14 top Port Macquarie restaurants to try in 2025

Explore Port Macquarie restaurants with our in-depth guide featuring the best restaurants in Port Macquarie. Discover hidden gems and top dining spots in 2025.

Port Macquarie restaurants barely made a blip on our radar a decade or so ago. But it’s only natural that Port Mac follows the trend that sees road-trippers wanting to eat and drink their way around regional Australia. With culinary tourism on the rise, here is the ultimate guide to the best Port Macquarie restaurants to add to your food-focused itineraries while on the traditional lands of the Birpai people.

THE SHORTLIST

Hottest new opening: Zebu Bar & Restaurant
Best views: Boathouse Bar & Restaurant
Best date spot: Whalebone Wharf
Fine dining gem: The Stunned Mullet
Budget-friendly: Moo and Bean
Best Farm to Table: taste @ Cassegrain
Best outdoor dining: Rivermark
Best for seafood: Bills Fishhouse & Bar

1. Whalebone Wharf

waterfront views at Whalebone Wharf, Port Macquarie — Whalebone Wharf boasts spectacular waterfront views. (Image: Destination NSW)

There’s nothing quite like dining by the water at Whalebone Wharf in Port Macquarie. The seafood restaurant is one of the best in Port Macquarie for its envious location on the banks of the Hastings River. Established in 1971, the waterfront diner is a landmark destination that rises above the river’s choppy shores where paddleboarders and kayakers pootle past. Keep your sunglasses on and get a little tipsy over cocktails paired with fresh lobsters from the tank or a magnificent seafood platter. You can also choose a fish, the style it should be cooked (baked, steamed, crumbed etc) and then a side dish.

• Cuisine: Modern Australian
• Average price: $$$$
• Atmosphere: Bright and breezy
• Review: 5/5
• Location: 269 Hastings River Drive, Port Macquarie

2. The Stunned Mullet

seared scallops from The Stunned Mullet, Port Macquarie — Enjoy elevated food and wine at the iconic The Stunned Mullet. (Image: Destination NSW)

It’s not a guide to Port Macquarie without including the OG fine diner The Stunned Mullet . It’s the place to go for elevated food and wine. Yes, it can be busy and it attracts a well-heeled crowd of sea changers, but the people-watching is all part of the fun. Go for lunch so you can drink in the views over the arc of sea and sand that is Town Beach in the Paris end of Port Macquarie. Explore the flavours of the region with offerings such as watermelon carpaccio splashed with a green gazpacho, silk tofu, jalapeno and asparagus salsa. The Glacier 51 toothfish with shiitake suimono, savoy cabbage, black rice, and daikon with an enoki crisp is another showstopper.

• Cuisine: Modern Australian
• Average price: $$$$-$$$$$
• Atmosphere: Bright and lively
• Review: 5/5
• Location: 24 William St, Port Macquarie

3. Boathouse Bar & Restaurant

alfresco dining at Boathouse Bar & Restaurant, Port Macquarie — Soak up the beachy vibes at Boathouse Bar & Restaurant.

The seafood at the Boathouse Bar & Restaurant is so fresh it looks like it’s been caught by Neptune’s net. The bar and restaurant is at Sails Port Macquarie by Rydges, which is one of the best places to stay in Port Macquarie. Step inside and the Boathouse will still whisk you away to Nantucket with its picture windows, blond timber tones and beach-chic colour scheme. Moor your superyacht outside and strut inside in your deck shoes for freshly shucked oysters, scallop crudo and a seafood tower. This restaurant is the ideal destination year-round if your idea of a holiday involves great food and a tranquil time on the water.

• Cuisine: Modern Australian.
• Average price: $$$$
• Atmosphere: It’s giving Nantucket.
• Review: 5/5
• Location: 20 Park St, Port Macquarie

4. Zebu Bar & Restaurant

waterfront views at Zebu Bar & Restaurant, Port Macquarie — Dine by the water at Zebu Bar & Restaurant. (Image: Remy Brand Photography)

Spend the day out on the water in Port Macquarie and then tie up your yacht and join your sailing group for cocktails at Zebu Bar & Restaurant. The restaurant is on the ground floor of the newly refurbished Rydges Port Macquarie. The ‘jewel in the town’ overlooks the Town Green with manicured lawns stretching all the way to the Hastings River. And it celebrates the very best of what Port Macquarie restaurants have to offer. The sophisticated setting is giving Amalfi Coast where diners enjoy live tunes and delightfully fresh seafood beneath an endless blue canopy of sky. Start with hiramasa kingfish, saffron crab risotto and barramundi with zucchini, tomato, spring herbs and verjus.

• Cuisine: Modern Italian
• Average price: $$$$
• Atmosphere: Amalfi Coast
• Review: 5/5
• Location: 1 Hay St, Port Macquarie.

