Caruggi

In Geelong Central, Caruggi brings a quietly confident slice of Italy to the Bellarine, charting a course from spuntino to dolci with poise.

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

From there, secondi deepen the comfort with slow-roasted duck leg with potatoes and Dutch carrots, or Chianti-braised beef cheek, settling into polenta and sautéed greens. Pizza offers clean regional cues through the Piemontese and Calabrian styles, while desserts like panna cotta or tiramisu provide a satisfying finish.

Make a date, settle in, and let the evening unfold one delectable chapter at a time.