The Bay Leaf Cafe Ph: (03) 5237 6470 ; 131 Great Ocean Rd, Apollo Bay 3233 Cafe, $$ - Open 7 days 6am-9pm (dec-june) 7 days 8am-2.30pm (july-nov); Licensed, BYO, Corkage $5 bottle; MC V EFT

Mietta's Review
A brightly coloured, and adorned family eatery, a favourite amongst local and day-trippers. At any time of the day the menu is hearty, wholesome and well prepared, always offering good value for money. The Bayleaf is one of those places you need to check out when you arrive in the town to find out what's happening, it's the hub of Apollo Bay.

Other published opinions

The Age Cheap Eats 2008 "An essential ingredient in Apollo Bay's thin spread of eateries, this wholesome little place serves basic but substantial fare"

The Age Cheap Eats 2007 "Crowds of weekenders play havoc with this hardworking cafe's seaside serenity. Right opposite the ocean (and the weekly foreshore market), this bright, converted double-fronted shop, refreshingly free of stencilled starfish, is something of a head-turner."

The Age Cheap Eats 2004 "ON a cool day you may be tempted to hole up at this cheery and relaxed cafe with great beachy views. Walls decked with local art and an old wooden counter laden with home-made cakes make this as cosy as granny's place."

The Foodies' Guide 2004,Allan Campion & Michele Curtis,'The all-day breakfasts are the go here.Try the vegetarian breakfast with its zucchini fritters,hummus,pest and tasty grilled mushrooms.Kids are well catered for with the pancakes or excellent milkshakes.'

Herald Sun, citystyle, 30/12/03,'From great breakfasts to super lunches and even better dinners, this busy cafe meets all criteria.'

The Age, Cheap Eats 2002 2 Stars Sunday Life, The Age, Robert Upe & Liz Porter, Eat Streets, "The Bay Leafe's yellow walls are decorated with a wide range of art work-from techinicolor paintings by a leocal artist to work by local children. there's a similar diversity int he menu of this cheery little eatery. For breakfast-best enjoyed while looking at the sea from an outside table,- it offers the usual egg dishes and pancakes, along with house specialities like 'the vego'-hearty zucchini and fetta fritters with grilled mushrooms, tomato, hummus and pesto. lunch moves up a notch into a range of bagels and open sandwhiches ($6-$9) and excellent thai green curry and spicy stir-fry noodles with vegetables. the dinner menu is pleasingly adventourous, steamed mussels in coconut, coriander and chilli broth, sweet potato, leek and blue cheese risotto warm fish salad or atlantic salmon flavoured with lime and coriander grilled and served with chilli jam. the kids menu has fish and chips, chicken nuggets or pasta with tomato sauce."