Review Tulip Bar & Restaurant - Geelong

Wow, the food was sublime! We weren't sure what to expect when we booked based on the reviews, but we were so glad we did. The service was so warm and friendly and genuine from start to finish. Every dish we had was amazing. When the meal starts with “bread & chicken-fat butter topped with chicken-skin crumb” you know you're in for a gourmet treat! Mushroom Toast - incredibly beautiful & tasty. Ham hock - sensational (like pea& ham soup! Jerusalem artichokes with added freshly tableside shaved local truffle - the best artichoke I've had. Cabbage with burnt cream - wow!! Lamb shoulder - beautifully tender and delicious. The ISO bombe was the bomb - perfect way to end - incredible & delicious. We want to come back to try all the other dishes on the menu. Highly recommended!

Tonight we ate at Tulip. This is not the first time that we’ve eaten here and as usual it was superb! Though this was not our first time eating here it was our first time eating here with our three year old and extended family. We decided to make our booking for 530pm for the sake of our little one but I was very happy we did as it was nice and quiet and more diners where arriving as we were finishing up. We ordered Quail, Kangaroo, Bonito, Lamb, Roast chicken, pumpkin and whey side with potato gratins! Everything was so delicious! My husband and I ended up having a dessert each which we shared between us and our son. The chocolate Pave with thyme ice cream was to die for! I was also very impressed with the table service as they were very friendly and also engaged with our son treating him like any other diner despite the fact that it may not seem the “norm” to take your three year old to this type of dining experience. I was actually very impressed by this as we have encountered other not nice experiences regarding this issue. So good on you Tulip! Looking forward to coming back again and again!

I had high expectations of Tulip and fortunately it didn't disappoint! It is a well run restaurant which covers all bases, including a solid wine list, excellent food, range of beers, friendly service and we particularly enjoyed the soundtrack! Will be going back.. PS.. Went back for more today and it was even better!

Tonight we were delighted to try this beautiful restaurant. We were greeted quickly by friendly staff and once seated the chef introduced himself at our table, serving us a starter to kickstart our appetite. Throughout the evening we were served dish after dish of sensational meals made from locally sourced produce. The mystery of not knowing what dish is coming next was exciting, and I cannot find fault in anything I tasted there tonight. The chef and friendly staff took their time to explain the produced used and looked after our table throughout the evening. Thank you for a great experience and delectable food, I’ll be looking forward to our next visit.

We had a memorial get together at Tulip today. Let me start with the staff. They almost became part of the group. They were attentive and very personable. Interacted with the party at the right times. And made sure that all needs where met. Great front of house team (psst. Don’t the them but they might be keepers😂😂). To the kitchen staff. Chef your team is another group you might like to keep hold of….. Beautifully presented canapés of outstanding taste and suited to the Dutch theme. Thank you all for helping us farewell our loved one in a beautiful personal style. Great memories. Thank you.

WOW, the most amazing food and the service was next level. If your looking to have a romantic dinner or a lunch with really good friends then do it here. They have got it right on all levels.

My husband surprised me with dinner at Tulip and we were both really impressed by the quality of food served. We did the $75pp Four Wave (chef's choice) and the portions were massive! Every dish was nicely presented, great flavours. Overall great experience! On our way out, we also noticed a few framed certificate and they are a 1 Hat restaurant from 2018-2020! Absolute hidden gem!

The food here was excellent and the staff were very friendly and even wished us a happy anniversary as we were celebrating for our dinner. The drink selections were quite good and we both tried something we’d never drank before and they were excellent. The meal sizes aren’t huge which can be expected at some fancier restaurants but were all delicious. Would definitely recommend checking this place out.

Me and two of my friends went there for a lunch. We ordered ‘two waves’ which includes 6 dishes. It’s a sharing menu and my dietary requirement of Vego was well and truly catered for. Everyone felt that dishes were very fresh and tasted amazing. We were soo full by the end of it and still had some leftovers so portion sizes are quite good. High recommend this place! <br/><br/>They even serve free sourdough bread and cultured butter which is delicious plus the staff are very attentive.

