Rare Hare is a communal restaurant and cellar door at Jackalope Hotel in Merricks North, occupying the site of the former Salix restaurant on the historic Willow Creek Vineyard. The vineyard was planted in 1989 and, since 2018, has focused solely on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, tended by viticulturist Ant Davenport across 11 hectares of volcanic soil typical of the Mornington Peninsula's slopes. Rare Hare's menu is built around small share plates in the $10 to $15 range, from oysters and European smallgoods through to seasonal vegetables and substantial proteins such as lamb rump and beef flank, cooked with the help of a hand-crafted wood-fired oven and drawing on the property's own kitchen garden. Long timber benches and trestles, a double-sided fireplace and sweeping views over the vines and the hotel's striking silhouette give the space a relaxed, communal atmosphere that fills with day-trippers on weekends. The restaurant carries a chef's hat, alongside its Jackalope sibling Doot Doot Doot, and the property's cellar door pours Rare Hare and Willow Creek wines daily from 11am, with tasting experiences that can include a tour of the hotel's art collection and lunch. With capacity for around 90 guests, Rare Hare suits everything from a casual weekend share plate lunch to a full-day Peninsula wine and dining experience.
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