Heading to Geelong Waterfront and wondering what the top Geelong Waterfront cafes are?
Then you’re in the right place. In this article, we list all the best cafe Geelong Waterfront options so you can find your perfect place to eat.
Once a busy industrial port, the Geelong Waterfront is now a vibrant cosmopolitan area packed with bars, restaurants, and cafes.
It’s a popular gathering spot for locals and visitors alike who come to enjoy the fantastic waterfront activities, soak up the views, and eat tasty food.
Some of the most frequented Geelong waterfront eateries are a bar, restaurant, and cafe all rolled into one.
They’ve been included in this waterfront cafe Geelong list as they mostly function as a cafe during the day and include breakfast on their menu.
Due to their busy tourist location, the cafes on waterfront Geelong tend to be more expensive than other Geelong cafes. They make up for it though with their excellent food, unbeatable views, and fantastic location.
At the end of this article you’ll find a map of all the cafes listed so you can see exactly where they’re located.
Looking for other dining options on the waterfront? Read our guide to the best restaurants on Geelong Waterfront by clicking here.
Top 8 Geelong Waterfront Cafes
In no particular order, below you’ll find our best cafes Geelong waterfront list.
Top 8 Geelong Waterfront Cafes
1) Sailors Rest Geelong
If the queues of people who line up for a table is anything to go by, then Sailors’ Rest is undoubtedly one of the best Geelong cafes.
Located in a beautifully renovated heritage building the cafe has a prime position beside the lush Customs Park lawn, and with its lovely views, Sailors’ Rest cafe is the perfect place to relax and soak up the atmosphere.
This is one of the most popular places to eat in Geelong with a mouthwatering breakfast and lunch menu, a great (and healthy) kids menu, and a variety of teas and coffee to choose from.
Tip: Try the Jack Sparrow it will keep you going all day!
Sailors Rest is a Geelong waterfront restaurant, cafe, and bar all rolled into one and it has a variety of areas for guests to enjoy. Diners can choose to sit in the enclosed verandah, outside in the relaxing al fresco dining area, or inside in the cosy restaurant.
Walk-ins are welcome and are usually seated in the outdoor area or backyard beer garden. It’s a good idea to book ahead to avoid having to queue.
Sailors’ Rest Geelong
3 Moorabool Street Geelong
Phone: (03) 5224 2241
Monday – Tuesday 11 am – 3 pm
Wednesday – Sunday 11 am – Late
2) The Wharf Shed Cafe
As its name suggests the Wharf Shed is housed in an old wharf storage shed that’s been transformed into a modern waterfront Geelong restaurant cafe.
The bright and spacious building has huge windows that take full advantage of the superb water views. And its ideal location right on the water’s edge is what sets this cafe apart from other Geelong waterfront eateries.
The Wharf Shed’s menu has something to tempt all taste buds, from seafood and pizza to smashed avo on toast, they even have yummy Timboon ice cream! The milkshakes are pretty darn good too.
The cafe is family-friendly with its relaxed atmosphere and convenient location next to Steampacket Gardens. Kick back with a drink and something delicious to eat while the kids run themselves ragged on the lawn.
The Wharf Shed Geelong is fully licensed and has live music at weekends.
Wharf Shed Cafe Geelong
15 Eastern Beach Road
Phone: (03) 5221 6645
7 Days 9 am – 9 pm
3) The Beach House Cafe
No trip to the waterfront is complete without visiting the much-loved Eastern Beach. And it’s here that you’ll find the Beach House Geelong cafe.
Tucked in near the kiddies’ pool this Eastern Beach cafe and kiosk is housed in a beautiful 1930s red brick Art Deco building. It’s a lovely light-filled space that overlooks the swimming enclosure and famous waterfront promenade.
The menu is filled with classics like egg and bacon rolls and Portarlington mussels as well as more unusual offerings such as sardines on toast and a fish finger sandwich – don’t knock it until you try it!
The Beach House is run by the Mulberry Group and supports the Common Ground Project in Freshwater Creek.
You can read our full guide to Eastern Beach by clicking here.
The Beach House
95 Eastern Beach Road Geelong
Phone: (03) 4214 2000
7 Days A Week 8 am – 3 pm
4) Panache Geelong
If you’re looking for good places to eat in Geelong Panache Cafe is a great option.
This little gem is a staple in the Geelong cafe scene and with 6 franchises operating across Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula these guys must be doing something right.
Offering modern indoor and outdoor seating with great views of the Geelong foreshore it’s the perfect place for breakfast and lunch or a simple coffee and cake catch-up with friends.
Panache Waterfront Geelong specialises in yummy sweet and savoury crepes.
Sweet tooths can indulge in decadent delights like Salted Caramel and Death By Chocolate with lashings of double cream. While savoury lovers can chow down on hearty Tuscan Chicken, Avocado Seafood, or Potato Curry And Cheese.
