There’s lots of great food to be found along Victoria’s Great Ocean Road and on our recent visit to Lorne we enjoyed many noteworthy meals. I passed some cafe and restaurant recommendations on to a food blogging friend that visited last week, and she ‘LOVED’ my tips (her word not mine).
I thought it was only fair to share the love, so I’ve put together a mini-guide with some of the places we ate at and enjoyed.
Where to Eat in Lorne – Family Friendly Dining Options
Looking for family friendly dining options in Lorne? I’ve rounded up our favourite places to eat for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
The Swing Bridge Cafe and Boathouse
You’ll see The Swing Bridge Cafe on your way into Lorne sitting right on the sandy beach of the Erskine River mouth at the foot of the iconic suspension ‘swing bridge’. Access is thought the caravan park (entrance via the Tourist Information center car park), and it’s the perfect spot to chill out with a coffee or juice while you watch the kids play in the sand or paddle in the shallow water of the river inlet.
We enjoyed a couple of tasty brioche rolls with pulled pork as well as the best poached eggs and bacon I’ve ever had. EVER!
Warm Brioche Roll – Pulled Pork with Swinging Slaw $16
Slow poached eggs on sourdough with Istra bacon $14.50
WHERE:
Lorne Swing Bridge Café and Boathouse
30 Great Ocean Road, Lorne
(access via 15 Mountjoy Parade, Lorne)
RECOMMENDED FOR:
Coffee
Breakfast
Casual Lunch
Gorgeous Location
Kafe Kaos
Kafe Kaos has a laid back retro vibe that is super family friendly. The kids meals are very generous and Emma was thrilled with her pancakes (probably due to the lashings of ice-cream and syrup). I opted for a healthier vegetarian breakfast option and thoroughly enjoyed the poached eggs on roasted cauliflower and chick peas.
Poached Eggs on Roasted cauliflower and chick peas
I’ve never seen roasted cauliflower in a brunch dish anywhere else, someone should get onto that. It’s certainly worth stopping at Kafe Kaos to try it out.
Kids pancake with ice-cream and maple syrup
WHERE:
Kafe Kaos
1/56 Mountjoy Parade, Lorne
RECOMMENDED FOR:
Breakfast/Brunch
HAH Lorne Beach
Acai Power Smoothie Bowl $16
If you are on a health kick, or just want to grab a quick tasty bite right on the beach, HAH Lornebeach is a must visit.
HAH Lornebeach offers super foods and smoothies that taste great and are great for you as well.
Menu highlights included a range of smoothie bowls and some out of this world jaffles! I always appreciate a good range of teas to choose from and if you are feeling a little ‘hip’ try out their selection of rainbow lattes which are brewed with tumeric (golden), matcha (green) or beets (violet).
Banana Jaffle with sultanas and house made nutella $8
Egg, Otway ham and Cheese Jaffle with Avocado $12
WHERE:
HAH Lorne Beach
81 Mountjoy Parade, Lorne
(behind sea baths)
RECOMMENDED FOR:
Healthy Breakfast
Quick Bites
Tea and Smoothies
Beach View
Chopstix Asian Noodle Bar
Probably the best Asian food offering along the Great Ocean Road and if you are craving something spicy you’ll be well catered for as Chopstix has it’s own ‘Chilli Station’ where you can spice your meals up as hot as you like.
The decor and menu are a bit of a pastiche of lots of asian styles, and the food flavours are ‘westernised’ to suit a local palette, but if you are eating with a family, you’ll easily find lots on the menu to suit everyone’s tastes.
There are big communal eating tables, but most customers grabbed their food to go.
Emma enjoyed some steamed Chinese dumplings and rice, I had a Malaysian style seafood Laksa and the Mr enjoyed a whole Thai style baby snapper.
I must say the Snapper was on point, and the accompanying Nam Jin sauce was so good.
Malaysian Style Seafood Laksa $18.90
They also had drinks with little umbrellas, I couldn’t resist. And if you want to treat the kids, order the deep fried ice cream.
WHERE:
Chopstix Asian Noodle Bar
96 Mountjoy Parade Lorne
RECOMMENDED FOR:
Asian food
Take away
Chilli Station
Grand Pacific Hotel
Built in 1875 with superb ocean views in one of the most unique settings on the coast, opposite surf beaches and the Lorne Pier, this historic hotel pre-dates the Great Ocean Road.
Serving modern Australian bistro fare, we enjoyed a nice relaxing Sunday lunch with great views of the ocean. Kids were well catered for with colouring pages and pencils provided, and the kid’s menu had lots of good options. Emma enjoyed her mega size chicken schnitzel and salad.
WHERE:
Grand Pacific Hotel Lorne
268 Mountjoy Parade, Lorne
(near the Lorne pier)
RECOMMENDED FOR:
Sunday Lunch
Sea Views
Kids Meals
Looking at all this food is making me hungry! I hope you find some of these recommendations useful, and if you’ve visited Lorne recently and found some other culinary highlights you’d love to share, leave a comment with your tips. I’ll try them out next time I’m there.
My Poppet visited Lorne as guest of Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism. As always all thoughts and opinions are my own.
We visited Kafe Kaos too and really liked it! We thought their coffee was fantastic.