Drunken Dumpling

Bringing plump, juicy dumplings to Little Malop Street

Dedicated to dumplings, this new little restaurant comes from the expert team at Sober Ramen.

Located at 83 Little Malop Street, right in the heart of Geelong, the anticipation of plump, juicy dumplings takes hold quickly as you walk through the door of the venue, signposted by a red neon sign and an intimate interior that mirrors that of Sober Ramen – the heavyweight champion of delicious and authentic ramen since its opening back in 2017 by Alex Pan of Sumi, and Nathan Johnston, who also operate Cartel Coffee Roasters on the same street.

With bar seating, window seating and a line of compact restaurant seating down the wall of the venue, Drunken Dumpling keep it simple offering a signature menu, designed for sharing or indulging in on your own. Here you’ll find a selection of Jiao Zi (Chinese dumplings), including steamed veggie dumplings, steamed wagyu dumplings, Hargow Prawn Dumplings, pan-fried pork boa and Shanghai Xiao Long Bao (small dumplings filled with meat and soup), as well as Pork Pot Stickers and steamed chicken and prawn dumplings.

The chefs make these hearty packets of flavour by hand every day and then take them to tables with the option of three signature sauces to dress them in – spicy soy, Szechuan chilli oil and/ or spicy sesame.

Alongside the hero dish of dumplings, there’s also a truly mouthwatering selection of Xiao Chi (aka Tapas) on offer, which can be credited to Pan who has long been an innovator when it comes to Asian-Australian flavours.

A welcome addition to the Little Malop Street hub, the food is stylish, vibrant and balanced – it’s this harmony that’s vital in Asian cooking and something that Pan and Johnston have nailed with their restaurants, every time. With warmth and excitement added to all their dishes and a variety of textures and contrast, plus beer, wine and cocktails, the passion here is infectious, truly making this the new spot that deserves devotion.

Drunken Dumpling is located at 83 Little Malop Street, Geelong.

Piglet Bar

Belmont’s late-night neighbourhood bar from the lovable Paddington Cafe team

Belmont’s favourite coffee spot Paddington Cafe continue to bring some quality inner-city cafe culture to their local community in new and exciting ways, now with the arrival of a pink-tinged late-night hangout, Piglet Bar.

Previously running Piglet out of the cafe, Piglet Bar (Paddington 2) is now right next door. With a luxurious interior that riffs off its sister cafe, with tonal, warm and rich in earthy colours and mixed textures with concrete, tiles and a mirrored bar, Piglet is a blessing to more than just the residents of Belmont. Bathing in warm light and a calm pleasant atmosphere, you’ll quickly feel like a local with owners and hospitality pros Molly Shalders and Tom Beattie welcoming you in with open arms.

During the day, Piglet’s space is used to provide extra seating for Paddington customers, utlising the brand-new commercial kitchen to dish out all the ground-breaking brunch favourites.

Then, at night, Thursday to Sunday it’s all about fine booze, after-work cocktails, delicious eats and neighbourly hospitality, with comfortable and cozy timber booth seating and the ability to cater to larger groups.

Whether you’re spending the night with best pals or the work crew, treat yourself to Piglet’s modern European style menu, with friendly entrees like frites with truffle aioli and romesco sauce and tomato medley bruschetta with goats cheese and white anchovies, among other delicious snacky options.

If you’re feeling something more hearty, there’s also a tidy burger menu featuring a French style Bisou burger, a Piglet Smash, and a One Step Beyond burger.

There are no surprises that an espresso martini features on the menu, but you can also indulge in the likes of the classics like French martini, Negroni and a Tommy’s Margarita. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can get the margarita with red chilli, otherwise try the Isle Of Dogs, made with Japanese gin, yuzu liqueur, yellow chartreause and lime, or the I’ve Been To Italy with limoncello, white vermouth and prosecco topped with soda. Cocktails range from $18-$20.

A place of community, creativity and old-fashioned customer service, as always they’re supporting local with Geelong-based beers and a small but impressive rotating wine list.

Piglet Bar is located at 134A High Street, Belmont, right next to Paddington Café.