Situated past the windy bends of the Great Ocean Road is Lorne, a tree-clad enclave and coastal town characterised by its thriving surf culture, shopping prospects, multicultural culinary scene and parks that edge onto the white-sand beach. With its easy access to the Otways and close proximity to the adored Erskine Falls, Lorne attracts a throng of Great Ocean Road locals as well as Melbourne city dwellers.
The versatile town that is well-regarded for its pier fishing, surfing and camping is home to an eclectic mix of food and drink establishments; whether they’re located along the town’s main drag or tucked away in the seaside town’s nooks and crannies.
From Italian and Greek to Japanese and Australian, Lorne offers a selection of multicultural restaurants, hip cafes, institutional pubs and sleek stays. We’ve gathered Lorne’s best food and drink venues as well as staycation options so you don’t have to.
The Best Eat And Drink In Lorne
The Bottle Of Milk
Easily identifiable by its striped yellow umbrellas, street-side tables and retro-style booths, Bottle of Milk is a cherished Lorne cafe that has amassed a loyal following for two things— brekky and burgers. Situated directly across from the beach, the cafe doubles as a post-surf feed for locals and a lunch pit-stop for tourists passing through the Great Ocean Road.
While burgers may typically be a PM option, Bottle of Milk pushes the boundaries with the Cold Shower, a hefty brekky burger filled with bacon, fried egg, tomato and avo among other additions. When the clock strikes 12, tuck into your choice of a grass-fed beef, vegetarian or chicken burger paired with crispy thick-cut hot chips and you’ll be in for a substantial feed that will see you out till dinner time.
Pizza Pizza
Tucked away from Lorne’s main strip and situated in one of Lorne’s quieter areas is the town’s go-to pizza haven Pizza Pizza, a quaint wooden cottage engulfed in lush greenery.
Specialising in 11 cm diameter thin crust pizza, the venue is serving up the classics including, capricciosa, Margherita and meat lovers as well as some more unconventional options such as the pancetta and pear—a pizza topped with mozzarella, roasted pear, pancetta, garlic and parsley as well as the salami calzone—enclosed pizza stuffed with mozzarella, spinach, salami, pesto and sundried tomatoes. There’s no better companion for pizza than wine, so enjoy a glass of red or white and you’ll be in for an absolute delight.
Tottis
Sydney’s adored Italian diner, Tottis is a more recent addition to the Lorne restaurant scene having arrived earlier this year on the Lorne promenade. Since its opening, Melburnians quickly flocked to Lorne to experience what all Sydneysiders rave about—antipasti selections with all the cold cuts you can think of and burrata paired with the infamous Totti’s wood-fired-bread and Aperol spritz or negroni.
The larger dishes are also unparalleled, using local ingredients you can get your hands on some seafood favourites including, reginette spanner crab tossed in tomato, chilli and pangrattato or the gnocchetti with prawns, garlic shoot and prosciutto.
Ipsos
A Talimanidis legacy formerly known as the taverna Kostas has seen a bit of a revamp as of late with parents Kosta and Pam pairing up with their sons Alex and Dominic to bring a more youthful and lively vibe to the venue now known as Ipsos.
Drawing inspiration from their heritage, the menu is Greek in essence—simple, fresh and seasonal, so you can expect the staples from marinated Greek olives and fried local calamari with verde toum and lemon for starters to lamb backstrap with Melitzanosalata, roasted tomatoes and feta for a main. With a carefully curated yet extensive wine list, traditional Greek food and family-style hospitality, Ipsos has quickly become a cornerstone of the Lorne restaurant scene.
Lorne Icecream
Demarcating itself from the other establishments on the main drag of Mountjoy Parade with its vibrant orange and white striped getup is the town’s summer essential, Lorne Icecream. The ice cream parlour that appears to be a 60s diner at first glance attracts a swarm of post-beach swimmers eager for their velvety ice cream which is available in 40 + flavours made from the very best Apostle Whey milk in Corriemungle, served in home-made waffle cones.
The ice cream establishment doesn’t just limit itself to frozen goodness, offering a range of shakes and heavenly superfood smoothies. With Rob and co-owner Brett (also behind Bottle of Milk) having been born and raised on dairy farms, they know good milk when they taste it, so you can expect the creamiest of creamiest ice cream.
