Best Casual Restaurants in Lara

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

ItalianSeafoodIndianJapanesePizzeriaBarbecue

Regions

Geelong

Neighborhoods

CorioGeelong City CenterGeelong WestNewcombNewtown

Top Rated

CharmingDog-friendlyFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasions

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Gender-neutral restroomWheelchair access

27 restaurants available nearby

A photo of General Public - Corio restaurant

1. General Public - Corio

4.1

Excellent(36)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Australian • Corio

Booked 2 times today

GENERAL PUBLIC IT'S ALL IN THE NAME.There really is something for all ages under one stylish roof!Groovy beats, sleek ten pin bowling lanes, & THE BEST digital arcade games in Melbourne. We all love a bit of a feisty table tennis match, or perhaps a few sips around the pool tables (AKA playing a game of pool).Gram worthy function rooms, & a rooftop carpark for those large events.We almost forgot- the TASTIEST menu & fully equipped bars with all your favourite cocktails.

2. The Petrel Hotel

4.7

Exceptional(118)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Gastro Pub • Geelong West

Booked 18 times today

Welcome to Geelong's oldest pub the Petrel Hotel!We are a food focused pub and restaurant offering generous and genuine hospitality from the walls of a historic building. Head chef Molly Fuge brings local and international flavours together with classic pub dishes like The Petrel Cheeseburger and Lemon Herb Crumbed Snapper + Chips. Glazed Beef Skewers with Mango Chimichurri are already a house staple, Oysters shucked to order with pomegranate granita and a perfect Lamb Rump sits atop heirloom tomatoes, black olive and green beans await you!Join us in our light filled dining room dressed with paintings and treasures that nod to Australian pubs and county homes. Our grand wooden bar sits at solidly offering a home to wine with a focus on smaller Australian producers with a few international gems nestled between. Ice cold beer taps flow and simple considered cocktails line the bar. The Petrel Hotel team awaits you to sit, sip, eat and enjoy.

A photo of Justin Lane Geelong restaurant

3. Justin Lane Geelong

4.4

Awesome(274)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Geelong City Center

Booked 5 times today

Since we started in Burleigh Heads, QLD back in 2011, Justin Lane has grown into a popular restaurant, bar and event space – expanding more recently into Geelong. We’d love to have you here! Take a quick look online before you book your next outing at JL.

A photo of Pavilion Geelong / Caledonia Shores restaurant

4. Pavilion Geelong / Caledonia Shores

4.1

Excellent(306)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Modern Australian • Geelong City Center

Booked 3 times today

Pavilion Geelong is a modern cafe along the shore of Eastern Beach, serving breakfast, lunch, coffee, and takeaway sweet and savoury treats. Open 6:30am - 4:00pm, 7 Days. Located upstairs, Caledonia Shores is a modern approach to Asian freestyle dining with beautiful house cocktails, Asian dishes, and vibes. Open 5pm - Late, Thursday, Friday and Saturday

5. Centra Hotel

4.7

Exceptional(84)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Geelong West

Booked 4 times today

Centra Hotel is a family owned and run historic corner hotel, conveniently located in the Geelong CBD.Boasting an impressive selection of wine, cocktails, and serving the best in Italian fare, Centra is a popular dining choice for both Geelong locals and visitors to the region.If you’re looking to have larger groups for dinner, the Private Dining Room can accommodate up to 14 guests, and the building’s multiple indoor & outdoor event spaces can be set for groups of up to 30 for full à la carte service upon request.After a space for a stand-up event? We can host groups of up to 120 people across multiple spaces for your event. Head to www.centrahotel.com.au/functions to check out the available event spaces and the function booklet.Please Note: -Some areas in the building are not Wheelchair Accessible.-Smaller bookings may be subject to a maximum 2-hour sitting time.-Non-Refundable deposits to hold larger bookings may apply.We look forward to seeing you soon.Team Centra.

