Malt Shovel Taphouse – Geelong
Golden Plate Awards in 2022
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STATE WINNER Best Hotel Dining
first Judges reports in 2022
The Maltshovel Taphouse in Geelong undertook a major makeover and relaunch in 2021 and we have been impressed by the continuous improvements achieved over the last four years. This time we visited on a wintery midweek evening and the Taphouse was alive to the sounds of guests enjoying themselves throughout the various areas. The customer service was good and efficient and the food arrived in perfect time. The staff were attentive and helpful and share plates and tap water were provided without asking. We sampled the “snack menu” and found it much more than a “snack! The spiced zucchini and corn fritters were particularly good with the right amount of spices, cooked to perfection and a generous portion sizes The Rotisserie Board For Two includes an excellent selection of meats, sauces and condiments, well presented on a long board. The three meats chosen were different cuts and each was cooked to perfection in a different way. In particular the pork was juicy, full of flavour and the crackling was great. Combined with the puree’s and gravy made for a great main course. No wonder it is a popular choice! As you would expect from a taphouse a great selection of beers and ciders were offered including those made locally in Geelong. The beer paddles continue to be a crowd pleasure and a great way to taste a range of beers including the local ones. This is an creditable achievement for a large brewery. The Taphouse serves coffee by Coffee Cartel and the baristas brewed it expertly. The Espresso had a great crema and the Café Late was also strong enough to cut through the milk. The temperatures of both were a perfect way to finish our dining experience.
The Maltshovel Taphouse offers great value for money and the Rotisserie board is particularly good value, well thought out, and the meats were cooked to perfection.
Golden Plate Awards in 2021
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STATE WINNER Best Hotel Dining
Street Address: Corner Malop & Bellerine Street, Geelong
- Cuisine: Contemporary Australian (Gluten-free and vegetarian available)
- Trading Days and Hours:
- Sundays to Thursdays: 11.00 am to 11.00 pm
- Fridays and Saturdays: 11.00 am to late
- Cards Accepted: Visa and Mastercard
- $$
- Street Parking
- Covid-safe Measures in place
What the judges said in 2021
This newly renovated Gastro Pub is the in-groovy place to be seen with a stunning garden inspired décor throughout, and has wide ranging appeal. It features a pitched glass ceiling over the dining area and there’s a vibrant beer garden for guests to relax and enjoy company in favourable weather (orders for the beer garden are placed at the bar). The venue was spotless, high quality flatware was used, dishes were cleared promptly, and the the napkins reset as required. There was a choice of high bench bar style seating or archetypal dining tables with well spaced and comfortable chairs inside. The staff are friendly and attentive. The food portions are generous, fresh, vibrant and well executed and many dishes suitable for sharing. And special diets are catered for – so there’s something for everyone and the dining starts early (11.00 am) and finishes late. Online bookings are straight forward and easy to use.
Special Strengths
Newly refurbished with elegant garden inspired décor. Wide range contemporary foods and drinks. Cauliflower and chickpea fritter. Pork rotisserie with finely shaved red cabbage, kale and apple sauce and roasted cubed kipflers. Crispy skinned salmon with beetroot puree and rocket, fennel and orange salad. Deconstructed apple crumble with vanilla ice cream and rosettes wrapped in pastry. Well made Cartel Coffee. Special diets well catered for. Great value for money.