Little Pickett
Lorne’s restaurant scene has recently expanded to include food establishment, Little Picket in none other than a pillar of the seaside town’s social life—the Lorne Bowls Club. The venue’s interior is quintessentially Australian and captures the spirit of a traditional bowls club with its vinyl seating, weatherboard frontage and piano nestled into the corner.
While the menu has been crafted by esteemed chef Jo Barrett, the dishes highlight Barrett’s talent while being simultaneously family-friendly. The cloud-like potato bread lathered in roast garlic and parsley butter, the dim sims stuffed with local pork and cabbage coated in chilli oil and the Yan Yan Gurt West Farm Lamb sourced nearby from Deans Marsh undoubtedly win over the crowds.
Grandma Shields
No coastal town is complete without a well-regarded bakery and Lorne is no exception with Grandma Shields. This bakery nestled into a corner of the Cumberland Resort Plaza is directly across from the beach, making for an ideal pit stop for lunch or for some takeaway snacks to enjoy on the beach.
While the venue has the bakery essentials down pat, think coffee, cakes and gourmet sandwiches, its chunky steak pie has gained an award-winning reputation—and with good reason, its textural filling encased in a flaky crust makes for nothing short of a delight.
Moons Espresso
It's everything you want from a cafe, it's simple, it's small in stature and it faces the beach. Moons Espresso has long stood as a premium caffeine outlet for the town of Lorne, the cosily arranged shopfront on Mountjoy Parade is always spilling out onto the street with the highly coveted sun-soaked outdoor tables. The menu is a tidy mix of toasted sandwiches from a pitch-perfect rocket, harissa egg, bacon and tomato number to full breakfast plates of smashed avo, vegan-friendly granola and smoothies.
The Best Stays In Lorne:
Tranquility Base
Perched atop a Lorne hillside amidst eucalyptus trees, Tranquility Base is an architectural masterpiece, offering a captivating 180-degree view from Aireys Inlet Lighthouse stretching to Lorne Beach through its expansive glass windows.
With its serene living spaces, bay views, elegant decor and prime location—a short walk over the Lorne footbridge into town—Tranquility Base is undoubtedly one of the best Lorne accommodation on offer.
Saltwater Holiday Home
Saltwater Holiday Home embodies the quintessential family beach house, featuring a tranquil palette of white and coastal blue decor and large living areas for up to six guests. Its prime beachfront location provides peaceful ocean views through the floor-to-ceiling windows, filling the space with an abundance of natural light.
The front deck is perfect for basking in the summer sun while the cosy wood fire is a perfect winter staple, making Saltwater equipt for year-round enjoyment.
River House
Located a touch further inland, River House is hidden amongst lush greenery, making for a more quiet escape. Meticulously designed, this stay receives ample light from its open living spaces and is an oasis of relaxation with its well-appointed retreat room, complete with everything from books and board games to Netflix and Play Station. Being situated near the Erskine River and a short 800 meters from the main beach, this stay offers the perfect balance of tranquillity and coastal convenience.
Louttit
Situated a mere stone’s throw from the beach and a leisurely 30-minute walk from the town centre, Louttit is a 10-guest stay, boasting five spacious bedrooms and two bathrooms—ideal for family or friend getaways.
Perched on one of Lorne’s elevated vantage points, this house offers sweeping ocean panoramas from its open living area that extends out to the deck. With its sleek interior, outdoor area designed for entertainment and captivating vistas, Louttit unquestionably ranks among the top contenders for the best stays in Lorne.
Lorne River House
Yet another River House, this one secures its spot among the finest Lorne accommodations, offering the best of both worlds—nature and the beach. The house is situated along the picturesque Erskine River and less than a kilometre from town, providing the perfect opportunity for a leisurely stroll along the walking track to the beach.
This elegantly decorated retreat features a serene white-beige theme and makes for an all-encompassing haven of relaxation with its large lounge suite, cosy fireplace, spacious deck area and even a retreat room— if the whole stay isn’t already a retreat in itself. 
Check out more of our travel guides:
Geelong
Mornington Peninsula
Dandenong Ranges
Daylesford
Echuca
Image credit: Lorne Hotel—Hugh Davidson (supplied)
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