Ipsos, Lorne: Is this the best Greek restaurant on the Great Ocean Road?
Ipsos, Lorne, is run by the same family that ran the legendary Kosta’s. The menu makes it one of the best Greek restaurants on the Great Ocean Road.
Ipsos, Lorne, is one of several good places to eat in the Great Ocean Road’s most appealing town. Other good restaurants in Lorne, Victoria, include a branch of Melbourne tapas institution Movida, but Ipsos concentrates on Greek food.
History of Ipsos Greek restaurant, Lorne
Ipsos, Lorne, is not quite an institution yet. But its predecessor in the same building – Kosta’s – was. Kosta’s ran from 1976 to 2003, overseen with loving care by Pam and Kosta Talimanidis. Ipsos marks Pam and Kosta’s return. In 2015, they opened Ipsos with their son Dominic.
Australia doesn’t have Michelin stars, but The Age Good Food Guide’s chefs’ hats work on much the same principle. In 2019 and 2020, Ipsos Restaurant got one hat status.
Pick the right Great Ocean Road tour from Melbourne
- For wildlife and nature focus: One day tour with koalas and guided forest walk.
- To beat the crowds: Reverse direction Great Ocean Road day tour.
- For adventure: Two day camping and surfing trip.
- For backpackers: One day highlights tour aimed at younger travellers.
- For exclusivity and flexibility: Private tour where you can pick the sights you want to see.
- For an extended trip: Three day Melbourne to Adelaide tour.
Ipsos, Lorne, menu
This Greek restaurant on the Great Ocean Road largely avoids the trappings of Greek taverna chintz. It’s not a slavish copy of homely Greek cooking, but an adaptation to a modern Australian style. The restaurant layout and food menu lend themselves to shared tables and shared dishes.
Of the larger, main dishes, interesting options include the Pork & lamb keftethes with pickled baby vegetables and herb labne for $30. There’s also the slow-cooked lamb shoulder with spiced moghrabieh, pine nuts, golden raisins and yoghurt for $66. You might want to split that one between two of you, though…
7 fantastic Great Ocean Road experiences
1. Crowd-beating reverse direction tour. 2. Surfing lessons in Anglesea. 3. Split Point Lighthouse climb. 4. Shockwave Zip-Coaster. 5. Guided wildlife walk. 6. Budj Bim National Park tour. 7. Great Ocean Road by motorbike.
Best Greek restaurant on the Great Ocean Road?
So, is Ipsos the best Greek restaurant on the Great Ocean Road? Possibly, although Chris’s Beacon Point near Apollo Bay would like to contest this.
Other things to do in Lorne include surfing at Lorne Beach and walking to Erskine Falls or Sheoak Falls in the Great Otway National Park. There are also great views of the coast from Teddy’s Lookout, and adrenalin rushes at Live Wire Park.
3 great experiences to try in Lorne
- Learn to surf – with a beginner’s surfing lesson at Lorne Beach.
- Swing, clamber and balance through the tree tops – on the Live Wire Park super circuit.
- Travel through the trees at 40km/h – on the Shockwave Zip Coaster.
Best places to stay in Lorne
The top Lorne accommodation options are:
- For overall quality: Cumberland Lorne Resort.
- For adults-only apartments with spa baths: Lorne Surf Apartments.
- On a budget: Lorne Foreshore Caravan Park.
- For an affordable, good quality motel: Lorne Anchorage Motel and Villas.
More Victoria travel
Kid-friendly accommodation in Inverloch at RACV Inverloch.
What is the Healesville Sanctuary in Healesville, Victoria?
Have a drink or two at the Middle Park Hotel in Melbourne.
Walk 200 stairs to the bottom of Hopetoun Falls near Apollo Bay.
Feast at the likes of Bambu and Agathé Patisserie in South Melbourne Market.