For many of us, memories of the beach include seaside holidays in idyllic coastal towns like Queenscliffe and Point Londsale on the Bellarine. The best of those experiences involves finding locations for something delicious to eat.
Nothing can beat the mix of sea breeze, freshly made local produce and your best mates hanging out on the coast for a holiday or quick escape.
We’re lucky to have so many scrumptious food options in and around our towns. There’s something for everyone, from casual dining options to sophisticated experiences that are sure to delight.
Here are a few select options of where to eat in the historic Borough of Queenscliffe.
Award winning Fish & Chips and Australia’s Best Pies at Rolling Pin Bakery in Queenscliff.
Many of us have nostalgic memories of visiting Queenscliff over the years. Enjoying tasty treats walking along the main street, perched under a tree in the seaside parks or enjoying the sea breeze as you cosy up on the beach and take in the views. The ice creams were cold and always seemed to melt too quickly, running down the sides of the cone.
Better still are the days you would catch the old ferries from Sorrento across the water to take a stroll around beautiful Queenscliff. Nowadays you can still have that experience with or without your car on Searoad Ferries.
Enjoying fish and chips by the beach was a whole family affair. As everyone picked their favourite option, from fresh flake caught locally to calamari or good old dim sims and a potato cake. Like magic, the sea air enhanced the experience as you fought off those chip hunting seagulls and made memories that would last a lifetime.
Don’t worry. The good old days are still here, and so are fish and chips, bakeries and everything you remember, plus a wealth of new destinations and venues to wine, dine, drink, dance, love and laugh in.
Fish & Chips and Tasty Pies by The Beach or Harbour
The Trident Fish Bar Queenscliff on Gellibrand Street serves the best fish and chips in Victoria. They even have a People’s Choice Victoria by FRDC award saying so. This family-owned and operated business has spent the past 30 years perfecting their batter and cooking fresh quality seafood.
People drive from all over to eat their perfectly crispy flake and devine chips, served by friendly staff set in the most blissful location on a sunny day. Order your lunch and enjoy it across the road at the Foreshore Reserve with pristine water views. What an outstanding way to spend an afternoon in Queenscliff. Located opposite Princess park and the famous pier it’s the ideal place for a picnic, and guess what it’s right next door to the Queenscliff Brewhouse.
If pastries are more your taste, Rolling Pin Bakery has been crafting perfect pies for over 20 years to become one of the most awarded bakeries in the country, once again winning Australia’s Best Pie 2021 & 2022. Their famous pies are full of home baked goodness and made from 100% Tasmanian Greenham Natural Beef.
The staff are always happy and welcoming. So drop in and try one of their 15 winning gourmet pies or tasty pasties, sausage rolls and quiches that also come in family sizes and are made in house daily. Don’t forget to indulge in their delicious assortment of cakes, slices, tarts, donuts, cupcakes, biscuits and party food that make the best day.
48 Flavours of Ice Cream
After your fish and chip feast, why not cool down with something icy and sweet from The Scandinavian Ice Cream Company. There are 48 mouth-watering flavours of ice cream, sorbets and gelato to choose from, including vegan flavours and a variety of cones. Try their sublime nut cones with your favourite flavour. So when you’re strolling along Hesse Street in Queenscliffe, pop into this beauty of an ice cream shop and be spoiled for choice, the flavours are all scrumptious. There is something for everyone.
Discover gourmet restaurants in Queenscliff
It’s not only the appetising chips, rolls and ice creams at the beach that are made in Queenscliff, there’s the ultimate in restaurants and cafes to discover too.
Queenscliff has the best of both worlds with award-winning casual eating options and world-class dining.
Iconic Waterfront Dining
If you’re looking for a restaurant with exquisite views, 360Q is sure to impress. With multi-million dollar yacht views of the marina, this iconic two-storey dining venue is situated right on the waterfront at Queenscliffe Harbour.
The sensational dining menu was created by the most talented chefs from the Bellarine and Mornington Peninsulas. The set menu serves modern Australian fare inspired by global flavours, using the freshest local produce from across the Bellarine Peninsula.
You’ll find the relaxed atmosphere and tasty dishes the perfect place for a date night, special occasion, leisurely lunch, or cocktails with friends.
Share an award winning meal and admire scenic views.
For stunning and panoramic views of Queenscliffe and Swan Bay, Basil’s Farm is not to be missed. This beautiful setting houses a fabulous selection of artisan wines, a farmhouse cafe with spectacular views and edible gardens full of goodness. Bring the kids and they can feed the Llamas, play in the sandpit or kick the footy around the wide open spaces.
A short drive from Queenscliffe and nestled in the heart of Bellarine Peninsula wine country is Merne at Lighthouse. Hidden amongst olive groves and native gums, this secluded contemporary venue has impressive views of lush rolling hills and Swan Bay from the verandah and dining room. Guests get to share from a multiple-dish grazing menu with a selection of mains and desserts. Everything is beautifully prepared and presented and has a delectable combination of flavours.
