Victoria’s beautiful Mornington Peninsula benefits from the bounty of the ocean and the land. A popular retreat from Melbourne in summer and winter, you’ll find plenty of unique restaurants offering killer coffee, live music performances, hearty fare and much more. For special occasions, romantic date nights, family-friendly gatherings and fun nights out, the best restaurants on the Mornington Peninsula promise a memorable time.
A popular Italian chain serves up some of Mornington’s best pizza, while a Vietnamese restaurant offers unique French-Vietnamese fusion cooking. A tapas bar rounds out its menu with quality brunch dishes, while an intimate date night hotspot pairs perfectly with a walk along the pier. A historic church hides one of the region’s best live music spots, and a classic corner store boasts a cosy cafe featuring local produce. Local brews are on tap at a friendly distillery, and a cafe on the Esplanade serves Mediterranean-inspired dishes for brunch and dinner. A French bistro offers a taste of the Brittany countryside, while a scenic vineyard is ideal for relaxed wine tastings. Whatever you’re after, the best restaurants on the Mornington Peninsula have unique flavours and experiences to offer.
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Read on for the 10 best restaurants on the Mornington Peninsula
For the best pizza on the Mornington Peninsula – try DOC Pizza & Mozzarella Bar – Mornington
DOC Pizza & Mozzarella Bar – Mornington offers a true taste of Italy by using DOC (of controlled origin denomination) ingredients to create classic pizzas. This includes stone-ground Italian Petra flour in the dough and DOP buffalo mozzarella on top. There are rows of wooden tables lined up in front of the partially open kitchen and plush red stools lined up at the marble bar. Start with an antipasto salumi board or build your own board with San Daniele prosciutto, artichoke hearts and fior di burrata. Pasta options include rich ragu lasagna (plus a smaller portion for kids) and penne alla vodka with DOC Napoli sauce. Pizza is the big highlight here, and you’ll find all your favourite toppings made with Italian ingredients. Think quattro formaggi with DOP gorgonzola and pizza pancetta with DOC Deli’s pork sausage. Pair your pizza with Italian wines, cocktails and digestifs.
For Vietnamese-French cooking everyone can enjoy – head to Le Feu Mornington
Le Feu Mornington serves up a French-Vietnamese menu rooted in Buddhist traditions. It’s one of the best restaurants in Mornington to please a crowd. The menu is fully gluten-free (accredited by Coeliac Australia), and there are plenty of vegan, vegetarian and low-FODMAP options available. The modern, airy dining space has a casual, relaxed feel. Dig into hearty bowls of pho or share fluffy bao buns filled with roast pork or tofu. Crispy Ha Noi pork and prawn spring rolls pair perfectly with a lychee and lime cocktail. For a hearty main course, try the tangy char-grilled lemongrass chicken or the rich duck curry topped with green apple and lychee. Younger diners can enjoy smaller portions of pho, crispy fried chicken or calamari and chips.
For tapas and brunch at one of the best restaurants on the Mornington Peninsula – swing by Casa de Playa
Get your friends together and enjoy some tasty tapas at Casa de Playa, one of Mornington’s best restaurants for big groups. Housed in a 19th-century building on Main Street, the team have blended the rustic, historic vibes with modern updates like a greenhouse-style glass roof and colourful graffiti murals. One of Mornington’s best brunch spots, start your day with chilaquiles, fried eggs, crispy tortilla chips and tangy salsa roja or a cheesy pulled pork toasty with a kick of jalapeno. For some tapas, try pulled pork Cuban cigars with a sprinkling of coffee ash or a board of sliced serrano jamon and housemade grissini. If you’re after something larger, there’s always tacos, juicy burgers and freshly cooked paella to try.
For one of the best restaurants on the Mornington Peninsula for date night – check out Mr Vincenzo’s
Mr Vincenzo’s is an intimate 45-seater wine bar with a relaxed, vintage feel. Perfect for a classy date night sharing tasty snacks and wines just steps from the Mornington Pier. The playful, ever-changing menu features small plates perfect for sharing. Enjoy meals like smooth hiramasa kingfish crudo with preserved lemon dressing or pork meatballs with smoked mozzarella. Alternatively, share forkfuls of slipper lobster spaghetti with fermented red pepper or try the O’Connor Beef bavetta with a rich Sicilian butter. For dessert, a creamy pistachio cheesecake is always a good option. The wine list features a range of reds, whites, rosés and more from all over Italy. Add on refined spirits mixed into classic cocktails and your next romantic evening is sure to be memorable.
For live music at one of the coolest restaurants on the peninsula – check out Gods Kitchen in Mornington
Housed in a historic, heritage-listed church from 1876, Gods Kitchen is one of Morninton’s most beautiful restaurants. Vaulted ceilings, rock-and-roll posters and glass walls set the stage for great food and live music from local acts. Thursday is steak night with 300-gram steaks, and Friday is parma night. Both deals come with chips and salad. The menu features Mediterranean flavours and pub favourites with a fresh twist. Start with crispy calamari and smokey lemon aioli or Spanish-style meatballs served in Gods Kitchen’s secret garlic sauce. The fresh beer-battered flake will satisfy your fish and chips craving, and the signature Gods parmigiana features smokey ham and a triple cheese blend. Gods Kitchen also claims to have the best espresso martini in town, so head on down and try it for yourself.
