The Coffs Harbour Pubs Putting the Coastal City on the Map

From beachside beer gardens to buzzing brewpubs and historic hotels, the best Coffs Harbour pubs blend coastal charm with character.

Whether you’re chasing a Sunday session by the sea, a family-friendly courtyard, or a pint poured by the bloke who brewed it, Coffs Harbour and the greater Coffs Coast region have you covered. Use the ultimate guide to Coffs Harbour pubs and watering holes to help you plan your next visit.

In short

If you only visit one pub in Coffs Harbour, make it the Hoey Moey. With its beachfront location, open-air party atmosphere, free live gigs and tasty plates, this is nothing like your local boozer. Enjoy the lunch specials and Sunday roast or mix it up on the dance floor with surfers, backpackers and holidaymakers.

Jetty Beach House

Update your out-of-office message using a selfie taken at Jetty Beach House . The bar and restaurant housed in a 1920s beach house overlooks Solitary Islands Marine Park . And it’s that coastal Corambirra Point location that imbues it with a relaxed, surfie sensibility. My hot tip is to nab a table on the deck so you can watch the kids do cartwheels on the lawn with the ocean in view. Dive into fish tacos, Korean fried chicken and fries. Visit on weekends when music lights up the venue, which is both kid- and dog-friendly (by request). Head here for $2.50 Oyster Hour from 4pm to 5pm Fridays and Saturdays.

Address: 1 Jordan Esplanade, Coffs Harbour

King Tide Brewing

King Tide Brewing deserves its cult following in Coffs Harbour. Gleaming tanks are the centrepiece in the 250-seater taproom, which spills into a beer garden where locals enjoy tasting paddles and share plates. Natural light, a soaring timber bar and fireplace are also central to the vibe at the inner-city venue. The microbrewery produces everything from crisp lagers to hazy IPAs onsite and features a crowd-pleasing menu of burgers, schnitzels and the like. Grab a Kraut burger or tasting flight on trivia night and put talk of that sea change back on the agenda.

Address: 1 Studio Lane, Coffs Harbour.

The Pier Hotel

Rather than arriving by horse to The Pier Hotel , built circa 1905, weary travellers can now pull up to the curb in their EV. After being destroyed by fire, the original pub was rebuilt in 1914 and, more than a century on, remains a top place for a pitstop. Expect hearty pub fare such as Pier parmies or prawn and crab linguini. The upstairs Cellar Lounge hosts live music and DJ nights, and the street-side verandah is perfect for a pre-dinner drink. The recently renovated pub has retained much of its heritage charm with exposed bricks, high ceilings and original floorboards. The revamped accommodation is also a great base from which to explore the Coffs Coast.

Address: 356 Harbour Drive, Coffs Harbour

Woolgoolga Brewing Co (Woopi Brewing Co)

al fresco dining at Woolgoolga Brewing Co, Coffs Harbour — Enjoy relaxed drinks outside.

Stalk @woopibrewingco to get a vibe check at Woolgoolga Brewing Co ., a short drive north of Coffs Harbour. It’s a brewery and a tavern, serving easy-going charm and a nickname – ‘Woopi Brewing’ – to match the town. Get a sense of the Woopi community by lounging on the lawn, which is dotted with picnic tables and festooned with fairy lights. Pizzas from the woodfired oven are the go here, best paired with a Headland Hazy. Meet the local shapers at a Boards, Beers & Beats night and bring the kids and doggo to a Sunday session for a gossip and a giggle.

Address: 7 Willis Road, Woolgoolga

Moonee Beach Hotel

Nothing induces parents’ good cheer more than a playground, mini golf and pet-friendly beer garden. Moonee Beach Hotel is one of the best pubs in Coffs Harbour for families with its menu jam-packed with everything from pizzas to burgers and jerk chicken wings. Weekends bring a line-up of live entertainment with a vibe that is still Birkenstocks, beards and boardies.  Join the locals for a Sunday sesh where you must guard your chippies with your life from gulls wheeling overhead. It’s the perfect place to unwind after a swim at Moonee Beach Creek. Note: the pub has a Tesla Super Charger.