Unique food options in Point Lonsdale
A short drive away from Queenscliff, at the entrance to Port Phillip Bay, is the quaint seaside town of Point Lonsdale with beachfront dining plus uninterrupted views of the infamous shipping channel, The Rip. Pasquini’s Deli and Cafe in Point Lonsdale is right in the main strip with breathtaking views and sensational coffee. There’s a bakery for freshly baked gourmet goodies and a dining area for customers to sit down and look out over the ocean. Dogs are welcome too. So pull up a chair for a hearty breakfast, lunch or dinner in the restaurant next door with loads more to choose from.
Raising the bar with boutique wine offerings is Noble Rot Wine Bar in Point Lonsdale. This seaside wine bar is popular with the locals and wine connoisseur’s alike. There is an amazing range of local and international boutique wines, beers and ciders, and they also serve up some delicious and seasonal a la carte food. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming and just waiting for you to join in the good vives.
Pick from two special dining options at the Lonsdale Links Golf Club. There’s a more casual bistro-style at the state-of-the-art Clubhouse for after work drinks, or indulging in tea and cake or a lounge menu for lunch and dinner. All while basking in the spectacular views of Lake Victoria and the lush green fairways. You can also indulge in the restaurant, Lago’s Italian-inspired menu where there is an Italian and European gustation fusion to delight everyone who attends.
The low down on The Blues Train food
In 1994, the team from Pasquini’s Deli teamed up with local music aficionado Hugo T Armstrong to run the first ever Blues Train event on the Bellarine Railway for one night only. The rest they say is history. Hugo T Armstrong still runs the Blues Train and you can still find his friends and former business partners, including their son’s Ned and Mark, now running Pasquini’s in Point Lonsdale.
Just like fish and chips on the beach, a night on the Blues Train takes you back to a bygone era of stream and the clickety-clat of the tracks while you sing along to blues and roots tunes that are more familiar than you might have realised.
While the Blues Train has been running for 29 years, the food has come a long way just like our town has. So if you’re thinking of jumping on board here’s the low down of the dining options on board the legendary Blues Train.
The Blues Train has Two Menus
When you board The Blues Train, grab your drinks at the T-Bar and settle into your carriage it’s then time to enjoy your meal. There are two buffet dinner menus, depending on the time of year, one for daylight savings and non-daylight savings.
Each is blues inspired and made by our awesome Blues Train chefs and served by our wonderful, friendly, funny and very professional staff.
SUNSET SEASON (DAYLIGHT SAVINGS) MENU
- Slow-cooked pulled beef in a chipotle BBQ sauce (GF)
- Zesty oven-baked lemon chicken breast (GF)
- Fresh seasonal tossed leaf salad with a lemon vinaigrette (GF)
- Spinach, feta and bacon buckwheat pasta salad in a fresh basil pesto (GF)
- Carrot and cabbage slaw in a creamy dressing (GF, VEGAN)
- Tuscan pear and roasted capsicum rocket salad, with olives and parmesan (GF)
- Ancient grain salad of couscous, mixed rice & quinoa with spinach, corn, cranberries & pomegranates
- Twice cooked potatoes
- Bread rolls with easy-spread butter (GF rolls available upon request)
MOONLIGHT SEASON (NON-DAYLIGHT SAVINGS) MENU
- Slow-cooked and pulled beef in a chipotle BBQ sauce (GF)
- Creamy oven-baked seeded mustard chicken breast (GF)
- Carrot and cabbage slaw in a creamy dressing (GF, VEGAN)
- Roast pumpkin, chickpea & rocket salad w/ feta (GF, VEG)
- Ancient grain salad of couscous, mixed rice & quinoa with spinach, corn, cranberries & pomegranates
- Cauliflower, broccoli and baby pea cheese bake (GF)
- Twice cooked potatoes
- Bread rolls with easy-spread butter (GF rolls available upon request)
And for the sauce lovers amongst you, we have condiments galore. Including a range of medium and hot BBQ sauces, tabasco hot sauce, seeded mustard, mango chutney, sour cream, assorted pickled vegetables and salt & pepper.
We are also happy to provide special meals for people on a vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, coeliac or specific allergen diet upon request, or to those who may have a medical condition precluding our standard menu items. To avoid any disappointment, please submit any special dietary requirements to our caterers a minimum of 14 days prior to the show via our online contact form.
There’s a delicious variety of meals to choose from and you won’t go hungry as there is plenty of it!
Every scrumptious dish is top-notch, delicious, generous, full of flavour and well presented.
It’s a very well-organised and streamlined part of the evening and you get to enjoy a chat with your fellow Blues Train passengers and have a hearty meal in your carriage before the music begins to take off and you’re up and dancing the night away.
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