Dig in

The region’s buzzing restaurant and cafe scene is now a well-known foodie destination. Get ready to uncover everything from homely restaurants to laid-back coastal cafés and elevated dining experiences.

Take your palate on a tour of the best places to eat and drink. Bon appétit!

Fancy feeds

Geelong’s dining scene brings plenty of variety to the table. In Newtown, The Retreat is a 50-seat restaurant set in the former Bareena Post Office, with award-winning chef Eli Grubb drawing on classic French cooking for its breakfast, lunch and dinner menus.

THE RAW puts local produce front and centre, with more than 90 per cent of ingredients sourced from farmers and producers around Geelong and the region. Award-winning chef Jack Lee’s menu has a strong focus on local seafood, alongside a wine list built around local makers. Baah Lah! Dining is another standout, focusing on Singaporean flavours and techniques as a nod to the chef’s heritage. Choose from a two or four course menu of shared seasonal dishes.

In the town’s centre, hidden in a secret alleyway you'll find modern French at Felix that'll have you coming back for seconds. Over in Queenscliff, TARRA offers beachfront dining with majestic views and dishes crafted using fresh, local ingredients.

There are many elevated eats to celebrate all sorts of special occasions that'll surprise and delight.

Family-friendly eats

When it comes to eating out as a family, it takes more than good food to keep the kids happy. Luckily in Geelong and The Bellarine there are many eateries that dish up tasty treats for the little ones with added space to roam, entertain and keep them busy.

If you’re wanting to eat your meal while the kids go off and play, Buckley's Entertainment Centre is the spot. There's a huge indoor play centre and even a self-serve ice-creamery.

Barrabool Maze Estate is part hedge maze and part eatery set in the beautiful green Barrabool hills. The whole family will have fun finding the way to the central lookout – the view is worth the effort. Once you’ve made your way back out, you can stroll through the sprawling and carefully tended gardens and enjoy a meal at the licenced restaurant.

Over on The Bellarine, Flying Brick Cider Co. offers a fun, laid-back vibe perfect for a family-friendly cider session. It's next door to Adventure Park and has a large grassy outdoors area for the kids to burn off some energy.

Basil's Farm is another great coastal option, with sprawling grounds, veggie garden and a sand pit for the kids to dig around in. Perhaps after they’ve enjoyed lunch!

Must-visit Coastal Dining Spots

Whether it’s harbour-side or waterfront, casual or elevated, there’s a coastal dining option for all outings with some so close to the water you can almost touch it.

Cafe culture

Coffee is a way of life in these parts. Unsurprisingly our proximity to Australia’s coffee capital, Melbourne, has rubbed off. Here you’ll find cafes of all sorts and a guaranteed caffeine fix.

A warehouse turned coffee haven, King of the Castle is a local favourite for breakfast, lunch and brunch. Fancy treating yourself to an eggs benny or a gourmet burger? Their classic options are fit for a king. Inside the expansive rustic hall you'll find cosy corners to nestle into with a latte and a bold bakery pick. It’s the perfect spot for catch-ups with friends, and those of the furry kind are also welcome.

Cosy with a capital ‘C’, Café Go is like stepping into your nanna’s house and the food’s just as good. During winter the fires are roaring and summertime everyone heads to the outdoor courtyard. Rustic interiors are paired with curries, wraps and café classics.

Head coastal and Early Nancy is a popular spot in the heart of Point Lonsdale. Their vibrant cafe, main street location and stunning bowls of food are the reason people keep coming back.

Waterside dining

Whether it’s harbourside or waterfront, casual or elevated, there’s a coastal dining option for all outings with some so close to the water you can almost touch it.

Novotel’s new restaurant, Tempo Kitchen & Bar, celebrates local flavours with seafood and grill-style mastery alongside expertly craft cocktails. And the best part is its proximity to Geelong’s waterfront.

Neighbours on the waterfront, Sailors’ Rest provides three levels to choose from, each with a different view over the bay or spend an afternoon grazing on the lunch seafood platter at Fishermen’s Pier while overlooking the Royal Geelong Yacht Club.

For seafood with a water view, At the Heads is the place. Located on a picturesque jetty in Barwon Heads, the charming building was featured in the much-loved Aussie TV series Seachange. It’s since had a glow up and now serves elevated modern Australian dining.

Perched atop the sand-dunes with glorious ocean views, The Dunes serves up comfort food like wood-fired pizzas, burgers and seafood. They also offer delicacies and decadent dessert. Grab a takeaway and stroll down to Ocean Grove’s Main Beach and soak in the views.