While most will associate Anglesea with holidays and endless summer days, now there’s a new reason to head down the Great Ocean Road all year round.
Thanks to chef Matt Germanchis and his partner in life and business, Gemma Gange (Pei Modern, Jacques Reymond, Stokehouse), who are the proud owners of Captain Moonlite housed in the Anglesea Surf Life Saving Club.

After venturing from Melbourne to Sydney to assist with the opening and running of the kitchen at Pei Modern, they were looking for a project out of the city and found their gem down Victoria’s coast. In just over 12 months they have already made a name for themselves, making Anglesea a foodie destination.

While the restaurant is named after bushranger Andrew ‘Captain Moonlite’ Scott, at the heart of it, Matt says the eatery is very much Greek.

Drawing from his experience working on the Greek islands, the menu is simple Mediterranean fair, and those familiar with the chef’s food will know to expect fresh, locally sourced produce which is the real hero of each dish.

Tucked into the cliff edge overlooking the surf beach, sit by the window and take in the beautiful scenery, or on the deck, and enjoy a glass of wine paired with grilled saganaki and beetroot; slow-roasted lamb with peas and goats curd, or opt for the snapper cooked with golden raisins and lemongrass.

With quality and taste a priority, the team runs a seasonal menu, but diners can rest assured classics such as fish and chips are a staple.

There’s also a curated list of beer and wine, the bulk of which is sourced locally from across Victoria.

The space has a welcome feel to it and has been modernised, while keeping with the original surf club aesthetic with black and white photos of older members still adorning the walls.

Meanwhile, to maintain the restaurant’s local focus, a percentage of profits go directly to the surf lifesaving club, and all club events are catered to by Matt and Gemma.

Captain Moonlite has defined breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus depending on the time of year and opening, so be sure to check their website for details.

Captain Moonlite is located at 100 Great Ocean Rd, Anglesea, VIC. To make a booking call (03) 5263 2454 or visit captainmoonlite.com.au