Restaurants & Cafes Great Ocean Road

Q: What are the best fine dining options along the Great Ocean Road?

For a premium dining experience, Brae in Birregurra is often ranked among Australia’s best restaurants, focusing on sustainable, farm-to-table cuisine. Wickens at the Royal Mail Hotel in Dunkeld offers multi-course menus with produce from its own gardens and an extensive wine cellar. Chris’s Beacon Point Restaurant in Apollo Bay combines fresh seafood with sweeping ocean views.

Q: Where can I find casual, family-friendly restaurants?

The Wye General in Wye River is great for all-day breakfasts and has a children’s play area. Apollo Bay Bakery is a local favourite for pies, pastries, and sandwiches, including gluten-free and vegan options. Noodledoof Brewing and Distilling Co in Koroit offers hearty burgers and kid-friendly breakfast options.

Q: Which places specialise in fresh seafood along the route?

Apollo Bay Fishermen’s Co-op serves freshly caught fish and southern lobster right by the water. Fish by Moonlite in Anglesea sources its menu from the daily catch, while Chris’s Beacon Point Restaurant features seafood as a highlight of its Mediterranean-inspired menu.

Q: Are there any unique food and drink experiences to try?

Yes – Great Ocean Road Gin Tasting Room in Aireys Inlet offers small-batch gin tastings paired with Southeast Asian-inspired food. In Timboon, you can enjoy Timboon Fine Ice Cream, tour the Railway Shed Distillery for whisky, and visit Schulz Organic Creamery & Café for farm-fresh dairy treats.

Q: Do I need to book ahead for popular restaurants?

For high-profile venues like Brae, Wickens at the Royal Mail Hotel, and MoVida in Lorne, bookings are essential, often weeks or months in advance. More casual spots such as Apollo Bay Bakery or The Wye General generally accept walk-ins, but it’s wise to book during peak holiday periods to avoid long waits.

Dine at one of the Great Ocean Road’s restaurants serving fresh seafood and local produce, and you’ll see why the region’s reputation continues to grow. At the seaside resorts along the central coast, you can choose from various restaurants, from casual cafes overlooking the ocean to the most famous eateries.

Discover the best places to eat along the Great Ocean Road

Travelling along the Great Ocean Road is a great way to please your senses. There are eucalyptus trees, the sound of the roaring ocean and delightful food. From breakfast burgers at The Bottle of Milk in Lorne to a tasting dinner at one of the region’s restaurants (Brae in Birrgurra), there’s something for everyone. Here are our top favourites.

Experience culinary delights during your Great Ocean Road tour at these must-visit restaurants. Discover unique dining experiences and savor the best of the region’s food scene.

MoVida, Lorne

Take in the breathtaking ocean views from the Lorne Hotel while sampling tapas at MoVida, the restaurant of renowned Melbourne chef Frank Camorra. The menu, which uses the finest local produce from South West Victoria, is inspired by Spanish flavours, techniques and traditions. Alimentaria Deli also offers cheeses, tinned seafood, pickles, wine and tapas for those who want to take a tiny MoVida home.

The Wye General, River Wye

Located in the picturesque village of Wye River, The General is a charming seaside eatery. It offers all-day breakfasts with excellent coffee and fresh pastries, bloody marys, burgers, full breakfasts and fresh salads. The kitchen is open from 8:00 to 14:30 (until 16:00). This is an excellent place if you pass by in the cooler months, as they have a heater to keep you warm. There is a fantastic play area for children.

Bottle of milk, Lorne

You can’t go past The Bottle of Milk if you want a delicious breakfast. The coconut porridge with oats made with pear juice and coconut milk is a tropical start to the day, while the truffle mushrooms, corn, and zucchini fritters are also worth trying. Later in the day, you’ll find plenty of mouth-watering burgers, including excellent vegetarian options.

Forage on the Foreshore, Port Campbell

For those visiting the nearby Twelve Apostles, a meal at Forage on the Foreshore can culminate in a great day out. The food on the menu is predominantly local, grown, produced or harvested and in season. For breakfast, you can enjoy baked free-range eggs with garden herbs, cream, apostle’s whey camembert, Zelie Bay sourdough toast and spelt pancakes with candied rhubarb, cheese, shredded coconut and maple syrup. Until 4 pm, you can also enjoy dishes such as local cheese platters, squid stew, homemade gnocchi and fresh grilled fish.