Following current fashion of shared plates, this pleasant place has a good meat selection and light on vegetarian and vegan choices. Knowledgeable and attentive staff, well presented and tasty food. Small dishes are adequate for lunch or a light meal if not sharing

Lucky for me and my westside roots, Geelong is one of my favourite regional Victorian getaway spots that is only a stone’s throw away from home. We recently made the short trip down one weekend for a little bit of sightseeing and much eating at hatted Tulip Bar & Restaurant. The well-rounded flavour and texture combinations in each of the dishes left quite the tasty impression. Case and point with the goats cheese and beetroot; neither of which I’m particularly a fan of but together worked their magic on the taste buds.

If you want to try fine dining, this is the place in Geelong. I have been here twice and was welcomed both times by their warm service. Both times I went for their ‘waves’ pre set menu. And both times they were happy to include something in the pre set menu that we would like to try. Service is genuine and they don’t push to over sell. Had excellent time.

We had dinner for 12 people and everything was delicious. The wine list is long and the waitress was pretty new but she did her best to help us finding the right wines for the food. We had a great time and loved to see the chef happy In that kitchen.

I have come to tulip many times for dinner and lunch. The food is always delicious and the service is great, with lovely waiters not afraid to give you recommendations. We often get the 4 wave menu and they happily alter the menu if we’ve had something before. Great ambience in the restaurant, good for dinner with friends or a date.

We have just been to Tulip for lunch ! Wow ! World class ! You could see the chef's in the kitchen and they were ' in the zone' ! We only had the Chef's choice , 2 courses ! But let me tell you the food was amazing ! More than 2 courses of course ! The slow cooked lamb was best we have ever had and we are regular foodies in Melbourne! <br/>The service was second to none ! Thanks to Jessica the most incredible and attentive staff member ! We really need to make this our regular! If you haven't been there , you really need to give this place a go !

You know that feeling when you get a good book, and you get to the last chapter and you don't it to end?  That's how I felt at Tulip.  I wanted to bathe in the Duck pate/duck crisp! It was just divine.  <br/><br/>The kangaroo tartare was also amazing - the first time I've had Kangaroo like this.  The cauliflower was a beautiful accompaniment as well, although I would be happy to have it on it's own anytime (but then I'm a cauli lover from way back!).<br/><br/>The staff were all friendly and passionate, they really seemed to care about the food.  I was truly impressed by my entire experience.  It's nice to see a restaurant honouring the food, serving such clean, fresh and locally grown produce.  Great find!

The food is simply amazing here. Always a favourite whenever we are in Geelong. Service was friendly and helpful. The thyme ice cream is highly recommended.

Kingfish, octopus, beef short rib, a grain salad were ordered, and we were happy we came, our mood improving considerably. This is a sister restaurant to Gladioli which we tried last year, and we have been eagerly anticipating a visit. The food lived up to our expectations; maybe it surpassed them.<br/><br/>The kingfish dish was beautifully presented, and the roe and avocado worked fine with this fantastic white fish, but I wasn’t sure what the pig face succulent brought to the flavour. The flair of presentation was equally shown in the octopus, with charred cucumber a nice addition, along with texture and colour from the blackened light cracker.

So much wanted to like this place.<br/>We had the "waves", which consisted of several courses.<br/>One would like to think that waves would come out in some sort of relaxing, relating pattern, you know - sort of like a wave...<br/>It did not work like that for our table, unfortunately. <br/>We had a strange juxtaposition,  that started from unnecessarily large bowls of olives and frites like bar snacks, and then quickly went to delicate degustation plates like fine dining, to large plates of country home style food like a pub. Perhaps over the course of a long afternoon this may have been more appealing, but in a compact dinner time span it was just confusing and gluggy.<br/>It didn't seem very well thought out, if at all. Nothing seems to "wave" for us. <br/>Having since checked their web site, the menu as above is perfectly explained, so perhaps we should have taken the time to check what their "waves" were.<br/><br/>The venue is pleasant and service was very good.

Bloody lovely. Mum and I had the 6 course degustation menu- my first ever. Small plates of awesome produce. Red wine served by the glass was also lovely. This is my favourite Geelong restaurant.

