A delightful find on the Great Ocean Road. The four of us shared three starters -- chicken liver…read morepate, beef satay and cold smoked seafood -- and three small plates -- BBQ calamari, lamb rump and duck spring rolls -- and found each dish to be interesting, flavorful and very good. The service was attentive and pleasant. There was a nice outdoor dining area but we chose to eat inside since we arrived at sunset.

Hit the Cuda Bar for a post-film opening party. (Went by much earlier for dinner; alas, we were…read moreturned out due to the party prep.) This bar/restaurant abuts the Lorne Theatre, so it's convenience for the after-movie crowd is perfect. The Cuda Bar is setback of a few tiered front decks (no doubt great for lounging and chit-chat on fine sunny days), with glass sliding doors which act as entry to the establishment. Being that I attended Cuda Bar on an event night, I can't say what the usual layout normally would be. What I can say is that the post-film party was dynamite -- the champagne and drinks flowed, the hors d'oeuvres kept on coming by the trays, the conversational noise level was high, and the DJ spinning the tunes was jammin'! Based upon my one-time experience at Cuda Bar, I'll have to say I'm a fan, for sure...! :)

By far my favorite place that I've found in Melbourne, possibly in Aus! I can't speak highly enough…read moreof every aspect of this bar. Intimate setting, yet quite comfortable. Always an excellent music selection, with footy on the tv if that's what you're lookin for. The staff is WONDERFUL. so personable, quite willing to give their recommendations if you ask (and you should- they haven't steered me wrong yet!). The nachos, add beef, are easily the best nachos I've ever had- loaded with toppings, seasoned chips, absolutely delicious. Quite a diverse menu, with plenty of options depending on your hunger level. Great wine and beer selection, and a solid cocktail list too!

Food is awesome - Baked mushrooms - I could just have a plate of them on their own…read more The staff are easy to chat with and service was well timed.

It's rare to find a sophisticated bar outside of the CBD these days, and it's even rarer to find…read moreone that won't break your weekly drinking budget in one night. Hawker Beer and Wine Bar is located in the suburb of Highett just 30mins from Melbourne CBD. The bar is named after Harry Hawker, a local of the area. Harry George Hawker, was an Australian aviation pioneer. He was the chief test pilot for Sopwith and was also involved in the design of many of their aircraft. After World War One he co-founded Hawker Aircraft, the firm that would later be responsible for a long series of successful military aircraft. The bar itself is small and is directly across the road from the Highett train station, which seems to have some type of train passing through every 15mins. The fit-out is minimalistic, with large windows that give you a great view of the comings and goings in the area. What is great about this bar is the large cocktail list. With mostly original cocktails with a few traditional with a modern twist. The service is friendly and attentive, and I get the feeling if I lived in the area this would be my local. Apart from the great cocktails it has a good selection of beers and wines. It also had a pretty awesome snack menu, being provided by Typhoon, the Vietnamese restaurant next door. If you live in the area chances are you have either visited Hawker or know of it. If you haven't been do yourself a favour and pay them a visit, it won't disappoint.

Hidden gem on edge of Geelong. Friendly staff, nice wine, good food. Set amongst vines and native…read moregarden. Hard to believe there is a city and freeway nearby.

If I could give 10 stars I would, what a find, not only wow factor as I drove in and must say only…read morefound it thanks to Yelp but greeted by Kathryn who was outstanding! Great knowledge, friendly and she went above and beyond, rare in hospitality in Australia. You feel like it's home here, amazing 2006 St Regis Shiraz, great share platter great outlook and amazing amenities! I will be back!

The Gallery at Craig's Royal Hotel at 10 Lydiard Street South, Ballarat was indeed worth the drive…read morefrom Melbourne for lunch. Chef Shannon Easton and Executive Consultant Chef Ian Curley have developed an imaginative menu and decisions and choices are hard. I chose the award-winning duck and mushroom pie with orange, prune and watercress sauce - a signature dish! My wife chose the Cypriot Haloumi with fresh figs - outstanding. Service was exemplary and Suzanne welcomed us warmly to this delightful venue, redolent of the colourful history of the hotel and Ballarat itself. A comprehensive wine list featuring a good representation of local wines is excellent. We'll be back, next time with friends, to enjoy The Gallery and the plethora of interesting activities and sights that Ballarat and environs boast of.

The creep of cool continues further north, with Cult of the Vine serving up a delicious and…read moreinteresting array of wines and a smattering of craft beer. Hidden at the end of Florence Street near the train station exit (genius maneuver to capture all those suited souls on their way home) you can pop in and take a bottle home, or crack it open right there and then to enjoy with proper glassware, ambient tunes and a plate of something to nibble on. The food options are limited, but they're really all I need when I want something simple and tasty to match with a good bottle. Charcuterie, cured fish, cheese and oddly enough whole boiled eggs which you can crack and peel while sipping on some vino. Apparently a boiled egg goes with any kind of wine but they'd run out when I visited so I couldn't put this to the test. Instead we ate truffled infused Spanish sausage, smoked almonds and loads of cheese along with some very good crackers. Service was relaxed and generous from owner Brad Lucas, who was happy to nerd out a little with us and offered samples of new and different drops. We left warm, full and contented... with two bottles of vino tucked under my arm.

Go here... Spectacularly curated 'natural' wine list…read more Some craft beers Ask the host for an egg. Take the train to Anstey station. Take the train home.

This is probably one of the restaurants that you tend to see attached to a motel than a stand-alone…read morepub, but as I was wandering through the streets of Warrnambool, with the intention of visiting as many of them as possible, I walked past this one and thought 'gee, this isn't on my list', so I decided to step inside an have a drink. Basically, aside form the bartender, there was only one other person here other than myself, which made me sort of wander whether there was a reason why this place wasn't packed full of people on a Saturday afternoon. I suspect that it probably has something to do with it being a restaurant rather than a bar. Mind you, it wasn't all that bad, and it did have a lounge area, as well as some tables outside, so I am still a little baffled as to why there weren't all that many people here. I guess it will remain a mystery to me,

We had dinner on parma night. Good meal for a good price. Dinner and a pot (small beer/cider) for…read moreonly $17. Hopping atmosphere with mostly locals. You know that is a sign of a good place to visit. We'd go there again when we are in town.

This lovely, petite wine bar is something you'd expect to find hidden down a Melbourne laneway. A…read morereal find for Geelong. An excellent place to spend part (or all) of a winter's Saturday afternoon while enjoying a friendly Shiraz. The bar snacks are also super. Jamon freshly shaved to order, a French cheese selection and beautiful house breads make this venue as much about the food as the wine. Check out the bottle shop next store too. It forms part of the business. Ask about selecting a bottle and enjoying it in the wine bar. Definitely will keep that in mind for next time.

My favorite spot in Australia so far! Wonderful knowledgeable staff. My friend and I had a great…read moreexperience. We told the server what we were looking for in a wine and he did not disappoint with a delicious Vino Rosso Lamoresca. We also split the assorted charcuterie and we're in heaven

Great stop on the Great Ocean Road. Amazing views and very fresh seafood. The staff is very…read morefriendly. Watch out for the birds!

Didn't actually get a chance to stop in to eat since they weren't open for the day yet but it's a…read morenice walk over from the main downtown strip. You'll walk by the golf course and get some nice views from the Co-Op of the boats in the bay and the mountains in the background.