Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in Geelong

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that are the best hot spots in Geelong? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Anh Chi Em

4.9

4.9 (224)

$40 and under

Vietnamese

Highton

About the restaurant

Anh Chi Em - Vietnamese Cuisine is a traditional Vietnamese restaurant with a modern look, located in the heart of Highton, Geelong. We offer both dine-in and takeaway options, focusing on serving our customers delicious, authentic Vietnamese dishes crafted from our own family recipes. Our dishes feature fresh herbs and vegetables sourced from our family-owned farm, ensuring the highest quality and flavour. Whether you're looking for a cozy dine-in experience or a convenient takeaway, Anh Chi Em is dedicated to providing a memorable experience in the vibrant Highton area of Geelong.

Top review

Sue

Dined 6 days ago

Food absolutely beautiful as usual! Service excellent staff lovely!

The Whiskery

4.8

4.8 (825)

$41 to $100

Wine Bar

Geelong City Center

About the restaurant

The Whiskery is the cellar door for Bellarine Distillery. The Whiskery is an 18 years plus only venue .Babies under 12 months are an exception. The original farm shed has been renovated and is a rustic and inviting space to have a yarn over a cocktail, gin or whisky with friends.
During warmer days the gardens and decks provide a relaxing environment and during the colder months a spot beside the fire is most enticing.
Primarily our own Gins are on offer for consumption and sale, with the Whisky being available in due course - STAY TUNED. We also have a wider selection of whiskies also available for tasting. For those who wish to have an alternative to Gin or Whisky ( why? ) we do have a few of the local wines , beers and ciders available plus some soft options for the drivers.
We have a limited food menu which includes a couple of simple pizzas and cheese & produce platters which is available Thursday - Sunday
Please note bookings are for 2 hr blocks.

Top review

OpenTable DinerVIP

Dined on Jun 5, 2025

A birthday treat Sat by the fire on a cold winters day Excellent service fancy drinks and delious food

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Sir Charles Darling Hotel

4.8

4.8 (195)

$40 and under

Pub

Geelong City Center

About the restaurant

We are a traditional family run pub that has resisted the urge to become upmarket and overly prententious, offering restaurant quality food at pub prices.

You will be lucky to find a busier pub or even restaurant on weekdays than ours.

Our 300g Porterhouse steak has become a Geelong icon, offering unrivalled quality at a very competitive price. Couple that with our Parmi's and it become obvious why we have such a wide range of customers, with many choosing to have birthdays an general gatherings here.

Let our customers tell you what they think of our pub:

“super friendly staff… food was amazing …fabulous pub … lots of locals … steak cooked to perfection …awesome staff … good family atmosphere … nice beer garden … our favourite pub … staff are lovely … really good food … best pub for a steak ... what an unreal find … couldn’t believe the prices” And the comment that comes up the most – “we’ll definitely be back”

Top review

Lorelle

Dined 4 days ago

Fast friendly and Delicious as always. Highly recommended

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4.7

4.7 (659)

$41 to $100

Seafood

Geelong City Center

About the restaurant

Fishermen's Pier is a Seafood Restaurant located on the Geelong Waterfront for over 40 years, providing exceptional caring service.
We offer an extensive menu of fresh local seasonal produce alongside our wine list featuring international and local wines.
Situated on the water in a boat styled restaurant we offer marina and bay views to all of our guests.
Come and enjoy great food and service with a stunning view to match.

Private dining room available for up to 25 guests, full venue functions and weddings are welcome. Feel free to contact the restaurant on 03 52224100 for any function bookings.

Top review

KarenVIP

Dined on Jun 8, 2025

The venue was amazing staff were friendly food was amazing I highly recommend

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4.7

4.7 (72)

$41 to $100

Italian

Newtown

About the restaurant

A small intimate Italian/Sicilian restaurant focusing on Casalinga style (home style) pizza and pasta dishes. Italian cocktails and delicious wines.

Top review

JennyM

Dined 7 days ago

Lovely delicious food just a little cold sitting near the door but it’s winter!

