Looking For The Best Geelong Waterfront Restaurants?
Then you’re in the right place, in this Geelong waterfront restaurant guide, we list ALL the top options for you!
Whether you’re looking for a fine dining Geelong option, the best seafood restaurant Geelong has, or are hankering for some awesome fish and chips we’ve got you covered.
Some of the best restaurants in Geelong are located along the waterfront precinct.
Taking full advantage of the city’s position they offer dazzling views, hip vibes, and mouthwatering menus.
You can choose from a variety of cuisines; get your taste buds going with Asian fusion, fancy French, or the freshest seafood.
All righty. In no particular order, let’s start!
11 Best Geelong Waterfront Restaurants
Below is our list of the 11 best waterfront restaurants in Geelong.
First, we review and detail all the top Geelong foreshore restaurants, then at the end, you’ll find a handy map so you’ll know exactly where each restaurant is located.
1) Fishermen’s Pier Geelong
Fishermen’s Pier restaurant (also mistakenly called Fishermans Pier Geelong) is Geelong’s premier seafood restaurant, having won several awards since it opened in 1971.
Serving up fresh local produce cooked to perfection, this Geelong fine dining restaurant, is the ‘go-to’ place for a seafood feast.
Enjoy tasty delights such as lobster ravioli, whole baby barramundi, or a sumptuous seafood platter.
Although the menu’s focus is on fish and seafood, there are meat and vegetarian options available – the eye fillet steak is top-notch.
Sitting over the water, the building’s unusual clamshell design makes it something of a landmark on the foreshore.
Inside, the clever design makes use of the different flooring levels and huge windows so that everyone can enjoy the incredible views.
Fishermens Pier Geelong
Fully Licensed
Mains: Start at $38.00
Where: Bay end of Yarra Street
When: 7 Days: 11.30 a.m – 2.30 p.m, 5.30 p.m – 8.30 p.m
Phone: (03) 5222 4100
2) Sailors Rest Geelong
Judging by the queues of people who line up for a table, Sailors’ Rest is one of the best places to eat in Geelong.
An all-day breakfast cafe, restaurant, and bar, the service here is fast and professional and the food is always top-notch.
Serving modern Australian cuisine the menu offers a mix of sharing plates, seafood, and pub classics like chicken parmigiana and porterhouse steak.
Parents love the unusual kids’ menu that serves crispy fresh diced fruit and vegetables with every meal – apples, strawberries, carrots, and celery.
Sailors’ Restaurant is housed in a beautifully renovated heritage building that sits next to the lush Customs Park lawn.
Offering stunning views of the park and across the bay, it’s the ideal place to relax and enjoy some fabulous Geelong waterfront dining.
You can choose to sit inside the cosy restaurant, on the fabulous enclosed verandah, in the beer garden, or on a sunny day in the alfresco dining area.
The restaurant welcomes walk-ins but it’s a good idea to book ahead to avoid those queues. Add it to your Geelong best restaurants list.
Sailors’ Rest
Fully Licensed
Mains: Start at $26.00
Where: 3 Moorabool Street, Geelong 3220
When: Mon – Wed: 10 a.m – 4 p.m, Thu – Fri: 10 a.m – late, Sat: 9 a.m – late, Sun: 9 a.m – 4 p.m
Phone: (03) 5224 2241
3) The Wharf Shed Geelong
Another one of the more popular Geelong places to eat, the Wharf Shed offers casual dining right on the water’s edge.
The bright and spacious building’s sheltered outdoor terraces and huge windows take full advantage of the superb water views.
While the open-plan indoor dining areas allow plenty of room between tables.
The contemporary menu offers something for everyone from platters to burgers, traditional fare, and international cuisine, as well as vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.
Everything is made with the best Victorian and local produce.
Tuck into a ploughman’s platter, slurp down Pacific oysters either natural or with added zest, or get stuck into a grass-fed porterhouse steak cooked just the way you like it.
Wharf Shed Geelong
Fully Licensed
Mains: Start at $29.50
Where: 15 Eastern Beach Road, Geelong 3220
When: 7 Days 9 a.m – 8.30 p.m
Phone: (03) 5221 6645
4) Wah Wah Gee Geelong
Serving up Asian inspired dishes made to be shared, Wah Wah Gee is a fun restaurant with a funky vibe.