Brae, Birregurra

It’s not precisely on the Great Ocean Road. You’d be better off travelling inland and heading to Birregurra for lunch or dinner at Brae. But this restaurant is regularly named one of the best in the country by the Good Food Guide, and when you’re lost in perfection, it would be a shame not to make a little diversion. Chef Dan Hunter’s suspended menu features produce from Brae Farm, the surrounding land and local, ethical and sustainable producers. This will be one of the best meals of your life.

Chris’s Beacon Point Restaurant, Apollo Bay

Located on the Otways motorway above Great Ocean Road, Chris’s Point has become a cult restaurant since it opened in 1979. The taste of Chris’s Southern European cuisine combined with the freshest and purest produce keeps people coming back again and again for lunch or dinner with a great view. Here you can enjoy the freshest seafood, which is the speciality of the restaurant.

Conlan’s Wine Store, Port Fairy

Located in the historic coastal town of Port Fairy, Conlan’s Wine Store is a restaurant offering casual dining that is perfect for a relaxed evening. Try their four-course sharing menu or order from a wide selection of a la carte dishes that can be paired with local wines. You can also take home a bottle and a few things from their retail shop.

Fish by Moonlite, Anglesey

Anglesey surfers should take a cue from chef Matt Germanchis, one of the creators of the now-closed Captain Moonlite restaurant, and Fish by Moonlite, a fish and chip shop and seafood joint along the Great Ocean Road run by Germanchis and his partner Gemma Gunge.

Germanchis was inspired by cooking on the Greek island of Skiathos, where the evening menu consisted of whatever the fishermen brought into port that day. Today, customers can order the freshest seafood delivered daily at Fish by Moonlite and receive advice from experienced chefs on preparing it. The visit would not be complete without their delicious fish and chips.

By the way, Germanchis has announced that he will take up the executive chef position at the Lorne Hotel for Sydney hotel giant Merivale, which acquired the historic property on the Great Ocean Road in early 2021. Stay tuned for more news!

Merrijig Inn, Port Fairy

This is probably the Victoria Victoria Inn, and it is undoubtedly charming. Open for dinner from Thursday to Monday, the Merrijig Inn restaurant offers a daily menu featuring local produce and farmers. Depending on the day’s fresh produce, you can find free-range duck from Milawa, lamb from the Western District, braised oxtail with artichokes or pan-fried Portland bluefish fillets.

Bellbray Estate, Bellbray

This climate-controlled winery and wine cellar is a five-minute drive from Bells Beach. This family business is not only about attracting tourists. After all, the famous Halliday Wine Companion called Bellbrae Estate “excellent” and “a winner” capable of producing elegant wines. Stop by for a tasting or stay over the weekend for a wood-fired pizza and a tasting flight.

Ipsos Restaurant and Bar, Lorne

There’s no better place for a great night out with friends than Ipsos. Here, you’ll find a modern take on Greek cuisine, with plenty of salads, sauces and grilled meats to keep you full. The cocktail list is simply excellent.

Apollo Bay Bakery, Apollo Bay

Great Ocean Road locals love the Apollo Bay Bakery. It offers a wide selection of fresh sandwiches, scones and cakes, and all pies, pasties and sausage rolls are handmade on-site (it became famous for its scallop pie). Gluten-free and vegan pies are also available. The restaurant is open from 6 am to 4 pm weekly.

Great Ocean Road Gin Tasting Room, Ayrshire Inlet

Tucked away in the picturesque village of Ayrshire Inlet, this little gin garden is a great place to spend time. Enjoy a negroni made from small-batch sea gin and lashings of orange syrup while sitting on the sunny terrace amidst Palm Springs-coloured furniture. When you feel hungry, don’t look far – check out Gin Kitchen, which offers a five-course banquet menu inspired by Southeast Asian cuisine.

