International border closures during the pandemic forced former travel agent Jake Cassar to pause,pivot,and embrace his Maltese heritage by opening this snappy deli in Torquay. Mortadeli serves up European-style sandwiches alongside flaky pastizzi and freshly sliced cold cuts.
Browse the selection of imported Mediterranean pantry items from the grocer. In July,Mortadeli expanded to include a Roman-style pasta bar next door offering traditional aperitivi alongside fresh linguine. Seemortadeli.com.au
Santara,Aireys Inlet
Inspired by his early travels through India,Sunnymead Hotel co-owner Damien Cerantonio took the opportunity to convert a tired event space into a moodily lit contemporary Indian restaurant. Chef Adam Cooke does classic dishes and street snacks with a twist,like crunchy bite-sized pani puri stuffed with prawn and yuzu then topped with Yarra Valley caviar,or a makhana curry studded with ruby pomegranate seeds.
The expansive drinks menu runs the gamut from sparkling to natural wines,craft beers and cocktails inspired by the subcontinent. Seesunnymead hotel.com.au
Le Comptoir,Aireys Inlet