Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Victoria

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Victoria? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

The Whiskery

4.8

4.8 (790)

$41 to $100

Wine Bar

Geelong City Center

About the restaurant

The Whiskery is the cellar door for Bellarine Distillery. The Whiskery is an 18 years plus only venue .Babies under 12 months are an exception. The original farm shed has been renovated and is a rustic and inviting space to have a yarn over a cocktail, gin or whisky with friends.
During warmer days the gardens and decks provide a relaxing environment and during the colder months a spot beside the fire is most enticing.
Primarily our own Gins are on offer for consumption and sale, with the Whisky being available in due course - STAY TUNED. We also have a wider selection of whiskies also available for tasting. For those who wish to have an alternative to Gin or Whisky ( why? ) we do have a few of the local wines , beers and ciders available plus some soft options for the drivers.
We have a limited food menu which includes a couple of simple pizzas and cheese & produce platters .
Please note bookings are for 2 hr blocks.

Top review

Peter

Dined on Dec 18, 2024

Great day dining in the garden. As usual, excellent service. It’s always good to share platters and boards with family.

Killik Handcrafted Rum

4.8

4.8 (155)

$41 to $100

Distillery

Belgrave

About the restaurant

At Killik, we blend the art of handcrafted rum and gin with a welcoming atmosphere that’s perfect for enjoying your favorite drinks.

One-of-a-Kind Australian Rum: Taste our unique, high-ester rum—crafted using traditional Jamaican techniques—offering flavors you won’t find anywhere else in Australia.

Award-Winning Spirits: Sip on our critically acclaimed rum and gin, crafted to perfection and sure to impress.

Freshly Made Pasta: Treat yourself to our house-made pasta, the perfect pairing for any cocktail.

Unique Australian Rums: Explore a curated selection of exceptional Australian rums at our bar.

Whether you're a rum connoisseur, a gin lover, or just seeking a great spot to unwind, Killik has something for everyone. Book your table today and discover why Killik is the go-to destination for rum and gin in Melbourne. We can’t wait to welcome you!

Top review

Fiona

Dined on Dec 12, 2024

At the base of the Sherbrooke Forest just out of Belgrave is this little distillery is a gem. With private nooks, outdoor seating & tasting area, it has something for everyone. The cocktails are as fancy as the food and staff are lovely and attentive. As a local, I love to take my interstate & overseas guests here to showcase what great places we have here in the hills.

Tar Barrel Brewery & Distillery

4.7

4.7 (327)

$40 and under

Pizzeria

Mornington

About the restaurant

Tar Barrel is a well known 'local's corner' on the Mornington Peninsula and named by road builders storing tar barrels during road building through the area.
TAR BARREL Brewery & Distillery has seen Matt Bebe and Andrew Gow reunite to continue producing award winning craft beers at 72 Watt Road Mornington. And now with the introduction of a whiskey and gin distillery it has widened their ability to offer more crafted taste experiences.
The venue will also maintain their belief in 'The Spirit of Local' - a commitment to supporting and sourcing from the Mornington Peninsula community.
Core and specialty beers, produced onsite, are available on tap to enjoy alongside their smoked BBQ and famous wood-fired pizzas. You can also try their crafted spirits - Australian Whiskey, Gin & Vodka, as well as local wines.
Sit back and relax in the beer garden. Dogs on leads always welcomed.
A true Mornington Peninsula experience.
A destination not to be missed.

Top review

Angela

Dined on Nov 17, 2024

Fantastic venue. Staff are friendly, food was amazing. I would highly recommend

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Experience

Beer Tasting Paddle (4)

Last One Inn

4.7

4.7 (323)

$41 to $100

Australian

Anglesea

About the restaurant

Perched on the rugged coastline of Australia’s iconic Great Ocean Road is a sleepy beach side town with a new kid on the block. A 70’s beach shack has been given a new lease on life and is serving up great food and vibes in a picturesque location.

All bookings of 8 or more are required to be on our Chef Selection menu $65pp kids under 12 exempt, dietaries catered for.

Garden tables are outside & are subject to weather.

Top review

Paul

Dined on Dec 14, 2024

A great position overlooking the river (we had a table on the terrace. Very good food and service. Steak was exceptional. Staff were friendly without being over familiar. Cocktails were awesome and they made me a fab Long Island iced tea without any fuss although it wasn’t on their list. A really enjoyable experience

Frankston Brewhouse

4.6

4.6 (305)

$40 and under

Tapas / Small Plates

Frankston

About the restaurant

Frankston Brewhouse is micro-brewery and restaurant serving socially approachable craft beer, seasonal share plates, regionally specific wine and locally sourced spirits.

