What it is
Squires Loft is a steakhouse at Shop 6/15 Bell Street, in the middle of Torquay. It's part of a group that started in Brighton in Melbourne in 1993 and made its name on South African-style steaks and ribs with a signature basting. The Torquay restaurant has century-old timber floorboards and a relaxed, moody feel. It's run alongside a sister restaurant in Geelong West.
It's a straightforward night out: a good steak, a big glass of red and no fuss. The group's motto is "KISS", for "Keep It Simple Steak". It's family friendly too, so it suits a group with kids who want chips and parents who want a porterhouse.
Where it came from
The first Squires Loft opened in Brighton in 1993. The founders brought South African flavours to Australian steak, and the group later moved its flagship to Toorak Road in South Yarra. It says the formula is simple: steaks and ribs with the signature basting, beef from Australian producers, a well-balanced menu and a consistent kitchen. There are now Squires Lofts in a number of towns, including the Mornington Peninsula and Noosa, and the Torquay restaurant is one of the coastal ones.
The steak
The premium cuts are from grain-fed beef, fed for up to 100 days and aged for up to eight weeks, then cooked on custom char-grills with the Squires flavour. Visit Great Ocean Road's listing picks out the eye fillet, the Angus porterhouse and a 500-gram T-bone, plus slow-cooked pork and beef spare ribs. The char-grilled vegetables get the same treatment.
The sauces matter here. There's a blue cheese sauce, a garlic sauce, and the house Squires baste, which Forte Magazine's reviewer said you'll end up pouring on everything. On the side, think baked potatoes, thick-cut chips and fried onions, which one review on the restaurant's website calls "to die for". Sticky date pudding is the classic finish.
Tomahawk Sundays
Squires Loft Torquay and Geelong have run Tomahawk Sundays over winter. The centrepiece is a 1.2 kg tomahawk from Provenir, a Geelong producer of grass-fed, organic beef, carved by the chef with a sauce set alight at the table. You can still order from the full menu. Check whether it's running when you visit.
The wine list leans local, with about three-quarters of it from local labels, according to Forte Magazine. Managing partner Moussa Srour calls himself "a chef first".
Hours and bookings
When we checked in October 2026, Squires Loft Torquay was open:
- Monday to Saturday, 5pm till late, for dinner
- Sunday, midday to 3pm for lunch and 5pm till late for dinner
It's open on public holidays except Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Book through the Squires Loft Torquay page or call (03) 5261 4304, especially on weekends and in summer. There's a set menu for groups, and takeaway too.
For allergies or dietary needs, the menu has been reviewed by a dietician, and there's a dietician-approved version of it on Foodini, linked from the restaurant's page.
Getting there and what's nearby
Bell Street is the old centre of Torquay, close to the beach and about five minutes' drive from north Torquay. Il Matto and Bells Bakery are at the same address. If anyone's drinking, sort out the trip home first: taxis are scarce, and rideshare can be slow late at night.
Before dinner, have a beer at Blackman's or the Torquay Hotel, both a short walk along Bell Street, or a walk along the foreshore at sunset.
Squires Loft FAQ
Where is Squires Loft in Torquay?
Shop 6/15 Bell Street, in the middle of town.
Is it open for lunch?
Only on Sunday, from midday to 3pm. Every other day it's dinner from 5pm.
Do I need to book?
It's a good idea, especially at weekends and in summer. Call (03) 5261 4304 or book online.
Is it good for kids?
Yes. Squires Loft describes itself as family friendly.
What's the Squires baste?
The house basting sauce that gives the steaks and ribs their flavour.
For the rest of Bell Street and The Esplanade, see our Torquay restaurants guide, and for a drink nearby, 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.
- Squires Loft Torquay — Squires Loft (official)
- Squires Loft — Squires Loft (official)
- Squires Loft — Visit Great Ocean Road
- Squires Loft Torquay and Geelong turns up the heat — Forte Magazine