If you’re a fan of all things brie, salami, and sourdough, this one’s for you.
Is there anything better than a platter? No seriously, is there anything better than a cheeky cheeseboard and a glass of wine? I don’t think so. If you’re a cheese and cured meat fanatic look no further, we’ve done the hard work for you and have compiled a list of the best cheeseboards, charcuterie boards and brewers’ boards in Geelong and surrounds.
Add these venues to your must-visit list and prepare to put yourself in a dairy induced coma (trust me it’s worth it).
Keep up with the latest food and booze news from across the region here.
Geelong Cellar Door
Arguably THE spot to grab a charcuterie in Geelong, Geelong Cellar Door is renowned for its huge platters that come in three different varieties. Whether it’s a selection of cheese you’re after, just a deli meat platter or a combo of both, Geelong Cellar Door is the place to go. Whether it’s cheese, meats, or a combination all their platters come with accompanying biccies, bread and fruit paste. As well as a selection of dried fruits and cornichons. Wash everything down with a glass of your favourite red, white or rose available by the glass or by the bottle and make sure you’re hungry because these cheeseboards are seriously ENORMOUS. Enjoy a cosy night by the fire or a summer arvo on of their street-side tables, whatever it is you fancy, make sure Geelong Cellar Door is on top of your list if you’re in the mood for all things charcuterie.
You can find Geelong Cellar Door at 97-99 Little Malop Street, Geelong.
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The 18th Amendment Bar
Normally known for its cocktails, The 18th Amendment Bar should not be overlooked for its snack options. There are three cheese boards to choose from, as well as a variety of other smaller snacks if you’re not feeling up to tackling a cheeseboard. Whether it’s the trio of cheeses you’re after, served with slow gin paste and accompanied by bread and crackers, or the selection of meats also paired with fresh bread and biccies. There’s even a larger assortment of meats and cheeses, including Camembert, a 36-month aged cheddar and a semi-soft blue all alongside two cured types of meat, olives, and accompaniments. If you’re after something a little different, there’s also the option of middle eastern dukkah with bread or perhaps a baked Brie. Finish your evening with one of their signature cocktails, there’s something to make sure everyone is satisfied.
The 18th Amendment Bar is located at 82A Little Malop Street, Geelong.
Splatters
If you’re after all the cheeseboard, without the convention, Splatters is the place for you. As Australia’s only cheese train (think a sushi train but cheesier), Splatters is a cheese-lovers dream. With a rotating selection of all the charcuterie accompaniments, think hard cheeses, soft cheeses, meats, fruit pastes and biccies, of course, Splatters is the place if you’re looking for a fully customisable cheese and meat extravaganza. If sitting at the train isn’t your vibe, grab a cheeseboard prepared for you and head outside to their Garden of Edam.
Splatters is fully licensed, with beers, ciders, wines and cocktails on offer and plates off the train starting at $5.
Live your cheesy fantasy at 168-170 Pakington Street, Geelong West.
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Little Creatures Brewing
Love a platter but wine and cocktails aren’t for you? Never fear, Little Creatures has you covered. Little Creatures has made a name for itself in the region as the hub of craft beer, meaning you can grab a pint and a platter any day you fancy. Their brewer’s board option includes cured meats, cheese, olives, pickles and of course the staple fresh sourdough. With other menu options like tacos, chicken wings, pizzas, desserts and even options for the littlies in your life, Little Creatures is a family-friendly location to get your charcuterie on. Partner your cheese and biccies with one of their signature craft beers, including pale ales, IPA’s, amber ales, and sours; or branch out and treat yourself to a Four Pillars G&T.
Little Creatures is located at 221 Swanston Street, Geelong.
The Whiskery
Gin and Cheese is a match made in heaven at this picturesque venue. Nestled on the Bellarine Peninsula, The Whiskery is the perfect place for a platter. The surrounding area has lush greenery, and you have your choice of sitting on the outdoor deck or inside by the fire for those chillier days. The platters include up to four different kinds of cheese, cured meats, pickles, olives, dried and fresh fruit as well as fruit pastes, dips and of course accompaniments like breadsticks, pretzels and biccies. If you’re after something extra The Whiskery also serves up pizza for anyone who’s a bit hungrier or perhaps doesn’t want to share. Whilst there enjoy one of their signature cocktails, as the birthplace of Teddy and the Fox gin, The Whiskery sure know what they’re doing when it comes to cocktails and charcuteries.
The Whiskery is located at 2 Scothcmans Road, Drysdale.
Banks Road Vineyard
Wineries are of course a charcuterie haven and Banks Road Vineyard in Marcus Hill is no exception. A short drive out of Ocean Grove, Banks Road is the perfect place to satisfy your cheesy, wine-y dreams. Their Banks Road Platter is offering up a mouth-watering selection of cured meats, salami, sausage, cheeses, pickles, cornichons, and the old faithful sourdough bread. They also have a sea plate on offer if you’re after something a bit off-kilter compared to the classic charcuterie board, the Sea Plate has a selection of raw, cured, and smoked seafood served alongside more sourdough bread. There are even desserts to satisfy the sweet tooth in the group once you’re all cheesed out. Pair the Banks Road Platter with one of their wine flights and you’re in for a treat of sampling some of the best local produce on The Bellarine.
Make sure you’re hungry and head to 600 Banks Road, Marcus Hill.
Terindah Estate
Another staple winery on The Bellarine, Terindah Estate is the perfect place if you’re looking for a cheeseboard and a view. Lush greenery and a view out over Port Phillip Bay, Terindah is a go-to if you’re looking to impress your friends, family, or next cheese-loving tinder date. They have two separate platters on offer, a mixed charcuterie, and a mixed cheeseboard. Both platter options can be made gluten-free upon request and the cheeseboard is suitable for vegos (big win). They’re also slinging trios of dips, and a burrata accompanied with heirloom tomato, basil, olive oil and sourdough crispbread (yum). There are even sides of hot chippies if you’re feeling particularly insatiable. Pair it with one of their signature wines, red, white, sparkling or even rose are all on offer, or a beer or soft drink for all the deso drivers out there. Terindah Estate has it all and should be at the top of your list if you’re feeling like a trip out Portarlington way (trust me it’s worth it).
Terindah Estate is located at 90 McAdams Lane, Bellarine.
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Archive Wine Bar
For a truly indulgent and personalised experience, Archive is a wine bar, bottle shop and deli concept is THE place to go, especially with an extensive by the glass offering.
Here you’ll find more than 150 wines by the glass on an ever-changing and evolving by the glass list – which has everything from aged Geelong Pinot Noir to Grand Cru Burgundy and extremely rare wines from all around the world. The archive offers a carefully curated selection of wines by the glass as well as craft beer and spirits from hard to find distilleries. But we’re not here to talk about the wine (as always as a selection as it is). We’re here to talk about the platter, and this place does it exceptionally well.
With the same individualised approach as they take to the wine, Archive offers a platter for two for $49 which comes with two meats, two cheese and all of the delicious accompaniments. The best part is though, you get to choose your cheese from a list of 10 spanning soft, semi-hard, hard and blue, depending on what you feel like. Likewise with the charcuterie, you’ve got eight options here, from chicken live pate and chilli fennel salami to pork, prune and pistachio terrine. All the yes!
Archive Wine Bar is located at 140 High Street, Belmont.
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