Address: 2 Moonee Beach Road, Moonee Beach

The Coramba Hotel

You will find it hard to prise yourself away from The Coramba Hotel, which is tucked neatly into the folds of the Orara Valley. The back deck overlooks a patchwork of farmland over a crook of the Orara River, which has a rope swing for older children. Another beautiful thing about this boozer is its elite weekday specials like the pie of the day with chips or 200g rump steak. On weekends, live music and friendly locals make a visit to The Coramba Hotel feel compulsory Bring your dog, grab a seat outside and gulp down lungfuls of crisp country air.

Address: 17 Gale Street, Coramba

Toormina Hotel

Road-trippers visiting the Coffs Coast will appreciate the excellent artisan ales and schnitties on offer at the Toormina Hotel. The pub is also conveniently located a mere totter away from the town’s shopping centre. Pick up some more sunscreen and snacks and then head into The Palms, the pub’s leafy and laid-back outdoor area furnished with cabanas and heaters. There’s a contained playground for kids and a menu with standouts like beer-battered snapper and Thai yellow seafood curry. Trivia nights and big-screen sports add to the atmosphere.

Address: Lot 1 Minorca Place, Toormina

Sawtell Hotel

This Mediterranean-inspired beauty in Sawtell has become a favourite for visitors to NSW’s Mid North Coast. It’s the atmosphere that makes The Sawtell Hotel exceptional. But the sister venue to the Moonee Beach Hotel and Toormina Hotel is also acclaimed for its pub grub. The venue first flung open its doors in 1932. But a recent renovation has made the pub all the more vibey. Stop for a pale ale and stay for the banter in this contemporary pub which offers gun-barrel views down First Ave, lined with giant fig trees. Go for a swim at Boambee Creek. Then head to the Sawty to get sorted with pappardelle alla norma paired with a glass of Château Tanunda chardonnay.

Address: 51–55 First Avenue, Sawtell

Seaview Tavern

A Woolgoolga institution, Seaview Tavern is all about comforting country fare and relaxed hospitality. And, like any good country pub, it’s totally in sync with making Woopi a destination. Check Instagram for $16 daily specials such as the rump or schnitty on Wednesdays or the Franken-tastic Parmageddon every Friday. The beer garden is the place to be, on point with its festoon lighting and communal tables. Families are catered to with kids’ meals, a kids’ zone and supervised games and activities. Live music fires up most weekends. And there’s a Local Legends Pool Comp if you’re game.

Address: 51 River Street, Woolgoolga (25 minutes from Coffs Harbour)

The Hoey Moey

Coffs Harbour’s only beachfront pub, The Hoey Moey , is iconic for its massive beer garden just metres from the waves, which peak and crash all around. In fact, its very location is quintessential Coffs. The Sunday roast at this rowdy local rattler is also off chops, served with a giant Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, carrots and broccolini. You can eat, stay and play at the Coffs Coast pub by Park Beach, which is always packed with tangled knots of surfers, drawn in with the promise of live music and a good time. Come for Sunday reggae sessions or a few schooeys after a surf. And expect impromptu hoedowns at the Hoey when those salty-haired surfers cut loose. Beer-larious.

Address: 84 Ocean Parade, Coffs Harbour

Coffs Harbour Yacht Club

The sun-splashed Coffs Harbour Yacht Club is sitting pretty against those endless blue skies. Sit outside at the Jetty Beach Bar for an Aperol spritz on a Friday arvo before moving to the Breakwall, the restaurant with one of the best waterfront views in Coffs Harbour. Don’t scoff. We know Coffs Yachtie is not a pub, it’s a club. But the menu includes the usual suspects: crispy chicken wings, chicken parmigiana, and a stellar seafood basket. Visit at lunch for those sparkling harbour views or frock up for an elegant dinner. Arriving by superyacht is the ultimate flex. Dress in crisp whites and boat shoes so the salty old sea dogs don’t suss you’re a blow-in.

Address: 30 Marina Drive, Coffs Harbour

The Coffs Hotel

My craving for a good pub feed is always met at The Coffs Hotel . The popular Coffs Coast pub has been a community hub since 1937. The pub has also moved with the times, with its proprietors understanding that live music is the best way to bring people together. The beer garden is a haven for basking in the sun. But it’s the Backroom where you might spot the next big thing. The venue also hosts weekly events like trivia and comedy. It’s one of those places where you will find yourself returning for weekly specials such as Burger & Wings night and a stellar Sunday roast for a redback ($20). Rest your head in a queen room upstairs.

