Enjoy some caffeine after you pay your respects on ANZAC Day.
For those of you who will be getting up early for the ANZAC day dawn services, a coffee will definitely be needed.
We did the rounds, and here are the cafes that are most certainly ready to help you out with your caffeine requirements – some are even open extra early for you!
But it’s important to remember that ANZAC Day is about remembering the Australian and New Zealand soldiers who served and died in any wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations. If you can’t make it to a dawn service, you can donate to the ANZAC appeal here. Also, read more about the day here.
A guide to all the services and marches on ANZAC Day across the Geelong region
Brother Lawrence
Alongside the dense, chewy hoops (bagels) at Brother Lawrence, the cafe also boasts a quaint but vibrant breakfast and lunch menu inspired by fresh and local produce while you’ll also find a cabinet stocked with focaccias, freshly squeezed juices, sparkling drinks, hot drinks, assorted tea from Love Tea and coffee by Ona, brewed and served to perfection. Plus there are hot cross bagels.
Open for ANZAC day from 9am-2pm.
Where: 11 Rutland Street, Newtown.
Sweet Adeline Cafe
Whether you’re keen to hit the walking track or just stock up on some sweets, Sweet Adeline Cafe is the pop-up you need to swing by.
They’ll be open from 8am-2pm with a minute of silence at 11am.
Where: 1/560 Latrobe Blvd, Newtown
Toasty
Toasty offers generously-sized toasties and hot coffee right in the heart of Geelong. They’ll be open on Anzac Day from 9am-2pm.
Where: 85 Ryrie St, Geelong
Vid Bar Highton
This gem is all about delivering the sweet, sweet overseas culinary classics, headlined by a range of authentic tasty bite-sized Greek doughnuts (aka loukoumades aka pieces of heaven). For Anzac Day, they’ll be open from 11am to 10pm.
Where: 4/1-3 Belle Vue Ave, Highton
Ocean Grind
If you want to feel good while you indulge in caffeine, Ocean Grind roastery in Torquay is all about fresh, quality coffee, appreciating the coast and the natural environment and the allure of the ocean and the grinding waves it produces.
Ocean Grind will be open 7am-12pm.
Where: 10b Sawmills Way, Torquay
Garage Ocean Grove
Serving delicious, wholesome locally sourced food and high quality St. Ali espresso coffee the cafe is buzzing on the daily with all the best vibes. For Anzac Day, they’ll be open 8am-2pm.
Where: 15 Lelean St, Ocean Grove
The Grove Coffee Co
Renowned for its great quality coffee, simple but quality-driven food, and an ethos of friendly, light-hearted service driven by a want to please, this little gem is also open. Open 6:30-12:30 for Anzac Day.
Where: 2/85 The Terrace, Ocean Grove
Paddington
When talking about the great service at a cafe people often mention how great it is when the staff knows them by name. But how often do you find a place where the staff knows the names of the canine regulars as well? Offering Clark St Coffee (a brand renowned for its sustainable ethos and emphasis on environmentally-friendly packaging), Paddington Café is the go-to for when you need a buzz that both does the job and is rich in delicious flavours.
Paddington will be open for takeaway only on Anzac Day from 8am-11am.
Where: 134B High St, Belmont
Winters Cafe
Located at the river end of Pako, Winters has become a mainstay in the Geelong brekky scene. Their menu comes equipped with a local, seasonal focus meaning you’re always going to get the best locally sourced ingredients Geelong has to offer.
They’ll be open on Anzac Day from 7:30am-2pm.
Where: 330 Pakington St, Newtown.
That Place Patisserie
If you’re looking to teleport yourself to the streets of Paris on this public holiday, there’s no better place to start than at That Place Patisserie in Belmont. For Anzac Day, they’ll be bringing back their renowned Anzac Biscuit Croissant.
They’ll be open Anzac Day from 8-11am.
Where: 110b Mt Pleasant Rd, Belmont
9 Grams, Torquay, Newtown, Mount Duneed
Bless those that know the public holidays should not be devoid of caffeine. If you’re looking for a brew, these guys are your saving grace and will be slinging takeaways coffees and sweets. We’ll be asking for a double shot…
Open 6am to 4pm at Newtown, and 7am to 3pm in Torquay and Mt Duneed.
Where: 1/343 Pakington Street, Newtown; 101 Unity Drive, Mount Duneed; and 6 Gilbert Street, Torquay.
Blank Space
Providing flavoursome and fresh dishes and exceptional Constant Coffee, supporting local suppliers, and featuring many sweet, savoury, gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options, it’ll be hard not to find multiple things that tickle your fancy.
They’ll be opening the doors on Anzac Day from 6am-12pm for coffee and cabinet food only.
Where: 4/343 Pakington Street, Newtown.
Geelong West Social Club
You know when you find yourself in a bit of a hurry, don’t want to spend a heap of money, but want some good tasty food and smooth hot coffee, where do you go? The Geelong West Social Club, that’s where – especially with their delicious array of bagels.
The G.W.S.C team are open 8am-1pm on Anzac Day.
Where: 1b Yuille Street, Geelong West
King of the Castle
KOTC never fails to hit the cravings when it comes to caffeine and all things delicious, especially with their Kings Breakfast, brioche French Toast, banoffee waffles and avocado toast.
