Located just a short drive from the Searoad Ferries Sorrento terminal, Rye is a coastal gem with a laid-back beachside charm and an unexpectedly vibrant food scene. Most of the best restaurants in Rye are within easy reach of the foreshore, which means you’re never far from a great meal paired with salty sea breezes and sunset views. Whether you’re after a relaxed brunch after a morning swim, a long lunch with friends, or a memorable dinner to cap off the day, Rye serves it all. Here’s your guide to the best Rye restaurants that are worth a spot in your itinerary.

Best Rye Restaurants for Lunch

1

Meat the Greek in Rye

Meat The Greek in Rye is a family-owned restaurant serving authentic Greek cuisine. The menu is inspired by traditional recipes, prepared with care to deliver rich, satisfying dishes in every bite. To ensure freshness and consistency across their dishes, Meat the Greek in Rye works closely with local farmers to acquire high-quality seasonal ingredients. The result? A warm, inviting dining experience that celebrates genuine Greek hospitality and flavour.

Best For: Family meals or casual lunches with hearty portions and fresh ingredients

What You Should Try:

  • Paidakia (5 lamb cutlets, French cut, chargrilled)
  • Lamb, chicken, or mixed yeeros
  • Greek salad with tomato, onion, cucumber, capsicum + fetta 

 




 

Opening Hours: 11 AM to 9 PM (Wednesday to Sunday)

Address: 2353 Point Nepean Rd, Rye VIC 3941, Australia

2

Paul Louey

One of the longstanding restaurants in Rye, Paul Louey has been delivering authentic Cantonese cuisine since 1978. For decades, it has maintained its reputation for serving consistent flavours that keep locals and visitors coming back for more. The secret is using time-honoured recipes to achieve the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and sour: the hallmarks of traditional Cantonese cooking. 

Best For: Family meals and group dinners in a cosy, neighbourhood setting

What You Should Try:

  • Sizzling king prawns
  • Lemon chicken
  • Prawn crackers
  • Chicken and sweet corn soup

Opening Hours:

5 PM to 9 PM (Tuesday)

12 PM to 2 PM & 5 PM to 9 PM (Wednesday and Thursday)

12 PM to 2 PM & 5 PM to 9:30 PM (Friday and Saturday)

5 PM to 9 PM (Sunday)

Address: 2303 Point Nepean Rd, Rye VIC 3941, Australia

Take the Scenic Route with Searoad Ferries:

Start your Mornington Peninsula food adventure with Searoad Ferries and enjoy a leisurely 40-minute ferry ride from Queenscliff to Sorrento. Keep an eye out for playful dolphins or passing ships, and grab a coffee or snack onboard as the coastline slowly unfolds around you. Once you arrive at the modern, glass-enclosed Sorrento Terminal, you’re already at the gateway to the peninsula’s best dining and coastal experiences. From here, it’s just a short drive to Rye, where your culinary adventure truly begins.

Book Your Ferry Trip

Best Rye Restaurants for Dinner

3

Indian Villa Tandoori Kitchen & Café

One of the highly rated restaurants in Rye, Indian Villa Tandoori Kitchen & Café is known for its rich, authentic flavours and warm hospitality. Guests enjoy a menu of classic Indian dishes prepared with traditional spices and cooking techniques that deliver bold, aromatic tastes in every bite. With a relaxed yet vibrant atmosphere, it’s a crowd favourite for both casual dinners and special meals with friends or family.

Best For: Traditional Indian dinners featuring a diverse menu with vegetarian and meat options

What You Should Try:

  • Butter chicken, with light spices and crushed cashew nuts in a pureed tomato sauce
  • Punjabi goat curry, with spicy mutton curry made in Punjabi style with a blend of traditional indian spices finish with coriander & ginger
  • Tandoori platter, with a selection of tandoori specialties

 

 

Opening Hours: 4 PM to 10 PM (Monday to Sunday)

Address: 2377 Point Nepean Rd, Rye VIC 3941, Australia

4

Ruby Modern Thai Restaurant

Only a few Rye restaurants can deliver an authentic Thai dining experience, and Ruby Modern Thai Restaurant is widely regarded as one of the standout choices. The kitchen carefully highlights the true flavours of Thai herbs such as ginger, galangal, lemongrass, and turmeric, incorporating them thoughtfully into each dish to elevate the taste. Its high-quality dishes, along with its reasonable prices, have made Ruby Modern Thai Restaurant a beloved local spot for authentic, flavour-rich Thai food.

