Chopstix Lorne

Chopstix Noodle Bar with six summary images

Chopstix Lorne Review: Asian Noodles on the Great Ocean Road

Name: Chopstix Lorne Review
Item: Chopstix Noodle Bar
Rating: 4
Author: West Melbourne And Beyond

If you are searching for Asian food in Lorne, Chopstix Noodle Bar is one of the town's best-known casual options. Located at 96 Mountjoy Parade, it sits right on Lorne's main strip and serves a broad mix of Thai, Chinese, Filipino and Vietnamese-inspired dishes, with eat-in and takeaway options that suit a relaxed Great Ocean Road stop.

Why Chopstix Works for a Quick Lorne Lunch or Dinner

Variety is the spice of life: Chopstix has the kind of menu that works when everyone wants something slightly different. Noodles, curries, rice dishes, seafood and vegetarian-friendly options give the table plenty of flexibility, while the central Mountjoy Parade location makes it easy to combine lunch or dinner with Lorne Beach, a walk along the foreshore or a scenic drive through the Otways.

Standing out from the crowd: What truly sets Chopstix out from the crowd is its loud eclectic character and the effort to make it visually striking. In this AI age where things look all to similar I really appreciate a place looking to stand out from the crowd and make a larger than life impression. Its visual theme also fits the casual beach vibe of Lorne perfectly.

Noodles are the obvious starting point

A place called Chopstix Noodle Bar is not hiding its intentions. Noodle dishes are the natural first move, with current diner feedback mentioning Singapore noodles, pad Thai and other Asian-style noodle combinations. The menu is broad enough to move between spicy, savoury, seafood-heavy and milder options, which is useful when you are dining with a group.

I have to admit I wished they toned down the sugar levels a bit but it seems a common issue especially with Thai food these days. I did appreciate the generous amount of seafood though and given its seaside location and Chopstix knowing many customers aren't likely to be back anytime soon they could be skimpy if they wanted to. Anyway, that's definitely a plus pioint in favour of Chopstix.

A mix of Asian flavours

The restaurant describes its food as Asian, while current listings point to Thai, Chinese, Filipino and Vietnamese influences. That makes Chopstix less about one strict regional style and more about variety. If one person wants curry, another wants noodles and someone else is chasing seafood, this is the kind of menu that can keep everyone reasonably happy.

Good for eat-in or takeaway

One of the practical strengths here is flexibility. Chopstix offers both eat-in and takeaway, so it can work as a sit-down dinner after a day on the Great Ocean Road or as a quick pickup before heading back to your accommodation. In a busy holiday town like Lorne, that convenience matters more than it sounds.

The shared-table test

I always like restaurants that pass the shared-table test. Can everyone order something different, swap a few bites and still feel like they made the right choice? Chopstix is built for that kind of meal. After a full day of driving, hiking, swimming, walking and taking photos around Lorne, a table full of noodles and curry feels like a pretty fair reward.

Atmosphere and location

The setting is casual, busy and very Lorne. You are right on Mountjoy Parade, close to the beach and main shopping strip, so the restaurant naturally picks up holiday traffic. The vibe is relaxed rather than formal, which suits a beach town. It is the sort of place where you can arrive after a walk, a swim or a long scenic drive and not feel underdressed.

Value for money

I think the food at Chopstix is pretty good value. It's not a cheap eats and I wouldn't want one of those at a beachside location as quality would probably be awful. My view is simple: treat it as a casual holiday-town meal, check the current menu before ordering and choose dishes that suit your appetite rather than over-ordering.

You're on holiday so don't sweat the small stuff and just enjoy it while you are here. My general train of thought is not to expect gourmet or designer food when out and about in the country and you'll be happier for it. As a general side note, having visited Lorne quite a number of times it's not a gourmet capital of Australia and I bet you know what I mean.

