What it is
Pholklore is a modern Vietnamese restaurant at 38 The Esplanade, Torquay, with front-row seats to the beach. The setup borrows from Vietnamese street markets: open-air, with lanterns and big communal tables. It's casual and busy, and good for a group or a family that wants a quick, fresh feed.
Torquay is where Pholklore started. It's since spread to Geelong West, Lorne, Ocean Grove and Caloundra in Queensland, but the Esplanade one is the original.
What's on the menu
The menu mixes classic Vietnamese with twists from around Southeast Asia. From the menu on its website in October 2026:
Pho
Small or regular bowls ($17 or $21) of rare beef and brisket, chicken, mushroom and tofu, or spicy beef, plus a lemongrass beef stew. The "pho fusion" bowls are where it gets playful: a pho laksa with seafood broth, a pho mi goreng, a pho sukiyaki and a pho tom yum.
Rolls and bowls
Hand-rolled rice paper rolls, two to a serve, in flavours like chargrilled chicken with kimchi, salmon sashimi, coconut prawn tempura and even beer-battered flathead and chips. Spring rolls come with herbs and lettuce to wrap. Bun bowls of vermicelli, herbs and pickles come with chicken katsu, pork spring rolls, chargrilled pork patties or pork belly.
To share
Pholklore fries with chilli BBQ seasoning and curry leaves, salmon ceviche, tuna tartare on crispy rice cakes, popcorn cauliflower, Singapore chilli chicken wings, and Chinese doughnuts with a coconut pandan sauce to finish. There's a chicken larb and a lemongrass chicken rice too.
Drinks
A house Pholklore Blue Lager on tap, Vietnamese beers like Beer Hanoi and 333, house wines (which you can take away) and local wines from the Bellarine, plus margaritas and cocktails, including the spicy marg the website recommends.
There are pescatarian, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-friendly options, and the team behind the bar will try to help with other diets.
Bookings, kids and dogs
Walk-in only
Pholklore is a walk-in restaurant. It only takes bookings for groups of 10 or more. In summer, go early or expect to wait a little. You order through a QR code at the table or at the bar.
Kids
Kids are welcome, and there are change tables. There aren't any high chairs, so bring something if you need one.
Dogs
Dogs are welcome in the outdoor seating, on a lead.
Cakes and parties
You can bring a birthday cake with no cake-cutting fee. There's no private room, but they'll set aside an area for a group if you email ahead. It's not BYO.
Access and surcharges
The venue is wheelchair accessible, with accessible bathrooms. There's a small card processing fee, and a 20% surcharge on public holidays.
Hours and takeaway
When we checked in October 2026, Pholklore Torquay was open seven days from midday to 9pm, with the kitchen open from midday to 3pm and 5pm to 9pm. You can order takeaway online, which makes it an easy dinner to bring home after a day at the beach. The latest is on the Pholklore Torquay page, or call 0490 929 389.
Getting there and what's nearby
The Esplanade runs along Front Beach and Fishermans Beach, about five minutes' drive from north Torquay. Parking along the beach gets tight on summer evenings, so walk if you can. Fisho's and the Surf Hotel are a few doors along, so there's plenty nearby if the queue is long.
It works well with a sunset walk along the foreshore, a swim at Front Beach or a look at the rock pools at Point Danger first.
Pholklore FAQ
Can I book Pholklore Torquay?
Only for groups of 10 or more. Otherwise it's walk-in.
Where is it?
38 The Esplanade, Torquay, across from the beach.
Is it dog friendly?
Yes, in the outdoor seating, with dogs on a lead.
Are there vegan and gluten-free options?
Yes, including mushroom and tofu pho, vegetable spring rolls and gluten-free options across the menu.
Is it open every day?
Yes, from midday to 9pm, with a kitchen break between 3pm and 5pm.
Can I get takeaway?
Yes, you can order online.
For the rest of the town's restaurants, see our Torquay restaurants guide, and for a drink afterwards, the pubs and bars guide. Staying in north Torquay? Check dates at Holyday House.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources on 20 October 2026. Opening hours, patrols, rules and closures change — check with the source before you go.
- Pholklore Torquay — Pholklore (official)
- Menu — Pholklore (official)
- Vietnamese favourite Pholklore is expanding into Lorne — Forte Magazine
- Pholklore unveils fresh menu — Forte Magazine