The best places in Geelong to cosy up next to a fireplace this winter
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06.07.2021

The best places in Geelong to cosy up next to a fireplace this winter

Words by Riya Kiran

There's no denying a glass of wine beside the fireplace hits different!

Our days are only getting colder, and there’s no better feeling than getting snuggly as your warm up your toes and belly!

We’ve scoured all of Regional Victoria to find you the best open fires and fireplaces where you can also enjoy some of the best locally sourced drinks. There’s something for everyone, from wine lovers to lager enthusiasts and also the designated drivers!

Check out the amazing locations below!

Ebony & Ivory

Ebony and Ivory is a unique European inspired café restaurant located in Central Geelong. With shelves overflowing with books and an inviting fireplace calling your name, why not settle into their couches with a glass of sparkling, sweet or white wine! Alternatively, you can choose from the long list of cocktails including the ‘Golden Gaytime’, which is tasty mix of Kahlua, Butterscotch Schnapps, Baileys and Hershey’s Syrup or the tantalising ‘Starburst’, which combines local Gin with Raspberry Cordial and Lemon Juice! The café also offers an expertly crafted menu consisting of handmade pastas and traditional Mediterranean inspired meals. From the house made ricotta gnocchi to home style smoked salmon panini everything is made from locally sourced and fresh ingredients!

Geelong Cellar Door

Geelong Cellar Door is a truly local wine bar with ‘old world’ charm located in Geelong’s CBD. This sophisticated and wine savvy location proudly showcases an array of wines produced within the region, alongside a selection of local craft beers and ciders.

With a cosy open fire and quality cheeses and charcuterie platters to keep your glass company, this place ensures a unique experience for everyone! Geelong Cellar Door is definitely the place to be for all wine lovers!

Just look at it!!! Bliss.

The Arborist

This stunning location brings sophisticated chic to Geelong’s CBD! Designed around the iconic Ash trees on Little Malop Street, The Arborist delivers a large variety of local craft beers and wines, alongside several tasty cocktails for you to enjoy!

With outside heaters and a huge fireplace designed to keep you toasty, you can revel in the warmth as you enjoy a drink accompanied by delicious snacks including Potato & Chorizo Croquettes or a range of artesian cheeses. If you’re feeling a little more peckish, the restaurant offers a number of delicious dishes with a Middle Eastern Twist.

The Arborist offers you everything from after-work drinks to a boozy lunch or even a late-night drink!

 

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Great Ocean Road Brewhouse

Situated on the Great Ocean Road where the hills meet the ocean, Great Ocean Road Brewhouse is the number one craft beer destination!

With an open fire warming up the entire place and beer garden to enjoy, you’ll feel at home sipping some of the best local produce. From the 15 craft beers on tap to the local wines, this place proudly showcases the best of the region.

Enjoy the full Brewhouse experience as you sip your drink and delve into a produce platter with cheeses, dips, bread and more!

Provenance Wines

Enjoy award-winning wines in a relaxing atmosphere at Provenance Wines! Breathe easy and enjoy the range of Sparkling, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Rose, Pinot Noir, Shiraz and Nebbiolo sourced straight from their local vineyards. Enjoy your glass with heart-warming modern Australian cuisine made with local and seasonal ingredients, from Slow Cooked Pork Belly or Charcoal Chicken Breast to cheese platters and Charcuterie boards.

Absolutely unsurpassed in quality and value, the Provenance exists to serve you quality!

 

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Bouchon at Bellarine

Set amongst the rolling hills of the premier wine country, Bouchon at Bellarine brings a French twist to the Bellarine Peninsula. Find your favourite bottle, as you drink wine from one of the Peninsula’s oldest established vineyards.

The family-owned Bellarine Estate Winery delivers famous tastes such as James’s Paddock Chardonnay, Phil’s Fetish Pinot Noir or Portarlington Ridge Shiraz. Bouchon also serves several delectable bites to enjoy with you glass, including roasted button mushrooms filled with triple Brie, Chargrilled Qual and charcuterie boards, all sourced locally and made with love.

Cafe Go!

Curl up and enjoy a drink in the warmth of Café Go’s fireplace – either their inside one or their outdoor one! This cosy location is right in heart of Geelong’s CBD, perfect for those looking for a long and warm boozy brunch. Enjoy a ginger, pear & lime hot tonic with a tasty pulled lamb Go! Panini, or a baked apple waffle paired with a toasty hot chocolate in hand. No matter what you decide to choose off the menu, this café is all about serving up delicious food and drinks in a comfortable environment. There’s nothing else like it in Geelong!

The Whiskery

The rustic Whiskery provides an enticing space during the colder months right beside the fire! Yarn over beautiful local gin from the Bellarine Distillery as you snuggle into the couches and chairs on the lawn, revelling in the warmth of the fireplace. If you’re not big on Gin, marvel through the long list of local wines, craft beers and ciders to enjoy or soft options for the drivers! The Whiskery also offers simple home style food to go with your drink, including cheese and fresh produce platters using entirely locally sourced produce!

Blackman’s Brewery

If you’re not too into your wines, let this top-notch beer at Blackman’s Brewery warm you heart and your belly! The team at Blackman have a simple philosophy – they love good beer! Made from the best quality ingredients they have good beer for everyone. This independently-owned brewery produces everything onsite in their amazing backyard, serving it 5 metres from where it’s brewed. Even if you don’t enjoy beer, don’t fret! These locations got an epic list of local wines and craft spirits too. The brewery also produced wood fire pizza, burgers, fish tacos and bites for you to enjoy between your beer or two.

At The Heads

At The Heads has dug through the gold mine of wines in the Bellarine Peninsula to find the local gems! With an expertly crafted menu, this local favourite has a long list of beverages to enjoy, from sparkling wines to spirits and crafty cocktails to tingle your tastebuds. Down a glass of Ingram Road Pinot from the Yarra Valley or the Mekong Mojito with White Rum, Lychee Liqueur, ginger beer, mint, and lime!

The restaurant also serves a number of fresh dishes to accompany your drink including a seafood platter with Oysters, chargrilled Prawns, pickled Mussels and more! Enjoy great food, a roaring fire and wine against the unparalleled views of Barwon Heads!

Bird Rock Jan Juc

This local hangout spot is perfect for the colder days! Situated right across from the Bird rock lookout, Bird Rock Jan Juc is dedicated to serving the highest quality beverages and flavoursome food! From Beer on tap to White, Red and Sparkling Wine there is something for everyone here! The place also offers some interesting cocktails including the ‘Shisho Fine’, a mixture of Gin, Elderflower Liquer and fresh Cucumber or the ‘Not So Vanilla’ which combines Vodka, Vanilla Vodka, Fresh berries and Lime! If the drinks don’t get you warm enough, Bird Rock’s food menu is sure to, with a large range of Dumplings, Gyozas, Bao Buns and Soups to please your taste buds.

 

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