A photo of Malt Shovel Taphouse Geelong restaurant

6. Malt Shovel Taphouse Geelong

4.6

Exceptional(490)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Modern Australian • Geelong City Center

Booked 1 time today

At Malt Shovel, we still remember our first craft beer. A life-changing moment. A world of floral hops. A world of toffee malts. A world of discovery, refreshment and satisfaction. Craft beer was here and things would be the same again.At Malt Shovel Taphouse Geelong the focus will be on authentic stories and flavours that make craft beer so unique. It will have a changing roster of great beers combined with great people and great food. **Please note** Inside bookings are a combination of low tables are high tables and chairs. Bookings of 10+ will be on a high table. All bookings outside are required to order at the bar.All Friday-Sunday bookings of 20+ prior to 8.30 will be required to choose one of our group menus please send us an email to confirm these options.Kitchen: Sunday-Wednesday 11.30-3pm then 5-approx 8.30Friday & Saturday 11.30am-3 then 5-approx 8.30

7. I Ragazzi

4.7

Exceptional(61)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Newtown

Booked 2 times today

A small intimate Italian/Sicilian restaurant focusing on Casalinga style (home style) pizza and pasta dishes. Italian cocktails and delicious wines.

A photo of Sir Charles Darling Hotel restaurant

8. Sir Charles Darling Hotel

4.7

Exceptional(182)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Pub • Geelong City Center

Booked 5 times today

We are a traditional family run pub that has resisted the urge to become upmarket and overly prententious, offering restaurant quality food at pub prices.You will be lucky to find a busier pub or even restaurant on weekdays than ours.Our 300g Porterhouse steak has become a Geelong icon, offering unrivalled quality at a very competitive price. Couple that with our Parmi's and it become obvious why we have such a wide range of customers, with many choosing to have birthdays an general gatherings here. Let our customers tell you what they think of our pub: “super friendly staff… food was amazing …fabulous pub … lots of locals … steak cooked to perfection …awesome staff … good family atmosphere … nice beer garden … our favourite pub … staff are lovely … really good food … best pub for a steak ... what an unreal find … couldn’t believe the prices” And the comment that comes up the most – “we’ll definitely be back”

9. Fishermen's Pier

4.6

Exceptional(642)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Geelong City Center

Booked 8 times today

Fishermen's Pier is a Seafood Restaurant located on the Geelong Waterfront for over 40 years, providing exceptional caring service.We offer an extensive menu of fresh local seasonal produce alongside our wine list featuring international and local wines. Situated on the water in a boat styled restaurant we offer marina and bay views to all of our guests.Come and enjoy great food and service with a stunning view to match.Private dining room available for up to 25 guests, full venue functions and weddings are welcome. Feel free to contact the restaurant on 03 52224100 for any function bookings.

10. Iska Hawker Grill

3.8

Excellent(5)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Southeast Asian • Geelong West

Welcome to Iska Hawker Grill, your destination for authentic Southeast Asian street food in the heart of Geelong. We specialize in delicious, charcoal-grilled dishes inspired by the vibrant hawker markets of Asia. Every bite is infused with bold flavors and a touch of tradition, from smoky satays to sizzling skewers. At Iska, we bring the street food experience to you—fresh, flavorful, and fired to perfection. Come join us for a culinary adventure!

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

O
Oscar
Victoria •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Was a lively place for a date night out. Great experience and great food. Would recommend. Hospitality was Awsome.
More info
Pavilion Geelong / Caledonia ShoresPrice: Moderate• Modern Australian• Geelong City Center
•
4.1
G
Geoffrey
Victoria •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Amazing food very well seasoned and magnificent flavour. The service was very wonderful and felt like we didn't get rushed with the service. My partner and I shall definitely be going back to this restaurant again.
More info
The Petrel HotelPrice: Expensive• Gastro Pub• Geelong West
•
4.7
C
Charlotte
Victoria •1 review
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
So free of pretension and stuffed with excitement and flavor. It was one of the most amazing, full-flavored food you had to eat. The staff was friendly and welcoming. We had a fantastic time!
More info
Centra HotelPrice: Expensive• Italian• Geelong West
•
4.7
R
Ryan
Victoria •6 reviews
4.0
Dined on Feb 8, 2025
Great evening out for my son’s 14 birthday. Bowling was fantastic, even if they couldn’t find our booking - lucky I could prove payment. Did some games and darts, everyone had fun. Purchased 4 different kinds of pizzas that all looked the same. Minimal service, tables not cleaned when someone leaves and no water glasses available. We still had fun, prices are pretty up there unfortunately.
More info
General Public - CorioPrice: Moderate• Australian• Corio
•
4.1
C
Carolyn
New York City •3 reviews
4.0
Dined on Feb 8, 2025
We had an excellent rocket salad and a perfect mushroom pizza. Overall great dining. Noisy groups near us a bit intrusive. Early in the evening staffing very light but good.
More info
Justin Lane GeelongPrice: Expensive• Italian• Geelong City Center
•
4.4

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