10 Best Restaurants Warrnambool Has To Offer

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

Located just an hour north-west of Melbourne, the largely undiscovered Macedon Ranges quietly pours some of Australia’s finest cool-climate wines and serves up some of Victoria’s best food.

Mention the Macedon Ranges and most people will think of day spas and mineral springs around Daylesford, cosy weekends away in the countryside or the famous Hanging Rock (of enigmatic picnic fame). Or they won’t have heard of the Macedon Ranges at all.

But this cool-climate destination has been inconspicuously building a profile as a high-quality food and wine region and is beginning to draw serious attention from oenophiles and epicureans alike.

The rise of Macedon Ranges wine

liquid gold barrels at Kyneton Ridge Estate Winery — Barrels of liquid gold at Kyneton Ridge Estate Winery. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)

With elevations ranging from 300 to 800 metres, Macedon Ranges vineyards are among the highest in the country. This altitude, combined with significant day/night temperature swings, makes for a slow ripening season, in turn nurturing wines that embody elegance and structure. Think crisp chardonnays, subtle yet complex pinot noirs and delicate sparkling wines, along with niche varietals, such as gamay and nebbiolo.

Despite the region’s natural advantages – which vary from estate to estate, as each site embodies unique terroir depending on its position in relation to the Great Dividing Range, soil make-up and altitude – the Macedon Ranges has remained something of an insider’s secret. Unlike Victoria’s Yarra Valley or Mornington Peninsula, you won’t find large tour buses here and there’s no mass marketing drawing crowds.

Many of the 40-odd wineries are family-run operations with modest yields, meaning the wineries maintain a personal touch (if you visit a cellar door, you’ll likely chat to the owner or winemaker themselves) and a tight sales circle that often doesn’t go far beyond said cellar door. And that’s part of the charm.

Though wines from the Macedon Ranges are just starting to gain more widespread recognition in Australia, the first vines were planted in the 1860s, with a handful of operators then setting up business in the 1970s and ’80s. The industry surged again in the 1990s and early 2000s with the entry of wineries, such as Mount Towrong, which has an Italian slant in both its wine and food offering, and Curly Flat , now one of the largest estates.

Meet the new generation of local winemakers

the Clydesdale barn at Paramoor. — The Clydesdale barn at Paramoor. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)

Then, within the last 15 years, a new crop of vignerons like Andrew Wood at Kyneton Ridge Estate , whose vineyard in 2024 was the first in the Macedon Ranges to be certified by Sustainable Winegrowing Australia; Geoff Plahn and Samantha Reid at Paramoor , who have an impressive cellar door with a roaring fire and studded leather couches in an old Clydesdale barn; and Ollie Rapson and Renata Morello at Lyons Will , who rapidly expanded a small vineyard to focus on top-shelf riesling, gamay, pinot noir and chardonnay, have taken ownership of local estates.

Going back to the early days, Llew Knight’s family was one of the pioneers of the 1970s, replacing sheep with vines at Granite Hills when the wool industry dwindled. Knight is proud of the fact that all their wines are made with grapes from their estate, including a light, peppery shiraz (some Macedon wineries purchase fruit from nearby warmer areas, such as Heathcote, particularly to make shiraz) and a European-style grüner veltliner. And, as many other wineries in the region do, he relies on natural acid for balance, rather than an additive, which is often required in warmer regions. “It’s all about understanding and respecting your climate to get the best out of your wines,” he says.

farm animals atKyneton Ridge Estate — Curious residents at Kyneton Ridge Estate. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)

Throughout the Macedon Ranges, there’s a growing focus on sustainability and natural and low-intervention wines, with producers, such as Brian Martin at Hunter Gatherer making waves in regenerative viticulture. Martin previously worked in senior roles at Australia’s largest sparkling winemaking facility, and now applies that expertise and his own nous to natural, hands‑off, wild-fermented wines, including pét‑nat, riesling and pinot noir. “Wild fermentation brings more complexity,” he says. “Instead of introducing one species of yeast, you can have thousands and they add different characteristics to the wine.”

the vineyard at Kyneton Ridge Estate Winery — The estate’s vineyard, where cool-climate grapes are grown. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)

Most producers also focus on nurturing their grapes in-field and prune and pick by hand, thus avoiding the introduction of impurities and the need to meddle too much in the winery. “The better the quality of the fruit, the less you have to interfere with the natural winemaking process,” says Wood.

