Is Eastern Spice the best Indian restaurant in Geelong?

Eastern Spice has been voted No.1 in the Geelong Foodie Poll and holds the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for 10 consecutive years — the most sustained recognition of any Indian restaurant in Geelong. It is also the only Indian restaurant in Geelong with waterfront views across Corio Bay at Eastern Beach.

Is Eastern Spice halal?

All meat at Eastern Spice is sourced from a halal-certified supplier (the restaurant itself is not halal-certified) — this applies to every meat dish on the menu including all curries, tandoori dishes and biryanis.

Is Eastern Spice BYO?

Yes. Eastern Spice is BYO wine every night with a corkage fee of $5 per person. Beer and spirits are not included in the BYO policy.

Does Eastern Spice have vegetarian options?

Yes. Eastern Spice has an extensive vegetarian menu including paneer tikka masala, dal makhani, chana masala, aloo gobi, vegetable biryani and more. Vegan-friendly dishes are also available — ask staff on the night.

Is Eastern Spice on the Geelong waterfront?

Yes. Eastern Spice is located at 1 Bellerine Street at Eastern Beach on the Geelong waterfront, with views across Corio Bay. It is the only Indian restaurant in Geelong with direct waterfront views.

How do I book a table at Eastern Spice?

Book online at easternspice.com.au/reserve-your-table or call (03) 5221 9544. Walk-ins are welcome but bookings are strongly recommended on Friday and Saturday nights.

Does Eastern Spice offer Indian catering in Geelong?

Yes. Eastern Spice provides Indian catering across Greater Geelong for weddings, corporate events and private celebrations. Packages start from $29 per person for groups of 25 or more. Contact via WhatsApp on 0430 458 703.

What time does Eastern Spice open?

Eastern Spice is open Monday and Wednesday to Sunday from 5pm to 9:30pm. The restaurant is closed on Tuesdays.

Who is the chef at Eastern Spice Geelong?

Chef Manpreet Sekhon — known as the Curry Queen — is the founder and head chef of Eastern Spice. Trained at Park Plaza Hotel Punjab. Recognised by celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor and the late Jiggs Kalra, the Czar of Indian Cuisine. Eastern Spice is the original home of the Curry Queen — she also runs Masti on Brunswick Street Fitzroy and Elchi at 72 Flinders Street Melbourne CBD.

Is Eastern Spice related to Elchi Melbourne and Masti Fitzroy?

Yes. Eastern Spice, Masti and Elchi are all restaurants by Chef Manpreet Sekhon — the Curry Queen. Eastern Spice in Geelong is where the Curry Queen's story began. Masti is her casual Indian restaurant on Brunswick Street Fitzroy. Elchi at 72 Flinders Street Melbourne CBD is her fine dining expression — with thirteen Melbourne press features and private dining for 50 guests exclusively.

Vegan Restaurant in Geelong? The Vegan Indian Dishes Worth Booking For

5 Oct

Written By Manpreet Sekhon

Searches for a vegan restaurant in Geelong have jumped this year, and it's no surprise. More of us are eating plant-based, and we want somewhere that treats vegan dishes as the main event, not an afterthought. Indian cooking is perfect for this: lentils, vegetables, spice and slow cooking have always been at its heart.

Vegan dishes on our menu

Starters

Onion Bhaji ($14), crispy onion fritters that are vegan and gluten-free. Samosa ($11), Papdi Chaat ($15), Dahi Puri Chaat ($15) and Cauliflower Manchurian or Honey Chilli Cauliflower ($20) all come with a vegan option. Our vegetable momos ($18) can be made vegan, too.

Curries

Daal Tadka ($22), yellow daal, comforting and vegan. Aloo Baigan ($22), potato and eggplant, vegan and gluten-free. Bhindi Do Pyaza ($22), stir-fried okra and onion, vegan and gluten-free.

Breads and rice

Our wholemeal tandoori Roti ($4) is vegan, and basmati rice ($6) goes with everything.

Banquets and thalis

The Chef's Table Banquet ($69 a person, four or more) has a vegan option, and our Monday Special Thali ($28) comes in a vegan version.

Ask us

Some dishes use ghee, cream or yoghurt, so tell your server you're vegan and we'll guide you through the menu and make adjustments where we can.

Vegan and gluten-free together

Many of our vegan dishes are also gluten-free, and we make a gluten-free roti from rice and lentil flour. Read our gluten-free guide.

A vegan dinner by the bay

See our vegan and gluten-free page and the full menu, order takeaway with 10% off pickup, or book a table at our waterfront restaurant on Eastern Beach.

Manpreet Sekhon

Manpreet Sekhon is the award-winning chef and founder of Masti Indian Restaurant in Fitzroy, Melbourne. Known as the Curry Queen, Manpreet trained in five-star hotels across Punjab, India, where her cooking was recognised by two of India's most celebrated culinary figures — Sanjeev Kapoor and the late Jiggs Kalra, widely regarded as the Czar of Indian Cuisine. She founded Eastern Spice in Geelong — one of regional Victoria's most acclaimed Indian restaurants — before bringing her cooking to Melbourne with Masti on Brunswick Street, Fitzroy in 2020, and Elchi in Melbourne's CBD. Her menus honour her late mother's fearless, instinctive cooking — traditional, bold, and made entirely from scratch.