'Bit of an escape without needing to go very far': The perfect winter lunch spot

Jack Rabbit
85 McAdams Lane
Bellarine 

Here’s one for the long weekend, and it genuinely feels like a bit of an escape without needing to go very far.

Jack Rabbit on the Bellarine has just launched its winter menu literally today, so I won’t lock you into specific dishes too heavily, but what I can tell you is this: the tone of the menu tells you everything. You see words like roulade, jus, confit… and you immediately relax a little because you know you’re in capable hands. And then you look up. Because the real flex here isn’t just the food, it’s the view. You’ve got panoramic water across the bay, the Melbourne skyline sitting off in the distance on one side, and Sorrento stretching out on the other. We timed it with sunset, and it’s one of those venues where the room almost pauses for a second as the light drops. It’s pretty special.

Now, we actually had a slight communication hiccup on arrival, nothing dramatic, but we ended up being seated about 15 minutes after the kitchen was meant to close. And this is where you learn a lot about a venue. Instead of feeling rushed or like an inconvenience, they completely flipped it. Service was warm, attentive, and genuinely accommodating. 

And the wine, which you’d hope is good given where you are, absolutely delivers. The Jack Rabbit Pinot Noir was a standout. Smoky, layered, quite rich in flavour but still light and elegant on the palate. It’s that cool-climate style the Geelong region does so well. Their winemaker, Nyall Condon, has a pretty serious background, and you can taste that restraint. It’s not overworked wine. It’s clean, balanced, and lets the fruit do the talking.

Food-wise, the menu leans a bit more adventurous than your standard winery restaurant, which is refreshing. The king brown mushroom “pork belly” is one of those dishes that could go wrong in lesser hands, but here it works. It has that same richness and texture you want from pork belly, but with a lighter, more nuanced finish. The venison carpaccio with blackberries and microgreens was another highlight. It’s a dish that walks that line between gamey and delicate, and the blackberry just lifts it without overpowering. The scallops were simple enough to let the quality speak. Even the sides felt considered. Charred broccolini with almonds, garlic frites… nothing overly complicated, but done properly.

For mains, the kangaroo loin was probably the most interesting plate. Served with chimichurri, parsnip purée, and pickled zucchini, it had that balance of richness, acidity, and earthiness that keeps each bite engaging. The ricotta gnocchi leaned into comfort. Soft, pillowy, sage, burnt butter… It’s the kind of dish that anchors the menu and gives you something familiar if you don’t feel like experimenting. And then the wagyu porterhouse, which is your big-ticket item, was exactly that. Charred well, served simply with onion and greens, and it lets the quality of the meat do the heavy lifting.

It’s one of those meals where nothing feels like it’s trying too hard, but everything is considered. And the overall feeling? It’s polished, but not stiff. You could take someone there for a special occasion, or you could just as easily go for a long lunch and a couple of glasses of wine. We actually ended up grabbing a wedding booklet on the way out for a friend who just got engaged, which probably tells you everything about the setting. It’s that kind of place.

If you don’t want to commit to a full sit-down meal, they’ve just introduced something called “The In-Between,” which I think is a smart move. It runs Fridays and Saturdays from 4pm to 6pm, and it’s exactly what it sounds like, not quite lunch, not quite dinner. It’s more of a grazing, late afternoon setup. Think oysters, warm olives, baked halloumi, frites, smaller wagyu bites, paired with a glass of wine as the vineyard shifts into evening. If you just want that golden hour experience without a full booking, that’s probably the play.

In terms of logistics, they’re open for lunch and dinner most days, typically from around midday through to late afternoon, then into dinner service, but I’d recommend booking, especially on weekends or if you’re chasing that sunset window.

And just quickly, for anyone wondering, yes it’s absolutely worth the drive from Melbourne. You’re looking at about 90 minutes, give or take, and it feels like a proper reset when you get there.

It’s one of those venues that reminds you how good the Bellarine can be when everything lines up. Great wine, thoughtful food, genuinely warm service, and a view that does a lot of the talking for you.

Image: Supplied