Caruggi

In Geelong Central, Caruggi brings a quietly confident slice of Italy to The Bellarine, charting a course from spuntino to dolci with poise. The kitchen favours honest ingredients, slow craft and the kind of balance that lets each element speak, from gentle smoke to bright, herb-lifted notes. It is cooking that feels grounded yet generous, designed for sharing and lingering.

Begin with small pleasures: mixed olives served warm, or smoked burrata on a crisp cracker, its creaminess offset by roasted red capsicum and sweet peppers. Handmade pasta takes centre stage, whether pansotti con salsa di noci, silkily coated in walnut richness, or house made pappardelle curled around a ragù del giorno that changes with the cook’s mood and the market.

From there, secondi deepen the comfort: slow roasted duck leg with roast potatoes and Dutch carrots, or Chianti braised beef cheek settling into polenta and sautéed greens. Pizza has its say too, with the Piemontese and the Calabrese offering clean, regional cues, while sides like rocket and parmesan or broccolini with toasted almonds add bite and brightness.

To finish, choose between panna cotta jewelled with berries, white chocolate and pistachio, or a classic tiramisu. Make a date, settle in, and let the evening unfold—one delectable chapter at a time.