Address: 135 West High Street, Coffs Harbour

Donovan’s Surf Club Restaurant & Bar

Set on prime real estate overlooking Park Beach, Donovan’s Surf Club Restaurant & Bar blends surf-club nostalgia with a boho-chic vibe. Sit by one of the windows that frame the views. Or gather around a table on the dreamy open-air deck, the sweet spot for ocean breezes and afternoon light. Reach peak holiday chill mode while tucking into everything from a pork belly and king prawn salad to salt and pepper calamari. Locals swear by the seafood chowder and big breakfasts after an early surf. My hot tip? Take some Heat & Eat meals back to your Airbnb.

Address: 23 Surf Club Road, Coffs Harbour

Greenhouse Tavern

This Coffs Harbour pub on the city’s northside could trade on its good vibes alone. But the food, drinks and service are seriously good, too. The Greenhouse Tavern offers daily deals such as Schnitilious Schnitty Night on Wednesdays and a Happy Hour on selected schooners to get you over that family holiday hump day. A counter lunch at the Greenie is also a great option. Nudge the kids into the outdoor playground to run around on a sunny day. Catch a game of footy, cricket and UFC action in the sports bar. Join the Pub+ promotion to get discounts on dishes such as a pot pie with mash, peas and gravy. Or the Greenie Supreme pizza topped with pineapple.

Address: 489 Pacific Highway, Coffs Harbour

Corindi Beach Hotel

Corindi Beach Hotel is a beacon for fishos who come in for the odd Corindi Fishing Club weigh-in. You might recognise some of them from their Tinder profiles posing with their latest catch. The pub also has ice-cold bevvies and a roster of live entertainment featuring artists that play everything from swamp pop to hillbilly disco and raw blues. The pub has a happy hour Monday to Friday every week, free pool on Tuesdays, and flower bouquet workshops for kids during the school holidays. The classic Mid North Coast NSW pub also has a beer garden with ocean views and a playground to suit free-range kids. Want something light? There’s a section on the menu called Greener Pastures, dedicated to salads.

Address: 7 Tasman St, Corindi Beach

Mogul Beer

Mogul Beer was established by a hobbyist home brewer whose beers were so popular with mates he decided to bring them to a wider audience. Quench your thirst with a $7 Crispy Boy schooner (every Wednesday to Thursday) before stocking up on some Mogul merch souvenirs. You should also ogle the Mogul range of beers so you can purchase a six-pack of lager or stout to go. Let the live music flow through you between Thursday and Sunday at the 80-seater venue which has a rotating roster of food trucks such as the Taco Whisperer and Benny’s Brisket. The brewpub is warm and inviting, with Italian leather seating, olive green tiles and wood panelling.

Address: 20C Featherstone Drive, Woolgoolga

Plantation Hotel

You might have initially planted yourself at the Plantation Hotel in Coffs Harbour to access the onsite EV Charging Station. But you will be tempted to stay on at ‘the Planto’ in the heart of Coffs Harbour for the scheduled events each week. It’s okay. Chill. You can check in at the Planto as this pub in the heart of the city also offers accommodation. Add to this an impressive range of some 17 beers on tap as well as jugs of sangria that are the colour of a Coffs Harbour sunset. Sit and sip at the bar until your tonsils are limber enough to tackle karaoke. There are also pool tables primed for competitive fun and games for the Sear (a steak), Sing (some karaoke) and Shoot (free pool) night.

Address: 88 Grafton St, Coffs Harbour

The Coast Hotel

The Coast Hotel is equal parts pub, restaurant and nightclub. Scan the blackboard for family-friendly lunch specials such as Monday’s Mexican night of Nachos & Tacos or the Sunday All Day roast with guaranteed lashings of gravy. You can also tuck into fuss-free fare such as crumbed lamb cutlets or salt and pepper squid in the bistro. Upstairs is more party mode for millennials. Don your Dickies and Doc Martens for a beer and a boogie when DJs and cocktails flick the switch to lit. Don’t miss the Friday seafood special. This is the city’s most social pub and the place you’re most likely to form connections with Coffs Coast locals. Grab a few espresso martinis so you can go the distance.