I had the best fine dining experience of my life here at Tulip. I wanted to spoil my mum who had just turned 50, so I was looking for something special and the 6-course degustation menu was definitely worth every single cent. I asked for a special degustation for myself considering that I'm vegetarian and my request was fulfilled. Each course was basically amazing, my mum particularly loved all the seafood and considering that she is from the south of Italy where we have great fisheries, her judgment is remarkable. As for the vegetarian dishes, I loved the roasted pumpkin, the carrots with the macadamia purée and the asparagus with stracciatella but everything was delicious. Strongly recommended for a fine dining experience and for special occasions.

A gem of a restaurant, food, wine, service & atmosphere was spectacular. Fantastic for a special occasion or treat. Worth a trip to Geelong to experience Tulip

Came here a while back- loved it. The food was so good. Obviously they take great care in producing excellent food with great flavours! Keep up the great work guys!

Best restaurant in Geelong! Amazing degustation that fills you up for $69! Every item carefully thought out and beautifully presented. Carrot salad and the slow cooked lamb were amazing! Good, slightly upmarket family and friends gathering, may be a bit too noisy for a romantic date night out.

Really good food in Geelong. Probably the best of the fine dinging options outside the set menu overpriced stuff at Igny etc. Go with a group, order a bunch of different stuff and enjoy.

Went here a while back with a few friends for dinner. We had heard good things so we had hopes for a fantastic meal- and that's exactly what we got! Staff were friendly and helpful and the food was all spot on! This was was of the best dinners I've had in Geelong!

Dined here tonight for the first time and I can say this is without doubt the benchmark in Tapas dining in Geelong and better than other hatted venues I've dined at in Melbourne. My partner and I were fortunate to be served by Lana who I must say is an asset to the business. Lana was attentive, friendly without being intrusive and had exceptional communication skills. Nothing was too hard for Lana and she made our experience one to remember. We went with $69 per person option and all the dishes were of high quality with the standout being the cured snapper with cucumber, grapefruit and sea blite. <br/>Do yourself a favour and get into Tulip for exceptional food and service. <br/>

Really pleased to have a 'hatted' restaurant in Geelong, thus Tulip has become our go to location when the guests arrive. Food is always of a high quality, however the service can be hit and miss, sometimes making you feel like an inconvenience. We have tried most things on the menu, yet to find a dish we don't like...however the desserts are the highlight.

Great food but. The bearded waiter is rude with a capital R. Such a dismal service. One of our favorites but bearded waiter is not doing tulip any favours. Or tips.

Went there for a dinner last night and came away satisfied. While it is not cheap the chefs do the food justice. The duck was delightful and the pork was beautiful. The seafood dishes could have done with a bit more punch. Overall a very stisfying experience.

The best restaurant in Geelong has gotten better, as it has added great value to its already excellent menu with a $25 set menu lunch deal (Mon-Wed) with the option of a $5 glass of quality wine.  For my $25, I got a dish of mixed olive, a plate of fennel salami with piccalilli, a wonderful quinoa & cauliflower salad and their delicious hombrae chicken with pomegranate gravy and roasted brussel sprouts. I have been here several times and each time I am impressed.

The food at Tulip is unparalleled in Geelong. It's not cheap, but with dishes designed to share and very accommodating service you will find something that fits your appetite. <br/>The only thing that I found distracting about the experience was the acoustics. With a polished concrete floor and brick walls the sound can be cacophonous. I know that this will seem like one of the more unnecessary and pedantic things that an amateur restaurant reviewer might complain about, but at a table for two with my wife to be I found myself wishing that I was at the big table with all the noisy people. Looks like a great place for a group, but maybe not for an intimate dinner.

Have been to tulip many times for lunch and dinner and have never been disappointed. Food and wine list both fantastic and staff are always helpful with how much order.

One of my go- to restaurants in Geelong! Fresh produce that is cooked to perfection . The flavour combinations fit very well together and you'd be sure to feel satisfied after. Some dishes on the pricey side though.

