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The best Coffs Harbour restaurants for elevated holiday dining

Kristie Lau-AdamsBy Kristie Lau-Adams
Nutrient-dense bounties, often sourced just off the coastline, create happy holiday dining at the best Coffs Harbour restaurants.

Proud to be local, embracing quality seasonal produce, Coffs Harbour’s food scene is impressive. So impressive that I’ve transitioned the NSW North Coast town from frozen banana pit-stop to a coveted overnight hang. From overachieving cafes and bakeries to the finest of restaurants and pubs, the best Coffs Harbour restaurants have given me cherished family memories. Here, my recommendations for every meal of the day.

In short

If you only visit one of the best Coffs Harbour restaurants, make it Donovans Surf Club Restaurant & Bar. It’s always comfortable and relaxed, as water views effortlessly drop shoulders and good times (and prices) roll from breakfast to lunch.

The shortlist

Best outdoor dining: Aanuka Beach House
Best date spot: Bistro Vue
Best for large groups: Donovan’s Surf Club Restaurant & Bar
Best views: Jetty Beach House

1. Aanuka Beach House

a spread of food and drinks at Aanuka Beach House, Coffs Harbour restaurants
Vibrant share plates and Italian-inspired delights dominate the menu. (Image: Take Studios)

Perched on Diggers Beach with sweeping views out to the ocean, Aanuka Beach House is an infectious scene when I visit in mid-2025. Sun-drenched terraces dotted with umbrella-slung tables lure glamorous crowds as spacious lawns trickle out to that frothy blue. I love this Coffs Harbour restaurant because it sparks immediate holiday vibes no matter how many emails you’re missing back at home. I visit for lunch most recently, but the hotspot is equally chockers first thing when an epic buffet breakfast is served from 7am to 10am daily. My midday menu, however, offers top-notch pub classics including a wood-fired pizza of more than 10 varieties (that also cater for vegans) as well as seasonally charged share plates like zucchini blossoms, prawn rolls with guacamole and a seriously stacked antipasti board of Italian-inspired delights.

Cuisine: Modern Australian with Italian homages

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Holiday buzzing

Location: 11 Firman Dr, Coffs Harbour

2. The Spare Room

summer garden pasta at The Spare Room, Coffs Harbour restaurants
The signature summer garden pasta at The Spare Room.

Skipping over to Sawtell, about 15 minutes’ drive south of the Coffs Harbour jetty, I find The Spare Room , a lowkey spot for authentic Italian. As wildly beautiful as Coffs Harbours’ beaches always prove, this place pulls crowds indoors of a Sunday thanks to the weekly live jazz from 6:30pm. Here for the carbs? You’re speaking my language. Get your fix with lovingly prepared classics including saffron and pea arancini balls with capsicum jam, lavishly topped pizzas, and a revolving door of pastas – think seafood squid ink linguine with basil butter emulsion, prawns and calamari – that you can opt to dress with crispy prosciutto, like I did.

Cuisine: Italian

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Homely and intimate

Location: 23 First Ave, Sawtell

3. Bistro Vue

a table-top view of share plates at Bistro Vue, Coffs Harbour restaurants
The savoury menu strives to reflect the seasons. (Image: Bistro Vue)

The jetty strip swings one step sexier since the arrival of Bistro Vue in August 2025, offering locals the Melbourne hole-in-the-wall sophistication this town so very demands. The fit out is sleek and moody thanks to rich timbers and white marble, and the team is always out to impress, single-handedly dialling up Coffs Harbour’s hospitality chops. The menu strives to reflect the seasons with most recent standouts spanning panko and herb-coated prawns and a harissa-roasted chicken Maryland over a bed of saffron couscous. Plus, there’s always fresh oysters with your choice of champagne granita or pancetta and aged balsamic, a refined take on Kilpatrick.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $$$

Atmosphere: Neighbourhood elegance

Location: 384B Harbour Dr, Coffs Harbour

4. Donovan’s Surf Club Restaurant & Bar

beach views from Donovan’s Surf Club Restaurant & Bar, Coffs Harbour
Slow the pace right down and dine with views of Park Beach at Donovan’s.

