6 Best Restaurants in Great Ocean Road, Victoria

Up in the hinterland above the Great Ocean Road, in a village at a crossroads, sits one of Australia's most celebrated restaurants. Chef Dan Hunter's Brae serves a daily set menu renowned for its fine organic fare, much drawn from its own farm, which surrounds the dining room. The rest is sourced from ethical, sustainable suppliers of the highest quality. Add matched wines or matched nonalcoholic beverages.There are also six carbon-neutral guest suites on the property, each accommodating two adults (from A$798), including breakfast. Brae is 35 minutes from Lorne, 45 minutes from Geelong.

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.

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).

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.

This relaxed main-street eatery with a spacious sundeck and friendly staff is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner from 6 am. Order the vegetarian big breakfast, the fish-and-chips, or maybe an Asian-style chicken Maryland. Waves also has self-contained rooms, including some with spa baths.