Great Restaurants In Geelong: Discovering Central Geelong’s Best Dining Experiences
Geelong is a coastal city in Victoria, nestled on the Bellarine Peninsula. It has become a vibrant food hub that offers a wide range of dining options to satisfy every palate. Geelong has a wide range of restaurants that cater to all tastes, from casual dining to fine dining. Here are some of the best places to visit in Central Geelong if you want to experience the dynamic food scene.
Here are the 8 Great Restaurants In Geelong:
Great Restaurants In Geelong
Songbird: A Taste of Northern Thailand
If you’re looking for a unique dining experience, visit Songbird. This informal Thai barbecue restaurant opened in 2023, in the former location of the highly acclaimed Igni Restaurant. The restaurant is owned by Aaron Turner and Joanna Smith. It serves street food-inspired dishes from Chiang Mai in northern Thailand. They are cooked on a grill using red gumwood, coal and a charred flavour.
Menu items include gaiyang(grilled marinated chicken), Moo yang(grilled pork), and Sai Oua. This northern Thai sausage is made of pork belly and flavoured with fresh herbs such as lemongrass and makrut leaves. You can also explore their unique drinks menu. It includes everything from boozy margaritas with makrut leaves to homemade kefirs, and even no-alcohol cocktail options. Songbird’s vibrant interior, featuring teals and pinks in bold colours, is sure to delight the senses.
Bellarine Estate: A Vineyard Escape
Bellarine Estate is located just outside of Geelong and offers scenic vineyard views, award-winning wine and a peaceful getaway. This family-run winery was founded by the Kennys in 1996. It boasts a wide range of cool climate varietals including Shiraz and Pinot Noir. Visitors can taste these wines in the cellar, which offers a beautiful view of the vineyards and Corio Bay.
Bellarine Estate’s Thirty-Acres Distillery also produces award-winning gins using grapes from the vineyard. Try their Pinot Gin or Shiraz Gin with a charcuterie platter of house-made cheeses and meats. Bellarine Estate offers a relaxing dining experience for wine lovers and those who are simply looking to relax.
The Local Geelong: Dough-Centric Delights
Local Geelong was opened in 2019. The menu is centred around dough-centric dishes, making it the perfect option for all-day dining. This neighbourhood gem offers everything from freshly baked breads and pastries in the morning, to small plates with regional wines at night.
The breakfast menu includes house-made spreads and wood-fired vegetables on sourdough. The Enoteca Wine Bar (open some evenings) offers a wide selection of Victorian wine, craft beer, and cocktails. Chef Jackson Fort creates a seasonal menu that highlights fresh, local ingredients. Think oysters, charcuterie and market fish dishes. The local has everything you need, whether it’s a breakfast pastry or a relaxing evening meal.
Flying Brick Cider House: A Relaxed, Retro Experience
Flying Brick Cider House, located in the Bellarine peninsula, is a must-visit for cider lovers. The retro-styled venue offers a variety of ciders that are made with 100% fresh fruit and no sugar, colours, or flavours. Flying Brick Ciders are one of Australia’s most popular boutique brands. The venue is also a lively, fun place for locals and tourists.
Flying Brick offers a wide range of ciders and a delicious food menu to accompany them. On Fridays, enjoy a casual dinner or lunch with live music. You can relax to roots rock, rhythm and blues, and soul. Flying Brick offers a relaxed atmosphere for those who are cider lovers or simply looking to relax.
Tacos y Liquor: Bold Flavours and Street Food Vibes
Tacos and Liquor has the perfect tacos for you. Aaron Turner, of Igni fame, has created a 40-seater Taqueria that offers a minimal menu that focuses primarily on the essentials: tacos and tequila. The menu is limited to four tacos including Carne Asada, made with Sher brand Wagyu, and Al Pastor using locally sourced pork. There are also vegetarian options, such as Tinga with a smoky sauce and shredded chicken.
The drinks at this restaurant are as bold as their food. They offer a variety of margaritas and Palomas as well as an impressive list of tequilas and mezcals. Pair your tacos and craft cocktails with a cold beer for a complete dining experience. This simple but satisfying place offers a taste of Mexico in the heart of Geelong.
Interior View of Restaurant
Alma: Laid-Back Fine Dining
Alma offers a refined, yet relaxed dining experience. Alma, located near Johnstone Park in the city, offers a menu that celebrates local produce and ingredients. The interior is inviting and moody, ideal for a casual meal or drink after work.
Alma’s menu offers a wide range of small plates such as ceviche, cured kingfish and steak, along with larger options, like chorizo. The chef’s choice menu includes eight sharing plates at a fixed price. This is a good option for groups who want to try a bit of everything. Alma’s intimate ambience and delicious dishes will impress you whether you are dining alone or in a group.
Little Creatures Brewery: A Beer Lover’s Paradise
Imagine stepping into a brewery that’s as whimsical as Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, but for beer lovers – that’s what Little Creatures Brewery feels like. Located in the heart of Geelong, this iconic brewery offers a true “brewery village” experience. The site is bustling with energy, from the lively Canteen to the intriguing White Rabbit Barrel Hall and the vibrant, colourful Mystery Lane. It’s a space that feels alive with creativity and craftsmanship.
Visitors can grab a cold, freshly brewed beer and enjoy it inside the dynamic space or out in the fresh air. Watching the brewers in action as they work their magic is part of the experience, giving visitors a glimpse into the craft behind the brew. It’s more than just a brewery—it’s a fun and immersive destination where you can relax, eat, drink, and enjoy the local atmosphere.
Felix: Modern French Dining with a Local Twist
Just off Little Malop Street, Felix offers an unforgettable dining experience with its contemporary take on French cuisine. This charming laneway restaurant creates menus that highlight the best of local produce, all served in a warm, welcoming environment. Whether you’re popping in for lunch or enjoying a cozy dinner, Felix is a place where the food is just as inviting as the space itself.
Felix offers an à la carte menu, but what sets it apart is its thoughtfully crafted set menus. For those who follow plant-based diets, Felix is a standout, offering two- and three-course plant-free menus full of creative and satisfying options. It’s the perfect spot to indulge in classic French flavours with a modern, local twist while enjoying the intimate vibe of this laneway gem.
Conclusion
Geelong’s diverse dining options reflect its cosmopolitan and coastal vibe. From Thai BBQ at Songbird to innovative ciders at Flying Brick Cider House. Central Geelong offers a wide variety of dining options, whether you are in the mood to enjoy street food, local produce or fine wines. Next time you are in the area be sure to check out these amazing dining options – you will not regret it!
