Things to Do in Sorrento: Where to Eat, Play, and Stay

Embark on a ninety-minute drive from Melbourne along the scenic Mornington Peninsula coastline and you'll arrive in Sorrento, a seaside haven imbued with the best of every world.

Laidback and leisurely, but possessing a vibrant food and drink scene, a day trip can start on the beach and end in a buzzing bar, cocktail in hand, with a sunglow worthy of a summer escape much further afield.

To help you make the most of your time here, we’ve put together a cheat sheet of places to swim, hike, surf, dine and relax when you make your next trip south to this bayside beauty.

These are the best things to do in Sorrento.

Audrey’s

This sweeping fine diner by the sea is a beauty. The anchor restaurant of the revamped Continental Sorrento, Audrey's is a homage to the grandmother (Audrey) who inspired the Head Chef’s cooking.

Diners are taken on a journey of premium local seafood reimagined – think Wallaby Tartare with tuna mayo, seafood risotto made with the freshest produce, or even Grouper with ravigote, caviar, parsley.

Celebrating a special occasion? Audrey's refined dining is the perfect way to rejoice. Pick the set menu option and leave the rest to the talented chefs, or take your pick from the a la carte menu. Prefer to do something during the daytime? Audrey's Sunday set menu lunch is a stunning three-course meal containing seafood, meat, and decadent desserts.

The dining room is a vision of old-world elegance awash in sea blue velvet, marble and priceless bay views everywhere you look.

1 Ocean Beach Road, Sorrento

The Vanilla Slice Cafe Sorrento

The Vanilla Slice Cafe has been around for years, but rebranded to get a stylish new name and look back in 2019. Named after their famed sweet treat, after you take your first bite into this vanilla slice, you'll never want to get one anywhere else. Lightweight, not overly sweet and with a thick layer of custard sandwiched between perfectly flaky pastry, it doesn't get much better than this. When you're looking for things to do in Sorrento, make sure this is one of the top places to hit on your list.

23 Ocean Beach Road, Sorrento

Flat Blk

For great cakes and amazing coffee, make a beeline for Flat Blk. Open daily, this cafe is a hotspot for locals and tourists alike thanks to its delicious brew and regularly rotating homemade cakes and goodies. If it's available when you visit, make sure you try the gluten free lemon cake - it's to die for!

136 Ocean Beach Road, Sorrento

Shi-hui-shi

The striking Hotel Sorrento has elevated its food offering with the modern Cantonese restaurant Shi-hui-shi.

It's serving up an innovative and flavorful menu that showcases a contemporary take on traditional Cantonese cuisine fused with local ingredients.

An intimate, sensory experience -the artwork and dressings are a nod to the eateries of 1960s Hong Kong, the cinematic and photographic works of Wong Kar-wai and Fan Ho.

5/15 Hotham Road, Sorrento 

Bistro Elba

Travel to the French Riviera without leaving Sorrento at this light-drenched restaurant on Ocean Beach Road. They’re serving gorgeous cuisine from the South of France, plying guests with a selection of breads, seafood, pastries and Provençal style vegetables alongside an extensive wine list.

Tall windows, skylights and a quaint courtyard bring the sunshine in, while eclectic art covers the walls – perfect for happy snaps.

Whatever you do, make sure to leave space for chocolate éclairs and fine imported French cheeses at the end of your meal.

100-102 Ocean Beach Road, Sorrento 

Sardo

Nestled between the limestone of Sorrento’s historic main streets, Sardo is a quintessentially Sardinian affair. Head down the lane and find yourself swept away by good vibes, good food and good libations.

It’s all about a relaxed, fun night out here; big on flavour, low on pomp and circumstance. Expect to delight in authentic eats like beef carpaccio, caprese salad and lobster spaghettini and in the convivial nature of this charming local, where wine and spritz flow and life feels fundamentally less stressful.

20 Ocean Beach Road, Sorrento

St Paul's General Store

Serving Sorrento for more than 60 years, St Paul's General Store is the old milk bar transformed from a convenient Bayside stop to a happening hangout.

Think acai bowls, crispy chicken burgers and burgers with the lot, salad rolls and smoothies, milkshakes and coffee. 

The name still rings true here, with a retail section stocked with local produce, newspapers, fresh flowers, lollies, ice cream, pasta and sauces. There’s also a crackin' selection of natural wines to fill your cart with.

Intercontinental Sorrento

The Intercontinental Sorrento has quickly reestablished itself as the place to stay on the Mornington Peninsula, with a night here being one of the best things to do in Sorrento.

Drawing on 150 years of heritage in a stunning refresh, every inch of the space reveals timeless coastal glamour.

You certainly won’t be spending all your time inside though, with a curated range of experiences at your door, including primo restaurants and disco decadence at late night speakeasy Barlow. 

