Indian Restaurant Near Lara — Eastern Spice Geelong
If you live in Lara and you are searching for the best Indian restaurant near you, Eastern Spice at 1 Bellerine Street on the Geelong waterfront is exactly where you need to be.
Situated approximately 15 to 20 minutes south of Lara via the Princes Freeway, Eastern Spice has spent over a decade building its reputation as the most awarded and most loved Indian dining destination in the region. Voted No. 1 in the Geelong Foodie Poll and the proud holder of the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for 10 consecutive years, this is where authentic Indian cuisine, outstanding hospitality, and breathtaking views over Corio Bay come together in one experience that Lara residents keep coming back for.
Whether you want a relaxed family dinner, a special occasion meal, a corporate event, or professional Indian catering near Lara for a function or wedding, Eastern Spice is the name the region trusts.
Lara — Growing Fast, Living Well, Eating Better
Lara is one of the fastest-growing and most strategically located communities in Victoria. Sitting approximately 17 kilometres north-east of the Geelong CBD and 60 kilometres south-west of Melbourne, it occupies a unique position that gives residents the very best of both worlds: open spaces, a relaxed lifestyle, and genuine country charm, combined with outstanding connectivity to two of Victoria's largest cities.
What makes Lara such a compelling place to call home:
Exceptional connectivity — Lara Railway Station provides direct V/Line services to both the Geelong CBD (just 11 minutes by train) and Melbourne's Southern Cross Station, making it one of the best-connected communities outside the metropolitan area
You Yangs on the doorstep — the stunning You Yangs Regional Park, with its iconic granite peaks, is just minutes away, offering bushwalking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and birdwatching against one of Victoria's most dramatic natural backdrops
Serendip Sanctuary nearby — a beloved nature reserve featuring wetlands, walking tracks, bird hides, and picnic areas that is a regular favourite for Lara families
Lara Village shopping precinct — a growing hub of supermarkets, cafes, health services, and retail that keeps everyday life convenient
Avalon Airport just minutes away — making Lara a genuinely practical base for frequent travellers
Strong community culture — the Lara Food and Wine Festival and a calendar of local events reflect a town that takes great pride in its community spirit and its appreciation for quality food
Family-focused and growing — Lara's population grew from 16,355 in 2016 to over 19,000 in 2021 and continues to grow, with new estates like Grand Lakes and the planned Lara West development bringing waves of new families into a community that already knows how to welcome people
Lara residents are community-minded, food-loving, and adventurous. They travel for quality, whether it is to explore the You Yangs, drive to the Surf Coast, or head south to Geelong for a genuinely great night out. And when it comes to Indian food near Lara, Eastern Spice is the destination that delivers every single time.
Authentic Indian Food Near Lara — Crafted by the Curry Queen
The food at Eastern Spice is not simply put together. It is crafted with genuine passion and real culinary mastery by founder and head chef Manpreet Sekhon, celebrated throughout Geelong and beyond as the Curry Queen.
Here is the story behind every dish on our menu:
Manpreet learned the art of Indian cooking from her mother, developing a deep and personal connection to the flavours and traditions of the cuisine from the very beginning
She went on to train alongside accomplished chefs at the prestigious five-star Park Plaza Hotel Punjab, refining her skills at the highest level
Her extraordinary talent was later recognised by Jiggs Kalra, universally respected as the "Czar of Indian Cuisine," and by globally celebrated chef and TV personality Sanjeev Kapoor
She founded Eastern Spice at Geelong's Eastern Beach foreshore, bringing world-class Indian food to the waterfront and to the wider Geelong region
That combination of heritage, formal training, and personal passion is rare in any restaurant, anywhere. When Lara residents make the easy drive south to Eastern Spice for dinner, they are not just going out for a meal. They are sitting down to food with genuine world-class credentials behind it, and that difference is unmistakable from the very first plate.
Our Menu — A Journey Through India's Flavours
The Eastern Spice menu celebrates the extraordinary diversity of India's culinary traditions, from the rich, slow-cooked curries of the North to the vibrant, coconut-and-spice-forward dishes of the South. Everything is prepared fresh daily using locally sourced produce and handpicked authentic Indian spices.
Starters and Street Food
Begin your meal the way the best Indian meals begin:
Samosas — golden, crispy, and filled with perfectly spiced potato and vegetable stuffing
Chicken Tikka — marinated overnight in yoghurt and spices, cooked in our clay tandoor for irresistible smoky depth
Spicy Lamb Chops — bold, punchy, and always the most talked-about starter at the table
Signature Curries and Mains
Our mains showcase the full breadth of authentic Indian regional cooking:
Butter Chicken — the silky, aromatic North Indian classic, made the traditional way
Lamb Rogan Josh — slow-braised with Kashmiri spices until the meat falls apart tenderly
Dal Makhani — whole black lentils simmered for hours, rich, earthy, and deeply satisfying
Saag Paneer — velvety slow-cooked spinach with soft cubes of fresh Indian cottage cheese
Prawn Masala — fresh, vibrant, and layered with coastal Indian spice
Chicken or Lamb Biryani — fragrant basmati rice layered with slow-cooked spiced meat and topped with caramelised onions and fresh herbs
Tandoori Specialties
Our traditional clay tandoor oven operates at temperatures no conventional oven can match. Meats are marinated overnight and cooked to deliver the authentic char, smoke, and depth of flavour that defines great tandoori cooking. The tandoori platter is one of the most ordered dishes on the menu for very good reason.
