The Independent is a casual Italo-Argentinian restaurant, located in the heart of Main Street, Gembrook—just an hour southeast of Melbourne’s CBD—The Independent offers bold, elegant dishes served in a beautifully restored, heritage-listed building.
​Renowned for its fusion cuisine with local ingredients and gastronomic traditions from Italy and Argentina coming together in recipes with a significant focus on sharing dishes.
It comes as no surprise that the chef and owner has Argentinian & Italian origins - Mauro Callegari is the skilled culinary magician at the helm of the kitchen, where he creates simple but complex dishes that are showcased on the à la carte and tasting menu option.
The dining room is helped by Laura Burn, with many years of experience in the industry where she works closely with wine producers to select the best pour.
The latest collection of paintings by Mauro’s father – Jose Callegari are hung on the walls throughout the restaurant.
Artworks by artists of Gembrook - Sue Jarvis, John Krzywokulski & Andy Gordon (Robert Gordon Potter) complement the contemporary atmosphere where architecture, arts and food combine.
