Best Geelong eatery openings of 2022
A raft of great restaurants, cafes and bars have opened up in Geelong over the past year. Take a look at some of our favourites.
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A raft of great restaurants, cafes and bars have opened up in Geelong over the past year. Take a look at some of our favourites.
Hecho En Mexico
A new eatery has brought a new take on Mexican cuisine to Eastern Beach.
Hecho En Mexico opened up a new chain on Western Beach Rd earlier this year.
The popular restaurant offers classic Mexican street food with plenty of vegan and vegetarian varieties.
And the restaurant’s vibrant decor paid tribute to Mexican holiday of Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead.
“We’ve had our eye on Geelong for a while and we’re thrilled to be able to finally open our doors and arms to the locals,” founder Menak Grover says.
“Hecho En Mexico is proud of our quality food and service, we’re here to showcase delicious Mexican cuisine and can’t wait for everyone to experience what we’re all about.”
Two Tins Patisserie
Two Tins Patisserie has taken Geelong West by storm.
The much-loved eatery run by Tanja Duncan and daughter Rachel capitalised on the popularity of sweet treats they sold at markets across the region.
The menu is full of classic desserts, many made with a unique twist.
“My motto has always been if I want to do something right, I need to know what I’m doing otherwise I can’t do it right,” Ms Duncan told gt magazine in October.
“I can follow a recipe, sure, but to get it right I always wanted to know. Even now I’m constantly in search of answers.”
VID dessert bar
Dessert lovers found a sugar hit in Highton with the opening of VID Bar.
The Village Ice Cream Dessert bar was opened by brothers Spiro and Nicholas Alesios in tribute to the Greek sweet treats they loved growing up
“We’ve always been a bit passionate about dessert and ice cream,” Spiro said.
“Our sister has an ice cream shop in St Leonards, we thought we might go in our own direction and create something a little bit closer to home.”.
The popular eatery offers Greek doughnuts and 31 flavours of ice-cream.
“Greek doughnuts are something that hasn’t hit the Geelong market just yet and we’ve decided to bring them in here as an idea,” Spiro said.
“There’s nothing really that’s been done like that here, we’ve seen an opening.”
Eden Oak
Geelong’s newest four-star hotel opened at Eastern Park.
Eastern Oak, formerly the Geelong Conference Centre, was transformed by a Melbourne property developer.
The 1.6ha site has been modernised and hosts escapes, corporate functions, weddings and other events.
“Once we took over, we decided to revamp it and update the look and feel but still pay homage to the architecture,” managing director Katherine Liu said.
“We want to create a different sort of retreat, a different conferencing venue and a different kind of accommodation experience for people in Geelong, Melbourne and the surrounding area.”
Florence and Me Cafe
Geelong foodies fell in love with the opening of Florence and Me cafe in the CBD.
Owner Ian Martin, a 40-year hospitality veteran, wanted the menu to be accessible to people of all needs and tastebuds.
“Vegan and gluten free food, it’s important,” Mr Martin said.
“It’s a market that you need to tap into. There’s a need for it. So many people come in wanting vegan, wanting gluten free, and both.
“When I say ‘I’ve got options for you’ it makes them happy.
“It’s what we’re here for – to provide a service, give people a good experience, and have them leave smiling and happy.”
Mr Martin has worked across almost every Australian state, spent a decade in London and six months in France and the Czech Republic.
“There’ll be staples that people can rely on, but there will be five or six dishes that will always evolve,” he said.
“I’m trying to have a good balance in the offering.
Ceres Distillery
A Ceres distillery has expanded into Grovedale.
The popular offering owned by Ross and Denise Johnston dropped into the estate behind the Surf Coast Hwy earlier this year.
“We think we’ve done a pretty good job of making this place relaxing and attractive to people,” Ross said.
Customers can enjoy a “Japanese-inspired tapas menu” with a range of beers, cocktails, wine and mocktails.
“We never wanted to be a restaurant and we’re not chefs or restaurateurs. The whole focus is the distillery, the gin and pairing it with some tasty nibbles to have with it,” Denise said.
“We wanted to be more inclusive, to offer something for everyone. Again, focus on the gin but not everyone enjoys gin and they want to come out together and relax.”
Kaldero Cafe
The popular Kaldero Cafe was opened by Ray Alivia in May.
“That’s what we always use. We cook things with love and passion – that’s our slogan as well,” Ray told gt magazine at the time.
“We try and be more passionate every time we cook and get in touch with all the customers and get feedback so we can meet their expectations.”
Mr Alivia started his hospitality journey in 2012 with the elite special forces of the Philippines army. But his career took a turn after his family moved down under so his wife could continue her studies.
Kaldero’s menu draws from modern Australian and Asian fusion with Filipino influences.
“Filipino cuisine is similar to Vietnamese cuisine and Thai cuisine. A lot of people don’t recognise our food because it hasn’t been exposed yet to other communities and other demographics,” he said.
Kalye Marinas
A group of businesswomen opened Geelong West’s seafood boil restaurant.
Kalye Marinas is owned by Filipino couples Kristine Alvarez and Honey Lynne Caranguian, and Richcy Sigre and Abigail Almonte and opened in late September.
Customers are given bibs and gloves before they dig into the meal in a “messy dining” experience.
“They choose their own seafood and own flavour then the seafood is boiled and mixed in that flavour and can be bought straight to their table,” Ms Caranguian said.
Drunken Dumpling Bar
A homesickness for authentic dumplings has inspired Little Malop St’s latest foodie haven.
Drunken Dumpling Bar, the latest venture from the team at Sober Ramen, has been a smash hit since its opening earlier this month.
Restaurateur Alex Pan said the hustle and bustle, community aspect of dumpling shops back home in China was something he wanted to replicate in Victoria.
“I’ve spent half my life in Geelong, but I have deep memories of the dumplings shops back home,’’ he said.
“They’re always busy, with grandmas and aunties wrapping freshly made dumplings. It’s what we wanted to replicate.
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Originally published as Best Geelong eatery openings of 2022
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