New spots to wine, dine and stay in Geelong
This year, 2023, Geelong is dishing up more than a dozen new restaurants and hotels – the icing on the cake as one of Victoria’s top food and wine destinations.
The restaurants embrace the incredible produce grown and made in the region which they chop, whisk and julienne into the freshest of fare. Celebrity chefs Adrian Richardson and Michael Demagistris have started up bold new ventures in this vibrant region.
New spots to eat and drink
Two Noble is a new fine dining destination fusing South East Asian and modern Australian flavours. It’s nestled on the top floor of a 173-year-old Geelong pub, recently purchased by successful publican Paul Upham. Paul previously incorporated Movida and Coda into The Lorne Hotel before selling in 2021.
The Two Noble team assembles former MoVida and Coda alumni in Executive Chef Mario Tambajong, Restaurant Manager Adam Zelley and Executive Chef Jackson Hunt who has transformed the menu for the Sawyers Arms Tavern, which operates on the ground floor of the pub. Two Noble opened August 2023.
Novotel Geelong has opened a new restaurant at their waterfront location. Tempo Kitchen & Bar offers seafood and grill-style mastery. Director of Culinary is Erwin Joven who has run luxury restaurants in the Caribbean and Fiji. The restaurant opened September 2023.
Maestro is run by celebrity chef Adrian Richardson – the master of meat. The host of Channel Ten series Good Chef Bad Chef also has La Luna Bistro and Bouvier Bar and Grill in his suite of restaurants. At Maestro he’s working alongside Executive Chef Migo Razon who was previously Executive Chef at the Sheraton in Melbourne.
Maestro’s show kitchen allows you to watch the action as the chefs fire-up the grills. Located at Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong. Both opened in September 2023.
Outside of Geelong, Tarra Restaurant has opened at Queensclliff. It sits elegantly inside the ferry terminal which is an award-winning architectural masterpiece. Tarra is a contemporary coastal dining experience with bay views and acclaimed chef Michael Demagistris at the helm (top 4 Professional Master Chef 2013). The restaurant opened in October 2023.
Barwon Edge Restaurant is a Middle Eastern inspired restaurant on the edge of the Barwon River by the owners behind Geelong dining institutions Alma and Felix. It opened September 2023.
Eureka Hotel is an old pub with charm, history and a beautiful new look after a recent refurbishment. It’s been returned to its original name and is one of Geelong’s most popular venues for live music, big acts and modern fare on the menu. It opened September 2023.
Honouring heritage is a bit of a trend with another pub in Geelong West having been meticulously restored and returned to its original name. The Queen of the West is a classic corner pub built in 1919. It reopened August 2023.
Mt Pleasant Road Brewers has a new taproom in Belmont – it’s bright and fun with 10 taps pouring locally brewed beer. Their hops is grown in a Geelong backyard and they use honey from beehives on a nearby rooftop. It opened February 2023.
New places to stay
Two new hotels have opened in the heart of Geelong within walking distance of main attractions such as the waterfront and the Little Malop Street cultural and dining precinct.
Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong is the largest hotel in Geelong and The Bellarine and the first major hotel to be built in the region in two decades. It features 180 spacious family-friendly rooms, a 20m indoor pool and onsite restaurant, Maestro. Accessible rooms are also available. Opened September 2023.
Quest Geelong Central boasts stunning views of Corio Bay from its spot perched at the top of central Geelong. It has 87 apartments; conference facilities; business lounge and rooftop deck. There are several accessible and dog-friendly rooms available. It opened in September 2023.
Mt Duneed Estate Accommodation Pods lets you sleep among the lush vines at one of the region’s most famous vineyards. Some of the eight pods have outdoor baths with unbeatable views. Opened August 2023.
New place to see
Geelong Arts Centre is brand new, glittering and one-of-a-kind. A $140m state-of-the-art, whimsical building where you can catch a musical, play or show; or enjoy a comedy act or orchestra performance. It incorporates specially commissioned artworks by First Nations artists. It opened in August 2023.