Chopstix Lorne review verdict

Chopstix Noodle Bar earns a 4 out of 5 from us. It is a convenient, casual Asian dining option in central Lorne with a broad menu, late trading hours and easy takeaway. It has a great wide selection of food, a good range of alcoholic beverages and it has character to burn.

Would I go again? Yes. Would I recommend it to a friend? Yes. It fits nicely into a Great Ocean Road day when you want something warm, filling and a little different from the usual pub or cafe stop. The vibes eminating from Chopstix elevates it above the crowd and that's a good thing.

Trivia: Lorne has been a popular coastal holiday destination for more than a century, and its main strip on Mountjoy Parade remains the centre of the town's dining and shopping scene.

Getting there

Chopstix Noodle Bar is at 96 Mountjoy Parade, Lorne VIC 3232, on the town's main shopping and dining strip. From Melbourne CBD, the drive is roughly 140 to 145 kilometres and usually takes around two hours in light traffic, depending on whether you take the inland route or follow more of the scenic Great Ocean Road. Allow extra time on weekends, summer holidays and public holidays.

Drive times (approx.): Around 2 hours from Flinders Street Station in Melbourne to Lorne in light traffic, with longer travel times possible on busy holiday weekends.
Lorne: The easiest base if your focus is beaches, waterfalls, local dining and the central Great Ocean Road.
Aireys Inlet: A quieter nearby coastal base with easy access to Lorne, Split Point Lighthouse and the eastern Great Ocean Road.

When

Current public listings show Chopstix trading daily from around 11AM to 10:30PM. If you are visiting on the weekend you can be pretty sure Chopstix will be open.

Cost

Generally good value for money for a holiday location.

Rating: 4
Would I go again: Yes
Would I recommend to a friend:

Cuisine Type: Asian
Address: 96 Mountjoy Parade, Lorne VIC 3232
Telephone: 03 5289 1205
Reviewed by: West Melbourne And Beyond

Chopstix Lorne FAQ

Where is Chopstix Noodle Bar in Lorne?

Chopstix Noodle Bar is at 96 Mountjoy Parade, Lorne VIC 3232.

What type of food does Chopstix serve?

Chopstix serves Asian food with Thai, Chinese, Filipino and Vietnamese influences, including noodles, curries, rice dishes and seafood.

Does Chopstix offer takeaway?

Yes. Chopstix offers takeaway as well as dine-in service.

What are the opening hours?

Current public listings show trading daily from around 11:00AM to 10:30PM, with some sources listing a slightly later close. Check before travelling.

Is Chopstix suitable for vegetarians?

Current restaurant listings indicate vegetarian-friendly choices, with vegan and gluten-free options also noted.

How much does Chopstix cost?

Current local listings place it around A$20 to A$40 per person, depending on what you order.

Would we go again?

Yes. Our rating is 4 out of 5 and we would recommend Chopstix Noodle Bar to a friend.

Nearby Tourist Destinations

While you are here why not visit these other great locations:

Erskine River Foreshore: A relaxed riverside and coastal walking area close to central Lorne.
Great Otway National Park: Rainforest, waterfalls and walking trails begin just inland from Lorne.
Lower Kalimna Falls: A forest waterfall walk near Lorne and a good option for visitors wanting a longer nature outing. Info here.
Lorne Beach: The town's main surf beach and one of the easiest places to combine a walk or swim with lunch in town.
Lorne Pier: A scenic coastal stop for walking, fishing and ocean views at the western end of town.
Qdos Arts: A Lorne gallery and arts space set among the trees, offering a quieter cultural stop away from the main strip.
Sheoak Falls: A short waterfall walk south of Lorne through coastal woodland in the Great Otway National Park.
Teddy's Lookout: One of Lorne's best-known viewpoints, overlooking the Great Ocean Road, Saint George River mouth and Southern Ocean.
The Lorne Foreshore: Beachfront walking, playgrounds, picnic areas and easy access to the centre of town.
Upper Kalimna Falls: A longer extension beyond Lower Kalimna Falls for visitors wanting more time on the trail.