Good, but niggles. I've been three times. Last time we were a group of eight and were highly recommended to go with the chef's selection because of the group size. As it turned out this worked pretty well, but the pressure rankled. We chose the smaller of the two options (thankfully, as it was I nearly exploded).<br/><br/>We had - goats cheese in some sort of batter - boring. Red hot tiny shrimps in a light batter that you ate whole - lovely. Good prosciutto. Terrific shoulder of lamb with good veggies. Some other stuff I forgot, and pretty reasonable puddings.<br/><br/>So out of the whole meal the very first dish was disappointingly bland, everything else was at least very nice. I thought the shrimp was hilarious eaten whole, but some people tried peeling them and that didn't work.That'll teach them.<br/><br/>Had a bit of sticker shock at the bill, 250 a couple, but we had a fair bit to drink. Service was efficient but not engaging. The wine list could do with some drinkable 40 dollar options, not all of us are wildly interested in the local boutique wineries.

Really good. Fantastic food and great service. Highly recommended.

This was the most delicious, delightful and interesting meal I've had in a long, long time. Presentation, taste, creativity, elegance... Also a great wine and beer list and excellent, attentive staff. All dietary needs were accommodated and SO tasty! Bravo, Chef and staff.

Lovely Atmosphere. Tulip had a nice atmosphere. The food was great but, would of liked some fresh options on the menu that reflected the season, everything seemed to be cooked (though cooked well) we really craved some dishes that were unprocessed.

Could not have asked for a better experience!. We dined at Tulip tonight for out staff get together, and all I can say still is Wow!!! From the moment we walked in the door, we were seamlessly made to feel at home. Bonnie our hostess was friendly and attentive, and on her recommendation we chose the $65 per head chefs selection option. The evening started with the best mojito I have had for years, along with a range of nibbles. The entrees then followed, each one more delectable than the one before. The stand out for me were the ox tongue pastrami and the pickled market fish. The mains were cooked to perfection, the lamb just melted off the bone, and the sides were all full of flavour. One of our party had dietary requirements, and these were no challenge for the chefs, with each of our dishes matched with an amazing creation so she was made to feel just as special as we did. Dessert capped of a wonderful evening, with a yummy chocolate marquis with a thyme scented ice cream. I wholeheartedly recommend you go and check Tulip out, it will be a dining experience you won't forget.

Meh. Disappointing. I had heard great things and was keen to try it but left underwhelmed. We had the $65 chef's selection and although the food was nice, going on conversations with others, the chefs selection does not seem to be the best way to showcase the chefs talents. A couple of drinks each and my husband and I left $174 poorer and without feeling like we'd had an amazing dinner. Service was good, but no continuity with staff as we dealt with 3 different waiters for orders over the evening. My advice to others would be to skip the chefs selection and order food to share.

"Once bitten....". This is an edited version of my initial review,as on reflection I was a little harsh&negative.This doesn't mean that for us it wasn't a bad experience.Let's look at what we had as it came.....Tamari Almonds[small dish of around 20 salted roast almonds],they were ok.Next Crunchy Cheese&Cauliflower[expected florettes or something similar but it is actually a Prawn Cracker supposedly cheese/cauli flavour with a cayenne sprinkle....boardering on tasteless.Next Salt&Vinegar Pork Crackling[again the unexpected,this was a salty,meat smelling,pappadam coated in vinegar dust]....too salty and so tart it stung my lips{some may like the sensation I didn't}.Next Mussels,chirizo etc[my partner is a great fan of mussels,was surprised to see them without their shells but the real problem again was saltiness...inedible.Next Serrano ham with pickles...no problem...tasty.Wine list..a very good selection of locals,what I noticed was about double cellar door cost...very reasonable.The staff were friendly and apologetic.We were not charged for the Mussels.I was contacted after my initial rant on Urbanspoon by the owner who did ask us back "to make it right"[good business acumen].I wish them the best.We declined the invitation "....twice shy."

Lovely...pork belly is a must!. A beautiful atmosphere though the front section is a little stark and cold. Maybe some candles or flowers on the tables would help soften things. But let's be honest, I wasn't there for the surroundings! I've heard amazing things from the talented Matt Dempsey from Gladioli so was excited when I heard he was opening Tulip. The pork crackling was not what I was expecting but delicious all the same. I even tried ox tongue which was surprisingly delicious. The highlight for me was definitely the Wessex saddleback pork belly with white eggplant puree,<br/> kohlrabi and wakame. I have had my fair share of pork belly over the years but this was by far the nicest I have had. It was a perfect portion with all the tasty and moist bits left on and the sickly fat taken away. I just loved it and wished I had another serving. If you go there just for the pork belly and nothing else, you will be back for more!

Absolutely Geelong's best! .... Absolutely Geelong's best!<br/>I have been keen to get to Tulip since it opened it's doors and finally I made it. I actually cannot fault a thing. We had the chef's selection at $90 per head and everything put in front of us was sensational. Staff were attentive without being overbearing and the atmosphere in the restaurant was lovely. I must admit it was on the noisier side however it did not impede on our dining experience at all. It is most definitely the best dining experience I've had in some time.

Best in Geelong. Amazing food !!!

SImply perfect. We dined at Tulip based on a friends recomendation and had the chefs menu. What a feast. Every bite was delicious and the servings quite large. We had to ask if more entrees were coming for fear we would not fit in our mains and dessert! The king fish and chocolate, peanut butter dessert were our favourites. And the staff were lovely. We will definitely be going back soon. Simply the best in Geelong.

Best in Geelong. My second visit. The food was great especially the king fish which was up there as one of the best dishes I've ever eaten and the noise problem I complained about last time seems to have been fixed or certainly greatly improved.

Another great meal from unquestionably the best restaurant in Geelong. I keep coming back and it keeps getting better.<br/><br/><br/>-----09 Apr, 2014-----<br/><br/>Geelong's best. My companion and I dine out regularly,and we have been to Tulip on four occasions. Now that there has been some work done to deal with the noise (see complaints), there is nothing to get in the way of pronouncing it as the best in Geelong. Every bite is heaven.

Diner Review. Our first visit to Tulip. Had a REALLY nice lunch here during the week. . Celebrated two birthdays. Best dining experience for a long time. New to the Bellarine and found a great restaurant. Food fabulous, shared our dishes between the four of us. One diner Gluten Intolerant and well catered for. Can't speak highly enough of the food and service. Enjoy !

What a great dining experience! Our table had the chef's menu for 65 dollars per person and we all agreed it was one of the best and freshest meals ever. We had 2 vegetarians and gluten free eaters, and nothing was a hassle for the staff.lovely service and the chocolate dessert was amazing! A close second was the unique cauliflower salad. We will definitely be back!

Very tasty cured meats. The pork and beef ribs are excellent. Friendly and attentive staff. <br/>Noise issues are noticeable but by no means as extreme as some other reviewers have indicated.

Wonderful food at this stylish little eatery on Pakington St. All the dishes presented were finished with much care and attention, but never feeling pretentious. Every little ingredient felt like that added another layer and purpose to the dish. <br/><br/>Great service and wine list too.<br/><br/>Highly recommend to anyone looking for something a little special.

Would recommend to anyone!!. What an incredible place! Not only were the staff lovely and accommodating, but the food was mouth watering!! Will be coming back without a doubt!!

Far exceeded expectations!. Simply divine meal at Tulip last night. Not one complaint from our table of 7, but continous exclamations of 'ooh yum' and 'mmm delicious'! The pork belly was among the best I've ever eaten, salt

Excellent food, excellent service. Ate here on a busy Friday night. Service was absolutely flawless. Food was amazing- especially the lamb shoulder. Excellent wine list to top it off. Will be back!

Went for dinner last week food was spot on beautiful room only disappointment was didn't get to try dessert (my fault I had the kids :) ) looking forward to going back

Not what we expected!. Our group were all looking forward to dining at Tulip having enjoyed the beautiful food at Gladioli,however the Saturday night we dined here we were very dissappointed,waiting staff appeared unsure of how to advise the table in relation to portion sizes to share as a group or what to suggest to accompany certain selections.The smaller the price the tinier the serve and the lamb at $60 needed more helpful input from staff when we needed to order more sides whilst eating our lamb.No one had desserts as they were all underwhelming instead of being much anticipated.Dont even mention the noise levels as a large group near by forced us to a hasty retreat! Guys head up the road to Masons of Bendigo and see how a tasting menu should be done!