The Petrel Hotel

4.7

4.7 (143)

$41 to $100

Gastro Pub

Geelong West

About the restaurant

Welcome to Geelong's oldest pub the Petrel Hotel!
We are a food focused pub and restaurant offering generous and genuine hospitality from the walls of a historic building.
Head chef Molly Fuge brings local and international flavours together with classic pub dishes like the signature Chicken Schnitzel with Garlic Butter and Slaw, The Petrel Cheeseburger and Lemon Herb Crumbed Snapper + Chips. Oysters shucked to order with pomegranate granita and perfect Steaks from local producers await you!
Join us in our light filled dining room dressed with paintings and treasures that nod to Australian pubs and county homes. Our grand wooden bar sits at solidly offering a home to wine with a focus on smaller Australian producers with a few international gems nestled between. Ice cold beer taps flow and simple considered cocktails line the bar.
The Petrel Hotel team awaits you to sit, sip, eat and enjoy.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Jun 12, 2025

Amazing food and staff are so lovely and attentive

Centra Hotel

4.7

4.7 (100)

$41 to $100

Italian

Geelong West

About the restaurant

Boasting an impressive selection of wine, cocktails, and serving the best in Italian fare, Centra is a popular dining choice for both Geelong locals and visitors to the region.

If you’re looking to have larger groups for dinner, the Private Dining Room can accommodate up to 14 guests, and the building’s multiple indoor & outdoor event spaces can be set for groups of up to 30 for sit-down events upon request.

After a space for a stand-up event? We can host groups of up to 120 people across multiple spaces for your event. Head to centrahotel.com.au/functions to check out the available event spaces and the function booklet.

Please Note:
-Not all areas in the building are Wheelchair Accessible.
-Smaller bookings may be subject to a maximum two hour sitting time.
-Non-Refundable deposits and set menus are required for bookings of 20 or more.
-A surcharge of 1.5% is applied to all EFTPOS transactions.
-A surcharge of 15% is applied to all sales on all public holidays.

Top review

Mark

Dined 1 day ago

Had the express lunch chicken salad which was totally delicious and brought the glass of white wine which paired beautifully with Thanks Centra great value delicious lunch

Frankie Geelong

4.6

4.6 (931)

$40 and under

Pan-Asian

Geelong City Center

About the restaurant

frankie. Bar and Eatery.

A premier Geelong venue specialising in cuisine from all parts of Asia (Pan-Asian-Fusion), a killer cocktail menu and unique local wine list.

Our strikingly beautiful and large venue spaces are all sophisticated, elegant arrangements of banquet seating, booths and soft, comfortable chairs. We have two stunning levels, both available for private functions (big or small) or casual dining and drink experiences.

Check our website or socials for further information.

Most reservations have a 2 hour time limit.

We do not have high-chairs, so please send a note with your booking if you need space for a pram.
Table decorations and your own cake are welcomed!

We cant wait to see you!

Team frankie.

Top review

Cathy

Dined on Jun 10, 2025

Always a win at Frankie with delicious food, a great menu and fantastic service.

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Experience

Bottomless Brunch

Ooh Baby

4.6

4.6 (32)

$101 and over

Italian

Geelong West

About the restaurant

Ooh Baby brings classic Italian charm to the heart of Geelong, combing exceptional food, signature cocktails and fine wine. Step straight into Italy with grand high ceilings, an elegant and spacious dining room, booth seating as well as two private dining rooms. From dinner to late night drinks, Ooh Baby will provide you with an unforgettable dining experience every time.

For bookings of 8 or more people please give us call!

For all function and large group enquiries please send us an email: bookings@oohbabygeelong.com.au

Be sure to check out our website as well as our socials for further information.

We can't wait to see you Baby.

Top review

Nicole

Dined on Jun 12, 2025

The ambience and decor was great. Unfortunately we were not informed that the Thursday evening pasta and wine deal included an entree size pasta. The food was delicious however it was unfortunate that we were still hungry following our main meal.

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Experience

MANGIA

Justin Lane Geelong

4.5

4.5 (290)

$41 to $100

Italian

Geelong City Center

About the restaurant

Since we started in Burleigh Heads, QLD back in 2011, Justin Lane has grown into a popular restaurant, bar and event space – expanding more recently into Geelong. We’d love to have you here! Take a quick look online before you book your next outing at JL.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Jun 6, 2025

Always happy to dine here ..food is amazing specially the potato pizza! Service is great and the ambience is cozy!

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Popular dish

Spaghetti

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