Home to the 12 Apostles, iconic surf breaks and towering rainforests, a roadie down the Great Ocean Road is a must-do for any Melburnian. But it’s not just World Heritage-Listed icons and natural wonders that make this region worth a visit—the burgeoning foodie scene is one you need to treat your tastebuds to.
We called on the experts (you guys) and Visit Victoria and Visit Great Ocean Road to suss out which dishes are non-negotiable. Pro tip: arrive hungry.
Oak And Anchor: Chef's Selection Set Menu
This heritage-listed venue is a must-do dining destination along the Great Ocean Road. Located in Port Fairy, the Oak And Anchor offers everything from great food to boutique accommodation—and can even host your wedding. Start with a snack and beverage in the O&A bar before moving on to dinner in the restaurant. Then, settle in for one of the two set menu options curated by the chefs. While the menu changes with the seasons, you can expect dishes like beef cheek with salsa verde and pickled cabbage, Timboon halloumi with pickled artichoke and chocolate tart with salted caramel and pistachio.
Pond Cafe: Salmon Tartine
Find the brunch of your dreams at Pond Cafe. Grab a seat at the picnic tables out front and soak up the views across the Torquay foreshore. On the menu you’ll find quirky bites like cauliflower tacos with charred corn, and a beef brisket sandwich with cucumber slaw. Our favourite? It has to be the salmon tartine. Think: lightly grilled rye toast, topped with fresh smoked salmon, capers, lemon cream cheese, pickled red onion, crispy shallots and a poached egg. It’s the perfect way to start your day traversing the Great Ocean Road.
The KYN: Stracciatella Focaccia
Sitting pretty on the bustling Esplanade of Torquay, The KYN is a chic spot for long lunching. Housed in the former Kyndarlin Torquay Library, these digs are steeped in Torquay’s history. A palette of terracotta, peach and blonde timber, the menu here is just as aesthetically pleasing as the interior. Middle Eastern flavours are celebrated with dishes like Turkish beef ravioli with aleppo and yoghurt, and whole baked baby snapper taking centre stage. But if you only order one thing on the menu, make it the warm focaccia topped with gooey stracciatella and rosemary dukkah. We guarantee it’ll be love at first bite.
Graze: Zucchini Flowers
Relatively new to the scene, Graze has swiftly amassed resounding praise from its revolving door of famished patrons flocking to this Apollo Day haunt. Catering to safe and adventurous palates alike, the hummus-stuffed tempura zucchini flowers with harissa mayo will immediately catch your eye. The mammoth menu also boasts tastebud-tingling Jamaican jerk pork ribs and piri piri wild tiger prawns, so your outing is guaranteed to be a hit.
Timboon Railway Shed Distillery: Chef's Plate
A perfect example of classic combinations done right. The family-run Timboon Distillery may specialise in whisky, but it'd be a disservice to your stomach if you didn't try the Chef's Plate while you're there. What sounds more satisfying than a lowball of Timboon's finest paired with crispy Western Plains pork belly, green papaya salad and accompaniments smothered in a bold Asian dressing? The definition of eating well.
Santara: Chai-Spiced Peaches
This Airey's Inlet haunt is all a new kid on the block located within the retro-inspired Sunnymead Hotel. Technically, you could make a whole weekend out of this place by booking into the hotel and sampling a bunch of great dishes on the menu—which we do recommend. But if you've only got time for one meal, make sure you leave room for dessert because it's the chai-spiced peaches that have us shouting from the rooftops at Santara.
The Captain of Aireys: Pizza
Is there anything better than an authentic woodfired pizza? The Captain of Aireys is an institution on the Great Ocean Road slinging hand-stretched pizzas, made with love to hungry locals and travellers alike. The pizzas are all absolute winners but if you’re struggling to choose, opt for the Sweet Tate (napoli, mozzarella, spinach, sweet potato, goat’s cheese, garlic and walnuts), the Jinker (napoli, fior di latte, hot salami, olives and chilli) and the Hartley Street (napoli, mozzarella, ham, salami and kaiserfleisch). It’s best devoured perched on benches out the front, overlooking the coastline.