Vegetarian Indian Food Near Lara
Eastern Spice is widely regarded as one of the finest vegetarian Indian dining destinations in the region. Our plant-based menu is extensive, freshly prepared, and genuinely satisfying:
Paneer Makhani — creamy, aromatic, and deeply indulgent
Chana Masala — hearty chickpeas in a bold, tangy spiced tomato sauce
Vegetable Biryani — colourful, fragrant, and layered with authentic spiced vegetables
Aloo Gobi — potatoes and cauliflower cooked with turmeric, cumin, and fresh ginger
Dal Tadka — yellow lentils finished with tempered mustard seeds, garlic, and fresh herbs
Every vegetarian dish is created with the same care, creativity, and flavour intensity as every other dish on the menu. No fillers. No compromise.
Desserts and Drinks
End the evening beautifully:
Gulab Jamun — warm, syrup-soaked dumplings scented with rose water
Mango Kulfi or Pistachio Kulfi — rich, creamy Indian ice cream in classic flavours
Lassi — cooling, thick, and refreshing, the perfect finish to a spiced meal
Our drinks menu includes mocktails like Aam Panna and Virgin Mojito, a curated wine selection, and soft drinks. Eastern Spice is also BYO wine friendly with a corkage fee of just $5 per person.
Halal Indian Restaurant Near Lara — Certified, Trusted, and Welcoming
For Lara's multicultural and growing community, including families and residents who require halal-certified food, Eastern Spice provides a trusted and welcoming dining experience.
All meat served at Eastern Spice is sourced exclusively from a certified halal supplier. Every meat dish on the menu, from the butter chicken and lamb rogan josh to the tandoori platters and beef curries, is prepared to the highest standards of halal preparation without exception.
Eastern Spice is one of the very few genuinely halal-friendly Indian restaurants accessible from Lara. Families can move through the full menu with complete confidence, knowing that every dish meets their requirements. For halal food near Lara, Eastern Spice is the trusted answer.
Indian Catering Near Lara — We Bring the Feast to You
Hosting an event in Lara or the surrounding area? Eastern Spice's professional Indian catering service brings the full quality of our kitchen directly to your home, garden, venue, or community space.
Our experienced catering team has delivered outstanding Indian food for events of every kind and scale across the Greater Geelong region and beyond. We manage every aspect of the process, from menu design through to preparation, presentation, and delivery, so you can focus completely on enjoying your own event.
Popular catering options for Lara events include:
Family celebrations — birthdays, anniversaries, and milestone dinners for any group size
Community and cultural events — inclusive menus that celebrate diversity and welcome every guest
Corporate functions — client dinners, team lunches, and end-of-year celebrations done with genuine style
Engagement parties — beautifully presented shared feasts for families and friends
School and sporting club events — generous, flavour-packed menus that satisfy large and varied crowds
New estate and neighbourhood gatherings — perfect for Lara's growing new residential communities looking to celebrate and connect
All catering menus can be tailored to include:
Fully vegetarian or vegan dishes
Halal-certified meat across all protein options
Mild spice levels for children and guests with lower heat tolerance
Bulk order packages for larger community events
Contact Eastern Spice to discuss your event and we will design a bespoke menu perfectly suited to your occasion, your guests, and your budget.
Indian Wedding Catering Near Lara — Make Your Special Day Unforgettable
Your wedding day is one of the most important occasions of your lifetime, and the food at its heart should be extraordinary. Eastern Spice is one of the most trusted and sought-after providers of Indian wedding catering in the Greater Geelong region, with a strong and well-earned reputation for delivering exceptional wedding feasts for families from Lara and across Victoria.
What Lara couples and families can expect from Eastern Spice wedding catering:
Personally led by Curry Queen Manpreet Sekhon from the initial consultation through to the final dish being served
Fully bespoke menus designed around your cultural traditions, personal tastes, and dietary requirements
Halal-certified meat confirmed across every protein dish
Extensive vegetarian and vegan selections ensuring every guest is generously and thoughtfully catered for
Everything prepared fresh on the day for maximum quality, freshness, and flavour
Professional presentation and punctual, reliable service that your wedding day absolutely demands
Whether you are planning a traditional Indian wedding reception, a multicultural celebration, or a wedding that simply calls for the richness and warmth of authentic Indian food, Eastern Spice will create a feast that your guests remember for years to come.