Alternatively, if crepes aren’t your thing then Panache Creperie has a fridge filled with exquisite cakes, pastries, and slices to treat yourself with.
Wash it all down with Panache’s specialty coffee or a hot cup of T2 tea.
Panache Cafe And Creperie
5/6-8 Eastern Beach Road
Phone: (03) 5222 8848
Monday – Thursday 8 am – 5 pm
Friday – Sunday 8 am – 9 pm
5) The Edge Geelong
Another one of the fabulous Geelong waterfront restaurants, bar, cafe combos, The Edge has a trendy design with lots of seating options both inside and out.
Offering all-day Geelong waterfront dining the modern Australian style menu uses fresh ingredients from local Victorian suppliers and producers.
There’s a variety of mains to suit the hungriest of tummies, as well as a selection of snacks, bowls, and share plates. And from midday, you can choose to create your own tapas.
If it’s breakfast you’re after then Edge Waterfront has you covered with all the classics from pancakes to poached eggs.
Located opposite Steampacket Gardens and sitting on the ‘edge’ of Customs Lawn, Edge Cafe Geelong is a top spot to sit and watch the world go by.
Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, around 9 or 10 pm this family and dog friendly cafe turns into an awesome bar.
The Edge Geelong
6-8 Eastern Beach Road
Phone: (03) 5222 2666
Monday – Wednesday 9 am – 10 pm
Thursday – Friday 9 am – Late
Saturday – Sunday 8 am – Late
6) No 42 (Ripples Geelong)
Looking for a great waterfront restaurant Geelong cafe that’s away from the hustle and bustle of the busy tourist area? Then No 42, formerly Ripples On The Bay or simply Ripples Cafe, is the spot for you.
Tucked away in Rippleside on the western edge of the waterfront this gorgeous cafe has picture-perfect water views that will blow you away.
Diners can enjoy the view while relaxing on the outdoor deck or from the giant windows that fill the tastefully decorated interior with light.
The seasonal menu focuses on fresh local ingredients and hearty traditional favourites (Bangers and Mash anyone?) accompanied by sweet treats and beautiful strong coffee.
No 42’s secluded location is surrounded by green parkland with a fort-style children’s playground, a cute beach, and there’s plenty of free parking.
No 42 (Ripples By The Bay)
42 Bell Parade Rippleside Park
Phone: (03) 5277 9266
Tuesday – Sunday 9 am – 3 pm
7) The Common Waterfront Cafe
Another great waterfront dining Geelong option is The Common Waterfront Cafe.
Part of the Deakin Waterfront Campus, the cafe is housed in an immaculately renovated 1893 wool store.
The huge cafe has an inviting atmosphere with lots of light and space. While the outdoor dining is the perfect place to relax on a sunny day and soak up the views across the bay.
Open for breakfast and lunch the a la carte menu has a variety of delicious cuisines to choose from and offers an express lunch.
If you’re in a real hurry over the counter grab-and-go meals, cakes, and snacks are also available.
The coffee is good here but it’s the hot chocolate that really stars.
The Common Waterfront Cafe
Deakin University
Western Beach Road
Ph: (03) 5227 8641
Monday – Friday 8 am – 2 pm
8) Geelong Yacht Club Cafe: The Yot
The Yot Cafe Geelong waterfront is a great choice for anyone looking for a quiet spot amongst all the action.
The cafe is tucked away in a secluded area behind the Yacht Club (look for the side entrance) and offers diners fantastic views of the marina.
Formerly the Marina View Cafe, the Royal Geelong Yacht Club cafe has been newly made over into The Yot.
Its simple club style decor is not as trendy as other cafes on the Geelong foreshore, but the service is friendly, the prices are reasonable, and the coffee is hot and strong.
There’s comfortable seating inside and out where you can relax with a bite to eat away from the hubbub of the waterfront.
The Yot’s current menu is still being finalised but includes chicken parmigiana, bacon and egg rolls, snacks, and delicious sweet treats.
The Yot
25 Eastern Beach Road
Phone: 0419 874 647
Monday – Friday 9 am – 4 pm
Saturday – Sunday 8 am – 4 pm
Looking for more good cafes in Geelong? For other great places to eat in Geelong check out this cafes Geelong city post or read our guide to the best cafes in Pakington Street.
Best Cafes Geelong Waterfront Map
Find your perfect cafe with this map of all the top places to eat Geelong Waterfront has.
I hope you found our guide to Geelong waterfront cafes useful. For more information about the Geelong waterfront click here. You can find all our guides to Geelong here.
Related Posts:
By Audrey Chalmers
Audrey is the principal blogger behind See Geelong. Book Lover | Breakfast Nut | Geelong Gal | She’s Usually Craving Coffee.
