8 of the best restaurants on Phillip Island

Sate appetites piqued by the briny sea air at these eight restaurants, cafes and breweries on Phillip Island.

The food scene on Phillip Island has come a long way in the last decade. Once better known as a seaside playground for Melburnian families, the isle is beginning to court more foodie-orientated travellers, with options now available for all kinds of tastes. Whether you’re after a relaxed Italian meal with friends, a quick fish and chip dinner made with the freshest of seafood, or a wholesome vegan brekkie served in the sunshine, these eight eateries should cover most bases.

Here are eight of the best restaurants and places to eat on Phillip Island.

The shortlist

Best for seafood: San Remo Fisherman’s Co-op (SRFCO)
Best date spot: Anerie
Best views: Phillip Island Winery
Best for vegan/vegetarian: Island Whole Foods
Best for large groups: Pino’s Trattoria

1. Pino’s Trattoria

pizzas and pastas on the table at Pino's Trattoria, Phillip Island — Dig into cheesy pizzas and hearty pasta at Pino’s Trattoria. (Image: Supplied)

This Phillip Island stalwart has been pleasing islander’s palettes since 1991 with its line-up of hearty classic Italian dishes. Start off slow with a few antipasti – maybe some focaccia, some house-marinated olives and a slice of bruschetta – before moving onto the secondi (we’re talking locally sourced steaks, pizzas, and classic Roman dish saltimbocca). And don’t forget to leave space for a wodge of tiramisu, or a scoop of gelato from the cart.

There’s a relaxed atmosphere at Pino’s that’s perfect for groups, or families with kids – perhaps it’s because the restaurant’s original owners, the Scarlato family, are still very much involved with the running of the business. While away a summer’s evening in the restaurant’s alfresco ‘piazza’ with an Aperol spritz in hand, or cosy up with a glass of chianti in the restaurant’s cavernous interior come winter.

Cuisine: Italian

Average Price: $$$

Atmosphere: Convivial

Review: 4/5

Location: 29-31 Thompson Avenue, Cowes

2. San Remo Fisherman’s Co-op (SRFCO)

Seafood at San Remo Fisherman's Co-op on Phillip Island — Tuck into fresh seafood. (Image: Visit Victoria)

It’s a hotly contested subject on Phillip Island, but most locals will just about agree that San Remo Fisherman’s Co-op is the place to go for your Friday night fish and chips. It’s not strictly on the island (San Remo is a tiny town just over the other side of the bridge) but it’s only a short drive away and it fries and grills some of the freshest fish that you’ll find without donning waders yourself.

Going strong since 1948, the SRFCO has its own fleet of fishing and lobster vessels. Devour thick, juicy battered flake (the co-op’s fish of choice), made to order with some chunky chips, and perhaps dabble in a few extras too (think crumbed calamari, potato cakes, dim sim, and battered scallops to boot). The building is located right next to the San Remo Jetty, so you can enjoy a side serve of beautiful views too, whether you’re dining inside, or eating outside on the lawn.

Cuisine: Fish and chips

Average Price: $

Atmosphere: Convivial

Review: 4/5

Location: 170 Marine Parade, San Remo

3. G’Day Tiger

the exterior of G’Day Tiger on Phillip Island — G’Day Tiger is known for its sensational sandwiches. (Image: G’Day Tiger)

Indulgent toasted sandwiches? Tick. Third-wave coffee from a La Marzocco Linea PB machine, made with speciality roaster Seven Seeds’ beans? Tick. Slick Melbourne-esque interiors, all exposed brick, plywood panelling and concrete benchtops? Tick. G’Day Tiger is a one-stop shop for all your caffeine and brunch needs. Made with thick-cut bread, housing a plentiful supply of cheese, and anointed with buttery goodness, the sangas here win rave reviews – might we suggest the Reuben, or the veggie-friendly Caponata, filled with eggplant, capsicum, tomato and chilli.

See also: the lovely little emporium that is The Store , in Ventnor.

Cuisine: Sandwiches

Average Price: $

Atmosphere: Casual

Review: 4.5/5

Location: 3/34 Thompson Avenue, Cowes

4. Ocean Reach Brewing

fried snacks and beer at Ocean Reach Brewing, Phillip Island — Enjoy hearty burgers along with your favourite brew. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Part taphouse, part burger bar, this independent outfit on Cowes’ main strip hits all the right spots. Pull up a pew (outside or in) and order a tasting paddle to find your favourite brew. There are four house beers to choose from – pale ale, IPA, porter, and lager – as well as a few rotating seasonal numbers, all made from locally sourced ingredients. The Ocean Reach food van is known for its burgers (hello southern fried chicken, and spicy cheeseburger topped with onion rings) but fried snacky bits buffalo wings and kids meals are also on offer.

