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.

Waterfront Restaurants in Geelong: Dinner by the Bay at Eastern Beach

5 Oct

Written By Manpreet Sekhon

Ask anyone where to eat in Geelong and the waterfront comes up first. The stretch from Cunningham Pier to Eastern Beach has the bay views, the promenade and the sunsets that make an ordinary dinner feel like a night out. Here's how to make the most of dinner at one of the waterfront restaurants in Geelong, and why we think Eastern Beach is the best spot on the bay.

Why Eastern Beach is the waterfront's best-kept secret

The busiest part of the waterfront is around the pier, but walk ten minutes east and you reach Eastern Beach: the art deco bathing enclosure, the lawns, the children's pool and the quiet end of Corio Bay. Eastern Spice sits right here, at 1 Bellerine Street, with every table looking out to the water.

Plan your evening around the sunset

The best time for dinner by the bay is about an hour before sunset. In summer that means a later booking; in winter you'll be watching the light go over the water by 5:30pm. Ask for a window table when you book. They're limited, and popular on Friday and Saturday nights.

A walk before or after dinner

Park once and make a night of it. Walk along the promenade to the Carousel and Cunningham Pier and back, or stroll around the Eastern Beach enclosure. In the cooler months, come back inside to a slow-cooked curry by the fireplace.

What to order by the water

Our coastal dishes suit a waterfront table: Scallop Coconut Curry ($26), Malabari Fish or Prawn Curry ($26) and crispy Prawn Koliwada ($22). For a bigger group, the Chef's Table Banquet ($69 a person, four or more, with a veg and vegan option) brings samosa, chicken tikka, butter chicken, daal, palak paneer, rice, naan and gulab jamun to the whole table.

Bring your favourite bottle

We're BYO wine at $5 a person (two bottles per table), and we also have a bar with Victorian wines by the glass, beer and cocktails. See the drinks list.

Good for date night, birthdays and family dinners

Couples come for the sunset; families come because there's something for everyone, from mild butter chicken to vegan curries and gluten-free roti. For birthdays and larger groups, call us on (03) 5221 9544 so we can set up the right table.

Book dinner at a Geelong waterfront restaurant

Read more about our waterfront restaurant, browse the menu, and book a table. We're open Monday and Wednesday to Sunday from 5pm, closed Tuesdays.

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.