6 excellent restaurants in Tweed Heads and Coolangatta

Lara PiconeBy Lara Picone
hero media
Eat, drink and enjoy at these Tweed Heads restaurants and eateries that cater to any mood.

Whether you’re keen to frock up for an intimate dinner with your romantic lead or looking for a buzzing eatery to catch up with friends, Tweed Heads and her over-the-border twin town of Coolangatta have all bases covered. From laneway gems to waterside eats and refined restaurants, these are the top picks for dining out.

1. Franc Jrs, Coolangatta

Best for: Getting pumped for a night out

This cool pizzeria with its retro Italo-American edge is unapologetically out there. Shuffle into a red banquette and settle in to have a giggle over the pizza names that are as entertaining as the vibe and packed with flavour-bomb toppings.

There’s the Jaloppy Poppy strewn with jalapenos, sausage and salami and the Sage Against The Machine scattered with sage and pancetta. There’s also a vegan menu and Detroit-style squares topped with everything from vodka sauce to whipped lemon ricotta. It’s a wild ride perfectly primed to fuel your night out.

people dining outside Franc Jrs, Coolangatta
Sit down for a wild night out with your friends at this retro-hip pizzeria.

Open: Daily for dinner (minus Mondays)
Address: 2/102 Griffith Street, Coolangatta Qld

2. Clay Cantina, Coolangatta

Best for: Dinner and drinks for couples or trios

Attracting national attention for its excellent home- and market-style Mexican plates, this petite laneway eatery is a must-visit . Take a seat in the beautifully tiled and earthy-hued dining room or the alley outside and prep your palate for authentic flavours, such as sopes topped with chipotle chicken, al pastor tacos and the sweet pastel de tres laches (three-milks cake).

If you’re keen to try your hand at making your own, book into one of Tuesday cooking classes, where you’ll learn to make a snack, salsa and a traditional dish.

a table-top view of dishes at Clay Cantina, Coolangatta
Swing by Clay Cantina for Mexican-inspired dishes.

Open: Wednesday–Saturday for dinner
Address: 2/16 Griffith Street, Coolangatta Qld

3. Bar Evelyn, Coolangatta

Best for: Date night done right

An elegant, upscale Italian bar and eatery  that’s worth slipping into your finery for. Here, it’s all about the details and superior quality, from the natural wine list to seasonally driven antipasti and freshly made pasta.

Simplicity is executed with finesse in dishes such as the vodka sauce conchiglie and buccatini amatriciana, with the provenance of ingredients a focal point. If you’re in the mood for a more casual option, you can always takeaway a wood-fired pizza or two to enjoy by the beach.

a dimly lit interior at Bar Evelyn, Marine Parade, Coolangatta
Dine on memorable Italian fare at Bar Evelyn for a superior night out. (Image: Jared O Sullivan)

Open: Wednesday–Sunday for afternoon drinks and dinner
Address: 58 Marine Parade, Coolangatta Qld

4. Eddie’s Grub House, Coolangatta

Best for: Good times

This rock and roll joint  sits below the retro-revamped Pink Hotel and caters to the out-and-about Cooly crowd. Live music is on high rotation here and while you’re toe-tapping to the beat, you can enjoy something to eat from the dive bar-style menu. Think southern fried chicken, burgers, wings and onion rings paired with cold beers and karaoke.

Open: Wednesday–Sunday for arvo beers and burgers
Address: 171 Griffith Street, Coolangatta Qld

5. Ivory Waterside, Tweed Heads

Best for: Sunny arvo sessions

Despite the shimmering Tweed River and her tributaries meandering through the region, there are few places to sit and take it all in by the banks. But Ivory Waterside goes a long way to righting that wrong with its absolute waterfront locale on Terranora Creek, on offshoot of the main waterway.