Since its inception in 2016, the profile of this small craft brewery has mushroomed: its beers are now available through big retailers such as Dan Murphy’s, and its popularity has increased so much that production has now expanded to a second location, also in Cowes. But through it all, the brewery has stayed true to its sustainable roots. All of Ocean Reach’s spent grain is shared with local farmers for livestock, and the brewery is solar-powered too.

Cuisine: Burgers

Average Price: $-$$

Atmosphere: Relaxed

Review: 4/5

Location: 3/34 Thompson Avenue, Cowes

5. Island Whole Foods

a plant-based breakfast at Island Whole Foods, Phillip Island — Island Whole Foods is a unique and innovative plant-based cafe. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Vegans, veggies and the health-conscious should make a beeline for Island Whole Foods : a plant-based cafe that’s also 100 per cent plastic-free. While its gluten-free buckwheat pancakes – topped with pure maple syrup, coconut ice cream and either bananas or berries – are a bit of a house signature, there’s plenty more on the breakfast and lunch menus to tempt even those who scoff at the thought of eating vegan food. There’s also a plethora of superfood smoothies and smoothie bowls on offer, plus house-made raw treats like peanut butter slices.

Cuisine: Plant-based cafe food

Average Price: $

Atmosphere: Chilled

Review: 4/5

Location: Unit 4/75 Chapel St, Cowes

6. Anerie

Perhaps the smartest option on the isle, Anerie brings a little Gallic chic to this otherwise low-key summer playground. You’ll find almost every classic French dish on the menu here: duck liver pate, cheese souffle, escargots, onion soup, moules frites, steak frites, duck confit, creme brulee, each thoughtfully presented.

Yet despite the chefs’ fine workmanship, you’ll find a cosy, inviting and lived-in feel at this little bistro; think decoupaged tables, velvet chairs, vintage napery and an eclectic mix of artworks lining the walls.

Note that Anerie is an adults-only restaurant.

Cuisine: French

Average Price: $$$$

Atmosphere: Cosy, inviting

Review: 4.5/5

Location: 12 Thompson Ave, Cowes

7. Kelp San Remo

a close-up shot of Mexican food and drinks at Kelp San Remo — Pair your Mexican favourites with refreshing cocktails. (Image: Visit Victoria)

A cocktail bar first and foremost, Kelp has an array of inventive drinks to its name, perhaps chief among them the Kelp Collins (a refreshing blend of gin, lemon, and seaweed-infused soda water), and the Shaka Forever (a sharp and fragrant mix of elderflower, Chambord, lemon juice and sparkling grapefruit).

The menu runs the gamut from North America to South, featuring everything from your classic cheeseburger through to a kingfish ceviche with coconut and chilli oil, and pan-fried confit squid tostadas, as well as fusion dishes such as cauliflower tacos with buffalo sauce.

Expect a blend of influences in the design, where the laid-back charm of a beach shack and tiki bar meets sleek, modern lines and a polished finish.

Cuisine: Mexican/Burgers

Average Price: $$$

Atmosphere: Smart-casual

Review: 4/5

Location: 141 Marine Parade, San Remo

8. Phillip Island Winery

dining at Phillip Island Winery — You’ll be spoilt for choice with the seasonal menu at Phillip Island Winery. (Image: Visit Victoria)

This local winery promises the elusive holy trinity of dining out: great food, great views and great service. Located in the island’s south-west, just a three-minute drive from beautiful Berrys Beach, Phillip Island Winery is set on a rural plot of 14 acres. Gorge on the local greenery from the restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling windows, or pull up a pew on the expansive lawns, a glass of Fumé Blanc in hand as you drink in the sunset views.

The winery’s menu centres around pizzas with elaborate toppings (think mortadella with rosemary cream, pistachio and burrata), but there are plenty of other tempting mod Oz options bookending the menu, from tuna crudo with pickled chilli to a braised heirloom beetroot salad with a balsamic fig emulsion.

Kids and four-legged friends haven’t been neglected here, with menu options for both on offer. And the wines are no joke either; in the words of esteemed critic James Halliday, “the quality of the wines across the board make it clear that this is definitely not a tourist-trap cellar door".

