Restaurants to Try This Spring in the Great Ocean Road Region
Essential Eats: Spring Edition
If you're looking for some tasty inspiration, the Great Ocean Road region has so many delightful dining experiences – here are the restaurants you need to try this Spring.
The Perch at Lavers Hill
The Perch , Lavers Hill
Perched at the highest point on the Great Ocean Road, you can literally see where the produce on the menu at The Perch comes from. Open for lunch and dinner 7 days and located on the Great Ocean Road halfway between Apollo Bay and the 12 Apostles (around 50 minutes from each), stay in the area for relaxed dinners or a tipple in the bar, or make a lunch stop on your next journey along the Great Ocean Road. The service, the menu and the setting are top of class.
Recommended: Prawn and Lobster Roll (lunch only), any pasta dish made by Dean, hand cut potato fries.
The Coast Restaurant, Anglesea
The Coast is located at The Great Ocean Road Resort in Anglesea and is open for dinner to guests and the general public 7 nights a week. Whether you’re staying on site, coming for a special dining event (check the website), looking for a romantic or group dining experience – dining at The Coast is as accessible and unpretentious as it is stylish. The seasonally changing menu celebrates local – highlighting what is sourced from regional produce partners and each dish on the menu is a delight
Recommended: Truffled arancini (entree), braised beef shin (main)
The Dart & Marlin
The Dart and Marlin, Warrnambool
The Dart and Marlin is a vibe, and the staff will make you feel like you are part of it, serving traditional pizzas that are simply bellissimo. The Dart and Marlin is a special place to relax, eat well, and feel like you’re in on a secret. Everything is available for take-away – but why would you? We’ve just let you in on Warrnambool’s best secret!
Recommended: Honey Eggplant and Haloumi pizza, handmade gnocchi or the Burrata
Graze Apollo Bay
Graze Apollo Bay
Graze is relaxed, contemporary, celebrates regional seasonal produce, and is clearly a favourite with the locals (book to ensure you get a table). Come and you’ll understand why. Graze is not pretentious, not over-priced (very reasonable for this quality of dining, in fact), yet – you are likely to taste the best steak of your life, beautifully prepared locally caught scallops, plus some stunning cocktails. If you are looking for a restaurant for a night out in Apollo Bay – this is the one.
Recommended: Scotch Fillet, Pork Belly, Venison Empanadas
Number One Restaurant, Torquay
At RACV Torquay Resort, Number One restaurant is open for breakfast and dinner 7 days a week, and the adjoining Hardings Lounge is open all day until 10pm 7 days. Warm and professional service is combined with a strong sustainability focus and this is evident in the menus and beverage lists featuring regional producers. Come for High Tea & drinks in the lounge, a romantic date night, or a long lunch with friends. Make the most of the resort and book your lunch following a round of golf or a treatment at One Spa.
Recommended: On the lunch menu at Hardings Lounge, we love the Nasi Goreng!
Apollo Bay Distillery
Apollo Bay Distillery
Located in the original post office building, the Apollo Bay Distillery sits at the top of Apollo Bay’s shopping and dining strip, commanding views across the foreshore and bay. Handcrafted spirits are their specialty, with a range of gins to try, all paying homage to local history and botanicals – with the original ‘SS Casino Dry Gin” named for the anchor of the Casino Shipwreck, just outside the distillery entrance. A robust pizza menu will please everyone, with a selection of other small share plates, perfect for enjoying with a drink or two.
Recommended: The Gin Flight (5 signature gins), truffle fries and the Capriciosa pizza
Bundys Bar and Bites
Bundy’s Bar and Bites, Warrnambool
In the heart of Warrnambool, find the family friendly Bunday’s Bar and Bites for crowd-pleasing Australian and SriLankan dishes everyone will love. From traditional chicken parmigiana, to soul-warming authentic curries, this is a great casual space for small or large groups (they have a free private function room available).
Recommended: Plan your visit for one of Bundy’s famous curry nights – check their socials for dates.
Tastes of the Great Ocean Road Tour
Ride With Us tour and transport services are based in Timboon, and offer customised tours including a Tastes of the Great Ocean Road full or half day experience for 2 to 6 people (at a flat rate). Enjoy meeting the makers with door-to-door service and exclusive tastings of handmade chocolate, ice-cream, whiskey, wine and cheese.
Recommended: Pick up a souvenir single-origin ‘Loch Ard Gorgeous’ camembert or ‘Apostles Crumble’ feta at Apostle Whey Cheese.
Lightkeeper’s Cafe Cape Otway Lightstation
Lightkeepers Cafe, Cape Otway
Located in the centre of the Cape Otway Lightstation precinct, step back in time at the Lightkeepers’s Cafe on your visit to the Australian mainland’s southern-most lighthouse. Handmade sweet treats, locally ground coffee and teas are available to lightstation visitors each day from 10.30am to 4pm.
Recommended: The famous homemade Lighthouse scones baked daily onsite, served with fresh cream and Otway Kitchen Jam
Clean Cravings Eatery
Clean Cravings Eatery, Lower Gellibrand
Located just a short drive from the 12 Apostles, Clean Cravings is also a must-stop on any Great Ocean Road trip! Located on site at the Great Ocean Road Wildlife Park (just off the main road before you get to Princetown), the friendly and focussed crew here do not compromise on their values – serving healthy, homemade, sustainable local food. There is always a great range and they even happily offer all the plant milks for the most complex coffee orders and there’s loads of vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options everyone will love.
Recommended: A cold pressed juice and a panini made with Zeally Bay ciabatta to fuel your journey. And maybe a couple of vegan protein balls ‘for the road’!