From river to railway, Pakington Street is a multicultural melting pot of design, fashion and cuisine.
Celebrated annually during the colourful Pako Festa, the strip shopping destination is littered with international tastemakers, world-first eating experiences, cute cafes and the humble pub, welcoming all walks of life to be part of the street’s smorgasbord.
As a major dining destination in the region, Pakington Street is unpassable. Here are our top picks for eats along the strip.
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Baah Lah! Dining
Baah Lah! Dining takes your tongue on a trip to Asia through vibrant ingredients and flavours. Siew Mei, bao buns, shaved wagyu beef, Singapore Chili Crab Doughnuts; the menu at Baah Lah! requires the exclamation mark, adding excitement to eating out. Merging modern cuisine with time-honoured techniques, the Baah Lah is an experience like no other with sharing options, keep-to-yourself options and of course dessert. Rounding out the night with Stuffed Korean Pancake is a must!
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Splatters Cheese Bar
You’ve heard of sushi trains but what about a cheese train? Well, Splatters Cheese Bar proudly holds the trophy of being the first cheese train in the southern hemisphere. From their humble van beginnings to the shop front, Jo Bangles and Tennille Moisel have created a community inside their cheese and craft beer-filled hub. It’s not just block cheese that you find in there either, they have integrated cheese into hot food options including cheesy pizzas, arancini and their famous 5 cheese mac.
Tulip Bar and Restaurant
A stalwart favourite of the Geelong fine dining community is Tulip Bar and Restaurant. Offering a two or four-course menu of shared seasonal dishes, as well as an ala carte, their menu is designed to sample all items. Tulip is the brainchild of Manager Dan Ford and Chef Mike Jaques, who aim to deliver dynamic and innovative dishes to make for a memorable dining experience.
Two Noble
If contemporary Asian dining is the game, Two Noble is the name. Hidden upstairs in the historic Sawyers Arms Tavern on Noble Street between Pakington and GMHBA Stadium, Two Noble is led by Executive Chef Mario Tambajong, boasting a culinary journey menu exploring South East Asia. Intended as shared dining, the fusion of South East Asian styling and Australian contemporary cuisine hits the spot, even more so when paired with their delicious cocktail concoctions.
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King of the Castle
A warehouse turned coffee haven, King of the Castle is a local favourite for breakfast, lunch and brunch. Fancy an eggs benny or a gourmet burger? Their classic options are fit for a king. Inside the expansive rustic hall, you will find cosy corners to nestle into with an almond chai and a bold bakery pick. It’s the perfect spot for catch-ups with friends, and those of the furry kind are also welcome. King of the Castle is kid-friendly as well so there is no excuse not to go for a coffee date!
Meet Me At Mary’s
“Hey, do you want to go out?” “Sure, meet me at Mary’s?” The name lends itself to being to the local hang. This contemporary wine bar and restaurant specialises in modern Australian cuisine with inspiration from Korean and Mediterranean cuisines. Similar to its sister restaurant, The Arborist, Mary’s is for the sharers, sampling a variety of delicious dishes. Pair that with their wine and cocktail options and you have a winning combination. The glorious industrial warehouse setting only adds to the atmosphere, quickly making it a focal point of Geelong West.
Box Office Café
Box Office claims the best coffee in Geelong and to be honest they might just be! On a side street off the strip on Preston Street, Box Office Café is an indoor, outdoor hybrid specially designed for the inclusion of kids and pets with a sandpit to keep the kidlets entertained. From their avocado toast for the millennials to their breakfast waffles, Box Office is a regular spot for locals. In the afternoon bar service commences for a cheeky post-work wine.
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I Ragazzi
With a prosciutto pizza to die for, i Ragazzi is one of the best pizza and pasta spots in the region, bringing the heart of Italy into the inner suburbs. If the prosciutto pizza didn’t stop you in your tracks then listen to this list: mozzarella, zucchini, prawns, cherry tomatoes, chilli, and mint make up the Gamberi Pizza; tomato, mozzarella, grilled eggplant and salted ricotta round out the Otto Pizza and mozzarella, mortadella, stracciatella cheese, and a sprinkling of pistachio prime the Mortadella Pizza. Or you can go for the classics like casarecce meatballs or gnocchi sorrentina. Bellissimo!
Murphys
Just rounding the corner of Pakington Street on Aberdeen, follow the rainbow to find Murphys. Formerly Irish Murphy’s, this pub has a rich history as the designated Irish pub in the region. Their upstairs Skygarden offers bay views, overlooking the town of Geelong including the Library dome and the big waterfront ferris wheel. With an abundance of cold drinks on tap and a list ten miles long of cocktails, Murphy’s food selection consists of the classics. Add in bottomless brunch and a house band and you have a winning combination!
Queen of the West
A reincarnation of the past, Queen of the West returns to its roots. Previously The Barking Dog, Queen of the West is an iconic pub, bar and restaurant full of good entertainment and great food. Parmis galore, burgers, barramundi and beer – what more could you want from a busy pub! Maybe a seafood pasta, which they also have! Making it even more enticing for the family, they have just opened a kid’s playground out the back to keep the kids entertained.
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Now are you feeling hungry? Well at least you know where to go!
Head to the Tourism Geelong & The Bellarine website for more ideas on what to see and do in Geelong.
This article was made in partnership with Tourism Greater Geelong & The Bellarine.