Contact us today to start planning your Indian wedding catering near Lara.
Waterfront Dining — A Worthy Reward for the Drive from Lara
Lara residents are no strangers to driving for great experiences. You drive to the You Yangs for a morning hike. You drive to the Bellarine for a weekend on the water. You drive to Geelong for a proper night out.
And when that night out involves Eastern Spice, the short drive south on the Princes Freeway is one of the most worthwhile journeys you will make all year.
Eastern Spice sits right on the Eastern Beach foreshore, overlooking Corio Bay. It is the only Indian restaurant in the region with genuine waterfront views. Arriving from Lara after an easy 15 to 20 minute drive, stepping into our warm dining room, settling at a table with the bay stretching out before you, and ordering a fragrant lamb biryani or a sizzling tandoori platter while the evening light fades across the water — that is the Eastern Spice experience. And it makes the drive from Lara feel like the beginning of something rather special.
Why Lara Residents Choose Eastern Spice
Lara is a community of families and adventurers who drive for quality and return for consistency. Here is why so many of them have made Eastern Spice their trusted Indian restaurant of choice:
Voted No. 1 in the Geelong Foodie Poll — the community's own verdict, earned year after year
TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for 10 consecutive years — a sustained record of exceptional food and service that very few restaurants anywhere can match
Australian Good Food and Travel Guide Readers' Choice Award — national recognition for a genuinely outstanding restaurant
Chef-driven, authentically crafted food — every dish carries the personal expertise and passion of Curry Queen Manpreet Sekhon
Halal-certified meat — verified, trusted, and confirmed across every meat dish on the menu
Extensive and genuinely satisfying vegetarian menu — creative, freshly made, and deeply flavourful
BYO wine — bring your favourite bottle for just $5 corkage per person
Easy access from Lara — a straightforward 15 to 20 minute drive south via the Princes Freeway into the Geelong CBD, or hop on the V/Line train from Lara Station for a stress-free, scenic journey in
Open 6 nights a week — Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 5pm to 9:30pm
Order Online — Indian Food Pickup from Geelong
Prefer to stay home in Lara tonight? Eastern Spice makes it easy and rewarding to enjoy authentic Indian food from your own couch through Menulog. Browse the full menu, place your order, select pickup, and collect your freshly prepared meal at your convenience.
Save 10% on all pickup orders (excluding Sundays, public holidays, and New Year's Eve and New Year's Day).
Please note the following surcharges apply:
10% surcharge on Sunday dine-in
15% surcharge on all dine-in and takeaway on public holidays
Getting to Eastern Spice from Lara
Eastern Spice 1 Bellerine Street, Geelong VIC 3220
By car: Head south on the Princes Freeway from Lara into the Geelong CBD, then follow the waterfront road to Bellerine Street at Eastern Beach. The drive takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes, with convenient parking available nearby.
By train: Take the V/Line from Lara Station into Geelong Station (approximately 11 minutes), then a short taxi, rideshare, or 10-minute walk along the waterfront to Eastern Beach.
Phone: +61 3 5221 9544 Email: easternspiceau@gmail.com
Opening Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday: 5pm to 9:30pm Tuesday: CLOSED
Reservations are warmly welcomed. Book your table online or call us directly. Walk-ins are always welcome, subject to availability.
Frequently Asked Questions — Indian Restaurant Near Lara
Where is the best Indian restaurant near Lara? Eastern Spice at 1 Bellerine Street, Geelong is the most highly rated and most awarded Indian restaurant accessible from Lara, approximately 15 to 20 minutes south via the Princes Freeway, or just 11 minutes by train.
Is Eastern Spice a halal restaurant? Yes. All meat served at Eastern Spice is sourced exclusively from a certified halal supplier, making it one of the most trusted halal-friendly Indian dining destinations in the Geelong region.
Does Eastern Spice have vegetarian options? Absolutely. The vegetarian menu at Eastern Spice is extensive, freshly prepared, and genuinely satisfying, covering curries, biryanis, lentil dishes, paneer specialties, and much more.
Can Eastern Spice cater for events and weddings near Lara? Yes. We offer full professional catering services for events of all sizes, including fully bespoke Indian wedding catering. Contact us to discuss your requirements and we will create the perfect menu for your occasion.
Can I bring my own wine to Eastern Spice? Yes. BYO wine is welcome with a corkage fee of just $5 per person.
How do I make a reservation? Book a table online via our reservations page or call us on +61 3 5221 9544. Walk-ins are also always welcome.
Book Your Table — The Best Indian Restaurant Near Lara Is Waiting
From the open streets and community heart of Lara to the shimmering waters of Corio Bay, a genuinely outstanding dining experience is just a short drive or train ride away.
The Indian restaurant near Lara that families, couples, and food lovers keep returning to is Eastern Spice. Come and experience the food, the warmth, and the waterfront setting that have made us the most celebrated Indian dining destination in the region for over a decade.
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