So as you may know Grand Cru Digital has moved back to the Bellarine and with the youngest intern reaching the right age, she has been entered into daycare two days a week.
This means Casey and myself have two free-ish mornings to explore our surroundings so we have decided to go mobile and take GCD to our local cafés just to get out of the main office a bit and support our local Bellarine Peninsula businesses from Queenscliff to Geelong and everywhere in between.
So below we have put together a list of the Best Cafes in the Bellarine Peninsula & Geelong to work from in 2024 that we have tried so far and we will continue to try a different location every week, so keep coming back for updates. If you are like us and like to work somewhere with barista-made coffee and delicious sweet treats.
Table of Contents
Curlewis
Brown Shugar
Our main highlight: Free Wi-Fi and great pricing.
Located inside the Bayview Central Curlewis shopping mall is the great little cafe Brown Shugar.
Ultra-friendly service as you walk in through the entrance with the bain marie full to the brim with delicious savoury and sweet treats.
Casey went for her new fav a dirty chai and I stuck to my tried and true (the biggest possible flat white) with a couple of yummy sweet treats on the side.
Connectivity: Super fast 5G Telstra mobile service and free Wi-Fi for work connectivity.
Address: 90 Centennial Blvd, Curlewis VIC 3222
Phone: 0468 390 187
Drysdale
The Bungalow Restaurant
Our main highlight: Ultra fast free guest Wi-Fi.
Revisited: After dropping off the interns at SEO school we were driving past and decided to revisit The Bungalow Restaurant. Great friendly service with a chill vibe grabbed us as we walked through the door.
I’m also a sucker for a jumbo XL coffee and Casey chose a dirty chai that she is now addicted to (thanks to our goto Social Media expert Meg Coffey), another great experience was had.
Conveniently located on High St in Drysdale, loads of on-street parking is available. Big indoor space with free fast wifi.
Connectivity: Super fast 5G Telstra mobile service and free Wi-Fi for work connectivity.
Address: 32 High St, Drysdale VIC 3222
Phone: (03) 5216 3025
Cafe Zoo
Our main highlight: Free customer Wi-Fi and red velvet lamington
Centrally located in the heart of Drysdale with on-street parking and a huge outdoor seating arrangement, Cafe Zoo has it all.
We love re-purposed houses as they provide a unique feel when you are dining in and Cafe Zoo does not disappoint.
We both had a delicious flat white coffee accompanied by a vanilla slice and red velvet lamington that was amazing.
Connectivity: Super fast 5G Telstra mobile service and free Cafe Zoo Wi-Fi for work connectivity.
Address: 23 High St, Drysdale VIC 3222
Phone: (03) 5251 5333
Fat Cookie
Our main highlight: Ummm giant stuffed cookies.
What is not to like about stuffed cookies? It was a touch windy for us to work from the bench the day we visited but come summer this will be a great tucked-away little spot for coffee and treats.
Connectivity: 5G Telstra mobile is available.
Ground Zero Cafe
Our main highlight: The Big open space.
Off-street parking and Coles car parking next door for busier times. Walk into a great space with good music, they have table service and takeaway with a large array of treats and a menu for food from the kitchen.
I liked the huge coffee mug and we had great 5G Telstra service making for speedy work also they are licenced so if we were to have an afternoon meeting it may feature a sneaky wine.
Connectivity: 5G Telstra mobile is available.
Address: 34 Murradoc Rd, Drysdale VIC 3222
Phone: (03) 5251 5100
Geelong
7 Origins Malop
Our main highlight: The long black is excellent and we loved being able to sit at a high table and watch the street.
Being located close to the Westfield shopping centre where we parked was very handy.
Walking in we were greeted by the friendly staff and asked if we would like to dine in or takeaway which I thought was great, great music set at the perfect volume to allow conversation was a great touch.
I had my usual jumbo flat-white and Casey opted for a long black we coupled these with a piece of carrot cake and a lemon meringue tart both equally delicious, there were loads of tempting treats both savoury and sweet on offer.
Connectivity: As we were in the centre of the city we had super fast 5G Telstra mobile service for work connectivity.
Address: 131 Malop St, Geelong VIC 3220
Phone: 0401 644 718
2 Chefs Cafe & Bar
Our main highlight: Great location and the dirty chai was amazing.
When we were looking for a new place to try our friendly search results rated 2 Chefs as the best coffee in town, so naturally we had to try it out.
Located just outside Westfield Geelong, Great space as you walk in, is it a cafe is it a bar? it’s a modern cafe and bar located in the heart of Geelong CBD.
Casey had a dirty chai and I had my usual triple shot jumbo flat-white, we coupled these with a choc/white choc muffin and a berry Danish both equally delicious. There were lots of amazing treats and a full delicious-looking menu on offer.
Connectivity: As we were in the centre of the city we had super fast 5G Telstra mobile service for work connectivity.
