One of the fastest growing cities in Australia and second only to Melbourne in Victoria, Geelong's ocean-adjacent and proximity to world-class beaches and bush has been a main driver in the increase in population.
Adding even more fuel to the fire is the dining scene which has also seen a steady rise with a mixture of neighbourhood-friendly spots, award-winning fine dining restaurants, and laid-back eateries.
Here's where to find the best restaurants in Geelong for 2023:
Sumi
Centred around the Robata grill, Sumi is Geelong's answer for those seeking the smoky flavours of Izakaya-style dining. With a menu featuring a slew of different items touching the searing Bincho-tan grill, Sumi serves up the goods from Yakitori of all varieties to Tsukukne, seared okra with kimchi, Bao buns and even an absolutely banging lobster roll. It's a tidily-spaced 24-seat restaurant so the theatrics of the grill is all part of the dining and they've also got a clever combination of cocktails, beer and wine to choose from.
Bistrot Plume
Boasting a real neighbourhood feel, Bistrot Plume excels in nailing the delicate flavours of French cuisine. The corner restaurant has a soulful feel with a large exposed brick wall and a tidy collection of tables and booth seating. The menu which oscillates between Parisian and regional French fare will see leeks with Gruyere croquettes, crisped quail to larger staples like confit duck, steak frites and more.
Baah Lah!
Located right smack bang in the middle of town, Baah Lah and its eclectic mix of fusion-Asian dishes have made quite the impact on the Geelong culinary scene since opening back in 2019. Providing a diverse range of specialities from the Asian region, here you'll find anything from Cantonese-style Siew Mei pork dumplings to duck Yakitori with cured egg yolk and even Malaysian beef Rendang curry.
Hot Chicken Project
Sometimes deep-fried chicken is just the answer, and The Hot Chicken Project is the place to do that. Pair up the fried stuff with plenty of gin, plenty of natural wine and spice levels of your choice. You’ve got wings, you’ve got tenders and you’ve got burgers on offer. If for whatever reason you’re not feeling chicken, get on that halloumi sandwich stat.
Tulip
Placing a strong emphasis on scouting their ingredients from local and sustainable farms, Tulip is one of the best restaurants in Geelong. Resting just on Pakington Street, the laid-back venue has imbued its menu with high-quality produce from nearby, be it Great Ocean Duck which they dry-age in-house to farm-grown vegetables. Now operating without a traditional a la carte option, any given night can see a myriad of different dishes, providing something exciting with every visit.
Restaurant Igni
Two-hatted diner, Restaurant Igni, is a mandatory inclusion in any best restaurant Geelong discussion. The elevated diner which is centred around a wood-fired grill kitchen provides a distinctive flare to the ever-changing menu of seasonally-driven dishes. Owner and chef Aaron Turner’s fire-driven style of cooking has given Igni immense clout in Victoria's culinary community and the six-course menu here will show you why.
1915
Housed inside the historical 100-year-old Federal Woollen Mill building, 1915 is a staple new-ish addition to the region as has ingratiated itself now as one of the best restaurants in Geelong. It’s an accessible menu with plenty of dishes fuelled by the local produce from the surrounding areas with small plates of grilled saganaki with a fig leaf syrup to the Gippsland black Angus scotch filter, as we as a range of pizzas. There’s plenty to sample behind the bar, or if you’re looking for a change of scenery you can pop into the Anther Gin distillery just next door.
La Cachette
An intimate sojourn into classic French cuisine, La Cachette is Geelong's ultra-charming 25-seat diner right across from the water. The menu which changes regularly will see a concise mix of clever flavour-forward dishes from poached calamari with a cockerel broth with fig and turnip to a Berkshire pork rack with aubergine radish and mustard. The wine list champions several Australian vineyards as well as showcasing some staples from across Europe be it a Pinot Gris from Mount Macedon to a Moscato from Piedmont.
Check out more of the best: