The Invy Espy Hotel

A cornerstone of the Inverloch community since 1896, this pub guards its heritage and traditional pub fare, while welcoming the next gen with a seasonally shifting menu and contemporary cues.

Downstairs in the beer garden, you can snack on the likes of crispy crab fritters before moving on to sarsaparilla-braised beef cheeks or lamb rogan josh with naan. Take your burger with Gippsland grass-fed beef, or opt for one of the vegetarian, vegan and gluten- or dairy-free dishes. Cold brews on tap range from Carlton to 4 Pines and Balter Brewing.

Alternatively, head upstairs to the Captain’s Lounge for a cocktail on the verandah with the ocean in view. The food offering is a little fancier up here – think chargrilled langoustines with bisque, buttermilk and pickled fennel, or a 500-gram Chateaubriand eye fillet cooked medium-rare (yes, the chef chooses) with wild mushrooms, broccolini and Dirty Three Wines pinot jus.

The kitchen works closely with local businesses to source meat, seafood, fruit and vegetables. Solar panels line the roof of the pub and adjoining bottle shop, providing around 75 per cent of the hotel’s required energy.