Try these Lorne restaurants on your next Great Ocean Road adventure

Jo StewartBy Jo Stewart
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From wood-fired pizza with knockout ocean views to a cosy, family-run, hatted Greek eatery, there are plenty of superb Lorne restaurants to choose from on your next Great Ocean Road trip.

Whether you’re in the mood for some fresh oysters in the sunshine, a kid-friendly bistro lunch or a boozy Italian feast with friends after dark, there’s plenty of eateries to choose from when visiting one of the Great Ocean Road’s most popular holiday towns. If you’re looking for the best Lorne restaurants to add to your trip list, read on…

1. IPSOS

This local institution run by Great Ocean Road restaurant royalty Pam and Kosta Talimanidis (and now their son Dominic too) is a consistent favourite with visitors and locals alike.

food and wine on the table at IPSOS restaurant, Lorne
Wine and dine at this hatted eatery.

A modern take on a traditional Greek taverna, this hatted eatery’s menu is varied daily to accommodate seasonal specialties but expect plenty of Mediterranean culinary heroes like smoked eggplant, grilled octopus and grilled kefalograviera (cheese) with spiced figs and pistachio.

people dining inside IPSOS restaurant, Lorne
Raise a glass with your mates at IPSOS.

Offering warm hospitality and a menu full of winners, Ipsos  is one of those places you’ll want to return to again and again.

three plates of food on the table at IPSOS restaurant, Lorne
The menu is varied daily to accommodate seasonal specialties.

Address: 48 Mountjoy Parade, Lorne

2. Pizza Pizza

This popular pizzeria  in a white, weatherboard cottage has both outdoor and indoor seating (complete with log fire) making it a great dinner spot to visit all year round. There are more than 15 pizzas to choose from here spanning from the crowd-pleasing capricciosa to a zingy, peppery prawn pizza laden with mozzarella, prawns, garlic, chilli and roquette. Add a few glasses of vino with your mates and you’ve got yourself a pizza party.

dinner by the fireside at Pizza Pizza, Lorne
Cosy up by the fire at Pizza Pizza.

Address: 2 Mountjoy Parade, Lorne

3. The Clam

A fun, casual spot for tunes, food and booze, The Clam  is a welcome addition to Lorne’s social scene. At this retro seaside tavern you can cure your hangover with a Bloody Mary and a plate of rock oysters or start working on tomorrow’s hangover with a few happy hour cocktails.

a spread of food on the table at The Clam, Lorne
Cure your hangover with a Bloody Mary and a plate of rock oysters.

Live music is frequently a part of the package at this seasonal spot, so check to see who is playing or DJing before you arrive. Either way, you’ll be happy as a clam here.

a hand picking finger foods from a platter at The Clam, Lorne
The Clam is a casual spot for tunes, food and booze.

Address: 82 Mountjoy Parade, Lorne

4. The Lorne Hotel Bistro & Beer Garden

The longstanding Lorne Hotel  has been a local landmark for 145 years and looks set to continue its run for many more years to come.

an aerial view of The Lorne Hotel Bistro & Beer Garden
Nab a spot at the outdoor tables.

Like any good regional pub, there are specials throughout the week including midweek lunch deals, a curry night, steak night and a nightly happy hour offering drinks specials between 4–6pm.

the exterior of The Lorne Hotel Bistro & Beer Garden
The Lorne Hotel Bistro & Beer Garden has been a local landmark for 145 years.

On the weekends (especially during summer) the bistro and beer garden heaves with holidaymakers, so be sure to book ahead or get there early to nab a spot – outdoor tables with ocean views are prime real estate in these parts.

a woman walking inside The Lorne Hotel Bistro & Beer Garden
Inside, you’ll find a classy restaurant with lush garden views.

Address: 176 Mountjoy Parade, Lorne

(02) 9114 7398

5. Almyra

With a tagline like ‘where the waves meet the wood fire,’ Almyra’s  location is a bit of a dead giveaway. Sitting just metres from the breakers at Lorne Beach, this upscale eatery’s dining room is where to go for a special lunch or celebratory night out.

the waterfront Almyra restaurant next to Lorne Beach
Almyra is just metres from Lorne Beach.

With Mediterranean-inspired dishes like wood-baked snapper, twice-cooked octopus and ouzo-cured kingfish on the menu, seafood lovers are well taken care of. Want a table with waterfront views?

a platter of food at Almyra, Lorne
Head to Almyra for casual eats.

Book early to nab a prized position. For casual eats, head to the deck to lunch on meze, burgers and souvlaki by day and woodfired pizza by night.

the dining interior of Almyra restaurant in Lorne
Nab a prized position with waterfront views.

Address: 81 Mountjoy Parade, Lorne

6. The Peak

With impressive views high over Louttit Bay, this wedding venue and bistro located in the Lorne Country Club is open for limited service over the busy summer holidays, Easter break and other busy periods during the high season. A top spot for an ale and meal after a round of golf or tennis session, The Peak  has all the classics covered like steaks, parmas and fish and chips and a kid’s menu for the little ones. A strong beer and wine list of local favourites seals the deal.

an aerial view of the Lorne Country Club near the sea
The Peak overlooks the ocean. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Address: 2 Holliday Rd, Lorne

7. Mexican Republic

Craving tacos and margaritas? This summer hotspot  is where to get your fill of Mexican classics like beef enchiladas, pulled pork tacos, black bean burritos and charred street corn topped with queso and lime. Wash it down with a Tecate lager or two and you’ve got the perfect way to cap off a day by the beach. Close your eyes and you could almost convince yourself you’re in Baja.

the exterior of Mexican Republic in Lorne
Get your fill of tacos and margaritas at the Mexican Republic.

