Graze Apollo Bay — Restaurant in Apollo Bay

I wanted to share my awful dining experience at this restaurant last night. There were four adults and one baby in our group, and we were looking for a place to have dinner. It was a busy night everywhere due to the Great Ocean Road Running Festival. Before walking into the restaurant, I called ahead to check if they had a table available. A lady answered the phone and confirmed that they had a table, but informed us that there was no high chair available. Despite this, we decided to proceed and entered the restaurant. After finishing our starters, we waited for quite a long time for our main courses, approximately 20-30 minutes. My partner eventually approached one of the staff members to inquire about the delay and how much longer we would need to wait. Suddenly, the same lady intervened in the conversation and asked if it was really taking too long for us. My partner explained that he works as a chef and it is uncommon for customers to wait such a long time at restaurants. In response, the lady said that if we didn't want to wait, we could leave but would still have to pay for everything. Despite this unpleasant exchange, we decided to stay, and our dishes arrived after a couple of minutes. However, when we finished eating, the lady approached our table again. She accused my partner of being very rude, yelling at her, and lacking respect. When we tried to explain our side of the situation respectfully and peacefully, she continuously interrupted us and insisted on having the final word. After we paid the bill, she said "Thank you, and don't come back." I just wanted to express that this incident seemed to come out of nowhere, and I am still confused as to why the lady became so angry and upset. However, I do understand that last night was likely a stressful time for restaurants, which are usually slow and quiet. Hopefully, this lady will practice more mindfulness, which would benefit both herself and her professional career as a kinder...

The Good: Let’s start with the positives. Graze Apollo Bay is clearly a top-notch spot, and it’s easy to see why it comes highly recommended. The food was nothing short of amazing—every dish was packed with flavor, and the standout plates (Fraser Island spanner crab croquettes, Portarlington mussels, and those apple-smoked pork ribs!) were an absolute treat. To top it off, the cocktails were delicious, and the desserts? Worth saving room for!

The Room for Improvement: While we would have loved a more private table, the wet weather had other plans, so we ended up in the main dining area. Being a lively group of eight, we may have ruffled a few feathers around us—oops! Not a huge issue, but a little more flexibility in seating options would have been ideal for a group our size.

Would I Return? 100%! Graze Apollo Bay, you served up a feast to remember, and I’d gladly come back for another round of those incredible flavors.

The Verdict: In conclusion, Graze Apollo Bay is a must-visit for food lovers. Whether you’re there for the fresh seafood, smoky ribs, or killer cocktails, you’re in for a treat. Just be mindful of your noise levels—unless you want to be that table (we definitely were, and we don’t regret...

There is great joy in finding a small hidden restaurant in a backstreet of a lovely place like Apollo Bay, and having it exceed all expectations. This was unequivocally the best food we’ve eaten anywhere between Adelaide and Melbourne. Locally sourced and prepared by a chef who so obviously loves what he does. Our entree of chargrilled octopus terrined and delicately sliced, fresh from the bay served simply with a dash of EVOO and a sprig of dill was exquisite in its simplicity and a delight to the palate. Equally so the scallops in butter and Pernod. The duck breast main was lightly smoked and accompanied by roasted chestnuts and a crispy baby spring onion with a rich duck jus. It was melt in the mouth. A hearty venison osso bucco from locally harvested venison came with a beautifully judged potato mash and parsley and was satisfying and delicious. We shared the most delicate tangelo crème brûlée with raspberry jus, light, palate cleansing and the perfect way to finish an outstanding meal. There was an appropriate selection of wines and other drinks available. Our hostesses were friendly professional and welcoming and altogether it made for a special and wonderful...