Address: 123 Moonee Street, Coffs Harbour

Underpinned by grassroots hospitality and award-winning organic produce, the Central Coast’s gastronomy scene is thriving, with the region quickly becoming one of the best destinations in NSW for epicures.

Revered for its rugged natural splendour and laid-back seaside charm, NSW’s Central Coast has soared in popularity in recent years, becoming a top choice for an affordable slice of weekend escapism for Sydneysiders. Just a short 45-minute drive north of Sydney, it’s the kind of place that, no matter how many times you visit, leaves you with the sense that there’s always more to uncover. But while the ocean pools, bushwalks and beaches have (rightly) taken the spotlight, it’s the Central Coast food offerings which have been quietly simmering in the background.

From fresh-as-it-gets seafood and juicy organic citrus you can pluck yourself, through to regenerative farming and reputable farm-to-fork dining, this coastal gem has become an idyllic foodie mecca. Here are some of the best ways to immerse yourself in grassroots hospitality and gastronomic glory on the NSW Central Coast.

vegetables in a basket at Bells Garden at Bells At Killcare — From picking your own, to farm-to-table, discover the best Central Coast food experiences. (Image: Remy Brand)

Central Coast oyster experiences

From humble grub to opulent delicacy, oysters have ascended into a league of their own. Epicureans are fascinated by them – willing to pay upwards of $35 per dozen (double at some of Sydney’s reputable fine dining restaurants) – and ‘shuck bars’ seem to be popping up at every milestone celebration.

But it’s rare to find places that really draw back the curtain on how they’re farmed and why everyone is mad for these molluscs. The Central Coast , however, is home to several of these venues. With its pristine waters, mild climate and nutrient-rich estuaries, it’s the perfect breeding ground for oysters.

Learn about oyster farming and, importantly, how to shuck them at Sydney Oyster Farm Tours . Nestled on the Hawkesbury River at Mooney Mooney, Sheridan Beaumont and her team offer a hands-on foodie experience where you can feast on dozens of oysters (white tablecloth and all) while wading through the calm waters. You can even bring your own bottle of bubbles to wash them down.

guests in the water for an experience at Sydney Oyster Farm - Central Coast food — Learn tricks of the trade at Sydney Oyster Farm Tours. (Image: Remy Brand)

Elevate your oyster knowledge even further by heading north over the Hawkesbury River Bridge to the Hawkesbury River Oyster Shed . Tour their scenic oyster leases and saltwater paddocks by boat to uncover the distinct characteristics of the Sydney rock oyster and creamy Pacific oyster. They’ve also partnered with Broken Bay Pearl Farm to offer a one-of-a-kind oyster and pearl farming guided tour, showcasing the Central Coast’s very own pearl oyster, the Broken Bay ‘Akoya’. But if you’re simply in the mood to devour a dozen delectable oysters while soaking in the tranquil river views, pull up a chair at the shed. It’s friendly in every sense of the word: pets, families and BYO welcome.

shucking oysters at Broken Bay Pearl Farm — Taste freshly shucked oysters at Broken Bay Pearl Farm. (Image: James Horan)

Central Coast farms to pick your own fruit

While the Central Coast is known for its breathtaking 40 beaches and 80-kilometre coastline, its lush hinterland is equally impressive – abundant with orchards and agriculturally rich farmland. And when it comes to the simple joy of picking your own fruit, the Central Coast is a ripe playground.

Family-owned Meliora Farm at Peats Ridge is an orchard that blends conventional, biodynamic and organic philosophies. Third-generation farmer Tim Kemp and his wife Elise are dedicated to honouring the family legacy by growing a rich variety of oranges, lemons, limes, mandarins and avocados. In late May, roam the sustainable and nutrient-dense property during ‘Pick Your Own’ weekends.

Eastcoast Beverages is another bountiful citrus orchard boasting over 60 hectares of fruit. From June you can learn about the cultivation of high-quality ingredients – like lemons, limes, grapefruit and oranges – by touring both the farm and factory before setting out and picking your own straight from the source. You can also sample an array of citrus-inspired sweet and savoury treats at their on-site cafe, Bambino’s .