This Geelong pier restaurant has unrivalled views over the western side of the bay and the marina.
It’s a great place to go for a night (or day) out with friends and family to enjoy delicious food and amazing scenery.
Enjoy everything from steamed buns to slurpy dumplings, fiery curries, poke bowls, and crispy fried chicken.
If you have trouble choosing between all that deliciousness, then the ‘Feed Me’ option will get you all the chef’s faves.
Once you’ve had your fill, you can head upstairs to the Wah Bah for cocktails and tunes.
Wah Wah Gee
Fully Licensed
Mains: Start at $22.00
Where: End of Cunningham Pier
When: 7 Days 12 p.m – Late
Phone: (03) 5222 6377
5) The Edge Geelong
Edge is a great option if you’re looking for Geelong lunch restaurants.
This local favourite amongst Geelong foreshore restaurants is a great place to dine whether it’s day or night.
Located opposite Steampacket Gardens and sitting on the ‘edge’ of Customs Lawn, the north-facing eatery gives patrons a wonderful view of blue Corio Bay.
The outdoor deck is a great place to relax on a sunny day while in winter, inside the cosy fire keeps everyone toasty warm.
Edge’s contemporary menu contains an enticing list of bowls, tapas, and classic favourites made with the freshest ingredients from local suppliers.
Treat your taste buds to lemon pepper calamari, crispy skinned Atlantic salmon, or an Angus beef burger.
Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, at around 9 or 10 p.m Edge Waterfront Geelong restaurant turns into an awesome bar.
Edge Restaurant Geelong
Fully Licensed
Mains: Start at $26.00
Where: 6-8 Eastern Beach Road, Geelong 3220
When: 7 days 8.30 a.m. -Late
Phone: (03) 5222 2666
6) Justin Lane Geelong
You’ve gotta love a restaurant whose motto is “Eat, Drink, and Be Messy”.
If you think you’ve heard this saying before then you probably have since it’s the catchcry of Justin Lane in Burleigh Heads – and now Geelong.
This popular bar and pizza restaurant has set up shop on the waterfront in the old customs house building behind the Edge and Sailors’ Rest.
Justin Lane’s pizzas are made using a sourdough base (apparently it’s better for your digestion as well as being tasty) and their pasta is all handmade.
Everything is made in-house with a focus on simplicity and top-quality ingredients.
The menu includes all the classic JL favourites from the original eatery such as the James St Deli pizza and Justin’s carbonara spaghetti with pork belly.
The drinks list includes signature cocktails and a curated selection of wines and beers.
Justin Lane Geelong
Fully Licensed
Mains: Start at $26
Where: 57 – 59 Brougham St (Customs House Lawn), Geelong 3220
When: 7 days 12 p.m – Late
Phone: (03) 5246 6500
7) La Cachette Geelong
Opening its doors in June 2021, La Cachette is one of the finest restaurants on the Geelong Waterfront.
Its name translates to ‘the hiding place’, which is fitting as this lovely little restaurant is tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the main strip.
The 25 seat bistro offers contemporary French dining in a warm and relaxed environment without any of the stuffiness that some French restaurants have.
Using only the best seasonal produce the fixed price 3 or 4 course menu changes every 3 weeks.
Attention to detail is given to every dish to bring you stunning food like grilled octopus with potato, saffron, and grapes, aged breast and leg of duck, and rhubarb and buttermilk sorbet.
La Cachette is an unexpected treat just steps away from the busy tourist strip. Try it and see for yourself.
La Cachette Restaurant Geelong
Fully Licensed
Fixed Price: 3 courses: $90.00, 4 courses: $110.00
Where: Steampacket Place, Geelong 3220
When: Lunch: Sat – Sun, Dinner: Tues – Sun
Phone: 04785 22996
8) Hencho En Mexico Geelong
If you’re hankering for genuine, street-style Mexican food then head to Hencho En Mexico where Mexican food is made how it should be.
Treat your tastebuds to Jalisco-style birria tacos, chilli fries, street corn, smoked stuffed jalapenos, quesadillas, chimichangas, burritos served in warm tortillas (keep an eye out for the California Burrito), and nachos served with housemade fresh salsa, guacamole, and marinades.
The beverage menu doesn’t disappoint either, with an array of margaritas, cocktails, wines, beers, sangrias, mocktails, and, of course, the quintessential Mexican spirit – tequila.