Address: 51 Moorabool St, Geelong VIC 3220
Phone: (03) 5200 9708
Orchid Co Coffee Shop
Our main highlight: Amazing carrot cake and hedgehog slice simply delish.
After doing a 6km walk around Eastern Park Geelong and stopping in at the Geelong Botanic Gardens we headed to Orchid Co Coffee Shop for our morning caffeine fix.
We have driven past multiple times on our way into town and there are always lines out the door so we figured it must be good, and our suspicions were confirmed.
Excellent coffee I had my usual and Casey opted for a flat-white as well, we decided to treat ourselves to a slice of the carrot cake and hedgehog slice absolutely delicious.
Connectivity: As we were in the city we had super fast 5G Telstra mobile service for work connectivity.
Address: 26 Garden St, Geelong VIC 3220
Leopold
Ollie’s Cafe Bar
Our main highlight: Jumbo coffee and a well-equipped kid’s play area.
We liked the chill vibe and I especially liked the jumbo coffee size available. Child-friendly for those times you need to take the interns like we occasionally do, there is a play area off to the side.
Connectivity: We had 5G Telstra mobile service to use while working.
Located in: Gateway Plaza Leopold
Address: 641/659 Bellarine Hwy, Leopold VIC 3224
Phone: (03) 5250 1911
Moolap
Fork N Flower
Our main highlight: Being surrounded by lovely smelling and looking plants as you walk in, big sweets cabinet indoors for a full selection of cakes, slices and other sweet treats.
I loved the no-nonsense coffee guide on the menu and they are dog friendly with Bella’s Puppuccino available, we were seated by the friendly staff upon entry for full table service with an all-day breakfast menu and fully licenced. Also, open on Thursday and Friday nights with dine-in and takeaway options.
Casey had a large skinny flat-white and I had my usual we also had a piece of the raspberry lamington and a vanilla slice both equally delicious.
Connectivity: Standard 4G Telstra mobile service for work connectivity.
Address: 392-400 Bellarine Hwy, Moolap VIC 3224
Phone: (03) 5250 6757
Ocean Grove
Hello Birdie Cafe
Our main highlight: Super kid-friendly and the flourless choc brownie was to die for.
The first thing I noticed as we parked out front was the large outdoor seating area behind the car park for those warmer days.
The inside is open and inviting with great music playing (it’s always a bonus to be able to whistle along while working), great friendly customer service with large mugs of coffee available.
Past the counter and out the back is a huge play area full of great toys for the interns if they are along for the morning work meeting.
Connectivity: Super fast 5G Telstra mobile service for work connectivity.
Address: 52 Grubb Rd, Ocean Grove VIC 3226
Phone: 0427 297 422
Point Lonsdale
Early Nancy
Our main highlight: Laid back by the beach vibe with freshly baked treats all day, awesome dirty chai.
Great indoor-outdoor feel with awesome tunes in the background, walk up and grab a takeaway or dine in like we did.
We sat on the large bench seat along the wall I quite enjoyed the look of the hardwood furniture.
Casey went with her new fav dirty chai and I had a classic flat white accompanied by a freshly baked chocolate croissant and a berry Danish, absolutely delicious.
Connectivity: Standard 4G Telstra mobile service and I also noted a free Telstra Wi-Fi available for work connectivity.
Address: 1/67 Point Lonsdale Rd, Point Lonsdale VIC 3225
Pico Coffee Bar
Our main highlight: The chocolate brownie was sooo decadent. (we will be back to try the croissants also)
We headed back to Lonny as Casey needed to do some Christmas shopping so we stopped in to Pico to grab a coffee and do a spot of work.
It was the best idea we’ve made all day, the sweet treats were delicious and while I was putting our order in the ham and cheese croissants caught my eye. (they had me drooling)
Casey chose a choc brownie and I had a slice of carrot cake we washed those down with Casey’s new classic dirty chai while I had my standard flat white.
Connectivity: Standard 4G Telstra mobile service and I also noted a free Telstra Wi-Fi available for work connectivity.
Address: 57 Point Lonsdale Rd, Point Lonsdale VIC 3225
Portarlington
Bay View Bar & Grill
Our main highlight: Giant slice of choc mud cake with warmed chocolate sauce poured on top.
Walking into a warm and inviting atmosphere off the street where there is plenty of on-street parking.
Soft jazz was playing in the background as we were greeted with a friendly smile and asked if we would like to dine in for breakfast or just have a coffee.
We chose to sit inside as we like to sit in booth seating but there are also tables out front, the coffee was delivered fast and I could choose the jumbo 3-shot that I like to get my brain moving.
After a slice of choc mud cake and Nutella cheesecake, we worked using 5G Telstra mobile service for connectivity.
Connectivity: 5G Telstra mobile service for work connectivity.
