New fine dining restaurants and cult cafés are popping-up in Geelong and The Bellarine, bolstering the region's reputation as a top Victorian food and wine destination. A suite of new tourism offerings include an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander retail space and gallery. There's a Gatsby-era bar in the Little Malop Street dining precinct where you'll find chef Jackson Wilde (Coda and Tonka); and a French-leaning wine bar in Portarlington where you'll be cooked for by chef Peter Roddy (Noir). Chef Mario Tambajong (Coda) is at the helm of European restaurant Eileen's which opened last week; while Chin Chin chef Benjamin Cooper is heading-up Chin Chin's Geelong chapter. Another new restaurant and a cocktail bar are coming soon.

Eileen's Charcoal Grill
Coda-trained chef Mario Tambajong is serving-up this elegant European steakhouse in Geelong which opened last week. Eileen's is the third restaurant on site at the Sawyers Arms Tavern in Newtown. The Sawyers Arms operates as a gastropub downstairs, while upstairs is Two Noble – an Asian fine dining restaurant which opened in August. The trilogy is owned by Paul Upham who previously had The Lorne Hotel and the new restaurant honours Mrs Eileen Clatworthy, who owned Sawyers Arms for 64 years, until she was 91. Opened in June.
Address: 2 Noble Street, Newtown.
Link to photos

Paddock Bakery
Cult café Paddock Bakery has set-up-shop in the Federal Mills precinct, North Geelong. It's garnering fame for insta-worthy, delectable wood-fired sourdough and indulgent crème brûlée donuts. Pet-friendly outdoor area. Opened in April.
Address: Federal Mills(W4): Under the Water Tower, 33 Mackey St, North Geelong.
Link to photos

Club Chin Chin
The first regional restaurant from the esteemed Lucas Restaurant Group. Located in the heart of Geelong at GMHBA Stadium, this year-long pop-up experience offers its renowned 'feed me' menu and some Geelong-only specials by chef Benjamin Cooper. Match-day guests are treated to a glass of sparkling on arrival and premium reserved seating. Opened in May.
Address: GMHBA Stadium, Joel Selwood Stand, 370 Moorabool St, South Geelong.
Link to photos (image credit: Jessie Obialor)

Arlo Wine Bar
A French-leaning wine bar in the coastal town of Portarlington, with water views. It's owned and run by chef Peter Roddy who has hatted restaurant Noir (Richmond) in his suite, as well as Pier Street Café (Portarlington). From Melbourne you can catch a ride with Port Phillip Ferries practically to Arlo's door-step. Enjoy watching boats on the marina while you wine and dine. Opened in December.
Address: 1A Harding Street, Portarlington.
Link to photos

Barwon Edge Café
Sitting pretty on the Barwon River is Barwon Edge Café, offering all-day breaky with Middle Eastern influences. It neighbours Barwon Edge Restaurant (which opened in September) and completes the Barwon Edge transformation orchestrated by the team behind Geelong restaurants ALMA and Felix. Opened in February.
Address: Anco Park Dr, Newtown.
Link to photos

Non Disclosure Bar
The newest venue from the team behind The 18th Amendment Bar and Manhattan Bar – all within the Little Malop Street dining precinct. It's reminiscent of the Art Deco/Gatsby era offering clever cocktails, platters, caviar and oysters. Head chef is Jackson Wilde (Tonka, Coda) and liquid chef is Indra Saryani (28 HongKong Street). Opened in January.
Address: 2/71 Little Malop St, Geelong.
Link to photos

Murran
Embrace Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander culture at Murran, Geelong's newest business, arts and retail space. Murran has a store selling Indigenous-made wares plus a gallery and co-working area. They offer training and Indigenous business start-up support. Named after the Wadawurrung word for Eucalypt leaf. Opened in January.
Address: 143-157 Malop St, Geelong.
Link to photos (image credits: Josh Howlett)

Vue Apartments
In the prime location of Eastern Beach on Geelong's waterfront, Vue Apartments are glowing after a $1.7m refurbishment. With a light and modern décor, Vue Apartments offer a perfect retreat or group accommodation. Studio, one and two-bedroom apartments. Opened in January.
Address: 6 Bellerine St, Geelong.
Link to photos

Yes Bar
A beautifully-appointed and luxurious cocktail bar on The Bellarine. It's located at Flying Brick Cider Co. – one of The Sharp Group's properties where cider is made from crispy Victorian pears and apples (no concentrates). Try Yes Bar's 'cocktails and camembert' offering or the Rhubarb Gimlet. Opened in January.
Address: 1251-1269 Bellarine Hwy, Wallington.
Link to photos
 
Coming soon:

New cocktail bar opening at frankie.
frankie. is a cocktail institution in Geelong and will open a new cocktail bar above its current popular pan Asian fusion restaurant. They go over and above to cater for all dietary requirements. Opening in August.
Address: 26 Malop St, Geelong.

Woolstore
The Hamilton Group's newest venture following its redevelopment of North Geelong's Federal Mills precinct (1915 Restaurant & Bar; and Paddock Bakery). Woolstore is another sympathetic restoration of an historic space. Opening in November.
Address: 400 Pakington St, Newtown.