Noodledoof Brewing and Distilling Co, Koroit

From cold-brewed morning coffee brewed for 12 hours to evening gin distilled from botanicals harvested from the crater of an extinct local volcano, Noodledoof is not a one-stop shop. In addition to drinks, this brewery and distillery also offers a menu of burgers, chips and chicken wings for lunch and dinner. Meanwhile, breakfast is a little healthier, ranging from almond and chia pudding to fruit toast and muesli with coconut yoghurt.

Apollo Bay Fishermen’s Co-op

A coastal restaurant with rustic charm, Apollo Bay Fishermen’s is a real treat for seafood lovers. It is just a few metres from the salt sea and offers fresh fish and shellfish. The southern lobster is so legendary that the bay, the coastal town and its catch were in the spotlight in one of the episodes of the 13th season of MasterChef. Sit down at one of the co-op’s tables, devour a fisherman’s plate and watch the sailboats sail across the water in front of you.

Wickens at the Royal Mail Hotel, Dunkeld

Among the exceptional offerings, Wickens at the Royal Mail Hotel is necessary for foodies. This hat restaurant has a large vegetable garden, considered one of the largest in Australia, which supplies the kitchen and pantry with all kinds of fruits, vegetables and herbs. Moreover, the hotel has even increased its beef and lamb production. However, food is not the hotel’s only concern: the restaurant’s basement houses a comprehensive collection of wines (about 25,000 bottles, to be precise).

For those looking for a more casual a la carte dining experience, try Parker Street Project, the hotel’s sister venue.

Timboon Fine Ice Cream, Timboon Railway Shed Distillery and Schulz Organic Creamery & Cafe, Timboon

In the heart of the Otways hinterland, amidst lush greenery and pastoral landscapes, lies a small pocket filled with artisanal food and drink producers. From an organic cheese factory founded by a third-generation dairy farmer to a single malt whisky produced by a farmer in an 1800s railway shed to a one-of-a-kind organic dairy and cheese factory, the small town of Timbun (population 1,202) is doing great work.

Stop by the Schulz Organic Creamery & Cafe for morning tea: chocolate babka, bagels and scones with local jam and homemade cream. Next, stop by Timboon Fine Ice Cream for a scoop of apple pie ice cream or perhaps even one of their Sundae School classes. Finally, stop by Timboon Railway Shed Distillery for a whisky paired with grass-fed black Angus beef from farmer and head distiller Josh’s Sooked.

FAQ

What are the best fine dining options along the Great Ocean Road?

For a premium dining experience, Brae in Birregurra is often ranked among Australia’s best restaurants, focusing on sustainable, farm-to-table cuisine. Wickens at the Royal Mail Hotel in Dunkeld offers multi-course menus with produce from its own gardens and an extensive wine cellar. Chris’s Beacon Point Restaurant in Apollo Bay combines fresh seafood with sweeping ocean views.

Where can I find casual, family-friendly restaurants?

The Wye General in Wye River is great for all-day breakfasts and has a children’s play area. Apollo Bay Bakery is a local favourite for pies, pastries, and sandwiches, including gluten-free and vegan options. Noodledoof Brewing and Distilling Co in Koroit offers hearty burgers and kid-friendly breakfast options.

Which places specialise in fresh seafood along the route?

Apollo Bay Fishermen’s Co-op serves freshly caught fish and southern lobster right by the water. Fish by Moonlite in Anglesea sources its menu from the daily catch, while Chris’s Beacon Point Restaurant features seafood as a highlight of its Mediterranean-inspired menu.

Are there any unique food and drink experiences to try?

Yes – Great Ocean Road Gin Tasting Room in Aireys Inlet offers small-batch gin tastings paired with Southeast Asian-inspired food. In Timboon, you can enjoy Timboon Fine Ice Cream, tour the Railway Shed Distillery for whisky, and visit Schulz Organic Creamery & Café for farm-fresh dairy treats.

Do I need to book ahead for popular restaurants?

For high-profile venues like Brae, Wickens at the Royal Mail Hotel, and MoVida in Lorne, bookings are essential, often weeks or months in advance. More casual spots such as Apollo Bay Bakery or The Wye General generally accept walk-ins, but it’s wise to book during peak holiday periods to avoid long waits.