9 Lorne cafes to visit on your next trip to the Great Ocean Road

Jo StewartBy Jo Stewart
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The next time you’re visiting the Great Ocean Road, be sure to put these Lorne cafes on your hit list.

A quintessential Victorian beach town, Lorne is one of those places you need to visit at least once in your lifetime. Whether you’re chasing an endless summer with a long break by the sea or just making a pitstop while on a Great Ocean Road drive, put these Lorne cafes on your radar.

1. Riverbank Cafe

Open seven days a week, you’ll find this reliable local favourite  on the banks of the Erskine River. In winter, cosy up inside and order the soup of the day with sourdough toast.

the exterior of Riverbank Café, Lorne
Cosy up inside the Riverbank Cafe with a warm brew.

During summer, nab one of the outdoor tables to soak up the fresh air and sunshine in this peaceful spot away from the crowds on the main street.

pastry and coffee on the table at Riverbank Café, Lorne
Snag an outdoor table to enjoy your brekkie.

Offering coffee from Melbourne’s Axil Coffee Roasters and a Devonshire tea that would make the Country Women’s Association proud, this cafe nails the classics.

outdoor dining at Riverbank Café, Lorne
Find Riverbank Cafe on the banks of the Erskine River.

Address: 6 Mountjoy Parade, Lorne.

2. The Bottle of Milk

Expect to see everyone from holidaymakers to tradies stopping by this popular Lorne stalwart. Located on the main drag right opposite the beach, this licensed cafe  is almost always busy.

a close-up shot of a burger at The Bottle of Milk, Lorne
Hit up The Bottle of Milk for your burger fix.

From a bacon and egg roll and coffee in the morning, to a burger and pint for lunch, or a malty milkshake on a hot summer’s afternoon, this cafe always hits the spot.

a couple dining at The Bottle of Milk, Lorne
Stop by this popular Lorne stalwart for a tasty brunch. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Phone number: (03) 5289 2005

Address: 52 Mountjoy Parade, Lorne.

3. HAH Lorne Beach

Enjoying prime position right on the beach, HAH (Health and Hire) Lorne Beach  makes refuelling after a swim, surf or beach run easy. This casual, cruisy spot is where to get your fill of healthy, nutritious foods with million-dollar views to match.

the cafe exterior of HAH Lorne Beach
Refuel at HAH Lorne Beach after a swim.

Taste the rainbow by ordering a superfood smoothie, acai bowl or matcha latte, then pull up a chair out the front to enjoy in the sunshine. This place is also a wholefoods eco-store stocking a range of organic and sustainable products, so you can pick up everything from local honey to hemp seeds and reusable water bottles here too.

a superfood smoothie bowl at HAH Lorne Beach
Order a superfood smoothie or an acai bowl.

Need to rent a bike, surfboard or stand-up paddleboard? Yep, you can also do that here. Is there anything HAH Lorne Beach can’t do?

the beachfront view on HAH Lorne Beach
HAH Lorne Beach offers direct access to the beach.

Phone number: 0406 453 131

Address: 89 Cypress Ave, Lorne.

4. Lorne Central

Just across the road from the beach, Lorne Central  is a popular breakfast and lunch spot with a broad, kid and vegetarian-friendly menu.

a man holding two red cups of coffee at Lorne Central
Linger over coffee at Lorne Central. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Whether you stroll over after a morning swim to enjoy some berry waffles and a freshly squeezed juice or settle in for a steak sandwich or salmon bagel for lunch, Lorne Central is the type of place you can easily return to again and again.

Phone number: (03) 5289 1907

Address: 54-56 Mountjoy Parade, Lorne.

5. Moons Espresso Bar

Take your coffee seriously? Make Moons Espresso Bar  your go-to on your next trip to Lorne. Open for breakfast and lunch, this busy spot with indoor and outdoor seating has all your hot and cold caffeine needs covered.

outside of the Moons Espresso Bar in Lorne
Make Moons Espresso Bar your go-to on your next trip to Lorne.

Apart from seriously good coffee made with beans from Coffee Supreme, there are also classic cafe menu items on offer here like eggs benedict, a BLT and a nourishing granola bowl packed with creamy yoghurt and fresh fruit.

toat on a plate at Moons Espresso Bar, Lorne
Moons Espresso Bar makes seriously good coffee and BLTs.

Phone number: (03) 5289 1149

Address: 108 Mountjoy Parade, Lorne.

6. Qdos Café

After checking out the indoor art space and outdoor sculpture garden of this artsy hideaway, make a beeline for the gallery cafe  where you’ll find a small menu of house-made cakes and light meals made with organic produce grown in the owner’s hothouse.

the exterior of Qdos Café in Lorne
Qdos Café is a lush and artsy hideaway in Lorne.

The floor-to-ceiling windows invite plenty of natural light in and offer lovely views of the surrounding eucalypts too.

woodfired pizza outside the oven at Qdos Café
Grab a slice of woodfired pizza.

Phone number: (03) 5289 1989

Address: 35 Allenvale Rd, Lorne

7. Almyra

Located beachside at the Lorne Sea Baths, this multipurpose venue  has some of the best ocean views in town. While the deck, dining room and bar are popular spots for sunset drinks and dinner, Almyra also does a cafe-style breakfast that is a cut above the rest.

empty tables and chairs inside Almyra cafe in Lorne
Almyra is a sophisticated cafe located at the Lorne Sea Baths.

Treat yourself to some granola with seasonal fruit, a freshly baked Danish or veggie breakfast with a Middle Eastern twist. For the perfect start to the day, wash it down with a cheeky Breakfast Bellini or some Woolshed Coffee roasted just down the road in Geelong.

a pineapple drink with ocean views in the background at Almyra, Lorne
Sip a fruity cocktail while admiring the ocean views.

Phone number: (03) 5216 7716

Address: 81 Mountjoy Parade, Lorne.

8. Pit Stop Lorne

Got a hankering for some American dude food? Make a pitstop at, well, Pit Stop  in Lorne. This fun, 60s-style retro cafe operating from a silver Airstream on Lorne’s main street is a top spot to get your fill of salty, carby, cheesy goodness. From a mac & cheese burger to crinkle-cut fries and deep-fried onion rings, the menu has ‘hangover cure’ written all over it.

burgers and fries at Pit Stop Lorne
Pop by Pit Stop Lorne for salty and carby American snacks.

Phone number: 0435 569 996

Address: 90-92 Mountjoy Parade, Lorne.

9. Swing Bridge Café and Boathouse

Start your morning at this easy-going, dog-friendly cafe  located right by the swing bridge, as its name suggests.

the exterior of Swing Bridge Café and Boathouse, Lorne
Swing by this dog-friendly cafe for a lazy al fresco brunch.

With serene views of the estuary and ocean further afield, this quiet spot is the perfect place for a long, lazy al fresco brunch of eggs, sourdough toast and all the trimmings. This area is popular with dog walkers so is a top place for pooch-spotting too!

brunch at Swing Bridge Café and Boathouse, Lorne
Treat yourself to a satisfying meal at Swing Bridge Café and Boathouse.

Phone number: 0432 208 281

Address: 40 Great Ocean Road, Lorne.

Follow our guide to how to spend the perfect day in Lorne
Jo Stewart
Jo Stewart is a freelance features writer who pens stories about nature, pop culture, music, art, design and more from her home in the Macedon Ranges of Victoria. When not writing, you can find her trawling through vinyl records and vintage fashion at op shops, antique stores and garage sales.
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Victoria’s most memorable guided tours to book now

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