I have such a great time at Donovan’s Surf Club Restaurant & Bar, where almost every table scores a view of pristine Park Beach. One visit, I even looked straight out to sea and spotted whales breaching, a sight reserved for whale migration season between June and November. Lunch on the sun deck around the back of the bistro, or within this Coffs Harbour restaurant’s spacious sunroom, is always relaxed as locals chat into golden hour, while breakfast runs from 7.30am and offers an awesome vantage point for your morning cuppa. Meanwhile, morning and pub-style lunch plates from Executive Chef Matt Donovan offer serious indulgence, with personal favourites including the croissant French toast with Dulce de leche and ice cream for breakfast (hey, we’re on holidays) and for lunch, hot honey prawns with rice and a cucumber salad.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Chilled out and filled with locals

Location: 23 Surf Club Rd, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450

5. Daikichi Woolgoolga

Japanese cuisine at Daikichi Woolgoolga, Coffs Harbour
Daikichi Woolgoolga rolls out authentic Japanese classics. (Image: Coffs Coast and Jay Black)

One of the newest Coffs Harbour restaurants, Daikichi Woolgoolga brings authentic Japanese classics to the coast. It’s located in the thick of charming Woolgoolga, one of my favourite lesser-discovered Coffs Harbour towns, and rolls out all the typical flavour-lashed Japanese cravings including bento boxes, pork and chicken katsu curries, Donburi rice bowls with miso soup and a selection of sweets. Hot tip: grab a BYO bottle of wine for a cheap and cheerful meal out because these guys don’t charge corkage.

Cuisine: Japanese

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Casual

Location: 58 Beach St, Woolgoolga

6. Morty’s Joint

diners outside Morty’s Joint, Coffs Harbour
Morty’s Joint marries quality comfort food with cocktails to give patrons a reliably good time. (Image: Jay Black)

One of the highlights of Sawtell’s First Avenue, Morty’s Joint is a neighbourhood comfort food-slash-cocktail bar that draws an energised crowd. Home to DJ sets, free pool, the occasional drag bingo and delicious American-style bar snacks, it’s my go-to for a chilled catch-up with friends. Get your carb-load on with the likes of fancy fries, juicy burgers, panko-crumbed schnitzels (they’re just $15 a pop if you’re there on Wednesday night), and a sirloin steak with a range of sauces, as crafty tipples and quality craft brews reliably quench your thirst.

Cuisine: Comfort food

Average price: $-$$

Atmosphere: Rock and roll

Location: 63 First Ave, Sawtell NSW 2452

7. Bayside Bar & Grill

Located inside the Pacific Bay Resort, the lovely Bayside Bar & Grill lures guests with its gorgeous position overlooking a lagoon. Staying at the hotel, one of the best Coffs Harbour accommodation picks, is going to offer you prime table selection, but anywhere on the outdoor terrace will instantly dazzle. Brace yourself for indulgent mains that lean into local produce like a sirloin, sourced from Dorrigo in the Northern NSW Tablelands, with potato gratin, and a linguine with prawns caught off the east coast.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $$$

Atmosphere: Holiday mode

Location: Pacific Bay Resort, corner Pacific Hwy and Bay Dr, Coffs Harbour

8. Bar Que Sera

inside Bar Que Sera, Coffs Harbour restaurants
Pair your wine with Mediterranean share plates at Bar Que Sera. (Image: Jay Black)

Under new management from September 2025, Bar Que Sera is still one of the best places in the region for either a top-quality vino pit-stop or lazy afternoon indulgence. I love the refined yet relaxed vibes of this Coffs Harbour hot spot, as the team rely on local ingredients to inspire their seasonal menu. Additionally, everything these guys plate up is Instagram-perfect. Pick your poison out of more than 100 wines and wash it down with the likes of swordfish cooked with N’duja butter, confit lamb rump with whipped goat curd and pickled dates, and Yamba prawns with ricotta gnocchi.

Cuisine: Mediterranean share plates

Average price: $$$

Atmosphere: Elegant

Location: 61 First Ave, Sawtell

9. Jetty Beach House

dining at Jetty Beach House, Coffs Harbour restaurants
Soak up Mediterranean-inspired interiors and a menu of refined pub favourites.

