There’s something about being bussed out of the city that instantly sets the tone for a good day. We jumped on a charter from Melbourne, headed down to Sorrento, not entirely convinced by the grey skies, but by the time we arrived, the clouds had cleared and the bay was putting on a pretty solid show.
ONDA sits right over the water at the Searoad Ferries terminal, and it really leans into that setting. You walk in and it’s all open views, light bouncing off the bay, and that relaxed coastal energy that makes you want to settle in for a while. It doesn’t feel overworked or too polished. Just a good space in a very good location.
We were quickly looked after by Jennifer, who deserves a proper mention. Warm, easygoing, and clearly knows her stuff, she talked us through the wine list without making it feel like a lecture. Always a good sign. It made choosing what to drink feel simple, which is exactly what you want when you’re sitting by the water with nowhere to be.
The menu leans into seafood and share-style dining, which makes sense given where you are. Think fresh, straightforward dishes that are easy to pass around the table. It’s the kind of food that suits a group, where everyone ends up leaning across to try a bit of everything.
There’s also a strong pizza offering coming out of the woodfire, which felt right for the setting. Casual, filling, and easy to pair with a drink or two as the afternoon rolls on.
As the sun properly came out, the whole place shifted. What started as a slightly uncertain weather day turned into one of those classic Peninsula afternoons, bright, warm, and hard to leave.
ONDA feels like it knows exactly what it wants to be. Good food, good wine, right on the water. Simple as that.
