The Best Restaurants in Geelong to Wine & Dine In

While Melbourne’s dining scene is undeniably iconic, Geelong is making its mark as a serious culinary contender. With a dynamic mix of high-end dining experiences and charming, rustic eateries, its food scene continues to flourish. Little Malop Street is the epicentre, buzzing with top-tier fine diners and lively bars, but don’t ignore the neighbouring streets and suburbs—new gems are emerging all over.

Whether you’re in town for a weekend escape or a brief stopover, Victoria’s second largest city has a feast of flavours waiting for you. Here are our must-visit restaurants in Geelong you simply can’t miss on your next adventure.

Batesford Hotel

Set along the picturesque Moorabool River, The Batesford Hotel in Greater Geelong is a stylish country pub serving Australian classics with a modern twist. With a spacious beer garden, a full-service bar offering craft beers and wines, and a relaxed atmosphere, it’s the perfect spot for a casual meal or special occasion. We’d recommend snacks like buffalo wings, beef cheek croquettes, and beetroot tart, all perfectly paired with a local wine. Ideal for families and celebrations, The Batesford blends charm, comfort, and stunning views.

700 Ballarat Road, Batesford

Nectar

Nectar Kitchen & Bar is where Mediterranean flavours meet pure elegance. Head Chef Mandy Wright’s locally-sourced creations, like stracciatella with roasted beetroot and Aleppo chilli, or Moreton Bay bug saffron linguini, truly hit the spot. The atmosphere is sleek, featuring velvet seating and marble tables that set the perfect tone for a night out. The cocktails are classic, the wine list is solid, and the vibe is effortlessly cool. If you’re after something special, Nectar is the place to be—just make sure to book ahead.

239 Moorabool Street, Geelong

Maestro 

Culinary royalty has arrived in Geelong with Adrian Richardson’s Maestro, where refined flavours and local produce take centre stage. A perfect harmony of land and sea, the menu showcases the best of Golden Plains, Otways, Moorabool Valley, and the Bellarine Peninsula. With house-made seafood pastas and dry-aged meats, every dish is a masterpiece. Situated within the Holiday Inn & Suites, Maestro offers an intimate, welcoming space, where the collaboration between Richardson and chef Migo Razon delivers an unforgettable dining experience.

40 Ryrie Street, Geelong

Two Noble

Royal by name, royal by nature, Two Noble is Geelong’s newest fine dining treasure. Fusing South East Asian flavours with modern Australian flair, the menu celebrates local producers through shared dining. Led by Executive Chef Mario Tambajong, expect dishes like lamb ribs with peanuts, prawn betel leaf, and venison tartare. Nestled in the historic Sawyers Arms Tavern, Two Noble offers an intimate, adaptable dining experience that’s perfect for all dietary needs. A must-visit for your culinary calendar.

2 Noble Street, Newtown

Barwon Edge

For an unforgettable journey down the Silk Road, visit Barwon Edge, one of Geelong’s best new restaurants. Located by the Barwon River, this contemporary diner offers a creative spin on Middle Eastern cuisine with share-style plates, ideal for groups. Highlights include spiced beef with blackened tomatoes, preserved lemon, and hung yoghurt, as well as yellowfin tuna with tahini and mint. With delicious cocktails and friendly, informative service, Barwon Edge is a must for anyone seeking bold, flavourful dishes.

Anco Park Drive, Newtown

Petrel Hotel

The Petty is back, and it’s better than ever! Geelong’s oldest hotel has undergone a magical refurb, offering a warm, welcoming atmosphere with wood interiors, local ales, and vino. The food? Elevated pub classics done right. Start with potato, leek, and parmesan croquettes or Sydney rock oysters, then indulge in a T-bone steak with potato pave or marinated lamb rump with heirloom tomatoes. With a kid’s menu and vegetarian options, The Petty is a must-visit local pub and restaurant in Geelong.