What a spot. Jetty Beach House , at the foot of the Solitary Islands, is a natural light-filled space with calming Coffs’ water views. Even better, it sings with a quintessentially Coffs vibe: utterly relaxed and humble. Expect a menu dotted with fresh seafood (the chilled king Mooloolaba prawns with bloody mary mayonnaise is something of a novelty and always smashable), plus burgers, pizzas and other pub classics. It’s also a great spot for kids as a dedicated children’s menu dishes up popcorn chicken with chips, butter pasta with tomatoes, fish and chips and more.

Cuisine: Pub classics

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Casual, but it can get rowdy

Location: 1 Jordan Esplanade, Coffs Harbour

10. Lime Mexican

friends dining at Lime Mexican, Sawtell
Discover inventive Mexican favourites at Lime Mexican. (Image: Destination NSW)

In the main fig tree-lined street of Sawtell, Lime Mexican is a beloved pick, serving mean mojitos and inventive Mexican street food that would feel right at home in Tijuana. Although the decor is light and bright, the ubiquitous Dia de los Muertos-inspired mural and colourful sombreros confirm this is a place for fun and celebration. Expect textbook favourites like beef nachos, tacos with pulled pork, and fajitas with Chipotle steak, done with ample flair.

Cuisine: Mexican

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Party times

Location: 1/13 First Ave, Sawtell

11. Stef & Co

diners at the waterfront Stef & Co restaurant, Coffs Harbour
The Italian cafe and restaurant delivers scenic waterfront views.

Overlooking the tranquil waters of Coffs Creek, Stef & Co is a multipronged dining destination dedicated to Italian cuisine. It starts in the morning as a cafe offering freshly brewed coffee and hand-crafted Italian pastries, but I highly recommend winding your way back again when the sun sinks to catch it transformed into a pizza and cocktail bar. Additionally, there’s the team’s more upscale portion of the space, Osteria Restaurant, where incredible fresh seafood and the most quality of meat cuts make for another round of Italian feasting. Don’t miss the traditional fish stew with market fillets, mussels, prawns, calamari and octopus, served with crusty white bread.

Cuisine: Italian at every hour of the day

Average price: $-$$$

Atmosphere: Homely

Location: 319 Harbour Drive, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450

12. Latitude 30

friends dining at Latitude 30, Coffs Harbour restaurants
Latitude 30’s location by the marina boasts panoramic views from the water’s edge. (Image: Destination NSW)

This Coffs Coast restaurant is a classic for its unbeatable location, and the fact you can enjoy seafood sourced from the trawlers moored directly opposite. Latitude 30 , located within the Marina, is the product of founder and owner Marcus Blackwell’s passion for seafood, which extends to his childhood growing up off the coast of Scotland. Expect beautifully prepared and presented, dishes including the not-so-discreet seafood platter of lobster, prawns, bugs, oysters and ceviche.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $$$

Atmosphere: Elevated yet breezy

Location: Unit 8-9, 1 Marina Dr, Coffs Harbour

13. The Pier Hotel

dining at The Pier Hotel, Coffs Harbour restaurants
Cosy country pubs don’t get better than The Pier Hotel.

The Pier Hotel was built in 1905 to cater for weary travellers journeying by land and sea up and down Australia’s East Coast. A century on, that core demographic is sticking with it, and the pub located on the Jetty strip is as popular as ever. A cosy country pub that beautifully blends the old and new, it’s light and bright and a brilliant spot to enjoy hearty grub such as bangers and mash with caramelised onions, and five jam-packed burger types ranging from a house beef patty with cheese to a southern chicken wrap with guacamole.

Cuisine: Pub classics

Average price: $-$$

Atmosphere: Relaxed

Location: 356 Harbour Dr, Coffs Harbour

14. The Seaview Tavern

pizza and share plates at The Seaview Tavern, Coffs Harbour
The Seaview Tavern serves up reliably good pub food.

The Seaview Tavern is a lively hotel that makes the most of its expansive open-air beer garden, festooned with fairy lights and kitted out with umbrellas. Everyone here seems to order the schnitzel (voted one of Australia’s top five in a 2020 contest) with gravy, chips and a side salad, and for good reason – it’s crumbed to crispy perfection and golden every time. Wash down your meal with one of their on-tap brews which include local craft creations.