5. Rivermark

food plates by the Hastings River at Rivermark, Port Macquarie — Enjoy a sit-down lunch by the Hastings River. (Image: Rivermark)

This casual neighbourhood cafe serves up some of the most spectacular waterfront views in Port Macquarie. And if there’s one thing Port Mac locals like to do it’s revel in the great outdoors. Rivermark has been earmarked as one of the best cafes in Port Macquarie for coffee and a bite of brekkie. But the captivating views it commands over the Hastings River and surrounding greenery also calls for a proper sit-down lunch. The laidback local is not fancy; it’s more of a casual place for fish and chips, salt and pepper squid, burgers and schnitties. Great for watching the ebb and flow of customers.

• Cuisine: Modern Australian
• Average price: $$
• Atmosphere: Super chill.
• Review: 3/5
• Location: 261 Hastings River Drive, Port Macquarie.

6. Florence Jones

Florence Jones is a dinky little wine bar that sits alongside the Hastings River and offers a one-two punch with its cellar and deli. Sit at the long communal counter overlooking the water where you can watch joggers puffing past looking envious of your platter of charcuterie and glass of wine. Be sure to offer them the peace sign with a pout. Or choose from the thoughtful selection of wines, craft beer, artisan cheeses, pates and terrines to take home to your Port Macquarie accommodation. Florence Jones has large glass windows so you watch boats bobbing by while enjoying sunset sips.

• Cuisine: Charcuterie.
• Average price: $$$
• Atmosphere: Laid-back local vibe.
• Review: 5/5
• Location: 74 Clarence St, Port Macquarie

7. Bills Fishhouse & Bar

a spread of food on white background at Bills Fishhouse & Bar, Port Macquarie — Bills Fishhouse & Bar takes pride in their sea-to-plate menu.

Bills Fishhouse & Bar provides a compelling reason to make your dream of a sea change a reality. It’s the place to go when you’ve had your fill of sun, sea, surf and sand. As a destination diner, Bills is a broad church drawing a diverse group of people together who cherish conversation and connection. Channel your best mid-life slacker energy and cast yourself adrift for the day over a sea-to-plate selection of seared scallops, torched squid, swordfish sashimi and crisp-skinned ocean trout. The fun-as fishhouse is housed within the new Clarence House development. BYO bib.

• Cuisine: Seafood
• Average price: $$$$
• Atmosphere: Contemporary coastal-chic.
• Review: 5/5
• Location: 2/18-20 Clarence St, Port Macquarie

8. Moo and Bean

You won’t have to shell out a tonne of coins for a casual meal at Moo and Bean . In fact, you get a lot of bang for your back with a line-up of local musos such as Max Marvell served alongside $1 oysters. The North Haven cafe overlooks the pristine waters of Camden Haven, some 30 minutes south of Port Macquarie. The Sunday sessions here will defo up your chances of meeting someone IRL as the layout of the bright and airy venue enables a certain kind of alchemy. Trim your neckbeard so you can better impress with those moves you learned on TikTok.

• Cuisine: Ribs, wings and smokey things
• Average price: $$$$
• Atmosphere: Clean, beachy aesthetic.
• Review: 4/5
• Location: 613 Ocean Dr, North Haven.

9. Black Duck Brewery

wood-fired pizza at Black Duck Brewery, Port Macquarie — Wood-fired pizza fresh from the oven at Black Duck Brewery. (Image: Destination NSW)

We spent a lot of time fishing around to find the best places to eat and drink in Port Macquarie. And Black Duck Brewery certainly gave us something to quack about. Cue the sound of a guitar being furiously strummed on Friday nights as the brew bar hosts its weekly pizza night set to live music. Black Duck also curates BBQ lunches and platters designed to pair well with its rotating roster of craft beers. You will find this vibrant local brewery in the middle of a scattering of buildings in the town’s industrial estate.

• Cuisine: Beer and bites.
• Average price: $$
• Atmosphere: Jovial
• Review: 4/5
• Location: 6b Acacia Avenue, Port Macquarie

10. Little Shack

a small kiosk of food at Little Shack, Port Macquarie — Pop into the Little Shack for a quick seafood snack.

Port Macquarie was somewhat of an under-the-radar coastal paradise until places like Little Shack popped up. Lovers of a sundowner are known to camp out here for an afternoon in anticipation of cocktail hour. It’s like a portal to a posh seafood shack in Key Largo with the crowd a perfect cross-section of backpackers, Port Mac locals, and fishos. The Little Shack is now a long-standing landmark by the sea. And, as you correctly assume from the name, Little Shack mastered the art of serving seafood-centric cuisine in an al fresco environment.  Swing by the Town Green to nab a table under one of the towering pine trees festooned with fairy lights.