Cuisine: Pizzas/mod Oz

Average Price: $$$

Atmosphere: Welcoming, relaxed

Review: 4.5/5

Location: 414 Berrys Beach Road, Ventnor

Discover the best things to do on Phillip Island.

The Mornington Peninsula is a coastline of contrasts, where convict and military history meets shipwrecks, wild seas and adventures above and below the surface.

The Mornington Peninsula can be the kind of place where salt-tangled hair feels like a badge of honour – proof you’ve been somewhere wild, raw and real. Peel back the layers and you’ll discover stories that anchor this region to something other than its famed food and wine.

This land is the traditional Sea Country of the Bunurong/Boon Wurrung people. Long before grapevines were planted and artisanal goods were crafted, the Bunurong Traditional Owners lived in deep connection with the land and sea. Today, places such as Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary echo that tradition, with families exploring its rockpools in search of colourful sea stars and crabs at low tide and learning how these fragile ecosystems have been cared for across countless generations.

a group of people visiting the Port Nepean National Park — Take in the rugged coastal landscape at Port Nepean National Park. (Image: Tourism Australia)

A visit to Point Nepean National Park feels like stepping back through time. The fort, built in 1882, protected the narrow entrance to Port Phillip Bay until the end of the Second World War. It was here that the first Allied shot of the First World War was fired – at a German cargo ship trying to escape just hours after war was declared. Nearby, the old Quarantine Station, one of Australia’s first permanent quarantine facilities, established in 1852, still stands. Walking through the hospital and disinfecting complex evokes stories of those who arrived from faraway shores.

Not far from here is a story of survival that inspired the Aussie phrase ‘you’ve got Buckley’s chance’. In 1803, escaped convict William Buckley vanished into the bush near what’s now Sorrento. Everyone thought he had no hope of surviving, but he reappeared 32 years later, having lived with local Aboriginal people.

Even the waters here hold history. The infamous stretch known as The Rip, just three kilometres wide at the entrance of Port Phillip Bay, is among the most treacherous waterways. Countless ships were lost here in the 19th and early 20th centuries, and in 1967, Australia’s own Prime Minister Harold Holt disappeared while swimming off the coast, never to be found.

a seal swimming in Port Phillip Bay — A seal swimming in Port Phillip Bay. (Image: Tourism Australia/Two Palms/Harry Pope)

But for all its danger, the sea here also holds extraordinary beauty. Dolphins are often seen near Sorrento’s cliffs, while below the surface, seagrass meadows and rocky reefs teem with life. Marine tours offer a viewing to this underwater wonderland, while back on terra firma, walking trails lead along beaches, through coastal scrub, and over rock pools.

And if you think you’ll forget about the Mornington Peninsula once you’ve left? You’ve got Buckley’s chance.

A traveller’s checklist

Staying there

the suite interior at InterContinental Sorrento — Luxury interiors at the historic InterContinental Sorrento. (Image: Greg Elms)

Point Nepean Discovery Tents is immersive glamping beside the historic Quarantine Station. Or upgrade to luxury at the 1875-built InterContinental Sorrento .

Playing there

an aerial view of Cape Schanck Lighthouse — Make your way to the Cape Schanck Lighthouse. (Image: Tourism Australia/Two Palms/Harry Pope)

Bayplay Adventure Tours offer eco-adventures from snorkelling with sea dragons to kayaking with dolphins and cycling Point Nepean. Cape Schanck Lighthouse is fascinating to explore on a guided tour, which takes you into the lighthouse and keeper’s cottage.

Eating there

Portsea Hotel is a beautifully restored 1876 Tudor-style pub right on the beach, serving seasonal local fare.

8 of the best restaurants on Phillip Island

Sate appetites piqued by the briny sea air at these eight restaurants, cafes and breweries on Phillip Island.

The shortlist

1. Pino’s Trattoria

2. San Remo Fisherman’s Co-op (SRFCO)

3. G’Day Tiger

4. Ocean Reach Brewing

5. Island Whole Foods

6. Anerie

7. Kelp San Remo

8. Phillip Island Winery

The best camping and glamping on Phillip Island

Best things to do on Phillip Island: Fish and chips, wine and penguins

The best Phillip Island accommodation for a coastal getaway

A guide to Phillip Island’s beaches for your next day out

Mornington Peninsula’s storied past: war, shipwrecks and a runaway convict

The Mornington Peninsula is a coastline of contrasts, where convict and military history meets shipwrecks, wild seas and adventures above and below the surface.

A traveller’s checklist

Staying there

Playing there

Eating there