81 Pakington Street, Geelong West 

Tempo

In the heart of Geelong, Tempo Kitchen & Bar isn’t just another restaurant—it’s a love letter to Victoria’s best produce. Seafood reigns supreme here, but the zucchini flowers and Bannockburn roast chicken with black truffle butter hold their own. The bar is a treasure trove, stocked with wines, craft beers, and rare spirits that’ll have any connoisseur swooning. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (hello, buffet breakfast), Tempo is where local flavour meets real, unapologetic good food. Don’t miss it.

10/14 Eastern Beach Road, Geelong

Songbird Thai BBQ

Songbird Thai BBQ, which took root on the former site of the beloved Igni, has quickly earned One Hat status in just a year. This vibrant spot in Geelong is a bold dive into Northern Thai flavours, with dishes like Gai Yang (grilled marinated chicken), Moo Yang (grilled pork), and the fiery Sai Oua sausage—smoky, spicy, and full of fermented goodness. The decor pops with pinks, teals, and red-painted pews, setting a lively, welcoming tone. Pair it with craft beers and inventive cocktails for an unforgettable dining experience.

2 Ryan Place, Geelong

Felix

Tucked up Downes Lane (off Little Malop Street), Felix serves up a modern interpretation of French classics, celebrating local produce and fine beverages within a warm, relaxed and elegant setting. Indulge in small plates like spanner crab profiteroles, kingfish and fried potato beignets with gruyere, mains like market fish with leek and beurre blanc and eye fillet with braised short rib and celeriac, before finishing off with chocolate sorbet and mandarin. Take it up notch with a glass of chenin blanc bubbles from Val de Loire in France, a rich and rounded chardonnay from Macedon, or a light and perfumed pinot from the Otways. 

Affable service and decadent dining, Felix is an experience not to be missed. 

9 Downes Lane, Geelong

Caledonia Shores at Geelong Pavilion

Caledonia Shores is a glorious showcase of playful Asian-inspired dining and perfect Geelong waterfront views, with flavour-filled share plates incorporating local seafood, fresh herbs and spices, and outdoor and balcony seating made for unwinding with a cocktail as the sun begins to set. Perched on Geelong’s waterfront with everlasting views of Port Phillip Bay, this venue is sure to impress, no matter the occasion. 

95 Eastern Beach Road, Geelong

frankie. Bar & Eatery

If you’re in the mood for a tasty morsel while enjoying some trendy vibes, frankie. Bar & Eatery may just become your new go-to. Here, welcoming staff are serving up delicious cocktails and pan-Asian-fusion dishes, If you’re not sure what type of Asian cuisine you’re in the mood for, this is the restaurant for you. Get a group of friends together and enjoy the large number of share plates including wagyu beef meatballs, glazed pork belly bao, Korean fried cauliflower and Japanese style popcorn chicken, amongst other dishes. And with over 30 cocktails on their menu, trust us when we say the drinks will be flowing and the vibes will be high.

26 Malop Street, Geelong

Caruggi

Caruggi may just be the closest thing you’ll get to an Italian holiday if you’re in dire need of a Euro summer, but don’t have plans to head there any time soon. This restaurant is dishing up traditional Northern Italian meals that have a special, homely feel to them. Caruggi translates to ‘little alleyway’ in Genovese dialect, and it is the medieval centre of Genoa in Italy. And while their menu consists of traditional dishes, you can always expect a new chef’s special to shake things up.

66 Little Malop Street, Geelong

Tulip

Small in size but big in impact, this hole-in-the-wall eatery serves gorgeous contemporary Australian for lunch and dinner. In dishes like kangaroo tartare with cultured cream and saltbush, Tulip spotlights sustainable, local produce that turns each meal into a lesson in thoughtful eating. The light, country-inspired décor provides a gentle environment for intimate catchups and long lunches, aided by an impressive wine list.

9/111 Pakington Street, Geelong

The Arborist

This stylish all day diner is open until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays, making it a go-to for late night feeds. Located in the thriving hub of Little Malop Street, their architect-designed space is built around a grand ash tree with green marble bar tops and olive benches to match. The offering is modern Australian with a Middle Eastern bent, exemplified in dishes like warm carrot salad with labne and harissa, or spiced roast chicken with white bean hummus. Can’t decide? Their $55 ‘Feed Me’ menu will bring you all the hits.