Ipos Restaurant: Seasonal Menu
Feast on authentic Greek dishes at Ipos an absolute must-visit on your trip down the Great Ocean Road. Driven by seasonal produce, each time you dine here you’ll find a different menu, which means multiple visits are encouraged. A modern take on a taverna, the menu perfectly incorporates traditional Greek flavours. It’s best enjoyed in a group so you can share the love and food–just as the Greeks would want it. Run by Talimanidis family members for five decades, enjoy a taste of their history in dishes like Bouyourdi (roast banana peppers, tomato sugo and feta), Saffron Hilopites (Lakes Entrance scallops, fennel, chilli and garlic) and pork and beef Keftethes with grilled cos, pickled cukes and tzatziki.
Tae Rak Aquacultural Centre: Eel Tasting Plate
Perched on the edge of Lake Condah is an experience quite like no other—where else would you find a cafe serving Kooyang in Budj Bim National Park? The eel tasting plate at Tae Rak Aquacultural Centre is prepared by a local Gunditjmara chef and sourced on-site, an experience that you'd be hard-pressed to find anywhere else.
Noodledoof Brewing: Ginger And Garlic Tofu Burger
A brewery and distillery located in Koroit, Noodledoof is as fun as its name sounds. Here, the taproom is open seven days a week where you can sample its tasty brews including a stone fruit sour, Australian pale, galaxy XPA and more. Our tip? Head there from Wednesday through Sunday to sink your teeth into a delicious burger while you sip its cold ones. Our favourite is the ginger and garlic tofu burger served with slaw and fennel.
Little Picket: Sunday Lunch
You'll find Little Picket at the Lorne Bowls Club, proving once again the revival of these unassuming venues is in full swing. The restaurant is only open Thursday through Sunday, making it the ideal spot to spend the tail end of your week. Leading the operation is rising culinary star, Jo Barrett, who creates an evolving menu based on what's in season in the venue's market garden. Naturally, the menu changes with the seasons, but past highlights include its silky creme caramel, bouillabaisse with mussels and homemade dim sums—all ideal for a Sunday seaside lunch.
The Bottle Of Milk: Cold Shower
The legends behind The Bottle Of Milk specialise in two things, brekky and burgers, and they’re both absolute 10s. Perch yourself in the lush courtyard out the back of the Lorne eatery, or sit under the yellow striped umbrellas out the front and prepare yourself for one seriously tasty meal. If you’re looking for an epic brekky option, you can’t go past the Cold Shower: a towering brekky burg filled with bacon, fried egg, lettuce, tomato, avo, and a hash brown with relish and mayo. It’s finger-licking good. If you decide to return in the PM, tuck into the Hell Yea burger (prime beef, tasty cheese, beetroot, grilled pineapple, house mayo and homemade tomato relish) or the Foul Burger with a chicken schitty. And while you might be feeling full, not ordering the thick hand-cut hot chips would be a huge mistake.
Brae: Absolutely Everything
We promise this answer isn’t a cop out, it’s just that everything at Birregurra-based eatery Brae is worth sampling. A true culinary experience, you’ll dine at Chef Dan Hunter’s organic farm, with the menu celebrating its produce. The ever-changing, seasonal dishes are as delicious as they are works of art, with the organic ingredients the true star of the show. Think incredible concoctions like radicchio and rainbow trout, finger lime and frozen yoghurt. Once you've indulged at the intimate 30-seat restaurant, you can wander just a minute down the farm track to the venue’s onsite accommodation and unwind in one of six luxurious guest suites.
Editor’s note: this article was produced in partnership with Visit Victoria and Visit Great Ocean Road 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.
Top Image: The Kyn via Instagram.