Hepburn Harvest Vietnamese Kitchen — Restaurant in Victoria

Where do I even begin? My recent visit to Hepburn Spring Vietnamese Kitchen was an absolute delight, and I can't wait to share my incredible experience with you all! From the moment I stepped inside, I was warmly greeted by the restaurant's owner, Tram’s genuine smile and friendly demeanor instantly made me feel like a welcomed guest rather than just another customer. The cozy atmosphere and tasteful decor added to the sense of comfort, making it the perfect setting for a memorable meal. Now, let's talk about the food:). “It was out of this world!” As someone who has always had a soft spot for Vietnamese cuisine, I was thrilled to find this hidden gem. Their menu is a culinary journey through the flavors of Vietnam, and every dish is thoughtfully prepared to perfection. As an appetizer, I couldn't resist ordering the fresh spring rolls. The moment they arrived, I was taken aback by their vibrant colors and artful presentation. The first bite was an explosion of flavors, the crunchy veggies, the succulent shrimp, and the zesty dipping sauce worked together like a symphony for my taste buds. For the main course, I decided to go with their famous Bún Chả - grilled pork served with vermicelli noodles and a medley of fresh herbs. This dish was an absolute revelation! The smoky aroma of the tender pork combined with the freshness of the herbs and the delightful textures of the noodles left me utterly satisfied. As a self-proclaimed foodie, I couldn't help but inquire about the restaurant's sourcing practices. To my delight, Ms. Tram shared that they take great pride in using locally sourced, organic ingredients. Knowing that the food on my plate was not only scrumptious but also ethically sourced made the whole experience even more special. Beyond the delectable food, it was the personal touches that truly set Hepburn Spring Vietnamese Kitchen apart. Everyone, including Tram herself, took the time to chat with me about the origins of each dish and the stories behind them. It was evident that they were genuinely passionate about sharing their culture and cuisine with every diner. The prices were surprisingly reasonable, especially considering the high quality of the ingredients and the exceptional service provided. I left the restaurant with a full belly and a heart warmed by the hospitality shown by all who work there. In conclusion, if you find yourself in the picturesque town of Hepburn Springs and have a hankering for authentic Vietnamese flavors, do yourself a favor and pay a visit to Hepburn Spring Vietnamese Kitchen. You'll be treated not only to a remarkable culinary adventure but also to the warmth and hospitality of the wonderful people behind this charming eatery.

My review is an honest reflection of my personal experience and is not influenced by any external factors. I genuinely believe that Hepburn Spring Vietnamese Kitchen is a true hidden gem that deserves all the praise for its excellent service and outstanding food!

Thank you so much to you all. We will be back...

Thank you for taking the time to respond. I would like to clarify a few points:

While I confirmed the order on the screen, the staff member showed no indication that my verbal order was unclear. At that moment, my partner came over because the staff had asked us to move to a smaller table. I trusted that my spoken order had been understood, as it usually is. I understand that misunderstandings can happen, and I have no issue accepting that mistakes occur. What upset me was not the mix-up itself, but the way the situation was handled afterward.

Blaming a customer’s accent — instead of simply resolving the order issue — is inappropriate. Having lived in Tokyo for six years and traveled internationally, I have never experienced a situation where a wrong dish was blamed on my accent rather than handled professionally. What I stated in my original review was factual.

It is disappointing to be accused of racial intolerance when my concern was simply about being treated respectfully, not about anyone’s background. Visitors should be welcomed without judgment.

I hope this feedback will be taken seriously, as no customer should be made to feel humiliated over a simple misunderstanding.

——————— Very poor service and serious racial discrimination. I ordered prawn fried rice but was given prawn noodles (as shown in the photo). When I politely explained the mistake, the staff refused to fix it and said I had to pay again if I wanted rice.

A woman at the front counter — with dark skin and long false eyelashes — told me that my “accent was hard to understand” and blamed me for the mistake.

Daylesford is a well-known tourist destination. Visitors should feel welcome — not judged for their English accent. This kind of language-based discrimination is unacceptable. I felt humiliated and disrespected. I will never return and strongly advise others to...

We are a massive fan of Vietnamese food. Going to a small Vietnamese shop every Saturday for lunch, we know what is fresh and good quality. The spring rolls tasted like they were from a fish and chip shop. The batter was overpowering and the inside of the spring roll was minced which I hadn’t seen before. The fried rice was not great either, had a very strong smell and just wasn’t fresh at all. The customer service was minimal. Even when serving our food, we had no comments, no smile or a goodbye when we left (even though we said thank you as we left). We got a takeaway bag so that we didn’t waste our food however it didn’t get eaten once we were home. I think our expectations are a little too high as we have such amazing Asian restaurants in Ballarat that we thought it would be similar. While reading the reviews, I was shocked at some of the responses from this restaurant as people not liking their food is just a part of owning a restaurant and you can’t please everyone, if people don’t think their food is fresh than that’s their opinion. There is no need to back up the reviews you are given with insults or negative comments towards how people seemed to like it while eating. There is always room for improvement and I think these lower star reviews on customer service is the first step to making a restaurant more welcoming. Yes the food wasn’t great and I won’t be returning, however the service is what made me really not want to come...