Best For: Dinner with friends or family in a welcoming, casual setting

What You Should Try:

  • Roti bread
  • Duck curry, with sliced roast duck fillet flavoured with lychee, pineapple, cherry tomato & basil leaves
  • Steam coconut rice
  • Curry puffs made of minced chicken & vegetables, curry flavored serve with sweet chilli sauce

 

 

Opening Hours: 5:30 PM to 10 PM (Tuesday to Sunday)

Address: 2407 Point Nepean Rd, Rye VIC 3941, Australia

Best Rye Restaurants With a View

5

PU17 Rye

PU17 Rye is a popular café and casual dining spot in Rye known for its welcoming atmosphere and stylish indoor and outdoor seating. The menu showcases Australian and Asian fusion influences, which are perfectly complemented by excellent coffee and fresh juices. 

Best For: Brunch and breakfast by the beach, and casual catch-ups with friends or family

What You Should Try:

  • Korean chicken burger, with crispy butter milk chicken, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and house sauce, served with chips
  • Avo on toast, with chunky avo, beetroot hummus, cucumber, pomegranate, medley tomatoes, poached eggs, and multigrain toast
  • Eggs on toast, with free-range eggs your way, garnished with sumac

 



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Pu17 Rye (@pu17.rye)

 

Opening Hours: 7 AM to 3 PM (Daily)

Address: 2193 Point Nepean Rd, Rye VIC 3941, Australia

6

Hapi Cafe & Restaurant Rye

Hapi Cafe & Restaurant Rye is one of the best beachside cafés and restaurants in Rye, offering a mix of traditional breakfast and lunch dishes alongside a modern Asian selection. The menu showcases classic café staples alongside Asian-inspired dishes, including curries, dumplings, and rice bowls. Located right across from the beach, it’s a favourite spot for casual meals with views and a laid-back atmosphere. 

Best For: Beachside brunches and casual dining with indoor and outdoor seating

What You Should Try:

  • Hapi Benny, with poached eggs on sourdough with hollandaise and your choice of ham, spinach, or bacon
  • Chicken parma, with panko crumbed chicken breast topped with ham, Napoli sauce, and cheese, with a side of fries or salad
  • Chilli scrambled eggs with bacon, coriander, parmesan cheese, fresh shallots, and fresh chilli

 

 

Opening Hours: 7 AM to 4 PM (Daily)

Address: 2253 Point Nepean Rd, Rye VIC 3941, Australia

Best Rye Restaurants for Casual Dining

7

Steam Restaurant

One of the staples in the Rye food scene, Steam Restaurant is a modern Asian restaurant that brings together the bold, flavour-packed influences of Japanese, Chinese, Cambodian, Vietnamese, Thai, and Indonesian cuisines in one dynamic menu. Now also serving its very own Aussie-Asian twist on breakfast dishes, alongside its signature lunch and dinner share plates, Steam Restaurant prides itself on continually expanding its menu to cater to every type of diner.

Best For: Share plates and social dining

What You Should Try:

  • Barramundi
  • Khmer seafood curry
  • Duck pancakes

 

 

Opening Hours: 2:30 PM to 9:30 PM (Tuesday to Sunday)

Address: 4/2257 Point Nepean Rd, Rye VIC 3941, Australia

8

Papi’s Pizza


Papi’s Pizza is a lively Napoli-style pizza bar in Rye that brings a slice of coastal Italy to the Mornington Peninsula. Known for its laid-back social vibe, the venue is perfect for settling into a booth or soaking up the sun outdoors while enjoying flavour-packed dishes and drinks. Every weekend, the Bottomless Brunch draws a crowd with 90 minutes of free-flowing drinks and shareable bites. It’s a favourite go-to spot to share stories and a few laughs over wood-fired pizza and drinks.