Set yourself up on the deck and watch the sun ripple across the water as you tuck into well-executed, bistro-style fare, including steak, burgers, fish ’n chips and other usual suspects. Salt-rimmed margaritas beckon as the sun beats down, making it difficult to plan your exit. Extend the good times at Benny’s Arcade for a spin on some classic 80s games enjoyed with a cold beer.

the waterfront restaurant at Ivory Waterside, Tweed Heads
Bask in waterfront views at Ivory Waterside.

Open: Thursday–Sunday from 11:30 am – 9 pm
Address: 156 Wharf Street, Tweed Heads NSW

6. Get Hooked Seafoods, Tweed Heads

Best for: Fish and chips with family

Sitting on the river and tucked just behind the Tweed Marina, you’ll find Get Hooked . And while it may be small, it sure packs a punch – in fact, it’s arguably the best spot for seafood in Tweed Heads and a local’s choice when it comes to the best fish and chips in town.

Perch yourself under an umbrella on the wooden deck out back and watch friendly pelicans bob in the water below before diving into a fresh seafood basket. Think juicy local prawns, daily-caught fish, crispy calamari, fresh oysters and, of course, a generous serving of chippies.

Open: Daily from 10:30am – 7 pm (8 pm Fridays and Saturdays)
Address: 2 River Terrace, Tweed Heads NSW

Discover more hidden gems, insider tips and local delights in our travel planning hub for the Tweed.
Lara Picone
Working for many of Australia’s top publications, Lara Picone has had the distinct pleasure of writing, editing and curating content about the finer things in life for more than 15 years. Graduating from Macquarie University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, her editorial foundation began at Qantas: The Australian Way magazine, before moving on to learn the fast-paced ropes of a weekly magazine at Sunday Magazine and picking up the art of brand curation at donna hay magazine. Pivoting a near-problematic travel lust into a career move by combining it with storytelling and a curious appetite, her next role was as Deputy Editor of SBS Feast magazine and later Online Editor of SBS Food online. She then stepped into her dream job as Editor of Australian Traveller before becoming Online Editor for both International Traveller and Australian Traveller. Now as a freelancer, Lara always has her passport at-the-ready to take flight on assignment for the Australian Traveller team, as well as for publications such as Qantas Magazine, Escape and The Weekend Australian. As ever, her appetite is the first thing she packs.
See all articles
Public Supply is serving Coco Pops coffee and scrolls
Tweed

Coco Pops coffee and Biscoff scrolls are luring city dwellers to a tiny Tweed Heads hole-in-the-wall

Bringing iconic Aussie sweets to a Northern New South Wales laneway, Public Supply is attracting unprecedented crowds every morning.

Read more
A couple at Bastion Lane Espresso in the Tweed town of Uki
Tweed

‘Australia’s best latte‘ is luring road trippers to this tiny village

A heritage-listed post office turned ‘roast office’ and its award-winning latte has become the toast of this tranquil town.

Read more
a cup of coffee and food at Black Drop, Pottsville
Tweed

14 delightful cafes and bakeries across the Tweed

A region not short of good coffee and a baked treat to go with it, these casual Tweed Heads eateries are perfect for a mid-morning break.

Read more
Tweed Holiday Parks, Pottsville South in NSW
Tweed

A guide to the top caravan parks in Tweed Heads and beyond

From the coast to the rainforest, Tweed Heads and her surrounding towns offer holidaymakers plenty of caravan parks to unwind in.

Read more
hero media

Found: a 1,000-bottle wine bar inside a secluded Northern Rivers rainforest retreat

    Sonya GellertBy Sonya Gellert
    Continue
    Secluded by 250 acres of ancient rainforest, an ultra-romantic hideaway is harbouring a secret. A newly opened, impressively well-stocked wine cellar and bar, helmed by a hospitality veteran, is giving nature lovers another reason to head for the Tweed hinterland.

    At Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat , in Upper Crystal Creek in Northern New South Wales, guests wake to a gentle soundtrack of birdsong and the burbling creeks that slither across the landscape. While by night, they can unwind by a crackling fire in a lounge space that’s home to an expansive wine cellar brimming with top-notch drops.

