Welcome to Upstairs Bellarine - a shared table dining experience 'salo-salo'
‘Salo-salo’ is a Filipino expression that refers to a gathering, feast, or banquet where people come together to enjoy food and socialise. The term originates from salo, which means to eat or share food. It captures the essence of community, sharing, and strengthening relationships through a communal meal and joyous experience. Our kitchen is led by Chefs José Morales and Alyanna Hermoso, supported by Sarah Fenton, owner and front-of-house. We aim to provide you with genuine hospitality, making you feel as though you've stepped into our home kitchen to share a meal with friends and family.
Our Restaurant
Upstairs Bellarine is situated above our retail outlet, Bellarine Smokehouse + Provedore. We offer seating for 20 guests at two shared tables, each accommodating 10. This setup allows diners to share the experience in a cosy and intimate atmosphere. Reservations can be made for individuals or groups of up to 10. Guests will be seated alongside fellow food and wine enthusiasts for a delightful 2.5-hour lunch experience.
Table seatings are 1pm and 2pm.
Please arrive on time as this is a shared dining experience.
Our Menu
Affectionately known as ‘Upstairs,’ our restaurant features a five-course $150/person set menu that highlights the finest produce from the Bellarine. We collaborate closely with Farm My School to ensure we use fresh produce aligned with their growing seasons, along with other local producers, farmers, and growers in our area. Our menu is a celebration of fresh, local ingredients. Matched wines are offered at $75.00/person. There are also seasonal ‘add-on’ specials depending on availability
Our Chefs
At Upstairs, our kitchen is led by Chefs José Morales and Alyanna Hermoso. Both from the Philippines, they possess extensive experience working in regional hatted restaurants across Australia and the world. They invite you to experience their unique interpretation of modern Australian dining, infused with Filipino influences. José has worked in some of the world’s leading restaurants across Manila, London, and Chicago. His cooking brings Filipino cuisine to the forefront through the lens of an immigrant, blending his national roots with Victorian gastronomy to create a new style of dining. Inspired by El Bulli, the restaurant that sparked his passion for cooking. Alyanna has worked in top restaurants in both the Philippines and Australia. She is deeply committed to sustainability, with a particular focus on reducing waste within the hospitality industry. They make an incredible team and we can't wait to introduce you to their take on progressive Filipino cuisine using Australian produce and supporting local purveyors.
About Our Space
Upstairs is accessible only via a large staircase equipped with handrails on both sides. There are 20 well-lit steps, with a landing halfway up. We apologise for the lack of alternative access to our dining space. Please note that our restrooms are located on the ground floor.
Dietary Policy & Allergens
We regret to inform you that we are unable to provide vegetarian, vegan, lactose-free, or allium-free options. Although we cannot accommodate major dietary restrictions, we may be able to make minor adjustments on a case-by-case basis. Please be aware that we cannot address unexpected dietary needs or allergies on the day of your visit. To prevent any disappointment, we kindly ask you to communicate your requirements with other guests in your party. A 14-day notice is required for any potential dietary modifications due to our set menu preparation. Individuals with allergies or anaphylactic conditions need to be aware of the open-plan design of our kitchen and the potential for cross-contamination of allergens at the shared dining table.
Reservation and Cancellation Policy
Please note to make a reservation a non-refundable deposit of $50 per person is required. A card will be charged at the time of booking, reduction in numbers or cancellation with less than 14 days-notice prior to the reservation will incur the remaining amount to be charged per person.
A minimum of 14 days notice is required for reduction in numbers to your party size,
cancellation or date reschedule. Failure to do this will incur a cancellation fee of $50/person on top of the non-refundable deposit. Bookings are transferable to another person(s). Children under 12 cannot be accommodated due to the nature of our set menu and shared table experience. Those 12 and above will be served at charged at the set menu price. Reservations are essential due to the small size of the venue. Upstairs Bellarine accepts online reservations only.
Pricing is subject to change without notice