75 Little Malop St, Geelong

BAAH LAH! Dining

A modern Asian restaurant in the heart of Geelong, BAAH LAH! Dining is a dynamic yet intimate setting for dishes fused with flavours and ingredients that effortlessly connect you to the vibrant food culture of Asia. Merging both modern and time-honoured techniques, the produce-driven menu is predominantly Singaporean in style, channelling Head Chef Brian Anderson’s heritage, but with a hearty dose of Australiana inspiration. Sip on a kiwi vodka martini, and enjoy plates of fried eggplant with chilli and sour cream, crab meat doughnuts with Singaporean chilli sauce, hoisin caramel roasted duck breast with pickled fennel, and fried half chicken in a yellow Malaysian curry sauce. It’s one of the best Geelong restaurants to book into, pronto. 

1/100 Pakington Street, Geelong West 

Bistrot Plume

Some things are simply timeless, like perfectly cooked steak frites or a slice of tarte tatin. Bistrot Plume delivers classic French cuisine with a Victorian touch, using stunning local ingredients such as greens grown right by the restaurant. You won’t find any unnecessary frills here, just a snappy menu of bistro dishes, a plat du jour and lovely French wines served in a rustic dining room.

56A Mt Pleasant Road, Belmont

Alma

You’d be hard-pressed to find a restaurant as impressive as Alma, a contemporary diner built on the flavours of South America. They’re all about sourcing the best ingredients possible and simply accentuating them, with menu highlights including spicy eggplant ceviche, addictive jamon arepas and grilled morcilla sausage. Spacious and vibey, they’re well-suited to large groups and festive occasions.

93-95 Ryrie Street, Geelong

Sumi

This sleek robata grill restaurant in central Geelong is one of the city’s most exciting dining destinations. Juicy skewers of yakitori chicken, cumin-spiced lamb and chilli squid are given the flavour boost of charcoal cooking, paired with satisfying kitchen snacks from lobster rolls to crab san choi bao. The bar is also worth raiding at Sumi, with an extensive range of Japanese sakés, interesting wines and cocktails to pep up your meal.

47 Gheringhap Street, Geelong

Recess Bar and Eats

Everything at Recess is completely gluten free, but to pigeonhole this stylish restaurant as simply a gut-friendly dinner spot would do it a disservice. Their globetrotting share menu is as thrilling as you’d find anywhere, spanning everything from oozy baked brie spiked with white wine and thyme leaves to fall-apart braised beef cheeks served with parsnip purée. Order freely and widely, because everything here is guaranteed gold’.

247 Moorabool Street, Geelong

Sober Ramen

Sumi’s ramen-focused little sibling, Sober Ramen offers up delicious bowls of this steaming, soul-warming favourite, alongside dumplings and drinks including natural wines and sake. Order up favourites like the beef rib ramen, crayfish ramen, prawn and chicken dumplings in chilli vinegar sauce, charred miso and Japanese seven spice cauliflower bites, and tempura tofu. If it’s on the menu, don’t sleep on the incredible seafood ramen. A taste sensation, this Geelong restaurant is not to be missed. 

85 Little Malop Street, Geelong 

Why not extend your travels and check out these phenomenal road trips across Victoria? We’ve got roundups of the best beaches to sunbake at, most stunning waterfalls to chase and endlessly luxurious accommodation for splashing out on.

Writer

Kelsey Harrington

9 April 2025

Kelsey Harrington is a Melbourne-based writer with a sharp eye for the city's ever-evolving food, wine, arts, and culture scene. Her journey into the creative industry took the scenic route—what started as a passion for capturing Melbourne’s energy through a camera lens led her to Sitchu, where she worked her way up to Melbourne Editor. With over four years in the industry, she’s all about uncovering the best places to eat, drink, and explore. Off the clock? You’ll find her diving into a platter of fresh oysters and crudo, gallery-hopping, or sipping an extra dirty martini while plotting her next adventure.