The best on Pako now open for dine in.
When it comes to dining, we’re spoilt for choice in Geelong. The city is a melting pot of cuisines and influences, not to mention some seriously sleek interior designs and cheerful local business owners who are on a mission to deliver an experience like no other.
They’re not all in the CBD though. There are plenty of fine little eateries sprinkled within Geelong’s centre of cosmopolitan lifestyle and multiculturalism, Pakington Street.
So if you’re looking to immerse yourself back into the wild for a coffee catch up or three-course meal, here are all the restaurants, bars and cafes that we love and who would love to see you.
Geelong West
Telegraph Hotel
Sitting pretty right at the top of Pakington Street, the Telegraph Hotel has long been dubbed ‘the perfect place to meet’ for families, friends, couples and colleagues since opening in 2006.
With an unmistakable and iconic Art Deco façade, the Tele is renowned for its a la carte dining, comfortable spaces with full service and a seasonal modern Australian menu. Open for lunch and dinner from Wednesday to Sunday, you’ll find everything from grazing boards, salads and cheese, to beef cheeks, housemade gnocchi, burnt basque cheesecake and even crème brulee.
A highlight coming into summer the award-winning Rooftop Terrace, which is the perfect spot for a few cocktails with your pals. We spy a cocktail list with espresso martini, telegraph tiramisu, and a berrylicious mojito.
Where: 2 Pakington Street, Geelong West
Book: Online bookings with an instant confirmation/reply or call 5222 2471.
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, smashed pavlova hotcakes and avocado toast.
Open every single day for takeaway and dine-in, this little gem is not just renowned for its great coffee and desserts, but for its friendly staff and vibrant fit-out, making it the perfect spot for a post-lockdown catch up with your favourite people.
Better still, Pakington St café King of the Castle is actually one of the best spots for dogs in Geelong. With plenty of space outside, bright turf and a marquee, many dogs have had a damn good time here. Oh, and their owners too of course.
Where: 24 Pakington St, Geelong West
Book: Email: [email protected] or call during café opening hours on (03)52231341. For outside dining, no booking will be required, this will be on a first come first served basis.
Tandoori Cuisine & Bar Indian Restaurant
Have you been craving a big bowl of creamy butter chicken and Lamb Rogan Josh, or perhaps you’ve been itching to immerse yourself in the stunning aromas of an Indian restaurant once more?
Well, this little spot is our go-to when it comes to Indian cuisine on Pako, boasting chefs that love to experiment with new dishes as well serving authentic traditional tastes in every single thing that comes out of their kitchen. On the extensive menu you’ll find all the classics, various Naan breads (including Nutella), alongside delicious sides, Tandoori entrees, desserts, cocktails
Open seven days a week, Tandoori is both fully licensed and BYO making it the perfect spot to catch up with friends and family.
Where: 17 Pakington St, Geelong West
Book: You can book online here.
Tulip Bar & Restaurant
If you love to eat classy food, but don’t like hoity-toity-ness of the restaurants, then Tulip is the venue for you. Run by two hugely popular chefs from other phenomenal restaurants – Matt Dempsey (Gladioli) and Graham Jefferies (Wildflower) – you’ll know you’re in good hands.
With an architecturally designed exposed brick and blond-wood dining space and a seasonal menu, getting the best local produce at the best times, this hidden gem is an absolute must for your next night out.
Designed to share, guests are encouraged to savour the best local, sustainable ingredients and seasonal offerings through a number of dishes and explore the all-Victorian drops on the wine list. Their aim is to encourage connection with the people on your table, the food and our staff, ultimately creating a social experience around produce-driven dishes that celebrate the moment.
Where: 9/111 Pakington St, Geelong West
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. The menu at Box Office makes it explicitly clear exactly where your ingredients are coming from, which is not only great for local business but better for you, the diner, as you’ll know exactly what you can expect – and you can expect top-tier dishes here!
Serving coffee from Axil Coffee Roasters, the dog-friendly café boasts a wooden deck with plenty of outdoor seating and the most eccentric and stunning interiors we’ve ever seen. The best part is though, the cafe is now open late for dinner and drinks, meaning you and your mates (or your pooch) get a café-grade coffee – or a glass of wine – at any time of the day.
Where: 77 Preston St, Geelong West
Sodi Café
An all-day, every-day treat, the dog-friendly café has won many hearts, both people and pooches, since opening their doors back in September 2018. Named after the owner’s beloved chihuahua, Sodi is the dog friendly café that serves up brunch options for humans and their four-legged friends (think puppycino’s and pupcakes).
You can enjoy a myriad of sweet and savory brunch options, think everything from Vanilla hot cakes and smashed Avo to sticky pork salad and a Portuguese Chicken Burger, all in the company of man’s best friend. Boasting some of the best coffee in the region thanks to Ocean Grind, Sodi is a spot that those who enjoy brunch (and of course dogs) should suss.
This one’s seven days a week from 8am – 2pm.
Where: 149 Pakington Street, Geelong West
Book: 0415 659 002 to book
63 Degrees
Pakington Street is on to another winner in the mint green façade that is 63 Degrees. With an ever-changing seasonal menu, 63 Degrees rotates a huge range of brunch options (all-day breaky!) sure to keep brunch aficionados on their toes.
