Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Luxury Dining & Accommodation at Chris's Beacon Point
Established in 1972, our business has evolved from a small coastal eatery into a renowned culinary destination. Our founder, a Greek immigrant with decades of experience, pioneered fresh seafood cuisine combined with Mediterranean influences, creating a unique dining experience that has attracted visitors from around the world. Over five decades, we've maintained a commitment to sourcing the freshest local ingredients, including daily catches from Apollo Bay's fishing co-op and seasonal produce from the Otway Ranges. Our team, many of whom have worked with us for years, continues to uphold the personal hospitality standards set by our founding family. The restaurant's design seamlessly integrates with its natural surroundings, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase panoramic ocean views.Despite challenges including a devastating fire in 2003, we've maintained our reputation for excellence, earning recognition in major food guides and media outlets. Our accommodation offerings complement the dining experience, providing guests with immersive access to the Great Ocean Road's natural beauty. The business transitioned ownership in 2023 while preserving its legacy and commitment to quality. Our loyal customer base, many of whom have visited for decades, continues to appreciate our dedication to culinary innovation and authentic Greek hospitality.
Services
Fine Dining Restaurant
Villa Accommodation
Studio Accommodation
Conference Catering
Takeaway Service
Details
- Year established: 1972
Highlights and features
- Over 50 years of culinary expertise in Mediterranean-inspired seafood cuisine
- Direct access to daily catches from Apollo Bay fishing co-op
- Panoramic ocean views from our cliffside Great Ocean Road location
- Family-owned business with generations of hospitality experience
- Recognized in major food guides including The Age Good Food Guide
What people say
Fresh seafood excellence
Panoramic ocean views
Warm Greek hospitality
Award-winning cuisine
Romantic cliffside setting
Services
Fine Dining Restaurant
Our award-winning restaurant offers contemporary cuisine with Southern European and Middle Eastern influences. Specializing in fresh seafood sourced daily from Apollo Bay fishing co-op, our menu features Greek-inspired dishes using seasonal Otway produce. The dining experience combines panoramic ocean views through floor-to-ceiling windows with warm, personalized service in a timber-clad setting.
Villa Accommodation
Self-contained luxury villas sleep up to four guests with one queen and two single beds. Each villa features air conditioning, kitchen facilities, and private balconies showcasing 180-degree coastal views. Modern amenities include spa baths, entertainment systems, and laundry facilities while maintaining environmental sustainability practices.
Studio Accommodation
Fully self-contained studio units accommodate two guests with king or queen beds. Featuring polished timber floors and floor-to-ceiling windows capturing ocean vistas, these air-conditioned studios offer kitchenettes and private decks. Designed for couples seeking romantic getaways with direct access to restaurant facilities.
Conference Catering
Our venue accommodates conferences and special events with customized catering solutions. The restaurant's flexible layout and cliffside setting provide unique backdrops for business functions, weddings, and private celebrations. Full-service event coordination includes seasonal menu planning and audio-visual support.
Takeaway Service
Experience our signature flavors through takeaway meals featuring fresh seafood and Mediterranean ingredients. Available for guests wanting to enjoy gourmet dishes at their own pace, this service offers a selection of prepared meals and market-fresh seafood for self-preparation.
People
Chris Talihmanidis
Founder
A Greek immigrant who began cooking at age 13, Chris established the original Lorne restaurant in 1974 before moving to Apollo Bay. With over 60 years culinary experience, he pioneered fresh seafood cuisine on the Great Ocean Road, earning multiple awards and media recognition.
Taki Talihmanidis
Operations Manager
Chris's son Taki managed front-of-house operations for two decades, maintaining family hospitality standards. He oversaw the restaurant's rebuild after the 2003 fire and ensured continuity during ownership transition while preserving the business's legacy.
Penny Kernick
Business Partner
Longtime business partner Penny Kernick contributed to the restaurant's success through strategic management and customer relations. She played key roles in developing the accommodation offerings and maintaining environmental sustainability initiatives that define the business's ethos.
Questions
What makes Chris's Beacon Point Restaurant unique?
Our cliffside location offers uninterrupted ocean views combined with fresh seafood from Apollo Bay and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine developed over 50 years of culinary expertise.
Can I stay overnight at Chris's?
Yes, we offer luxury self-contained villas and studio units with panoramic coastal views, each featuring modern amenities while maintaining environmental sustainability.
What seafood is available seasonally?
Our menu features daily catches including Cape Otway crayfish, abalone, and seasonal fish like trumpeter and hapuka, with Greek-inspired preparations highlighting natural flavors.
Are functions accommodated?
Yes, our venue hosts conferences, weddings, and private events with customized catering, audio-visual support, and cliffside ambiance for up to 120 guests.
How to reach Chris's from Melbourne?
We're located 280 Skenes Creek Rd, Apollo Bay, approximately 3.5 hours drive from Melbourne along the Great Ocean Road with regular transport options available.
Is parking available?
Complimentary secure parking is available for guests using our restaurant and accommodation services, with easy access to cliffside facilities.
Reviews (4)
Holly F.
Jan 24, 2022
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Gorgeous view of the ocean, wonderful staff, divine food and wine. They also had a great kids menu. We loved our visit thank you!
Sarah L.
Jan 23, 2022
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Lovely views and friendly staff. I had the beef and the flavours were lovely. Also had a cosmopolitan which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Chris Duell
Jan 20, 2022
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Absolutely phenomenal food and service. We ate there last night and on our way out booked in to eat there again tonight as everything on the menu looked divine. I would travel well out of my way for a restaurant of this standard.
Paul Freeman
Jan 04, 2022
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What a magnificent place. Service was superb And the food even better. The gentleman who took my booking remembered me on arrival and we were made to feel very welcome. The views are unbeatable and everything we ate was top notch. It wasn't cheap but very reasonable for what we ate I loved this place. My favourite restaurant ever. Thank you.