Given the small yields, there’s also little room for error, meaning producers place immense focus on quality. “You’re never going to compete in the middle [in a small region] – you’ve got to aim for the top,” says Curly Flat owner Jeni Kolkka. “Big wineries try to do things as fast as possible, but we’re in no rush,” adds Troy Walsh, owner and winemaker at Attwoods . “We don’t use commercial yeasts; everything is hand-harvested and everything is bottled here, so we bottle only when we’re ready, not when a big truck arrives.” That’s why, when you do see a Macedon Ranges product on a restaurant wine list, it’s usually towards the pointy end.

Come for the wine, stay for the food

pouring sauce onto a dish at Lake HouseDaylesford — Dining at Lake House Daylesford is a treat. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)

If wine is the quiet achiever of the Macedon Ranges, then food is its not-so-secret weapon. In fact, the area has more hatted restaurants than any other region in Victoria. A pioneer of the area’s gourmet food movement is region cheerleader Alla Wolf-Tasker, culinary icon and founder of Daylesford’s Lake House.

For more than three decades, Wolf-Tasker has championed local producers and helped define what regional fine dining can look like in Australia. Her influence is palpable, not just in the two-hatted Lake House kitchen, but in the broader ethos of the region’s dining scene, as a wave of high-quality restaurants have followed her lead to become true destination diners.

the Midnight Starling restaurant in Kyneton Ridge Estate Winery — The hatted Midnight Starling restaurant is located in Kyneton. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)

It’s easy to eat well, whether at other hatted restaurants, such as Midnight Starling in the quaint town of Kyneton, or at the wineries themselves, like Le Bouchon at Attwoods, where Walsh is inspired by his time working in France in both his food offering and winemaking.

The beauty of dining and wine touring in the Macedon Ranges is that it feels intimate and unhurried. You’re likely to meet the winemaker, hear about the trials of the latest vintage firsthand, and taste wines that never make it to city shelves. And that’s worth getting out of the city for – even if it is just an hour down the road.

Delicate dishes on the menu at Midnight Starling. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)

A traveller’s checklist

Staying there

the accommodation at Cleveland Estate, Macedon Ranges — Stay at the Cleveland Estate. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)

Soak up vineyard views from Cleveland Estate near Lancefield , embrace retro charm at Kyneton Springs Motel or indulge in lakeside luxury at the Lake House .

Eating there

Enjoy a four-course menu at the one-hatted Surly Goat in Hepburn Springs, Japanese-inspired fare at Kuzu in Woodend or unpretentious fine dining at Mount Monument , which also has a sculpture park.

Drinking there

wine tasting at PassingClouds Winery, Macedon Ranges — A tasting at Passing Clouds Winery. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)

Settle in for a tasting at Boomtown in Castlemaine, sample local drops at the cosy Woodend Cellar & Bar or wine-hop around the many cellar doors, such as Passing Clouds .

the Boomtown Winery and Cellar Bar signage — Boomtown Winery and Cellar Bar. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)

Playing there

a scenic river in Castlemaine — Idyllic scenes at Castlemaine. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)

Wander through the seasonal splendour of Forest Glade Gardens , hike to the summit of Hanging Rock, or stroll around the tranquil Sanatorium Lake.

purple flowers hanging from a tree — Purple flowers hanging from a tree. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)

10 restaurants to try on your next trip to Warrnambool