6 Best Restaurants in Great Ocean Road, Victoria

Seafood fresh from its own trawler, the Tambo Bay, is the reason to visit this long-standing fisherman's co-op, located in Apollo Bay's working harbor. Flathead and snapper are regulars on the menu, and scallop, octopus, giant crab, squid, and even abalone make an appearance, but their signature is the southern rock lobster. Regular fish-and-chip shop fare, such as calamari, flake, and burgers are always on the menu, the lobster and abalone are charged at market price—just check the specials board for the day's catch.

Down a bluestone alleyway, Coffin Sally is the good-time girl of Port Fairy, a fun, grown-up pizza bar doling up quality beers, wines, and cocktails alongside piping-hot pizzas. The signature pizza, Fior di Sally, features local Shaw River buffalo mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil. Gluten-free pizzas are available and bookings are essential on the weekends; if you have to wait, take a seat by the fire and try a local wine, served by the glass. If you didn't book and you can't get a table, the takeaway is worth the wait. And the name? Yes, this was once the workplace of Port Fairy's undertakers, in what was known as Coffin Alley.

This former mechanic's garage is now a hub for the Irish village of Koroit, 10 minutes' drive from Port Fairy. Drop in to explore Noodledoof's exciting range of craft beers—anything from a mango sour to an iced coffee stout—and stay for the light bar menu of toasted sandwiches and soups. Otherwise, the short menu includes a robust meal of slow-cooked beef cheek, a Reuben or a savory, vegetarian tart. Gin drinkers should try the koroit gin, inspired by the dormant volcano near the town and flavored with herbs gathered by hand from inside the volcanic crater (you can buy their liqueurs, beers, and gins to take away).

Possibly Victoria's best ice cream is made in the vivid green hills behind Port Campbell. You won't regret the 15-minute drive to the village of Timboon to taste its all-natural ice creams and sorbets, made with milk from local dairies. The flavors range from the regular—strawberry and vanilla—to the exotic—Turkish Delight, lime and coconut, or whisky cream—and change with the seasons.

Churning out reliably good coffee, Moons is a stalwart on the Lorne café scene. This vegan-friendly spot is the place to pull up for big breakfasts or a pastry and juice while sitting in the sun, or take your bounty just across the road for a picnic at the beach.

Enter the whitewashed stone Oak & Anchor Hotel to find its restaurant, Sidro, serving lunch and dinner. The hotel might have been around since 1857, but the food is fresh and light—try the smaller plates of arancini (fried rice balls) or a cheese plate, or go larger plates—the beef brisket and slow-cooked lamb are priced for two to share. Its two-course feasting menu costs A$55 a person, or A$75 for three, and the wine list by the glass has a strong showing of hard-to-find Victorian wines. There are also seven sunny suites upstairs, if you can't drag yourself away.