• Cuisine: Good vibes only.
• Average price: $$$$
• Atmosphere: Chill
• Review: 5/5
• Location: 1 Munter St, Little Shack

11. The Local

What a lot of visitors to Port Macquarie don’t realise is the city rivals Newcastle and Wollongong for its live music scene. Yes, Port Macquarie has a chain of beautiful beaches and waterways that keep visitors smitten with the place.  But there’s nothing like tapping into the town’s zeitgeist through its schedule of live performances. Lunch at The Local Flynns Beach is a great way to get to know the city while tapping your feet to live music performed by local acts such as Chris Rose. Soak up Port Mac’s culture while enjoying smokey BBQ pork ribs, Malaysian lamb curry and chicken parmis.

• Cuisine: Bistro food.
• Average price: $$-$$$
• Atmosphere: Laidback beachy
• Review: 4/5
• Location: Ocean St, Port Macquarie

12. taste @ Cassegrain

pouring a bottle of Cassegrain wine into a glass, — Cassegrain wines are as good as the food. (Image: Destination NSW)

Port Mac locals take the restaurant renaissance in Port Macquarie in their stride. Expect the wine list at Cassegrain Wines to be as dynamic as the menu at taste @ Cassegrain , an offshoot of the estate. The Cassegrain family’s history of winemaking dates back to 1643 France and winemaker Alex Cassegrain proudly married the traditions of French winemaking with Australian innovation. Dining here is worth a detour for dishes such as the cured salmon, chicken liver pate, confit duck with sauteed cabbage and bok choy and white fish with baby capers and leek. There’s also a very considered kids’ menu with options such as grilled sirloin and chips paired with sparkling grape juice. We love to see it.

• Cuisine: Modern Australian
• Average price: $$$$
• Atmosphere: Relaxed yet refined
• Review: 5/5
• Location: 10 Winery Drive, Port Macquarie.

13. Bago Vineyards

morning mist at Bago Vineyards — Morning mist hugs the lush landscape at Bago Vineyards. (Image: Destination NSW)

Bago Vineyards is surrounded by a tall eucalyptus forest in Wauchope that caters to the East Coast’s largest koala population. The vineyard – one of five in the region – blankets the surrounding hillside, its healthy appearance belying the effort it takes to successfully grow grapes in this region. The family-run vineyard is very much a family affair and includes a maze to keep kids entertained. Tell the kids to ‘get lost’ while you enjoy a glass of verdelho and a cheese platter and the kids bounce happily around the pruned pathways. Visit for Sunday Music Days once a month and keep your eyes peeled on Bago’s socials for seasonal pop-up mazes.

• Cuisine: Charcuterie platters.
• Average price: $$
• Atmosphere: Family-friendly
• Review: 4/5
• Location: 197 Lambs Road, Herons Creek.

14. Little Fish Cafe Restaurant Vineyard

Having access to the Mid North Coast’s bounty hasn’t hurt The Little Fish Cafe & Vineyard .  Add a Michelin-trained chef who hails from the Cotignac, in Provence, France, and you have more than a few legit reasons to extend your stay in Port Macquarie. Chef Steve Delandemare started his career working at his family’s vineyard and restaurant and he pays homage to French culinary traditions on the Little Fish menu. Order the feuilleté de chêvre au miel et au poivre, salade de mesclun (honey-drizzled goat’s cheese tart with cracked pepper and a mesclun salad) or bouillabaisse to see what the fuss is about. Little Fish is also a must for coffee. Open every Friday for dinner.

• Cuisine: French Australian
• Average price: $$$
• Atmosphere: Charming and boutique
• Review: 4/5
• Location:  147 The Ruins Way, Innes Lake Vineyard.

Discover the best cafes in Port Macquarie.

The ultimate road trip begins and ends on NSW’s stunning Grand Pacific Drive.

Whales, charming villages, fine wine and stunning natural vistas: there’s a lot to love about a road trip along the Grand Pacific Drive in New South Wales. Winding from the Royal National Park through Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and Shoalhaven before heading inland to the Southern Highlands, this scenic drive makes for an unforgettable road trip.

But like all great road trips, it’s not just about the drive but the stops made along the way. From incredible farm-to-plate (and grape-to-glass) dining options to unbeatable natural vistas and quaint towns with beautiful accommodation, there’s plenty to explore en route.

Where to eat

What is a road trip without incredible food? Whether you’re after fresh seafood, slow-cooked paddock-to-plate feasts or delicious wines, you’ll find something around every bend along Grand Pacific Drive.

Restaurant Santino is a local Wollongong secret we can’t keep quiet any longer. With a fresh take on Italian cuisine, servings are hearty and flavours are comforting. The chitarra with blue swimmer crab, garlic, chilli, parsley and crustacean oil is a crowd favourite.

Keep it local in Shellharbour with a menu all about fresh local produce at Relish on Addison . From South Coast oysters and blue swimmer crab linguine to crispy pork belly, surf and turf takes on an elevated meaning here.

