Consider yourself a culinary connoisseur or simply in search of your next soul-nourishing feed? Then you need to make tracks to Geelong and The Bellarine, stat. Just 75 clicks southwest of Melbourne you’ll find a sparkling coastline and a truly vibing foodie scene. With a line-up of talented chefs at the helm championing local produce, you’re never far from a tasty meal in this beautiful city.
Not sure where to start the tastebud tour? We’ve teamed up with Visit Victoria and Visit Geelong and the Bellarine to bring you the top ten eats you can’t miss on your next visit to this picturesque part of the world.
Jack Rabbit: Rabbit And Pork Roulade
Jack Rabbit has built a reputation as a go-to destination for a relaxing long lunch by the sea. With coastal views and a vineyard to boast about, it's pretty clear why. But it's not just the picturesque setting that's grabbed people's attention. Head Chef, Dwayne Bourke, has put together an award-winning menu filled with ingredients from local farmers and producers that you simply have to try. Our pick? We can't go past the rabbit and pork roulade with pancetta, pork and potato hash, mustard, radish and dandelion. Rich, textural and simply delicious.
1915: Lamb Rump
Tucked away in a 100-year-old boiler house, a trip to 1915 is non-negotiable when visiting Geelong. But the unique setting is only the beginning of what makes this place so special–the menu is brimming with med-inspired dishes that will have you happy-dancing in your seat. Case in point? Its melt-in-your-mouth Lamb Rump. The tender, juicy dish comes with smashed kipfler potatoes and gremolata and trust us, you’ll want to go back for seconds. If you have room left, sample another beloved dish on the menu - the Halloumi Loukoumades served with salted caramel and chocolate ice cream. 
Ok Smash: Cheeseburger
There are cheeseburgers and then there’s the cheeseburger from Ok Smash. What originally opened as a burger pop-up has morphed into a Geelong staple and we’re glad it did. Wrap your chompers around their modern take on an Oklahoma Smash, complete with pickles, tomato sauce, mustard and gooey cheese. It’s best devoured whilst sitting at the American-style diner’s counter, complete with a side of fries and an ice-cold beer.
Baah Lah!
Baah Lah's vibrant dishes have made quite a bit of noise in the Geelong food world scene since it opened at its Pakington Street location back in 2019. On the menu, you'll find a range of Asian cuisines that are sure to please your palate. DIg into dishes like Cantonese-style Siew Mei pork dumplings, duck Yakitori with cured egg yolk and Malaysian beef Rendang curry—or leave it to the chef by opting for the set menu ($75). The best bit? A lot of the produce is homegrown in the restaurant garden.
Tacos Y Liquor: Pork Tacos
It’s not surprising that Geelong’s fave Mexican eatery has earned a spot on this list. Chef Aaron Turner (yes, the same legend behind Ok Smash) has crafted a truly tasty menu at this 40-seat taqueria. The pork tacos, or Al Pastor as they’re known, have earned a cult-like following thanks to their juicy pork belly filling. If you do want to branch out, order the kingfish ceviche and birria tacos. You can thank us later.
Little Mussel Cafe: Portarlington Mussels
With stunning views of Port Phillip Bay, Little Mussel Cafe is an ideal spot to soak up the picturesque scenery of the region while eating food straight from the source. Here, you can watch the boats pull into the pier to deliver the catch of the day before digging into sumptuous plates of fresh seafood including, of course, its namesake: mussels. The venue is licensed and is open for lunch and dinner from Thursday through Sunday, making it a must-do for your next long weekend away.
La Cachette: Three-Course Lunch
Taste French food at its absolute finest at La Cachette. With a seasonal menu that changes every three weeks, it’s not surprising that Geelong folk and travelling foodies simply can’t get enough of chef Matt Podbury’s French bistro eats. Each night Podbury creates magic in the open kitchen, delivering a concise, flavour-bomb-packed menu made with locally sourced ingredients. Expect plates like lamb with smoked yoghurt; local snapper with Portarlington mussels and sauce vin jaune; plus hazelnut, brown butter cake with goat’s milk mousse and fig. Yep, we’re drooling too.
Igni: Three-Course Surprise Menu
If you’re the kind of person who likes to peruse the menu days before you eat somewhere, Igni might not be for you. But for those who like a little bit of mystery around their meal, then a reservation at this Geelong restaurant is a must. When you arrive at the 28-seat eatery you’ll be asked your likes and dislikes and then the open kitchen (with a wood-fired grill at the heart) will come up with the rest. Yep, the whole thing is a complete surprise–you might not even get the same menu as the table next to you. You could be snacking on anything from stuffed zucchini flowers and emu Bresaola to flame-grilled cod and their signature onion ice cream. Put simply, no visit here will ever be the same, but it will always be delicious.
ALMA: Chef's Selection
Perfectly balancing the flavours of South American dishes and Australian cuisine, this list would not be complete without ALMA. Slip into a table at this sleek, moodily-lit Geelong restaurant and brace yourself for flavour bombs aplenty. A single dish here alone won’t be enough, instead, opt for the chef’s selection. Changing seasonally, there’s even a vegan tasting menu so no one goes hungry here. You could devour eats like eggplant & mango tostada, grilled corn with chimichurri butter, braised pork scotch with stone fruit and roast carrot with green olive salsa.
Q Train: Degustation
It's not every day that a meal consumed in transit is remembered fondly. But that's exactly what you'll get aboard the Q Train that cruises along the historic Bellarine Railway between Drysdale and Queenscliff. Alongside the stunning views of Swan Bay and The Bellarine, you'll be served a selection of delicious dishes via a degustation packed with local ingredients. The smaller plates are a great way to sample lots of local flavours on offer in the region—and leave decision-making with the expert: the chef.
Editor’s note: this article was produced in partnership with Visit Victoria and Visit Geelong and the Bellarine as part of the "Stay close, go further" campaign. Thank you for supporting the partners who make Urban List possible. To read our editorial policy, click here.
Image: Alma Restaurant via Instagram.