We had our first experience at The Arborist NYE and it did not disappoint! The food was absolutely incredible and delicious. The staff were lovely and attentive. Easily one of the best places to eat in Geelong. The only downside was we selected to eat outside and the wind was cold and annoying. The deck area did have outdoor heaters, but it didn’t help with the wind or leaves flying around the area. Keep the weather in mind when booking - safe bet to book inside to be able to enjoy the experience without any negatives! Would recommend eating here and looking forward to going back.

Amazing selection of food with a lot of hit dishes. Lamb backstrap was a highlight, and not too fatty. The surprise star dish was spiced pumpkin with goat cheese, pairs amazingly well with the mains. Ricotta gnocchi was also beautiful.

It was great. Welcoming friendly staff and fast service. We picked the feed me option and it didn’t disappoint. Apricot and halloumi was my personal fave. Was very busy so bookings are a must. Might be difficult for those who are hard of hearing as it got quite loud inside. Overall a wonderful experience.

We had an exceptional experience at The Arborist in Geelong. Cameron and Nathan looked after us really well. The seasonal menu was outstanding, with every dish full of flavour and beautifully presented. The drinks list was extensive and well curated, offering something for everyone. The atmosphere was relaxed yet refined, and the staff were friendly, helpful and attentive. Everyone walked away completely satisfied. Exceptional quality all round and we will definitely be back.

The ambiance and aesthetics at The Arborist Geelong are breathtaking. The tree running through the middle of the actual building, just stunning! It’s worth the visit just to see the aesthetic vibe of the place. Even the bathrooms have subtle hints of nature. The gentle sounds of the forest playing in the background while washing your hands adds a sense of calm and relaxation. The service was good, and the staff were friendly and attentive. The food is visually appealing; very pretty pieces of art. But, the flavours, don’t quite meet the mark. Sometimes less really is more. The halloumi was cooked well but doused in apricots, hazelnuts and sauce. As someone who grew up eating halloumi and a Mediterranean diet, it really needs to be toned down. Subtle hints of apricot or figs with halloumi, sure! Dousing the whole thing with apricots and sauce, no thanks. The hazelnuts used throughout a few of the dishes were premium - loved them. The olives were average. The potato croquettes were nice and crispy. The focaccia and cultured butter were 10/10. The hummus didn’t meet my expectations… it lacked the typical flavours of lemon, garlic, and most importantly, olive oil. It was also doused in saffron, which, although an expensive ingredient, has no place in Middle Eastern hummus. Too many pine nuts on top too - less is definitely more when the right blend of flavours are there. The oysters were fresh (as expected, being so close to the sea). The broccolini was tasty and crisp, the potatoes golden and crispy. The ricotta, mushroom, and truffle “dumplings” were more like gnocchi but were lacking in flavour, with the truffle overpowering the dish. The slow-cooked lamb was surprisingly very rare. The anchovies along with the sage probably weren’t the best choice of flavours to pair with a lamb dish. The fish lacked basic seasoning, and the sauce was overpoweringly sweet. To top it off, the chicken was undercooked. We told the waitress there was a raw section, which she verbally confirmed by saying “yes, that doesn’t look cooked at all”, and politely offered to take it back to the kitchen. The chef then sent her back to tell us that the technique used ensured it was cooked, it just looked red and raw near the bone. We could clearly see otherwise; it was undercooked. Charcotabs definitely came to the rescue post-meal. Definitely worth visiting The Arborist Geelong for the lovely view and aesthetics - maybe just for a couple of drinks. I would’ve much preferred to see some Australian dishes (even a modern take on a classic pie) rather than mock Middle Eastern and knock-off Mediterranean dishes.