Since its humble beginning as a pop-up in January 2018, MoVida Lorne has become a favourite dining destination along the Great Ocean Road, being the permanent resident of the Lorne Hotel bottom bar.
A name renowned across Melbourne for its traditional flair and flavour, which owner Frank Camorra has brought to the Surf Coast, MoVida Lorne offered a classic Spanish tapa dining experience, but with a beachside twist and an added emphasis on cuisine made from local, fresh seafood.
With expansive ocean views, dual aspect sunshine and a Great Ocean Road address, MoVida Lorne had two separate areas covering all bases. In the dining room, you could have an intimate dinner, a get-together with extended family or an epic group event. The bar, with its focus on local wines, whiskies and gins, was for whiling away the afternoon, snacking on tapas, and enjoying the sights and sounds of the bay.
Boasting an atmosphere of a classic dining experience, MoVida Lorne has now closed its coastal doors for good.
“Lorne, muchas gracias por la gran despedida! Thanks so much for a great send-off! We had a blast, and we hope you enjoyed the feast as much as we did preparing it for you,” the business shared on social media.
“A massive thanks to our loyal customers, friends, suppliers, and the Upham family for supporting us for over four years. And a special thanks to our staff, past and present, for being a part of the MoVida Lorne familia, you made it possible. We love the region and hope it’s not a goodbye, but instead, we look forward to seeing you down the road ¡Salud!
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The beloved restaurant announced its forthcoming closure back in March when it was revealed a planned groundfloor redevelopment of the Lorne Hotel by new owners Merivale required the restaurant to vacate. At the time, a company spokesperson said current staff will be redeployed in the business and, after the renovation is complete, another restaurant from the Sydney-based hospitality group will open.
Merivale purchased the famous seaside venue from previous owners the Upham family for $38 million in 2021.
While a blow to the Lorne dining scene, word on the grapevine is that Camorra is currently looking for other opportunities in Geelong, saying “watch this space”.