Top review

Michelle

Dined 5 days ago

The food is awesome very tasty & presentation top notch The berry bliss & citrus cocktail was just average just like cordial in a drinking glass

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Experience

Brewery Tour - December

Experience

Trivia on Tap - January

Experience

Drag Bingo - January

Bridge Road Brewers

4.5

4.5 (737)

$40 and under

Brewery

Beechworth

About the restaurant

Bridge Road HQ is situated in a circa 1850s Victorian Gold rush era coach house. This beautiful building has been our home since 2006.

Our venue is famous far and wide not only for its beer and food but a relaxed family-friendly atmosphere.
Our taproom showcases a rotating 20 tap house-brewed line-up featuring core range favourites and limited releases in a wide range of styles to cater for all beer lovers.

Beer's not your thing? We pour a curated selection of wine, gin, and whisky all local to the North East.
The Bridge Road pizzeria takes the Austrian Alps meets Northern Italian influence of co-founder Maria Kraus and puts it through the filter of the Victorian High Country, making for pizzas worthy of a road trip.

We love to celebrate local and seasonal produce where possible, and we’re proud to champion the best in our region.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 3 days ago

Every part of the experience went smoothly. Pizza was more spicy than my wife liked but it was good!!

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Popular dish

Prawn

Sooki Lounge

4.5

4.5 (81)

$40 and under

Spanish

Belgrave

About the restaurant

From the home of live music in the hills, Belgrave. Sooki Lounge is a staple to the thriving arts & dining scene in the hills, Dandenong Ranges Melbourne.

A nationally recognised venue comprising of a number of unique areas. Whether it is aesthetic dining, a tree-lined beer garden, the large main bar, to a jungle bar below decks.

Our delicious Spanish inspired menu is second to none. Savor our craft beer, cocktails, and not to mention an awesome selection of gin at the bar. Revel in the large array of fantastic entertainment. Whether it be live music gigs, open mic, karaoke. Yep. All types of music for all ages.

Having a function? Then we can help you too. Just ask.

Enjoy the chilled vibes out at Sooki Lounge. Savour the delicious dining and bar in Belgrave soon.

Top review

ross

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

the service was good especially Kayley the performance was great. food good and reasonably priced

The Wooli Tavern

4.5

4.5 (256)

$40 and under

Australian

Phillip Island

About the restaurant

Family friendly tavern situated in the small coastal town of Cape Woolamai on Phillip Island. Classic pub menu with added modern dishes. C.U.B. beer on tap, beautiful local wines, fun cocktails and live entertainment every weekend. Pool tables and a large private function room available. Pet friendly.

Top review

Bruce

Dined 4 days ago

Great food and environment. A very pleasant afternoon

Dainton Brewery

4.3

4.3 (609)

$40 and under

Barbecue

Carrum Downs

About the restaurant

Our Carrum Downs Taphouse is open to the public five days a week from Wednesday to Sunday. Enjoy a range of core and limited Dainton releases, as well as a local guest cider, all expertly poured from our 18 custom taps.
Be wowed by our award-winning and unique beers and grab some food from Q-BBQ, serving up real 'low and slow' American wood smoke BBQ

We’ve always got something happening, including Wednesday trivia in the main bar,, special live music & limited edition beer launches
-The Main room is the heart beat of the venue and can get loud and rowdy, with Live music and Trivia - great for those looking for a party!
-The Laneway is covered area just off the main room, a lot more chilled and great for those wanting a chat.
-The covered beer garden has gas heaters and stays dry with a big roof, great for families with a little kids areaand people with dogs.
=Barcade on the mezzanine, want to watch footy or play some pool? head upstairs, great for casual groups.

Top review

Daniel

Dined on Dec 14, 2024

Absolutely enjoyed our time. Food was fantastic!! Thank you.

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Experience

Taphouse Trivia - QBBQ Steak Night

Experience

Bouncy Castle EVERY SUNDAY

Experience

Cocktails - Buy one get one free All Night

Bright Brewery

4.2

4.2 (1436)

$40 and under

Brewery

Bright

About the restaurant

At Bright Brewery, we brew an adventurous range of independent craft beers on the banks of the Ovens River, in the heart of Bright, Victoria.

Family-owned and fiercely independent, Bright Brewery was born from a passion for well-made beer, a love for the town of Bright, and the adventurous outdoors lifestyle that the High Country provides. We are also a three-time Gold Medal Winner for Best Tourism Brewery in Victoria!

Come and join us for a MountainCrafted beer and a delicious fresh meal by our Head Chef Jarrod Smith and his team.

Our Spring/Summer menu features brilliant local produce from Bright and surrounds with options for everyone - including salads, sides, pizzas, sharing boards, mains and kids meals.

Select a MountainCrafted beer from our 24 taps or a glass of local wine, sit back and enjoy beautiful Bright.

We also host a range of events all year-round, including regular live music. Please check out our website for more information.

Top review

Russell

Dined 3 days ago

Had the hero board, lots of taste and well cooked.

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Experience

What's On At Bright Brewery!

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