If it’s just juicy oranges you’re after, Cedar Farm in Dooralong is a must-visit. Located about 30 minutes north of Peats Ridge, it features 15 flourishing orchards and over 3000 orange trees – with take-home bags during the season (from July) at low prices. Not bad for a fruity weekend haul.

woman picking oranges at Oranges at Dooralong — Pick your own citrus fruits on the Central Coast. (Image: James Vodicka)

Organic dining

What makes the Central Coast hinterland so special is the unwavering respect the communities have for their cherished backyard. Locally owned and operated farms are all striving for more sustainable practices and methods to both enhance biodiversity and reduce environmental impact, each with a heartwarming food philosophy.

The Food Farm in Wyong Creek believes good food is worth both the work and the wait. Devoted to regenerative farming, first-generation ‘farmily’ Tim Eyes and Hannah Greenshields are recognised for their grass-fed, grass-finished beef and pasture-raised, gold medal-winning chickens. With an open gate policy, The Food Farm encourages visitors to swing by and try some of their slow-grown produce at their small ‘honesty’ farm shop. With no staff, you can pick up a few quality cuts of meat and pasteurised eggs, leaving the owing amount in cash or via eftpos.

Keeping the spirit of generational organic farming alive is Fanelli Organics . Nestled in the Central Coast’s scenic and sleepy Mangrove Mountain, founders Eden and Louise Fanelli own over 45 hectares of plentiful farmland and orchards that produce a huge range of organic fruit and vegetables, like purple Dutch carrots, blood oranges, broccoli and Tuscan kale. A true home-grown operation, Fanelli Organics shares its fresh produce with local restaurants and community markets, including the beloved markets at Like Minds Cafe at Avoca Beach every Wednesday afternoon.

farmers holding fresh produce picked at Fanelli Organics — See where your food comes from at Fanelli Organics.

Paddock-to-plate dining

High-quality ingredients go hand in hand with premium dining, and the Central Coast is home to several paddock-to-plate restaurants that showcase its diverse and rich agriculture. Paired with warm, grassroots hospitality, there are culinary triumphs, new menus and revered chefs constantly popping up, putting the local dining scene firmly on the map.

Award-winning Mount White restaurant Saddles is a quintessential Australian dining destination, dedicated to country-style cooking and seasonal produce. Nestled in thick bushland with wraparound verandahs, floral gardens and an idyllic dam, the gourmet homestead and bakehouse is unlike any restaurant on the Central Coast. Here, head chef Reece Collins and his team serve up an impressive breakfast and lunch menu that oozes rustic charm. Pull up a comfy armchair on the expansive deck, listen to birdsong, and tuck into flavoursome dishes like the farmhouse Benedict with honey-cured ham, lemon myrtle hollandaise and Warrigal gremolata, or the hearty beef brisket pie with confit garlic potato purée and rainbow chard.

woman writing in notebook next to a table of food at Saddles, Central Coast food — Taste country-style cooking at Saddles. (Image: Destination NSW)

Delivering a slice of sophistication and luxury to the shores and bushland of Bouddi Peninsula is Bells at Killcare . One of the few boutique resorts on the Central Coast, it’s known for its premium service and five-star suites, as well as its bountiful kitchen gardens that boast an orchard, olive trees, avocado trees, free-range hens and a honey bee hive.

Cameron Cansdell has returned to Bells at Killcare as head chef, bringing his expertise to the casual yet refined menus that feature a raw bar with Oscietra caviar, freshly shucked Sydney rock oysters and Moreton Bay bugs, all served alongside optional matched wines. Sample some of Australia’s best regional wines and standout dishes, like roasted Wollemi duck with grilled leeks, rocket, grilled grapes and 10-year-aged balsamic, or the shareworthy salt-crusted snapper with herb salad and salsa, before roaming the picturesque gardens, wine in hand.

cocktail at Bells At Killcare — Sample incredible wine, cocktails and dishes at Bells At Killcare. (Image: Nikki To)

Plan your next visit to the delicious Central Coast.

Coastal classics: top pubs in and around Coffs Harbour