Best places to eat and drink in Geelong and the Surf Coast
From wine bars to bakeries, pub grub to cocktails, here’s how you can spend a delicious few days in this rapidly changing region.
The best place to start a culinary journey in Geelong is Pakington Street, a lively area with boutiques, restaurants, Victorian architecture and cafes tucked away in cobblestone streets. Counter It’s a large warehouse-style space serving Axil coffee and brunch featuring predominantly Australian ingredients. hat restaurant Tulip The historic venue’s front bar runs an elegant snack menu. Petrel Hotel It lives on with fans of well-prepared pub grub who order the hefty chicken schnites lathered in garlic butter.
As for the morning pastries, That Place For viennoiserie by French-trained pastry chef Ashlea Allen at Belmont Local Takeaway focaccia sangers, homemade pastries and daily coffee are served
Window near CBD. The queue snaking towards Pakington at the Newtown end?
Join now and you’ll be in sourdough heaven in no time. Birth and Bread (We’re moving to a new location just down the road in January). You’ll want to loosen the purse strings, as it’s hard to pick a favorite, but chili jam twists and custard-filled pecan donuts are top contenders.
Geelong’s Little Malop Street is pulsating with energy on a Saturday evening. Get your hands dirty at the Nashville-inspired bar Hot Chicken ProjectWhere spice levels range from mild to blisteringly hot “bad.” Then head up the hidden staircase next door for a nightcap. 18th AmendmentA moody bar that salutes America’s prohibition years with its cocktails named Bonnie and Clyde and Thomas Edison.
If your journey takes you further down the coast, stop at: Booln Booln Cafe Wathaurong Booln at Booln Cultural Centre. There’s Blak Brews tea, jaffles filled with fillings inspired by indigenous ingredients like Kakadu plum kangaroo ragu, and the $60 Outback Afternoon Tea on Fridays.
Time your visit to Torquay on a Saturday morning Farmers Market Before leaving the Sunny Council car park, you will embark on a food tour of the area. Grab iced matcha, chilli-laden Tibetan momos, giant duck spring rolls, or spinach fritters flavored with yoghurt and paprika before browsing the fresh produce, small produce, and meats.
Once you’re back in town, a beachside picnic instantly becomes even better. Gooley’s pulled chicken roll with herb mayonnaise, lettuce and potato chips. Get there before the sun goes down Mortadeli’s Renovated area where you can enjoy a spritz with ham and béchamel
arancini If you’re lucky you’ll catch a courtyard DJ set.
Don’t return to the big smoke without taking the scenic route along the Great Ocean Road to Anglesea cellar and delicatessen winetalkIt is the latest outpost of the Daylesford-born business. It’s filled with local and European wines, Victorian craft beers, and delicacies like Berthe sardines and Acid pickles. Sit down if you want to sample a few drops to take home with an epic ham and raclette toastie.
Emily Holgate- Emily is the Associate Producer of the Good Food App at The Age. He has previously written for magazines such as Broadsheet and Urban List.Connect via email.
