Degani Shepparton

Degani Shepparton is a cafe-style spot in Shepparton, Victoria, where the menu stretches from breakfast and coffee through to proper sit-down dinners. You can dine in or grab takeaway, and the kitchen covers a lot of ground: eggs benedict and pancakes with ice cream for a morning out, then pizzas, creamy penne dishes, sliders and a few heartier mains once the day wears on.

Locals tend to bring up the seafood. The sizzling creamy garlic prawns, served with garlic bread, get a particular mention, and so does the prawn pizza. We've heard the desserts are worth saving room for too, with chocolate lava pudding and a pistachio slice both getting a nod. One couple raved about a dinner of tender rib eye and lamb shank, with a summer cocktail on the side. The coffee also earns a good name, and one regular says it has been consistently excellent.

The setting suits families. There's a playground right out the front, so parents can enjoy a breakfast or lunch while the little ones burn off energy within sight. Portions are generous, and the relaxed vibe makes it an easy place to catch up with friends or family. Accessibility is well covered, with a wheelchair-accessible car park, entrance, seating and toilet, and the venue is LGBTQ+ friendly.

Helpful staff come up often, and several people say they became regulars because of the welcome. Some visitors have waited a while for drinks or had meals arrive out of step with each other, and there have been grumbles about outdoor tables not being served. Others say the kitchen has lifted its game and that management listens when things go wrong.

If you're planning a visit, check the hours first, since closing time can affect whether you're seated or offered takeaway. For a family-friendly meal out in Shepparton with a broad menu, it's a reasonable pick.