The restaurant caters to dietary requirements but you don’t need to be vegetarian to enjoy the chargrilled corn with black smoked chipotle mayo.
There’s ample seating both inside and out to relax, eat, and enjoy the bay views.
Hecho En Mexican Geelong
Fully Licensed
Main: Burritos start at $21.00
Where: 100 Western Beach Road
When: Sun – Thur: 12.00 a.m – 9.30 p.m, Fri – Sat: 12.00 a.m – 10.00 p.m
Phone: (03) 5221 2774
9) Bo Thai Restaurant Geelong Waterfront
Tucked in amongst the strip of Geelong restaurants on the waterfront Bo Thai brings a little piece of Thailand to Geelong.
The family-run business takes pride in its attentive service and the staff are super helpful with great recommendations.
The menu features all your classic Thai favourites as well as some house specialities, and each dish is made to be fragrant, fresh, and full of flavour.
Transport your tastebuds to ‘The Land of Smiles’ with crispy pork belly, barbecue squid salad, or some hearty drunken noodles.
The pad thai (possibly Australia’s favourite Thai dish) receives rave reviews too.
You can dine inside or out – the outdoor tables have views of the foreshore.
Fully Licensed
Mains: Curry starts at $25.00
Where: 6-8 Eastern Beach Road, Geelong 3220
When: Mon – Fri: 5 p.m – 8.30 p.m, Sat – Sun 12.00 p.m – 8.30 p.m
Phone: (03) 5221 5449
10) Eastern Spice Geelong
Eastern Spice waterfront restaurant Geelong, not only offers terrific food, but also fantastic views across Austin Park to the Skywheel and Corio Bay beyond.
Located just a hop, skip, and a jump from Eastern Beach this fabulous Geelong Indian restaurant offers mouthwatering dishes served in a modern and (slightly) fancy setting.
The service is more formal than what you usually find at an Indian restaurant and the decor is bright and spacious with seating for up to 90 guests.
The yummy menu offers a selection of traditional curries, street food, and treats from the tandoor, all made with the freshest ingredients and attention to detail.
Pull up a window seat and watch the sunset over the bay while feasting on chicken tikka, a fiery vindaloo, and garlic naan.
Eastern Spice Indian Restaurant Geelong
Fully Licensed
Mains: Curry starts from $22.00
Where: 1 Bellerine Street, Geelong 3220
When: Wed – Mon: 5.00 p.m – 9.30 p.m, Closed Tuesday
Phone: (03) 5221 9544
11) The Geelong Boat House
The Boat House is another great option for Geelong waterfront fish and chips.
Housed in a 100-year-old barge that was once used to dredge the Yarra River, this is one of the more unusual Geelong beach restaurants.
The venue isn’t flashy but it is authentic, and the barge sits out over Corio Bay taking full advantage of its waterfront views.
Diners can sit at tables on the gangplank, grab a chair upstairs on the bridge deck, or borrow a picnic blanket and laze on the grassy banks.
The simple menu has all your favourites from the classic fisherman’s basket to calamari and lemon pepper squid.
A range of burgers is also available for people who don’t like eating things from the sea.
You can finish off your feast with a scrumptious cafe-style cake and a piping hot coffee.
Beer and wine are also available.
The Boat House Geelong
Fully Licensed
Main: Fisherman’s Basket: $25.00
Where: 50 Western Foreshore Road, Geelong 3220
When: 7 days from 10 a.m
Phone: (03) 5222 3642
Waterfront Restaurants Geelong Map
Find your perfect restaurant with this map of all the best places to eat Geelong waterfront has to offer.
Final Word
In wrapping up our guide to the best Geelong Waterfront restaurants, it’s clear that this vibrant area has something to offer every palate and occasion.
From the upscale ambiance of fine dining establishments to the laid back charm of the best fish and chips spots in town, the Waterfront’s culinary scene is as diverse as it is delicious.
With each restaurant taking full advantage of Geelong’s stunning bayside views, you’re not only treated to an incredible meal but also a visual feast.
So, next time you find yourself at this picturesque precinct, be sure to indulge in the flavours, sights, and sounds that make the Geelong Waterfront a must-see destination for food lovers.
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By Audrey Chalmers
Audrey grew up in Victoria and travelled the world but she always called Victoria home. She loves nothing more than exploring her home state and sharing it here.