Kiama’s neighbourhood wine and cocktail bar, Little Betty’s , is just as good for a tasty share plate as it is for creative cocktails. The signature Grilled Octopus with burnt honey, garlic confit and sautéed Asian greens is worth a trip on its own.

Only the best will do in Shoalhaven, where multi-award-winning Bangalay Dining uses native Australian ingredients to bring its dishes to life. Start with the Smoked trout croquette before moving on to the sautéed potato gnocchi. Don’t forget the white chocolate mousse for dessert.

Meanwhile, the Southern Highlands are full of culinary highlights. From dining on incredibly fresh, local fare (we’re talking ingredients plucked from the team’s on-site kitchen garden or sourced through local producers) at Eschalot Restaurant in Berrima to creating gin blends at Millsheds Distillery .

bangalay dining shoalhaven — Taste native flavours at Bangalay Dining.

Exploring nature

Scenery is everything when hitting the road, and Grand Pacific Drive serves it up in spades. Drivers don’t even have to leave the car to enjoy the iconic ocean views from Seacliff Bridge (but several lookouts make it easy to stop).

Seaside Kiama boasts stunning beaches and famous blowholes. But travellers can also swap ocean for rainforest when taking the Minnamurra Rainforest walk, culminating in a picturesque waterfall. Or soar overhead at Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures .

The scenic coastal drive along Sea Cliff Bridge, Clifton. — Cruise along the stunning Grand Pacific Drive.

Between May and November, 30,000 whales make their way passed the South Coast between May and November. Spot them from the coastal shores or join a whale-watching cruise from Shellharbour Marina or Jervis Bay. Dive in with Woebegone Freedive .

Shellharbour’s Killalea Regional Park is home to a traditional bush tucker and medicine walk with Aboriginal tour group, Gumaraa . Learn Indigenous healing practices and gain a deeper appreciation for the rich heritage and wisdom of the land’s Traditional Owners.

Wollongong is the perfect place for hikers, with the 6.5-kilometre Wodi Wodi track serving up views, settler history and a variety of landscapes in one loop. If you prefer, skip the walk and pull up at Bald Hill Lookout for expansive views south towards Wollongong (and a hang-glider or two).

For something truly unique, join the Highland Cow experience at The Swallow’s Nest in the Southern Highlands. In a brand-new offering, get a taste of farm life and help groom and feed these gorgeous creatures.

kiama coast walk people with dog — Wander the Kiama Coast Walk.

Unique experiences

No need to choose between an adrenaline rush or a culture fix, Grand Pacific Drive serves up both.

Soar into aviation history at Shellharbour’s HARS Aviation Museum . Tour the museum, then join a guided walk onto the wing of the record-breaking Qantas Boeing 747 and see the significant historic aircraft up close.

If ever there was a place to skydive, it’s in Wollongong. Dive from 15,000 feet (tandem, of course) with Sky Dive Wollongong and see the coastal beauty of this region from above.

Shoalhaven’s Bundanon Art Museum has to be one of the most unique offerings in the country. The legacy of artist Arthur Boyd and more than just a gallery, find eco-accommodation, fine dining, award-winning architecture and community here.

Kiama’s Crooked River Estate is about more than just delicious wine. Grab a picnic blanket and enjoy casual food and drinks with live music at Kick Back Fridays , every week.

Between June and August, the Southern Highlands’ Robertson attracts novice truffle hunters. Join the hunt at family-owned and operated Robertson Truffles (alternatively, you can order truffle treats online, if your sense of adventure isn’t up for it).

Freshly dug truffles at Terra Preta Truffles, Braidwood. — Discover hidden gems beneath the soil in the Southern Highlands. (Image: Destination NSW)

Where to stay

Road trips are the ultimate promotion for slow travel, encouraging visitors to take their time, enjoy the journey and stop along the way to really immerse themselves in local towns.

Find history and elegance at Berida Hotel in the Southern Highlands. Intimately set amongst gardens, but still close to the main street of Bowral, this 1920s private residence turned boutique hotel is the perfect stay.

Stay in one of Barranca’s private villas with views of rolling farmland overlooking the dramatic escarpment at Kangaroo Valley or be surrounded by native bushland (a short walk from the beach) in Jervis Bay.

Speaking of beachside escapes, Headlands Hotel Austinmer Beach delivers unrivalled access to Wollongong’s beaches. These serviced apartments enjoy coastal views from spacious balconies.

For something completely different again, check in at Cicada Luxury Camping . Stay in safari-style or large bell tents, each with a private fire pit and top-notch kitchen facilities. Outside, enjoy spectacular countryside views.

Discover more and plan your ultimate road trip along the Grand Pacific Drive and beyond at grandpacificdrive.com.au/grand.