With two full menus, one vegan and one regular, 63 Degrees is ensuring there’s more than enough choice for everyone. Here you’ll find sweet treats like Caramilk chocolate brownie waffles and blood orange tart, to refreshing dishes like spring smashed Avo, popcorn prawn bao buns or a honey soy chicken poke bowl. As for drinks, whether it’s a coffee, a smoothie or a shake you’re after 63 Degrees has you covered. The venue is also fully licensed if it’s a bloody Mary type of Sunday.
With a heated alfresco area (dog-friendly), this spot is open from 7am to 3pm every day for all your brunching needs.
Where: 40 Pakington St, Geelong West
Book: Email [email protected] or call (03) 5222 2889
The Village Door
For a true brunch of champions look no further than The Village Door.
Boasting authentic homemade recipes with genuine European chefs from all different backgrounds, café patrons can feast on the very best breakfast and brunch items, all prepared fresh in their kitchen and made with love.
With the breaky and brunch menu now available until 2pm, you can stroll in just in time for the afternoon sun and indulge in vegan breaky granola, French toast with cinnamon sugar, berries and cream, sweet Pierogi, Dutch pancakes, cévapi muffins, hangover rolls, Avo smash, along with some delicious Julius Meinl coffee for that glorious caffeine fix.
While we can’t fault these items, there is one breaky option for when you’re really battling some breakfast cravings and that’s their delicious breakfast platter. Perfect for a breakfast date for two or one very hungry person, the aptly titled ‘Ultimate Breakfast Platter’ boasts an assortment of delicious eats that will change the way you think of brunch for the rest of your life.
Where: 156 Pakington St, Geelong West (closed Tuesdays)
Book: Via OpenTable https://www.thevillagedoor.com.au/
Okami
Sitting pretty on Pakington Street, this famed restaurant is a big deal in Geelong, known for plating up over 30 different Japanese dishes at a price that is too good to be true with their all-you-can-eat.
That’s right, all-you-can-eat is the hero here and it will only set you back at easy $34.80 per person – and that’s the entree, main and dessert. Chow down on plates full of lightly seared beef carpaccio, edamame, crunchy Karaage chicken, veggie spring rolls, prawn gyoza, fried rice, teriyaki steak, udon noodle soup and even green tea ice cream.
You’ll get two-hours to sample as much as you physically can while every dish is freshly made by your order — so make the most of it.
Where: 214 Pakington Street, Geelong West.
Book: Call 03 4207 0373 or online.
Pizza Bar
A staple of the Geelong West food scene, Pizza Bar has been dishing out amazing Italian-style pizzas for many years on the popular Pakington Street strip, so much so that they’ve just opened a second location in Belmont.
Old school and unique, here the pizzas have a thin, light base with crisp edges and authentic toppings such as mozzarella, bocconcini, chilli, shaved prosciutto, San Marzano tomato, Sopressa salami, olives and fior de latte. Favourites include the three-cheese with garlic and olive oil; the Pizza Bar Margherita; Smoked Beef Brisket; and Nonna’s Meatball pizza. Of course, it’s the potato pizza that’s won the heart of many locals, topped with sliced spuds, parmesan, rosemary and sea salt. *chef’s kiss*
Gluten-free bases are available too, as is vegan alterations. Pasta includes fettuccini carbonara, Nonna’s meatball pasta, a rich lamb ragu, and a local mussel linguini. For kids, there are mini pizzas and chicken tenders too.
Desserts lean toward the traditional, too. There are Spanish churros, chocolate brownie, vanilla ice cream and a dessert pizza topped with Nutella, marshmallows, strawberries and ice cream.
Where: 195 Pakington Street, Geelong West.
Book: Call 03 5229 5394
Newtown
Pakington Pantry
Pakington Pantry has cemented itself as a staple within the Geelong brunch scene.
The perfect spot for a cheeky brunch, you’ll find hearty menu options such as the ancient grains porridge, shakshuka eggs, chai French toast or of course the ever-faithful chilli scramble. There’s lemon curd filled ricotta pancakes for the sweet tooths and an aptly named the hangover wrap if you’re feeling a bit under the weather for Sunday brunch.
If breakfast food isn’t your thing, never fear, fried chicken burgers, BLT’s and pork belly bao buns also grace the extensive lunch menu. With heaps of vego, vegan and gluten-free options Pakington Pantry is sure to have you covered when it comes to Sunday brunchin’.
Where: 3/328 Pakington St, Newtown
Book: Online here.
Winters Café
Another little gem on Pakington Street is Winters Café, renowned for its modern, diverse and creative cuisine.
The entire menu comes equipped with a local, seasonal focus meaning you’re always going to get the best locally sourced ingredients Geelong has to offer. The all-day menu consists of eggs benedict fit out with pulled pork hash, chipotle crema and taco crumb, waffles with panna cotta and seasonal fruits or if you’re after something a bit bigger perhaps the chilli calamari or crispy chicken burger will take your fancy. We also spy breakfast cocktails… need we say more?
You can get your fix at Winters from 8am seven days a week meaning you don’t have to save brunch for Sundays.
Where: 330 Pakington St, Newtown
Book: Call 03 5221 8832 to book