Address: 1A Grove Rd, Lorne

8. Captain Hooked

Some would say that no beach trip is complete without at least one seafood feast. Captain Hooked  has all your deep-fried seafood needs covered with calamari, fish burgers, seafood baskets and, of course, good, old fish and chips served with tartare sauce. Since swimming, surfing and hiking are thirsty work, order a glass of house white or crisp tap beer to wet your whistle too.

al fresco dining at Captain Hooked, Lorne
Enjoy your crisp tap beer in the al fresco dining area.

Address: 94 Mountjoy Parade, Lorne

9. Raas Leela

A top choice for vegetarians and vegans, this Indian restaurant  brings the flavours of the subcontinent to the Victorian coast. Open for eat-in and takeaway, the menu has plenty of plant-based dishes, as well as a good selection of regional favourites from across India, like Bengali tiger prawns cooked in coconut and a fragrant Kerala-style fish stew. When it comes to dessert be sure to try the Gajar ka halwa, a traditional North Indian sweet pudding that is India’s answer to carrot cake.

Address: 116 Mountjoy Parade, Lorne

Need coffee? Discover 9 of Lorne’s best cafes.

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

    Lara PiconeBy Lara Picone
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    Get around the natural beauty and bounty of regional Victoria on a guided tour that reveals extraordinary moments from coast to country.

    Walk the Great Ocean Road

    forest walk along the Great Ocean Road
    Swap your car for walking shoes on the Great Ocean Road.

    The Australian Walking Co’s immersive three-day, lodge-based walk is absolute bucket-list fodder. The easy-going, guided coastal hike is marked by epic scenery and end-of-day luxury. You’ll have no need for heavy packs or tents, instead expect fresh-caught crayfish, post-walk canapés and local wines. Each day explores the drama of this ocean-facing landscape with an approachable three-hour-ish walk, leaving plenty of time to unwind at the lodge.

    Swim with seals and dolphins at Port Phillip Heads

    dolphins swimming in Port Phillip Head Marine Park
    Swim with dolphins in Port Phillip Head Marine Park.

    Dive into Popes Eye, within Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park, for this wild swimming experience with mankind’s BFFs of the sea. On the See All Dolphin Swims 3.5-hour experience, departing from Queenscliff, you’ll begin in shallow, calm waters before venturing off to Chinaman’s Hat and beyond to meet seals and dolphins in their own habitat. All gear is provided and all ages are welcome.

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    Glide along the scenic Murray on a stand-up paddleboard.

    Swoosh softly through the silky waters of the mighty Murray on a stand-up paddle board with Echuca Moama Stand Up Paddle . This gentle downstream sojourn meanders for one-and-a-half hours covering 4.5 kilometres of the river, taking in the beauty on the banks and the vibrant birdlife. From Echuca Moama slip under the Moama Bridge and glide beside its iconic paddlesteamers and the historic port.

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    cyclists exploring Yarra Valley
    Cycle around Yarra Valley wine country.

    Wine and wheels make a great pairing on the Tour De Vines six-hour Yarra Valley tour that weaves through vine-threaded roads. It’s a relaxed pace along 20 kilometres of the Warburton Rail Trail as you spot native birds and stop in at local vineyards and produce stores. You’ll pull in at a local winery for a tasting and enjoy lunch before hitting up a couple of cellar doors. Depending on your pedal power, there may be time to sneak in a visit to a chocolate or cheese factory.

    Dig for gold in Bendigo

    Think you have what it takes to unearth a gilded treasure? Try your hand at prospecting and learn the art of gold-digging (in the geological sense) on the two-hour Gold Nugget Hunter tour in the Loddon Valley. On the tour, mine the wisdom of locals Shane and Jackie – who have honed their hobby of gold-detecting into an art – to learn how to read the land and use a gold detector. You may even go home with a nugget of your own.

    Cruise around Wilsons Promontory

    the Skull Rock in Wilsons Prom
    Cruise around Skull Rock in Wilsons Prom. (Image: Connor Vaughan)

    It’s a thrill to drive directly from the sand into the waves aboard the Wanderer Adventures ’ bright-yellow amphibious boat. On this 2.5-hour tour, you’ll skip along the water to take in Wilsons Prom’s top highlights, such as the imposing Skull Rock, The Glennies, Anderson Islets and Anser Island. Spot seals, penguins and seabirds as you absorb the tranquillity of this stunning environment.

    Walk with llamas in the Macedon Ranges

    a llama in the Macedon Ranges
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    If you’ve always felt an affinity for long-lashed camelids, then bonding with a llama on a leisurely walk might just be the thing for you. Opt for either a three-hour, five-kilometre hike or a longer 12-kilometre trek along the Domino Rail Trail paired with a gentle, hooved friend. Things kick off with a llama orientation, where you’ll learn how to lead and look out for your new mate before you hit the track. It’s a lovely way to explore the beauty of the region with a sensitive and curious companion by your side.

    Go underground in the Grampians

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    Take a subterranean tour of Seppelt Wines. (Image: Ben Savage/We Are Explorers)

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    a guided tour of French Island
    Discover the Mornington Peninsula’s flora and fauna on a guided tour of French Island.

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