Great Ocean Road
Worth a stop for its homemade pork-and-fennel sausage rolls, as well as pies and pulled-pork rolls. There's plenty of local produce on offer, as well as…
Must-see restaurants in Victoria
Seaspray Surf Life Saving Club
Victoria
The surf club's bar and bistro has awesome views over the water, and there's tasty food, too, with a menu of bacon-and-egg rolls, chicken schnitzel…
Victoria
One of Bendigo's best spots for coffee, this Melbourne-like warehouse space sources its beans globally and roasts locally. Great breakfasts segue nicely…
Great Ocean Road
Housed in the original bluestone watchkeeper's house, across from the harbour, is one of Portland's best spots for hearty cooked breakfasts, loaded salad…
Victoria
With a sublime location right on the marina, this breezy and luxurious cafe has a deck on which to enjoy a hearty cooked breakfast, or local fish and…
Great Ocean Road
Portland's best pub for a cold beer and a feed is this historic hotel that's most popular for its $10 counter lunches. There's also its more upmarket…
Melbourne
With salvaged service-station signage and concrete floors, plus warm and efficient service, Small Block acts as a community centre with a neighbourly drop…
Great Ocean Road
This appealing provedore on Forrest's main strip has house-made pies, toasties and excellent coffee roasted in nearby Apollo Bay. They also have basic…
Victoria
Opening its doors in 1892, cheap and cheerful Toi Shan has been around since the gold rush – it's reportedly Australia's oldest Chinese restaurant. Fill…
Victoria
Life's pretty relaxed out this way, and Loch Sport's pub is just the spot to soak up the unhurried local pace. Sit with a beer in hand and gaze out over…
Victoria
Ballarat's go-to place for both authentic and inventive wood-fired pizza is this smart-casual brick-walled restaurant. It's also great for wine and fine…
Victoria
Along Maffra's main strip, this urban-style cafe does buttermilk pancakes, sourdough fruit toast and brekky burgers. For lunch expect anything from pulled…
Great Ocean Road
A local favourite for its innovative menu, good coffee, breakfast bagels, lobster rolls (in summer), Wagyu-beef burgers and chargrilled squid. Add a…
Victoria
Red Rock Olives has a range of organic olive products to sample and buy, as well as a cafe doing grazing platters, homemade sausage rolls, cooked…
Great Ocean Road
Set up in a weatherboard cottage, this is easily Lorne's best spot for authentic thin-crust pizza.
Victoria
A real highlight for self-catering travellers is this traditional English-style butchery and pie shop. Excellent bacon and sausages use all free-range…
Melbourne
Misuzu’s menu includes whopping noodle, rice and curry dishes, tempuras and takeaway options from the neatly displayed sushi bar. Sit outside under a…
Great Ocean Road
At this lovely garden cafe owned by Schulz Organic Farms, a fourth-generation German cheesemaker, you can do a free tasting of its organic cheeses, or…
Victoria
This floating restaurant on the harbour dishes up high-end Cantonese cuisine, with soothing views through floor-to-ceiling windows. Chilli-pepper-and-salt…
Victoria
A main-street cafe known for its delectable homemade pastries and pies (go the lamb and mint), as well as tasty breakfasts, burgers and lunches to enjoy…
Victoria
This fine Malaysian restaurant serves all the usual staples, but its seamless incorporation of emu, kangaroo and even camel into its Malay sauces is…
Victoria
Captains has a vintage-furnished cafe at front as well as an open-air back bar where musicians and DJs perform on summer weekends; check the Facebook page…
Victoria
Away from the main strip, this unabashedly local cafe overlooks the water at North Arm. It does homemade Gippsland beef pies, local-fish dishes and…
Victoria
There are always 36 flavours on offer at this hugely popular ice creamery on the main strip, but the most popular is undoubtedly the eponymous mubble, a…
Victoria
Overlooking the inlet, this cafe has a vintage nautical theme and a terrace with views over the water; it's the place to read the newspaper over coffee,…
Victoria
An appealing space inside a former milk bar, this corner cafe does a mouthwatering array of rolls, gourmet pies and all-day breakfasts. It has a pleasant…
Victoria
A seriously good cafe with great coffee, Bancroft does build-your-own brekkies and hearty lunches, including its popular seafood hotpot with sourdough…
Great Ocean Road
The best fish and chips in town is at the local fisherman's co-op, directly on the wharf. Most of its fish and crayfish is caught locally; check the…
Great Ocean Road
Within the former post office (c 1882) is Portland's best restaurant for fine dining, known for its French-inspired cuisine and dishes made with fish…
Victoria
A hang-out for Gippsland greenies, this earthy cafe and organic grocer also hosts live Sunday gigs. Enjoy organic coffee, toasted sandwiches and cheese…
Great Ocean Road
Named after a seafaring character who lived in the area during the early 20th century, this popular pizzeria does authentic Neapolitan-style wood-fired…
Victoria
Disappear into this classic old-style tearoom for its Devonshire tea ($10.50) or a slice of lemon tart. Otherwise, enjoy a pie or light lunch on the…
Great Ocean Road
An attractive open-plan cafe, Swell is popular for brunch items such as buttermilk hotcakes, organic sourdough toasties and healthy fresh-juice blends.
Victoria
The shopfront of the local fishermen's co-op always has fresh seafood, but there's no cooked food here, so it's one for self-caterers.
Victoria
Setting up along Metung's scenic grassy foreshore, this local farmers market sells regional wines, cheese, breads and local honey.
Great Ocean Road
Delicious pies, including the signature prawn and scallop ($7), and a cauliflower and cheese for vegos.
Victoria
A fine, fragrant den of excellent Thai cooking in the heart of town, though perhaps a tad overpriced.
Melbourne
Melbourne's love affair with Mexican food continues apace in this downstairs restaurant wallpapered with colourful film posters. Share slow-cooked lamb…
Melbourne
Venture down Melbourne's most picturesque laneway, lined with old red-brick buildings and potted greenery. Hidden behind a set of weathered wooden doors…
Melbourne
'Simple sustainable seafood' is the mantra at this upmarket eatery in the casino complex.