Cuisine: Pub classics

Average price: $-$$

Atmosphere: Family-friendly

Location: 51 River St, Woolgoolga

15. 99 On Park Restaurant & Bar

a slice of cake on a plate at 99 On Park Restaurant & Bar, Coffs Harbour
Tuck into modern Australian dishes with French flair. (Image: 99 On Park Restaurant & Bar)

Tucked just a few streets back from the shore, 99 On Park Restaurant & Bar offers elegant dining with the occasional French twist. Fresh seafood takes centre stage across the menu, including the local prawns in gnocchi with a creamy bisque and the yellowfin tuna nicoise salad with pastured egg. Thoughtful wine pairings make whatever you order simply delicious.

Cuisine: Modern Australian with French influences

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Old-school classy

Location: 99 Park Beach Rd, Coffs Harbour

16. The Jetty Pavilion

a close-up of food at The Jetty Pavilion, Coffs Harbour restaurants
The menu offers Modern Australian pub and cafe classics.

Given a tick of approval from Aussie legend Robert Irwin, who posted a gushing Instagram video about The Jetty Pavilion during a recent road trip, this Coffs Harbour institute is beloved by visitors far and wide. Located on the Jetty strip, it’s a local’s go-to for long lunches, sunset cocktails and live music. The menu blends modern Australian cafe and pub classics, and unique flavours – think a fennel salted snapper, Thai fishcakes with snow peas, and an all-day breakfast that heroes a kimchi waffle. Set up on the breezy terrace to enjoy sparkling views while you dine.

Cuisine: Modern Australian pub and cafe classics

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Upbeat, even over breakfast

Location: 59/361 Harbour Dr, Coffs Harbour

Discover the best things to do in Coffs Harbour

Kristie Lau-Adams
Kristie Lau-Adams is a Gold Coast-based freelance writer after working as a journalist and editorial director for almost 20 years across Australia's best-known media brands including The Sun-Herald, WHO and Woman's Day. She has spent significant time exploring the world with highlights including trekking Japan’s life-changing Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage and ziplining 140 metres above the vines of Mexico’s Puerto Villarta. She loves exploring her own backyard (quite literally, with her two young children who love bugs), but can also be found stalking remote corners globally for outstanding chilli margaritas and soul-stirring cultural experiences.
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Your guide to a summer staycation in Sydney

    Kassia ByrnesBy Kassia Byrnes
    Continue
    Discover the magic of a Sydney staycation in summer at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney.

    Sydney City is magical in summer. Warm summer evenings beg to be spent sipping cool cocktails at one of many al fresco and rooftop bars. Ferries and buses are ready to transport travellers to the best nearby beaches for salty days on the sand. National parks and rainforests are waiting to be explored. And the city’s events calendar is packed, from live music to cultural attractions. All elements that call for a Sydney staycation.

    Discover where to eat, stay and play for the perfect local getaway.

    Where to stay

    The Fullerton Hotel Sydney

    the Fullerton Hotel Sydney
    Sleep inside a 151-year-old icon.

    Amid the bustle of the perfect Sydney staycation, one needs a place to escape to and recharge. Enter, The Fullerton Hotel Sydney . The hotel is an icon in its own right – nestled inside the 151-year-old building that was originally Sydney’s General Post Office, its heritage-listed sandstone walls and Victorian renaissance grandeur have been carefully preserved – providing a rare chance to sleep within Sydney’s history.

    Despite its fascinating history, the hotel isn’t short on modern, luxurious comforts. Rooms and suites are available in both the modern high-rise with gorgeous views over the clock tower and lively city below, or inside the historical post office building itself.

    the Fullerton Hotel Sydney Heritage Long Suite bathroom
    Heritage rooms maintain their old-world style.

    Either way, guests can enjoy sophisticated touches, including a deluxe bed and pillow menu, Harman Kardon Bluetooth speakers, a digital concierge, a Vittoria coffee machine and amenities from the Balmain bathroom collection.

    The team at this five-star hotel provides excellence and a quality experience for all their guests, while amenities like a gym help with a well-rounded stay. For a peaceful moment with sweeping city views, enter The Fullerton Club Lounge on level 28. This private haven for dining and relaxation is available to any guests staying on the hotel’s club floors and suites.

    Add to this a central location in the CBD’s Martin Place, with easy access to Sydney’s top attractions, and convenience meets style.

