfectly pairing wines with our dishes, and offering thoughtful recommendations that turned out to be absolute standouts. Her knowledge, passion, and genuine hospitality elevated the whole experience to a level we rarely encounter (and we eat out often!). Every bite was flawless. The menu celebrated local produce in a way that felt both refined and deeply personal, we loved hearing the stories of where the ingredients came from, lamb sourced just down the road, leeks from “dad’s farm,” truffles freshly harvested Wednesday in Icy Creek. That sense of place and connection to the land shone through in every dish, making the food feel even more meaningful. The atmosphere was just as special. The friendly banter between fellow diners gave the evening a sense of community, as if we’d been regulars here for years. It was intimate, vibrant, and utterly joyful, a rare kind of magic you can’t manufacture. Messmates is more than a restaurant, it’s a sanctuary of incredible food, heartfelt service, and genuine soul. Warragul is so lucky to have it, and we can’t wait to return again and again this time bringing more friends from Melbourne to share in the magic.

What an incredible experience, food is to die for! We ordered one of almost every item on the menu and every single dish was absolutely superb! Heaps of local fresh produce used for the dishes too! Stand outs were the: Chicken liver parfait, Gnocci fritto, Steak tartare, Fresh pasta ẃ buttery confit tomato sauce, and Ian's buttered potatos! And the Berry panna cotta for dessert!! So incredibly fresh and vibrant with the crispy buckweat sprinkled over the top! Such incredible flavour and texture. Service was perfect; attentive and personal, yet relaxed and genuine. Atmosphere was quite moody and intimate but with an earthy, homestead feel as well. You get to watch all the plating up practically in front of you which was great to watch. Well spaced out tables and the noise level was relatively low with some tasteful music playing in the background.

Well where do I start. Had the Chef's selection as it was going to give us a real coverage of the menu and we weren't disappointed . And it's comforting to go to a restaurant that is full to the brim as it usually means good food. Yes a bit on the pricey side for most people but there is a level of value.Two dishes that particularly hit the spot were the Roast Chicken with Lemon and Herb Gravy ( loved that gravy and chicken so moist) and probably the pick of the night , the Blistered Tomatoes, anchovy, Zucchini and Basil Pangrattato. Extensive wine list, and quality on the wine list but quite pricey, and cocktails not cheap. Have given 5 stars but it's probably a 4.8 as there are two minor things, when it's full the atmosphere can be a little noisey and I think they could of added more flavour into the Smashed Buttered Potatoes which were a tiny bit bland. Other than that an excellent night with excellent service

Truly a hidden gem of Gippsland! Have had the pleasure of dining here a few times now and my experience has always been faultless. The venue is cosy, classy and intimate. The service from the moment you walk in the door is warm, friendly and professional. The seasonal menu is thoughtfully curated and every dish executed to absolute perfection. Truly a wonderful dining experience and as a big foodie I feel very blessed to have a venue of this quality right around the corner.

Everything was absolutely spectacular from start to finish. The service was exceptional! Emma looked after us and was attentive, friendly and made us feel so welcome. The food was outstanding and huge compliments to Jodie, the head chef, for such an incredible dining experience. Every detail was spot on. We couldn’t fault a single thing and will absolutely be back (:

We love everything we ordered in the restaurant, the dishes are delicious, amazing and full of surprises, frankly speaking, the quality is better than most of the Melbourne restaurants. The service is friendly and welcoming, the prices are reasonable, worth to visit!

Messmates was the perfect venue for a special anniversary celebration. It was an incredible night, we shared in the set menu and they catered for dietary restrictions beautifully. The food, drinks and most importantly the staff were all exceptional. We will be back!