NewsBite

Advertisement

Petrel Hotel

A historical watering hole, revived.

T-bone steak.
1 / 9T-bone steak.Duncan Jacob
Inside the Geelong West pub.
2 / 9Inside the Geelong West pub.Derek Swalwell
Assorted pub grub.
3 / 9Assorted pub grub.Duncan Jacon
Cheeseburger.
4 / 9Cheeseburger.Duncan Jacob
Outside the corner pub.
5 / 9Outside the corner pub.Duncan Jacob
Chicken schnitzel with garlic butter.
6 / 9Chicken schnitzel with garlic butter.Duncan Jacob
Crumbed snapper with chips and tartare.
7 / 9Crumbed snapper with chips and tartare.Duncan Jacob
Pull up a seat at the bar.
8 / 9Pull up a seat at the bar.Derek Swalwell
Cosy interiors.
9 / 9Cosy interiors.Derek Swalwell

Critics' Pick

Pub dining$$

Isn’t it wonderful when a classic pub gets a facelift, but you can still see its old smile lines? With 175 runs on the board, the Petrel’s new owners swapped the Keno for pinot (although there’s still Carlton on tap).

Mains are from pub heartland but some entrees could be served at a city wine bar. Plump octopus is flame-licked and paired with tangy almond cream and pleasantly bitter shiso leaves. A caramelised shallot and white wine sauce lapping Portarlington mussels is bright yet rich, begging for hunks of charred sourdough. A belter of a gravy rides shotgun with beef bangers and mash, while a bright lemon-herb crumb elevates snapper and chips.

Vintage sports memorabilia covers the walls, and the beaut front bar is dog-friendly. Locals jostle for seats beside the freestanding fireplace in winter, ready to make a few smile lines of their own.

Continue this series

Geelong & Bellarine
Up next
Mussels with macadamia “tofu” and fish-eye crackers.

Samesyn

Food for Good winner showcases ethics in action.

Songbird serves up northern Thai BBQ dishes.

Songbird Thai BBQ

Technicolour fitout matches turned-up flavours.

Previous
Mortadeli is a pasta bar, deli and grocer in one.

Mortadeli Pasta Bar

Cheery hotspot for first-rate pasta and quirky vino.

See all stories

From our partners

Advertisement
Advertisement

Original URL: https://www.theage.com.au/goodfood/vic-good-food-guide/petrel-hotel-20241116-p5kr6v.html