As the summer sun shines over the Bellarine Peninsula each December, food becomes a central part of celebrating Christmas.
With fresh coastal produce, local wineries, and vibrant restaurant culture, the peninsula offers a delicious blend of traditional holiday meals, seasonal seafood, and local artisan delights – perfect for gatherings with family and friends.
Local flavours & festive dining
The Bellarine region’s food culture is deeply connected to its land and sea. Fresh produce, seafood straight from local waters, and vineyard-grown wines shape many holiday feasts here.
Seafood & coastal classics
Being so close to Port Phillip Bay and Bass Strait means seafood features strongly on Christmas menus. Locals and visitors alike enjoy fresh oysters, prawns, mussels and fish – either as part of a leisurely beach picnic or as starters in a sit-down lunch. Portarlington mussels, a local favourite, often appear on festive tables and menus around the peninsula.
Wines to celebrate with
No Bellarine Christmas feast is complete without pairing food with local wines. The peninsula’s cool-climate wines – especially crisp chardonnay, elegant pinot noir and refreshing sparkling varieties – complement seafood platters, roasted meats and festive desserts alike. Local vineyards like those found along the Bellarine Taste Trail offer bottles to suit every style of celebration.
Festive menus & local menus to try
Restaurants and venues across the peninsula often offer special Christmas menus throughout December, blending local ingredients with seasonal classics.
Festive dining experiences
Bennett’s on Bellarine serves a two-course Christmas lunch on select days in December, featuring roast lamb or pork with all the trimmings or casual grazing boards with wood-fired pizzas and pulled chicken sliders, finished with shared dessert boards of local cheeses and seasonal sweets.
Seasonal menus at local clubs and restaurants often include traditional roasts (think turkey with cranberry sauce and roast vegetables) alongside coastal dishes like chimichurri-barramundi and holiday desserts like Christmas cake.
Local restaurants & wines
Several peninsula venues offer great settings for festive meals, whether it’s a long lunch, casual dinner, or special event:
Portarlington Kitchen & Bar – classic seasonal fare in relaxed Portarlington.
Mr Grubb @ Oakdene – bistro with a focus on local produce and relaxed shared dishes.
Flying Brick Cider Co – farmhouse-style dining paired with craft cider.
Bellarine Estate – wine, barbecue and grazing boards perfect for festive groups.
Claribeaux – cafe-style meals ideal for light Christmas morning or lunch bites.
Local caters such as Lady and the Fox catering and events also help bring festive meals to private gatherings with bespoke menus and seasonal touches.