For one of the best Mornington Peninsula restaurants for brunch – head to Apple Espresso @Tully’s
Tully’s Corner Store is one of the best places to get local, artisan groceries, and Apple Espresso @Tully’s highlights the best of the best. Enjoy homestyle cooking based on family recipes and made with farm-fresh ingredients. This means the menu changes with the seasons but you can always expect hearty Italian favourites plus vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. Funky wallpaper, bold prints and a roaring fire help make this cosy restaurant a true home away from home. Try a bowl of Apple Espresso’s housemade granola or opt for the hearty Reuben sandwich with gruyere and sauerkraut. The drinks menu contains Mornington Peninsula wine and beer, organic teas and certified fair trade organic coffee. Check the display cabinet for sweet and savoury cakes and pastries.
For one of the best restaurants on the Mornington Peninsula for great beer and local vibes – head to Tap Barrel Brewery & Distillery
Tar Barrel Brewery & Distillery is a local brewery serving up specialty beer, gin and whiskey, brewed and distilled on site, alongside a menu of pub favourites. Try the JustOneMore, a light, citrusy beer, or a Cheviot whiskey aged in American oak with notes of vanilla and citrus. Pair your brews with beef tacos or crispy fried cauliflower with spicy hot sauce. Wood-fired pizza always goes great with a beer, and the pulled pork nachos bring loads of sour cream and Mexican cheese. Grab a seat next to the barrels and hanging plants indoors, or soak up the sunshine in the outdoor, dog-friendly garden (bring your furry friend, as long as they’re on a leash). The relaxed vibes are perfect for lazy summer afternoons. Be sure to try the beer-tasting paddle to sample four of Tar Barrel’s award-winning brews, or visit from 3 pm to 6 pm Wednesday to Friday for schooners during happy hour.
For one of the best Mediterranean restaurants on the Mornington Peninsula – visit Bistro One
Bistro One is a cosy, coastal cafe, ideally situated on the Esplanade near Mornington Pier. Let yourself follow the scent of freshly brewed coffee and aromatic Mediterranean dishes. Head here for brunch and pair your coffee with a mimosa or a bloody mary. Fill up on eggs benedict with housemade porchetta or cured salmon, or try the fluffy hot cakes with poached pear and coffee caramel. From 3 pm, Bistro One serves up mezze plates perfect for sharing while you enjoy cocktails or wine. Think creamy saganaki cheese with truffle and honey or pita bread with homemade dips. For dinner, try the tender slow-cooked lamb shoulder or the moussaka with spiced beef and a rich Napoli sauce. The drinks menu includes Australian and Italian beer on tap, Victorian wines and classic cocktails. A rich dessert cocktail like the lemon pie’tini with limoncello, Licor 43 and cream is the perfect end to your meal.
For one of the best restaurants on the Mornington Peninsula for fine wines – book at OUEST FRANCE BISTRO
Enjoy a truly bohemian, Parisian atmosphere at OUEST FRANCE BISTRO, Mornington’s classic French bistro. Cosy and comfortable with fun retro stylings, like the bold red carpet and gilded mirrors, this elegant hotspot seats just 32 diners, so you’ll want to make sure you book. Run by brothers Oscar and Cesar from Brittany, the menu and atmosphere aim to transport diners, just for a moment, to a small town in their homeland. Try some of the pork, apricot and prune terrine or sample the scallops à la Bretonne. For your main, choose between tender beef cheek bourguignon and free-range whole duck breast with a tart port and cherry sauce. For dessert, keep it classic with a flambeed crepe served with salted caramel and vanilla ice cream. The wine list boasts a unique range of French grapes with a particular focus on small, organic producers, bringing a local taste of France to the peninsula.
For one of the best winery restaurants on the Mornington Peninsula – head to Barmah Park Restaurant & Cellar Door
Head out to a scenic boutique vineyard and visit Barmah Park Restaurant & Cellar Door. With a seasonal, modern Australian menu to match the wines, you can enjoy a rich, immersive dining experience. The wines on offer include multiple Barmah labels and vintages from the Barossa Valley and the Mornington Peninsula. Visit the cosy Cellar Door to get a little taste of everything. Head into the spacious airy restaurant with sweeping views of the lush vineyard and check out the menu featuring seasonal, local produce (including some grown right on the estate). The options are always changing, but expect things like juicy tiger prawn cocktails and flaky local snapper with flame-grilled capsicum. Wines on offer include silky smooth pinot noir and peachy, toasty chardonnay. Finish off with a sweet lemon myrtle tart or pair a rich wine with a selection of cheese, quince and housemade lavosh.
The Mornington Peninsula boasts a wide range of excellent restaurants, from cosy vineyards to beachfront cafes. With Italian classics, pub favourites, modern Mediterranean and vibrant Vietnamese dishes all on offer, everyone can find something they’ll love. Don’t forget to pair it all with local brews, creative cocktails and wines from all over the world. Whatever you’re craving, you can find it at the best restaurants on the Mornington Peninsula.
Don’t miss out – book your spot at the best restaurants on the Mornington Peninsula on OpenTable today.
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