10 restaurants to try on your next trip to Warrnambool

Jo StewartBy Jo Stewart
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If you get towards the end of the Great Ocean Road and are looking for restaurants, Warrnambool has plenty to choose from.

When you hit the end of the Great Ocean Road, the fun doesn’t stop. A regional city on the rise, Warrnambool has plenty of excellent eateries to discover. Have fun finding Malaysian hawker-style food down an alley, seafood feasts on the waterfront, cocktail bars serving top-notch pizza, fine dining restaurants bringing a hint of France to regional Victoria and more. When it comes to restaurants, Warrnambool has plenty to offer. Here are a few to bookmark before your visit:

1. Proudfoots by the River

Toast the conclusion of your Great Ocean Road journey by booking a table at this historic Warrnambool establishment.

the Proudfoots by the River restaurant in Warrnambool
Proudfoots by the River is idyllically set over the Hopkins River. (Image: Visit Victoria)

A heritage boathouse originally built back in 1900, Proudfoots is now a restaurant known for serving steak and seafood as well as dishes featuring native Australian ingredients like kangaroo bolognese and crocodile and prawn enchiladas.

plates of food on the table at Proudfoots by the River Warrnambool
Feast on a delicious modern menu with fresh local produce. (Image: Visit Victoria)

The incredible location overlooking the Hopkins River is the icing on the cake.

friends dining at Proudfoots by the River, Warrnambool
Elevate your dining by the river. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Address: 2 Simpson St, Warrnambool

2. Hairy Goat Tapas & Cocktails

Cocktails and tapas go hand-in-hand with good times at the Hairy Goat .

red leather couches at the vintage restaurant interior of Hairy Goat Tapas & Cocktails, Warrnambool
The red leather couches give off a vintage feel.

Martini fans will rejoice when they see the cocktail list, with 13 different martinis on offer running the gamut from a classic dry gin martini to an appletini made with apple vodka, schnapps, Midori and apple juice.

drinks on display at Hairy Goat Tapas & Cocktails, Warrnambool
Take your pick from the extensive drinks list.

Can’t decide what to order? Ask for the Tapas Board and you’ll receive a selection of tapas from the menu.

a spread of food on the table at Hairy Goat Tapas & Cocktails, Warrnambool
Any day at Hairy Goat Tapas & Cocktails is a guaranteed good time.

Address: 69 Liebig St, Warrnambool

3. Myrtle Bar & Kitchen

If you want to splash out on a special dinner, Myrtle Bar & Kitchen  is a real treat. Meat lovers are well taken care of here with high-quality beef cuts taking pride of place on the menu, including 100% grass-fed eye fillet by Cape Grim and Ebony Black Angus scotch fillet from New South Wales. Not into steak? There’s also pork belly, regionally sourced market fish, free-range chicken and vegetarian options to choose from too. For a top-flight dining experience matched by elevated service, make a booking for dinner at Myrtle Bar & Kitchen.

the black and white exterior of Myrtle Bar & Kitchen, Warrnambool
You’re in for a special treat the moment you step into Myrtle Bar & Kitchen.

Address: 163 Timor St, Warrnambool

4. Salt

If you’re looking for a fine dining experience to cap off your Great Ocean Road trip, make a booking at Salt . And with just 40 seats, you’ll definitely need to make a booking if you’re visiting on the weekend or other busy periods.

a close-up of food on a plate at Salt, Warrnambool
French influences run through the food and wine menu at Salt.

From light and airy souffle to lobster thermidor and crème brulee, you’ll find a rich vein of French influences running through the food and wine menu here. If you prefer cocktails and beer, you won’t be disappointed here either.

a candle-lit dinner table setup at Salt, Warrnambool
Salt is a classic candle-lit speakeasy in Warrnambool.

Address: 73A Liebig St, Warrnambool

5. Frolic Lane

This fun cocktail bar  also serves pizzas and bar food, making it a top spot for dinner and drinks. During winter, keep toasty by the fireplace. In summer, the cocktail garden is where you’ll want to be.

getting tap beer at at Frolic Lane - Warrnambool
Sip the night away with beers on tap at Frolic Lane. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Regardless of when you visit, you’ll need to sample at least one cocktail here whether it be a jalapeno-infused margarita or a left-of-centre fairy floss martini.

a bartender mixing up drinks at at Frolic Lane - Warrnambool
The bar staff can whip up your heart’s desire. (Image: Visit Victoria)

This venue also keeps things interesting with a rotating list of events like drag bingo and burlesque nights – check the website to book a ticket before you arrive.

a bartender preparing cocktails at at Frolic Lane - Warrnambool
Frolic Lane serves traditional cocktails with a twist. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Address: 95 Kepler St, Warrnambool

6. Clovelly Restaurant & Bar

You don’t need to be staying at the Best Western to dine at this welcoming hotel bistro  and bar that serves draught beer as well as a huge range of international and local bottled beers and wines. On the menu, you’ll find simple, uncomplicated fare like seared scallops and grilled lamb backstrap as well as tried-and-true desserts like sticky date pudding and house-made tiramisu. If you’re travelling with kids, this family-friendly eatery has a solid menu just for kids too.

Address: 116 Merri St, Warrnambool

7. Madala 134

Offering eat-in, takeaway and delivery, this unassuming Thai restaurant  is a local favourite. All the greats of Thai cuisine are on the menu, from spicy clear soups like Tom Yum, to fragrant coconut dishes like Massaman Curry and rice noodle dishes like Pad Thai and Pad See Ew. If you’re craving something spicy but can’t be bothered leaving your accommodation, take the easy way out and order online from Madala 134.

Address: 134 Liebig St, Warrnambool

8. The Dart & Marlin

The home of stone-baked pizza and natural wine in Warrnambool this moody place  is a top spot for a boozy dinner.

the restaurant exterior of The Dart & Marlin, Warrnambool
Make a pitstop at The Dart & Marlin.

There are nine or so hand-stretched thin crust pizzas to choose from (gluten-free pizza bases and vegan cheese are both available) as well as a strong drinks list covering everything from classic cocktails to inventive mocktails.

When it comes to ales, independent Victorian breweries are well-represented here, as are smaller, unheralded winemakers creating genuinely interesting drops.

a close-up of a dish at The Dart & Marlin, Warrnambool
The Dart & Marlin reels you in with its excellent fare.

Address: 216 Timor St, Warrnambool

9. Simon’s Waterfront

A coastal break calls for seafood and wine with waterfront views. If this sounds like your idea of heaven, book a table for lunch or dinner at Simon’s Waterfront . From Lakes Entrance fried calamari to prawn tacos, seafood features strongly on the menu. The signature dish here is the seafood chowder served in a locally made Cobb loaf – a retro classic that’s become a real crowd-pleaser. Try and book a table by the window to enjoy one of the best views in town.

Address: 1/80 Pertobe Rd, Warrnambool

10. Penang Alley

Penang Alley  is proof that some of the best eats can be found in unlikely places. Found down an alleyway, this hole-in-the-wall eatery serves hawker-style Malaysian fare. Pick up some takeaway or sit on the patio in the sunshine to feast on spicy, coconutty Nasi Lemak or a sour, tangy Penang Asam Laksa. Don’t forget to leave room for some Kopi Peng (chilled Malaysian coffee made with condensed milk) or Kuih Ketayap (pandan and coconut pancakes) too.

Address: Liebig St, Warrnambool

Discover the best things to do in Warrnambool 

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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    diners at The Mill, Castlemaine
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