Within a converted Golden Fleece roadhouse sits Piknik, a casual café and eatery that attracts a steady stream of devoted locals and intrigued visitors alike. Owners Denise and Dave Humphris moved down from Melbourne, bringing with them more than 20 years experience in the hospitality industry. Their new project is a space which celebrates local and seasonal produce from breakfast through lunch (and dinner in summer), beginning as a small market stall selling jams, preserves and produce ‘picked and nicked’ from local farms and orchards within the district. The fully licensed venue is also home to an abundant pantry of locally produced preserves to take home with you as a souvenir; from tomato relish to a particularly beloved apricot and vanilla jam. Piknik is open from 7.00am, seven days a week. 1195 Queenscliff Road, Swan Bay; piknik.com.au.

Established in 2015, this little nook was the first distillery on the peninsula, and the first in the greater Geelong region since the closure of the Corio Distillery in the 1980s. It was six years before the distillery welcomed its cellar door The Whiskery, which is housed in a former shed on the accompanying farm, which opens at 11.00am Friday through Sunday. There you’ll find a simple selection of cheese boards and pub grub to nibble on, to partner with plenty of gin-based drinks and tastings. In 2020 you can also expect the distillery’s own brand of whisky to join the drinks list. Corner Scotchmans Road and Portarlington Road, Drysdale; bellarinedistillery.com.au.

Multi-purpose space may be the best way to describe Basils Farm, the Queenscliff local that is vineyard, cellar door, restaurant, and farm in one. First and foremost, the venue is a producer, welcoming guests with row upon row of shiraz, chardonnay and pinot noir varietals, which now neighbour the recently introduced range of olives grown on site. Throw in a rather impressive kitchen garden and you can see why the addition of a cafe seemed appropriate. It is here at the charming farmhouse-style eatery that you can indulge in a seasonally-driven breakfast or lunch, accompanied by views of the surrounding Swan Bay. 43-53 Nye Road, Swan Bay; basilsfarm.com.au.

If you consider yourself a dedicated fan of a glass of vino no trip to the Bellarine is complete without a stop into Noble Rot. The wine retailer is not only in the business of booze, but food too thanks to the addition of a casual eatery within its walls. Of course fare here is designed to marry well with glass of all kinds, and perfect for sharing among many. Think smoked eel croquettes, charcuterie, mussels, olives, and whipped cod’s roe among more. noblerotwine.com.au

Some of the best views of Swan Bay (and neighbouring Geelong and the You Yangs) can be found at Jack Rabbit Vineyard which boasts two separate venues within its borders. For those craving finer fare, you’ll find solace at Jack Rabbit Restaurant. The eatery already has quite the reputation for ‘fabulous, approachable food’ thanks to an a la carte menu which toasts the produce of the surrounding Bellarine. If cafe culture is more your vibe, make your way directly to the casual House of Jack Rabbit, which not only can help to line your stomach for brunch before your tasting begins but conveniently hosts the vineyard’s cellar door within. 85 McAdams Lane, Bellarine; jackrabbitvineyard.com.au.