Address: SHOP2 6/8 Eastern Beach Rd, Geelong VIC 3220
Phone: (03) 5208 3664
Daniel’s Donuts
Our main highlight: Huge selection of flavoured donuts and great coffee what else is there?
Great tunes and friendly staff accompanied the large display cases chock full of delicious-looking flavoured donuts as we entered the store.
Loads of seating from booths to tables are available we chose a bench seat double table as we had both laptops as usual.
Casey chose a classic Kiwi-style jam and cream, while I opted for a peanut butter-flavoured donut to accompany our flat white coffee’s mine was a jumbo one of course.
Connectivity: Fast 5G Telstra mobile service and there was a Daniels Wi-Fi (maybe you have to ask for the password), I also noted a free Telstra Wi-Fi available for work connectivity.
Address: 64 Newcombe St, Portarlington VIC 3223
Phone: (03) 7066 6863
Fine Aromas Cafe
Our main highlight: Free customer Wi-Fi and a neat little cosy couch reading area up front in the window of the cafe.
Big open classic-style cafe with various seating options available, fully licenced with a great all-day breakfast and dining menu.
Casey went for her new usual dirty chai and I had a 3-shot jumbo flat-white accompanied by a warmed brownie slice and carrot cake, yum.
Connectivity: Super fast 5G Telstra mobile service and free customer Wi-Fi (ask for the password) for work connectivity.
Address: 84 Newcombe St, Portarlington VIC 3223
Phone: 0438 805 176
Pier Street
Our main highlight: Waterfront views and awesome homemade hashbrowns.
Revisited: This morning we needed a breakfast out so we revisited Pier Street, what a treat as we both ordered the eggs on toast (sourdough) with homemade hashbrowns, bacon and hollandaise sauce.
Best decision we have made all week great breakfast choice with awesome service.
Water views, good coffee and I enjoyed how bright and open it felt. Located just off of the Portarlington ferry terminal you could pop over from Melbourne for a morning meeting to escape the bustle.
Connectivity: We had 5G Telstra mobile service to use while working.
Address: 3 Pier St, Portarlington VIC 3223
Phone: (03) 5259 1837
Staple Eatery & Deli
Our main highlight: Dirty chai (leaf) is simply amazing and the coffee is always good.
Revisited: We stopped in again this morning for a coffee after dropping off the intern’s one thing that stood out to us this time was the nice table size for a 2 person un crowded workspace which is always a plus in my book.
We both had flat white coffees that went extremely well with a banana choc chip muffin and mixed berry Danish.
Staple Eatery & Deli is new to Portarlington as it opened in July. We could walk if we weren’t already in the car from daycare drop off, 5G Telstra cell phone service is good. Tasty coffee and fast service.
Connectivity: We had 5G Telstra mobile service to use while working.
Address: 12 Brown St, Portarlington VIC 3223
Phone: 0451 771 585
Menu: Below is the latest Staple Eatery & Deli menu as of 7-12-2023.
Queenscliff
Queenscliff General Store & Take Away
Our main highlight: The food was served super quick and presented amazingly.
We stopped in here as I was keen on a big breakfast after having done a fasting blood test, needed to fill the void.
The staff were all very friendly and we enjoyed the light inside the shop, the food came out super fast and tasted fantastic.
Casey had her dirty chai (leaf) and I had my usual mug of flat white, to accompany my perfect poached eggs on sourdough with added bacon and halloumi yum.
Connectivity: We had 4G Telstra mobile service to use while working.
Address: 43 King St, Queenscliff VIC 3225
Phone: (03) 4224 7070
Menu: Here is the menu from their website.
St Leonards
Salty Cow
Our main highlight: Ultra-friendly service and the food is to die for.
We have been frequenting the Salty Cow for a while (when we were previously living in the area) and the brownie is to die for, just saying. Great service and awesome coffee.
Connectivity: We had 5G Telstra mobile service to use while working.
Address: 1373 Murradoc Rd, St Leonards VIC 3223
Phone: 0423 274 446
Wallington
Van Loons Nursery Cafe
Our main highlight: Being surrounded by all of the lovely plants and a fresh strawberry with a dollop of fresh cream on the side of our treats was an amazing touch.
We were greeted by Lucy the cat as we walked through the nursery to the cafe located at the rear.
I loved walking in being surrounded by all the plants imagining them in my own up-and-coming garden.
The coffee was delicious we sat down and were given full table service but they also do takeaway coffees, and the display cabinet was full of sweet treats I really enjoyed the warmed-up gluten-free brownie with a dollop of fresh cream on the side.
Connectivity: The mobile phone service is very lacking in this part of the Bellarine but we managed to find an open Wi-Fi network to connect with, maybe not being connected every now and then isn’t such a bad thing tho.
Address: 405 Grubb Rd, Wallington VIC 3222
Phone: (03) 5250 1842
And for my outro:
We love looking around our local area and supporting local businesses whenever possible so we will be adding to this post hopefully weekly, watch this space.