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1/21 Ocean Beach Road, Sorrento 

Hotel Sorrento

There’s a room for every type of traveller at Hotel Sorrento. Watch boats sail by from the classic and comfy bay rooms, or bask in sunshine from the privacy of a balcony in fully-appointed studios.

The hotel is tastefully designed with natural finishes of limestone, European Oak and tan leather to make you feel right at home, while in-house restaurant Shi Hui Shi offers a fiesta of contemporary Cantonese.

Book your stay with Booking.com

Book your stay with Agoda

Book your stay with Hotel Sorrento

5/15 Hotham Road, Sorrento

Our Pilates 

Make your next weekend trip to Sorrento even more rejuvenating with a session at the chic Our Pilates studio. Co-founded by Brooke Pitt (née Hogan) and Hannah McKimm, this stylish studio on the Mornington Peninsula offers a fresh take on traditional Pilates, blending strength, stability, flexibility, and control into invigorating classes for all levels.

Designed by Victoria Merrett Architecture, the space exudes elegance with its neutral palette, concrete accents, and timber floors, while sheer-lined walls and a cascading scalloped roof create a dreamy, light-filled atmosphere.

It’s the perfect place to unwind, recharge, and add some balance to your Sorrento escape.

Suite 6, 119-125 Ocean Beach Road, Sorrento

Aurora Spa & Bathhouse

This gorgeously designed subterranean spa and bathhouse invites you to bathe, sweat and relax within the spectacular Intercontinental Sorrento.

A remedial dream and immersive sensory wellness experience, hit the pause button and spend time enjoying a therapeutic massage, facial, soak, body ritual or mindfulness and meditation session within the tranquil environment. 

Aurora has three different magnesium pools for you to soak up wellness in, all at varying temperatures. Massage bubblers come on in two of the pools at the press of a button, adding to the tranquility of the experience. In the other magnesium pool wherein there aren't any bubblers, instead, you'll find stones lining the bottom. These are to gentle move your feet over, smoothing out rough and hard skin (trust us, it actually works). There's also a cold plunge, glacial mist room, steam room, sauna and hydrotherapy room to enjoy at your leisure during the session.

For undeniable luxury, Aurora Spa & Bathhouse is one of the most divine things to do in Sorrento.

23 Constitution Hill Road, Sorrento

Sorrento Museum

If you're a history buff, or just curious about the settlement into Australia, you'll love Sorrento Museum. Nepean Historical Society's Sorrento Museum has a plethora of historical artefacts, artworks and other pieces for you to peruse through and learn something new. Plus, the Limeburner's Cottage is right around the corner, so you can go back in history to when people first settled in Sorrento.

827 Melbourne Road, Sorrento

Sorrento Front Beach

The calm waters of Sorrento Front Beach make for perennially pleasant swimming, but there’s plenty more to do along this golden stretch of sand.

Spend the day splashing around the beach’s sheltered waters, explore walking and cycling trails or simply relax on the soft, fine sand with a book.

The green and grassy foreshore reserve stretches along the entire beach, offering plentiful places to have a picnic and watch the world go by.

Point Nepean Road, Sorrento

Ride Waves at Sorrento Ocean Beach

Prefer a little more action on the water? Head to Sorrento Ocean Beach instead. Here you’ll find a popular spot for surfing, diving, fishing and exploring, with myriad rock pools and ledges revealed during low tide.

For a post-surf break head up to the café where you can get a fresh cuppa while looking overlooking the entire beach.

Commencing at the beach is also the three kilometre Coppins walking track, which winds through several lookouts and ends up in sparkling Diamond Bay. 

250 Ocean Beach Road, Sorrento

Moonraker Dolphin Swims

One of Australia’s most awarded dolphin tour agencies, Moonraker Dolphin Swims is one of the coolest and best things to do in Sorrento.

There is a uniquely designed range of swimming, wildlife sightseeing and luxury adventure cruises for you to attend, where you can get up close with not just dolphins, but seals and marine life too.

The Moonraker itself is a purpose-built luxury tour boat, designed for your comfort and aquatic enjoyment, with an onboard café, hot showers, and change rooms.

With tours designed for everyone, big groups or small, this is an exceptional experience you don’t want to miss.

Esplanade, Sorrento

Millionaire’s Walk from Sorrento to Portsea

Millionaire’s Walk is a cheeky reference to the many waterfront mansions you’ll pass as you embark on this spectacularly scenic short stroll beginning at Lentell Avenue.

Taking you along the clifftops, this walk rewards you with endless water views across Port Phillip to the Bellarine Peninsula, Melbourne city and even Mount Dandenong.

The route also forms part of the Sorrento Portsea Artists’ Trail, meaning you’ll see viewpoints immortalised in paintings by Sir Arthur Streeton, Arthur Boyd and Ray Hodgkinson.

Lentell Avenue, Sorrento

Now that you’ve tacked all the best things to do in Sorrento, there’s even more to see and do while you’re in the ‘ninch. Check out the best wineries, plus our essential guide to planning a girls' trip to this magical Victorian region.