Our Story

Max’s Restaurant is the Mornington Peninsula’s original winery restaurant.

In 1994, a young Max Paganoni returned from his travels through Europe with the dream of showcasing his home, the (then) little known region of the Mornington Peninsula to the world. With a passion for local produce and wines, he set out to create the Peninsula’s first winery restaurant.

Fast forward to today and the multi-award winning, highly regarded restaurant is serving local, seasonal modern dishes to guests from all over the world.

Our Story

Max’s Restaurant is the Mornington Peninsula’s original winery restaurant.

In 1994, a young Max Paganoni returned from his travels through Europe with the dream of showcasing his home, the (then) little known region of the Mornington Peninsula to the world. With a passion for local produce and wines, he set out to create the Peninsula’s first winery restaurant.

Fast forward to today and the multi-award winning, highly regarded restaurant is serving local, seasonal modern dishes to guests from all over the world.

Weddings at Max’s

The food, the service, the views: celebrate your special day with us.

Our team have a wealth of experience in working with couples to create their perfect day. Each wedding at Max’s is as unique as the couple themselves.

Packages vary from casual barbeques to formal seated events to cocktail parties to bespoke receptions created by you. We value your input and ideas and will work with you to design the day of your dreams.

LEARN MORE

Weddings at Max’s

The food, the service, the views: celebrate your special day with us.

Our team have a wealth of experience in working with couples to create their perfect day. Each wedding at Max’s is as unique as the couple themselves.

Packages vary from casual barbeques to formal seated events to cocktail parties to bespoke receptions created by you. We value your input and ideas and will work with you to design the day of your dreams.

LEARN MORE

What’s On at Max’s

Max’s Restaurant offers a calendar of special events throughout the year. Get a group together and join us for a celebration of food, family and festivity

MP Experience Tours

The total food and wine experience on the Mornington Peninsula

MP Experience Tours

The total food and wine experience on the Mornington Peninsula

Join the Max’s Restaurant Mailing List!

Sign up to the restaurant mailing list to receive updates and offers specific to our Restaurant.

You can also check out the Tours, Retreat and Wedding pages if you would like to sign up to our other service-specific newsletters.

Exploring the Land, Sharing the Knowledge

Foraging is more than just gathering ingredients it’s about understanding the land, respecting nature, and reconnecting with the stories it holds. At Max’s, we don’t just serve food, we share an experience, a piece of the Mornington Peninsula’s deep history, and the knowledge that has been passed down through generations.

Recently, we had the privilege of taking a group on a private foraging tour, guiding them through the landscape that has shaped so much of what we do. With decades of combined experience, Max, Ryan, and I have spent years identifying native ingredients, understanding their uses, and appreciating their seasonality. These aren’t just ingredients, they are part of the land’s identity, and bringing them to the table is an extension of our philosophy celebrating the Peninsula in its purest form.

Max’s isn’t just a restaurant. It’s a place of learning, connection, and shared experiences. Whether it’s through our seasonal tasting menus, intimate dining moments, or days like this walking the land, discovering what it has to offer we are always striving to create something truly unique.

A huge thank you to those who joined us on this journey. We hope you left inspired, with a deeper appreciation for the ingredients around us and the stories they tell.

#MaxsEstate #ForagingExperience #MorningtonPeninsula #EatLocal #SustainableDining #FoodEducation #TastingThePeninsula #WildHarvest #FromLandToPlate #SeasonalEating #FarmToTable #ForagedFlavors #AustralianNativeFoods #NatureInspiredCuisine #CulinaryAdventure
Charcuterie Masterclass at Max’s Final Spots Available.

This Sunday, join Michael, Ryan, and Max at Max’s Restaurant for an immersive Charcuterie Masterclass where we will share the art of curing, aging, and perfecting handcrafted meats. After the class, enjoy an exceptional lunch featuring the best of local and seasonal produce.

Due to high demand, we have opened up a few final spots but they won’t last long. 

Details:
🕙 Masterclass & Lunch | 10:30 AM – 1.5-hour session followed by lunch | $450pp
🍽 Lunch Only | 12:30 PM | $180pp

Don’t miss this incredible experience book now before it’s gone.
This Sunday, join us for a charcuterie masterclass and feasting lunch. 
 @chef_michaeldemagistris and @chef.ryanjames6 are thrilled to host an exclusive charcuterie masterclass and lunch at Max’s Restaurant, where you’ll learn the art of crafting exceptional cured meats and enjoy a delicious dining experience.

You can join for both the Masterclass and Feast or Feast only. Booking via our website (or head to our stories for the link) or by calling us tomorrow ☎️
This dish is a true showcase of precision, craft, and the incredible bounty of our land and sea.

At its heart is our Cured Salmon, infused with the delicate aromatics of pink peppercorns, cumin, saltbush, and dried samphire just the beginning of a carefully curated blend that enhances the natural richness of the fish. After 12 hours of curing, the salmon is expertly sliced and layered with a deep, smoky salmon consommé, made from the trimmings and enriched with kombu for an um
touch of elegance and a burst of oceanic brininess.

A dish of balance, refinement, and deep native flavours one that speaks of land, sea, and the artistry behind every element.

📸 by @willowcreative 

#MaxsRestaurant #RedHill #MorningtonPeninsula
A truly unforgettable day on the Mornington Peninsula. Our Foraging Tour was an incredible success, with our guests walking away enriched with knowledge, a deeper connection to nature, and a fresh perspective on the edible wonders around them. From learning how to identify wild herbs and flowers to understanding their medicinal and culinary uses, this experience was more than just a walk it was an exploration of flavour, tradition, and sustainability.

We took these foraged treasures back to the kitchen, where they became part of our menu that celebrates abundance, technique, and flavour, perfectly reflecting the essence of the Mornington Peninsula. Each dish told a story rooted in the land, enhanced by creativity, and plated with passion.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us on this journey. This is just the beginning nature has so much more to offer, and we can’t wait to explore it with you again soon.
📸 by @willowcreative 

#MorningtonPeninsula #ForagingExperience #WildFood
We have taken the classic piroshki and transformed it into an absolute flavour bomb. Featuring spanner crab from @redcoralseafood, caramelised onion, chive, and wasabi, this golden fried delight delivers a rich umami punch with just the right amount of heat. And to take it to the next level, We have finish it with local @redhilltruffles , adding deep, earthy tones that elevate every bite. 📸 @willowcreative

This is a dish that truly captures the essence of the Mornington Peninsula a unique creation that speaks to our love for local produce and bold flavors. It’s original, it’s indulgent, and it’s a must try.

#TasteThePeninsula
Cheers to a glorious day in Red Hill today ☀️🥂 & a couple of reminders;

• our competition to win 2 tickets to our Summer Foraging & Feast event this Sunday is still open (check stories for the post to enter)
• Valentine’s Day is this Friday…please don’t miss out by waiting until the day to book! Return transfers by @mpexperience available on the night too so your transport is sorted 🙌

#MaxsRestaurant #RedHill