    Where to drink & dine

    1. The Bar

    the Fullerton Hotel afternoon tea at the bar
    Indulge in the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea.

    Inside The Fullerton Hotel Sydney’s lobby, The Bar does more than sling a few delicious cocktails (although it certainly does that well). Its brown leather chairs and glass ceiling create the perfect, almost al fresco, setting for the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea .

    Served daily from 12 to 4 pm, the afternoon tea is a nod to the cherished social occasion it once was during the Victorian Renaissance era. People like to dress up for this afternoon tea, and if you’re lucky, a pianist often sits down at the on-site grand piano, just adding to the elegance.

    The afternoon tea is served high tea style, offering reimagined British flavours of the Victorian Renaissance era with a unique blend of  Australia’s culinary heritage. A sweet layer offers delights like a Malted Milk Envelope (a milk mousse layered between two biscuits), Bakewell Pudding (a super tasty egg-based pudding), and Apple Charlotte.

    On the savoury layer, expect finger sandwiches with fillings like cucumber, egg and smoked salmon. While classic pinwheels and stuffed eggs almost make the menu. And, of course, all finished off with traditional scones served with cream and mixed berry jam.

    Can’t fit in a whole afternoon tea? Be sure to at least order a slice of the 32-layered chocolate cake, a decadent mix of dark chocolate crémeux, fresh whipped cream, and Valrhona Azélia chocolate sauce. ⁣

    2. The Place

    the Fullerton Hotel the place dining
    Dine in the stunning GPO atrium.

    On level one of The Fullerton Hotel Sydney lives The Place – the hotel’s restaurant, in an atrium overlooking the former GPO. Here, dine on Modern Australian cuisine – think fresh, local seafood and a Riverina steak sandwich – along with a touch of Singaporean signature dishes, like Thai-style green curry or chicken satay. All in the shadow of the GPO clock tower, enjoying the GPO atrium’s natural light.

    3. Local gelato

    Couple enjoying ice-creams at First Fleet Park, The Rocks
    Enjoy ice cream in the sunshine. (Image: Destination NSW)

    What is summer without ice cream and/or gelato? Luckily, there are plenty of options just a short walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, whether you’re craving a midday pick-me-up or an after-sun treat.

    What to do/see

    1. GPO Heritage Tour

    the Fullerton Hotel Sydney lobby
    Be awed by the building’s history.

    Want to know more about the building you’re staying in? The Fullerton Hotel Sydney offers a complimentary 90-minute GPO Heritage Tour. Follow a knowledgeable tour guide to discover the stories, tales and legends of the former Sydney General Post Office building.

    From the iconic clock tower (completed in 1891) to the black-and-white tiled staircase at 1 Martin Place, which was once the main entrance to the GPO and today serves as a prominent feature of the building to the 24 stone faces (mascarons) on the Martin Place side of the building. Part of the 1880s-era facade (designed by architect James Barnet), each represents different states, countries and continents.

    2. Circular Quay

    aerial of circular quay sydney
    Catch a ferry from Circular Quay. (Image: Destination NSW)

    An easy walk or light rail ride away from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, lies the bustling Circular Quay. Here, you can sit for a drink and nibbles at the Opera Bar, or head into the iconic house itself for a show. It’s also a major ferry port, becoming your gateway to Sydney’s beaches, Luna Park and even Sydney Zoo.

    3. Royal Botanic Gardens

    view of circular quay from Sydney's Royal Botanic Garden
    Wander through Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Just beyond Circular Quay, discover Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. Wander through this 30-hectare, heritage-listed, botanical garden – exploring its differing sections, from Australian native botanicals to garden beds of vibrant flowers to towering groves of international trees.

    It’s also the perfect place for a picnic, so pick up supplies before you come and enjoy a spot on the grassy meadow looking out into the harbour.

    4. Theatre Royal

    a show at Theatre Royal
    Take in a show at Theatre Royal. (Image: Daniel Boud)

    Just a one-minute walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, take in a show at Theatre Royal. Built in 1976, the theatre has been offering a broad range of entertainment since the 1990s. Expect a show roster that ranges from the classics (like Cats) to the modern) like Pretty Woman: The Musical).

    Start planning a summer stay in Sydney worth remembering at fullertonhotels.com/fullerton-hotel-sydney.