KOTC will be open 7:30pm to 2pm.
Where: 24 Pakington Street, Geelong
Local Geelong
Local Geelong is a well-loved cafe slinging coffee, cake, brunch and pastries all day. With treats seven days a week and some of the smoothest coffee around town, we’re stoked that the team are open on most, if not all, public holidays. Slinging takeaway goods for all, you’ll be able to load up with a range of pastries, buns, bread and snacks.
Open from 7:30am-12pm on Anzac Day.
Where: 175 McKillop St, Geelong
Untitled, Armstrong Creek & Geelong
They might be known for their famous bagels (seriously, so good), but the overarching reason we race down there on the daily is for their piping hot cups of coffee, made with their own specialty blend ‘Smooth Blend’, courtesy of Three Little Beans roastery, located right here in Geelong.
Geelong venue will be open from 6am to 2pm for takeaway and courtyard, while Armstrong Creek will be closed.
Where: Shop T14: 500-540 Torquay Road, Armstrong Creek & 197 Yarra Street, Geelong.
Warralily Cockatoo
If you ever find yourself asking what’s better than a morning sleep in, the answer is a day spent with an excellent coffee in one hand and a spoonful of something delicious in the other – and both can be done at Warralily Cockatoo on the public holiday.
They’ll be open regular hours and they’ll have special Anzac cookies too.
Where: Warralily Village Shop 19, 3/33 Central Bvd, Armstrong Creek
Wild Goat Coffee Co
Whether it’s a flat white, cappuccino, long black, a latte on ice or even a mocha choc you’re after, Wild Goat’s friendly but speedy baristas have you sorted, churning out high quality coffees at an impressive rate. Drive on through and grab a coffee to go. Open 7:30am-1pm on Anzac Day.
Where: 42 Fellmongers Rd, Breakwater
Box Office
Box Office might just be the most exciting shipping container in Geelong, serving up a whole host of café classics and international-themed dishes.
Serving coffee from Axil Coffee Roasters, these guys are open for all your coffee and food needs from 6:30am.
Where: 77 Preston St, Geelong West
The Salty Dog Café
A café located right on the beach, this one is perfect for you and your pup’s morning coffee. There’s nothing like soaking up the view over Fisherman’s beach with a selection of breakfasts, toasties, beverages and cakes. You’ll find a tonne of water bowls scattered around the place as well as puppaccinos and plenty of space to stretch their little legs. Salty dogs are always welcome.
For Anzac Day, this cafe will be open from 6am for coffee with brunch served all day.
Where: 50 The Esplanade, Torquay
Bean Squeeze
These coffee drive-throughs are spotted all over Geelong and they’ve good for much more than just speedy coffees. If you’ve got a furry pal with you, you’ll get some smacko treats with your drink. Perfect for when you’re on the run!
All Stores (except Mercer St and Moorabool St) on ANZAC Day will be open their normal open time until 4pm, while Mercer St and Moorabool St will open 5:30am – Closing 1pm.
Where: various locations around town
Mercy Cafe
Operating out of a beautifully renovated shipping container, Mercy serves up some damn fine cups of Mikro Coffee Roasters coffee with a food menu that features a bevvy of sandwiches and baguettes all made on-site.
Mercy will be open on the public holiday from 7-1 for takeaway only.
Where: 401 Eastern Park Circuit, Geelong
Iberia Geelong
Your favourite Geelong local cafe serving up coffee, food & liquor. Locally roasted coffee, a fresh, delicious and considered menu. Iberia will be open on Anzac Day from 8am-1pm.
Where: 137 Shannon Ave, Manifold Heights.
Skinny Dippers Café
Renowned for their Gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo and vegan/vegetarian whole foods. Open 8-2 at Newtown and 8-2 East Geelong on Anzac Day.
Where: 2 Lambert Ave, Newtown & 261 Myers St, East Geelong.
Maple Bakery
Canadian Inspired Bakery in the heart of Torquay. Serving coffee supplied by Surf Coast Coffee Roasters with modern or traditional treats. Open from 8am to 2pm on Anzac Day.
Where: 40/10 Cylinders Drive, Torquay
Van Loons Café
Van Loons Café serves delicious house-made meals and cakes and they’ll be open from 9am.
Where: 405 Grubb Rd, Wallington
Woodhouse Café
Tucked away on the busy Belmont High Street strip, get your caffeine hit from 8am until 2pm on Anzac Day.
Where: 170A High St, Belmont
Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie
There’s no denying this venue’s pull. Chocolate and ice cream, is there anything else you need in life? Well yes, they do coffee too. Open from 9am-5pm for Anzac Day.
Where:1200, Great Ocean Road, Bellbrae.
Pavilion
Pavilion Geelong is a modern cafe along the shore of Eastern Beach, serving breakfast, lunch, coffee, and takeaway sweet and savoury treats. Open from 6:30am-4pm every day over the Easter long weekend if you’re after a scenic caffeine hit.
Where: 95 Eastern Beach Rd, Geelong
TonTon
Pushing the boundaries of what we understand the cafe experience to be, TonTon is one of the newest venues to join the Geelong hospitality scene, gifting locals and tourists alike another bright new dining spot. They’re open on Anzac Day from 8am-2pm.
Where: 9/65 Barrabool Rd, Highton Village
