Low-end dining

There are several options for reasonable quality “low-end” eating in Inverloch.

The ‘lagoon’ near Ayr Creek
  • The Local is arguably one of the best place for coffee and snacks in Inverloch even though it is a mere hole in the wall place. Green Heart Organics, as the name suggests, is a funky green-inspired cafe for all your organic needs. They do a mean latte and don’t skimp on the size. The local antique store is OK too. Vaughan’s is also excellent. Vela Nine is another which is fine, but patchy in quality. These are modern, trendy cafés that are popular all-year round. The Beach Box Cafe has a strong following and can be busy.
  • Inverloch Bakeries. There are two bakeries. One is near the Post Office and mainly does take away. The second is a large sit down place opposite the Town Hall and Library, Paul the Pieman. Both are quite good. We feel that the Wonthaggi Bakery, Connell’s, opposite Safeway is better quality. If you are coeliac and feel like a drive, go to see Jo Jo who sells Jo Jo’s Gluten Free Goodies in Kernot, 35km from Inverloch through the winding roads and dairy country of Gippsland. She offers multiple first prize winning GF pies, pasties and sausage rolls as well as other delectable pastries from her humble backyard farmhouse operation.
  • Fish and Chips. There are three places that serve in-the-bag fish and chips. All of them offer local seafood cooked in batter in the normal style. They are packed in summer and very popular. The quality seems to vary year-round. Sometimes it is truly excellent; other times not so fresh. Try your luck. One of the best things to do is to take your bag of F and C to the playground, or the beach, and enjoy the simple pleasure of it all. If you are coeliac, try Poppadon’s Takeaway in Leongatha or drop in on New Cod on the Block at Tooradin on your way back to Melbourne. They have sensational offerings for the coeliac, including hand cut potato and pumpkin cakes, and we patronise them regularly.
  • Pizza There are several places that offer pizza. The Bayside Lady on A’Beckett Street has good ratings on TripAdvisor but average ratings on Zomato. There is another one that also sells Ice Cream/Fish and Chips. We don’t use them so can’t advise. Jeronimo’s Pizza in Wonthaggi does baked potatoes and ribs as well. It also does gluten-free bases. If you can overlook the grubby interior it is probably the pick of the bunch.
  • Old Dalyston Church Cafe: For an experience with a difference try this place. It’s just off the main road at Dalyston from Wonthaggi to Philip Island.
  • Folks Speciality Coffee: Wonthaggi and Inverloch have their own funky cafes and this is one of the better ones in the area.
The beach
  • Chutney Café This is fairly new, but most welcome, as we love Indian food. The food is patchy, sometimes excellent; at other times, not good at all. They offer small serves, and service can be slow.
  • The Esplanade Pub This has recently undergone a dramatic redevelopment. The food is higher quality pub fare. Excellent ambiance and a kid’s play room. Nice gas fire ambience in winter but rather noisy when it is busy. The Captain’s Table upstairs offers higher-end food and service.
  • The Inlet Hotel You can get very cheap meals here in the off season. The interior is nothing special.
  • The Wonthaggi Pub This is just 10 minutes out of town, displays the jawbones of a 25 metre whale. The animal was washed onto the beach in 1923. The food is good and there are plans for an open fire.
  • Picasso’s This is a simple eatery in the main street of Wonthaggi offering Indian and Pizza! The Indian is excellent, the pizza, so-so (run by Indians).
  • Vaughan’s Café Deli This is a fairly new kid on the block and has outstanding reviews for food and coffee on TripAdvisor.
  • Gusto’s Gelateria (Inverloch and Wonthaggi) As the name suggests this sells ice-cream and gelato, and a variety of other delectable sweets. It is very highly rated on TripAdvisor.

Just around the corner …

Recently a few places have opened up just up the road from Anembo Cottage. We encourage you to patronise them!

Both these places are a short walk towards the main highway up Cashin Street. Walk down Beacon Court, turn right and follow Evergreen Street until you hit Toorak Road. Turn right and take the first left. Follow it to the industrial area.