Best For: Brunches, casual dinners, group catch-ups, or relaxed date nights

What You Should Try:

  • Pancetta & Parmesan arancini balls
  • Pizza with spicy sopressa salami, red onion, scamorza, Parmesan
  • “Papi Papi” pizza with chicken, red onion, scamorza, roasted capsicum, and sriracha mayo
  • Pizza with prawns, capers, tomatoes, scamorza, and salsa verde

 

 




Opening Hours: 4 PM to 9:30 PM (Monday to Friday), 12 PM to 9:30 PM (Saturday and Sunday)

 

Address: 2283 Point Nepean Rd, Rye VIC 3941, Australia

Best Rye Restaurant for Upscale Dining

9

Del Posto 2409

Del Posto 2409 is one of the few restaurants in Rye offering a refined take on Italian and Mediterranean cuisine in a cosy, intimate setting. The menu showcases handcrafted pastas, seafood, and seasonal dishes, paired with a thoughtfully curated wine list that highlights both classic flavours and creative touches. Reservations are recommended, especially during weekends, as the restaurant is popular with both locals and visitors.

Best For: Date nights or intimate dinners, small group celebrations, or special occasions

What You Should Try:

  • Squid ink lasagna, with squid ink lasagne sheets, blue swimmer crab, ricotta, garlic, spring onion, tomato sugo
  • Gnocchi, with oven-baked potato dumplings, gorgonzola, caramelised onion,  fresh bread crumbs
  • Pesce del Giorno, with the fish fillet of the day, cavolo nero, chard,  white beans, fennel cream

 

 

Opening Hours: 5 PM to 9:30 PM (Tuesday to Thursday), 12 PM to 2:30 PM & 5 PM to 9:30 PM (Friday and Saturday)

Address: 2409 Point Nepean Rd, Rye VIC 3941, Australia

Kick Off Your Mornington Peninsula Food Adventure with Searoad Ferries

Rye is packed with diverse dining experiences that capture the coastal charm of the Mornington Peninsula. And with plenty of other things to do in Rye, it’s one of the towns in the region where you can simply slow down and explore at your own pace.

Just a short drive from Rye, Searoad Ferries offers a scenic and relaxing way to start your culinary journey. With the onboard café and bar, spacious outdoor decks for sightseeing, and comfortable indoor lounges, the 40-minute crossing feels like the beginning of a holiday rather than just transport. And as you arrive at the Searoad Ferries Sorrento Terminal, you can instantly start your foodie adventure at the ONDA Restaurant, where Mediterranean-inspired dining and a relaxed seaside atmosphere set the tone for exploring the Mornington Peninsula’s vibrant food scene.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can you eat right by the beach/foreshore in Rye?

Yes. Rye is well known for its foreshore dining culture. Many cafés, pubs, and casual eateries in the area are located directly across from or within walking distance of the beach and Rye Foreshore Reserve, so it’s easy to grab food and sit by the beach or nearby parklands.

2. Do restaurants in Rye serve alcohol and have full‑service bars?

Many established restaurants in Rye serve alcohol, including beer, wine, cocktails, and spirits. There are also several venues that offer both full meals and bar service throughout the day and evening.

3. Do restaurants accept card/digital payments?

Yes. Card and digital payments are standard across most licensed venues in the area, especially larger restaurants and pubs that cater to both locals and tourists. However, it’s still best to carry some cash, especially when visiting smaller cafés, seasonal pop-ups, or food trucks around the foreshore.

Travellers rate us 4.5 out of 5 on Trip Advisor
Simple and enjoyable process
Really enjoyed taking the ferry. Not very busy, easy to get on and off with car and nice ship. Comfortable lounge and even had a sandwich. Really like the driving it saved us. Put us in great shape for starting the Great Ocean Road.
Enjoy the drive..Take The Ferry
Why would you bother driving through all that city traffic when you can just hop aboard the ferry to get from one side of the bay to the other?
Excellent way to cross the bay
We took the car over the bay. What an easy trip. No need to book. Boat is in excellent condition and crew were great. High recommended.