Surf to supper: Ultimate food and drink guide for the Great Ocean Road

The epic surf swell, breathtaking beaches and winding seaside scenery makes Victoria's Great Ocean Road a must-see destination. But the region, stretching from Torquay in the east to Allansford in the west, hardly gets enough credit as a haven for lovers of fresh seafood and craft beer.

A holiday along the coastline is best spent tucking into creatively designed dishes and drinking lovingly made cocktails in the region's restaurants, bars and breweries. From cozy cafes to fine dining, here are the best spots for foodies to stop and eat along the beautiful Great Ocean Road.

Fresh sea air is coming off the Bass Strait as lunch is served at Merivale's beachside favourite. Here, at Totti's Lorne, horseradish is grated over melt-in-your-mouth scallops served alongside tangy celeriac leaves. There's pasta with pippies in an oozy, buttery sauce and delicate snapper with crisp skin.

Chef Matt Germanchis weaves magic in his menus, as those familiar with his former Anglesea restaurant Captain Moonlite are well aware. Guests are welcomed into the warm and expansive restaurant as they slide out of the ocean and into a comfortable seat by the woodfired oven. 176 Mountjoy Parade, Lorne

A lover of Indian food will find playful reimaginings of classic dishes at this colourful and welcoming restaurant. Set on Lorne's main drag, right across from the ocean, Raas Leela hosts a popular happy hour, featuring half-priced margaritas and lager, from 3pm to 5pm year round.

The great cocktails, flavour-packed dishes and warm, honest service are sure to win the hearts of any traveller. Try their array of snacks, tweaked with Raas Leela flair, to sample Chef Narang's inside-out Punjabi samosa, his "karma balls" and bhaji croquettes. 116 Mountjoy Parade, Lorne

As steam pipes out of the pillowy egg and bacon roll at Lorne Central, each bite feels impossibly cosy. There are rare moments in life for truly enjoying food, when attention focuses and all else falls away.

This is one of those meals. On a public holiday, Lorne Central was the only beachside cafe open. And the locals seemed to know where they could find good food with truly welcoming hospitality. This cafe offers all the classics; coffee, smoothies, juices, snacks and full breakfasts. 54-56 Mountjoy Parade, Lorne

The Perch restaurant is a hidden gem, tucked away in Lavers Hill in the mountains behind the Great Ocean Road. The menu is packed with dishes using ingredients grown, or raised, in the restaurant's backyard or on their nearby Otways farm. The cocktail list even uses river mint, grown onsite, as garnishes. Order a handful of dishes to share and grab a delicious glass of something French from their clever wine list.

The restaurant, decked in warm-coloured timber from floor to ceiling, feels like walking into a friend's loungeroom. Guests gaze out the windows at the back paddock, packed with playful birds, and over the forest to the Bass Strait while enjoying lunch. During the summer, the Perch is open from 11am to 2.30pm and dinner starts from 5pm. 1/15 Great Ocean Road, Lavers Hill

Clean Cravings Eatery, nestled inside the Great Ocean Road Wildlife Park, is one of the best places for a fresh salad or delicious toastie. Drop into the nature reserve for a coffee and a warm bite before heading out to the park to learn about Australia's endangered dingos. The family-run business is committed to sustainability. Every ingredient is made or grown within a 100-kilometre radius, including dairy from Schultz Organic and bread from Torquay's Zeally Bay bakery. The cafe opens at 10am and closes at 7pm during daylight savings. 29 The Boulevarde, Gellibrand Lower

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Fresh, locally grown ingredients reign supreme for chef Julian Toussaint, owner of Graze in Apollo Bay. The former fine-dining chef sources wild venison, shot in the Apollo Bay hinterland, from a local hunter. Mussels are ferried from Portarlington, on the Bellarine Peninsula, and dressed in a delicate and aromatic broth.

The cosy restaurant, in the quiet streets of Apollo Bay, is the ideal place to sit and eat while nursing a cocktail and a nasty sunburn. It's the neighbourhood diner that has locals coming back for more. 14 Pascoe Street, Apollo Bay

Getting there: Fly into Victoria's Avalon Airport, north of Geelong, for quick access to the start of the Great Ocean Road at Torquay. Flights from Sydney to Avalon depart daily with fares starting at $120. Rental cars are available at the airport through Budget, Avis, Hertz, Sixt and Kangaroo Rentals.

Staying there: The Great Ocean Road is peppered with exceptional accommodation options. Stay at the Lorne Hotel to take full use of the ocean views and easy access to Totti's restaurant and bar. The Big 4 Apollo Bay Caravan Park has an option for everyone, from cabins to glamping. Relax in beachside glamour a little further down the coast at the Port Cottage in Port Campbell. merivale.com/stay/lorne-hotel; big4.com.au; visitgreatoceanroad.org.au

While there: Take a helicopter ride along a stunning stretch of Australian coastline from the 12 Apostles to Port Campbell with the 12 Apostles Helicopter Company. 12apostleshelicopters.com.au

Explore more: visitgreatoceanroad.org.au

The writer was a guest of Visit Great Ocean Road.