Realy Great food and very good service. Got a little noisy, but well worth it!!

Cacophany. Had a meal as part of a large group, which necessitates a set menu.<br/>Dishes were overly slanted to meat, almost no vegetable matter in some 8 - 10 dishes! Also amount served showed some lack of thought, several small dishes of raw fish, oysters, fried prawns, cured meat followed by a mass of lamb. Two legs and a shoulder for each table of 10 diners was far too much. Small dishes of beetroot and others of baked(Fried) sliced potato accompanied the lamb.<br/>The design was explained by server as casual, but in fact the sparse furnishings, plain walls and polished concrete floor result in a place where it is almost impossible to converse in, as each person shouts louder and louder to try and be heard.<br/>From a perusal of the wine list, I would agree with a previous poster that the mark up seems a bit excessive.<br/>Not a place for a serious meal, rather a drop in and get out place due to the noise!

Too noisy .... First off, the place looks great. Beautiful presentation of dishes and friendly staff. However, we thought the dishes we tried were very hit and miss. We tried the trout (very good and my favourite) beetroot (bland) pork belly (ok) cauliflower (good) prawns (ok) carrots (bland) and potatoes (good). Desserts however, were delicious. The worst part about it was the noise! It was impossible to have a normal conversation. We will try Tulip again when the menu changes and hopefully they can rectify the noise issue.

Confusing menu. Terrible ac.... Confusing menu.<br/>Terrible acoustics. Can't hear what anyone is saying including the waiting staff. <br/>Hard uncomfortable chairs. <br/>Good but not exceptional food for the price.

Superb. Fantastic food and great service. We had a number of sharing plates for a friends birthday, and each course was very tasty and well presented, with slow cooked lamb for main. This was the most delicious lamb I have ever had, and I think Tulip has got the mix of good local produce and flavours just right without going overboard with presentation. I went to Ezards recently and despite the reputation, Ezards food wasn't as good as Tulip and much better value. Will definately be back.

Great potential. Great concept although staff were unable to get an explanation across easily with our group of 14, further explanation only seemed to complicate things.<br/>The food was wonderful and a great price.<br/>Disappointingly, the restaurant had been asked at the time of booking for 14 if a sparkling Shiraz was available as it was the birthday girl's favourite. An assurance was made that yes it was available yet on the night, there was only a single bottle left. $25 corkage was then charged for a bottle one of our party had in the car. A shame as we probably would have ordered 4 bottles had they been in stock.<br/>In short, a great idea for a table of 2-6 people but didn't work in its current form for a large table.

Outstanding loved it and I thought the service was excellent

Yum yum. Super excited to have Tulip open up.<br/><br/>A really cool menu that our group shared and loved every bite.<br/><br/>Think I've found my regular for a food and drink treat.

Delicious! Thanks for a wonderful lunch, can't wait to come back for dinner. Food was delicious and creative, and the space is beautiful. Great addition to Geelong! Thanks Tulip.

Sensational, decore is refreshing with tapa style dishes making it an enjoyable and pleasurable experience. Give it a go

Tulip. With seven waiting staff on the floor to serve less than 40 patrons the service was below average , the food was meagre but palatable. Maybe the format of service should be explained to the patrons prior to arriving at the table. The wine list suggests there are very many wealthy drinkers in the area...it was more ecconomical to drink spirits. So noisy I have a blazing headache. Not a destination I would recommend, but may try again in a few weeks.

I had heard nothing but rave reviews of Geelong West’s Tulip; the creation of chefs/legends Matt Dempsey and Graham Jefferies. The restaurant in Geelong has a focus on shared dining, serving up ingredient driven dishes ranging from $4.00 to $32.00, unless you order the whole roast lamb shoulder on the bone with smoked eggplant – which is $65.00 – but “will easily feed three with a selection of smaller dishes”, we were told by our waiter. My group of three pondered the menu over a glass of Oakdene Pinot Noir – a