    Though it’s common to spot wildlife beyond the large glass windows that encase your spacious and contemporary cabin-esque accommodation at this rainforest-encircled retreat, it’s rare to cross paths with another human at this secluded spot. That is, unless you choose to set foot in the retreat’s new bar lounge and wine cellar, where you’re likely to meet Matt Semark, a hospitality stalwart and the property’s manager alongside his wife, Ani. Semark’s also responsible for curating the newly installed wine collection.

    A two-level timber-clad wine cellar and bar with a pool table in the middle
    The new bar lounge and wine cellar is a cosy spot to sample a range of drops from France to Australia.

    “I’ve gotten a lot of enjoyment from recommending wines and hearing the positive comments from guests. I find our guests have more confidence going off-piste when we discuss their preferences and tastes one-on-one. Then I can recommend alternatives based on their personal tastes. From my culinary background and personal wine journey, I’ve learnt a fair bit along the way and do enjoy opening guests up to new wines,” Semark says.

    The cellar’s wines have a European leaning, based on Semark’s proclivity towards French and Italian varietals – though he has ensured there are plenty of top-notch Australian drops, too.

    Semark says, “We’ve partnered with our good friend Doctor Justin Ardill, from South Australia’s Clare Valley, to offer a complimentary bottle of his wine – under the label Reillys Wines – to our guests. We also showcase nine styles of his delicious wines in our wine cellar, including his award-winning Riesling.”

    A timber wine cellar and bar with bar stools
    The space features carefully crafted details embedded in handmade wooden furnishings.

    Having recently relocated his family to the Northern Rivers from the Caribbean, Semark’s also ensured there’s a solid selection of rums (both local and Caribbean-sourced). And yet, teetotalers can rest assured they have been catered to, with an exciting choice of non-alcoholic drinks on hand, too.

    In the bar and lounge spaces, and throughout the on-site accommodation, the eager eye will spot the carefully crafted details embedded in handmade wooden furnishings – with designs that reflect the abundant wildlife beyond each building’s walls. These well-made furniture pieces are the handiwork of Chris Ball, who owns the retreat alongside his antiques and furniture business.

    Rainforest views from a suite at Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat Bar Lounge and Wine Cellar
    Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat offers guests spectacular rainforest views.

    Restless travellers can make the most of the retreat’s hiking trails that stretch across the large property – varying in difficulty – spanning 8 kilometres of rainforest. E-bikes are also available for those hoping to explore the region a little more widely, or wishing to visit a neighbouring cafe.

    Guests can opt to soak in a heated plunge pool on their mountain-view lodge’s deck, fill a bath with hot water and aromatic bath salts, light their indoor fireplace, or lie back in a hammock suspended over the creek and while away a day immersed in this naturally striking setting.

    Hammocks hanging over a creek at Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat
    Lie back in a hammock suspended over the creek.

    Come nightfall, glow worms glitter on the creek’s edge, and guests are invited to grab a torch and a blanket to enjoy the natural light show.

    Massages are available to book, as is the mollifying (and appetising) experience of a Creekside Pavilion Lunch. Like a treehouse cantilevered over a creek, the pavilion presents an ideal perch for leisurely daytime dining. Bathe in the cooling rockpools below, then enjoy antipasto and charcuterie platters accompanied by your drink of choice, before reclining on the sheltered daybed swaddled by nature – all set to the soundscape provided by the creek and rainforest.

    A Luxury Mountain View Lodge Bedroom at Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat
    A Luxury Mountain View Lodge Bedroom.

    While self-catering is an easy option, with well-equipped kitchens available to the avid cook, pre-ordered meals designed for private dining – think lamb shanks, tagines, curries and fajitas – can be discreetly delivered to your room on request. Barbecue hampers and picnic baskets make light work of lunches, and breakfast baskets are ideal for slow mornings (after a sleep-in, of course).

    Despite its remote feel, Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat is a short, 15-minute drive from the centre of Murwullimbah – a perfect spot to stock up on a snacks and comfort dishes from the likes of Kat Harvey Cheese, Pasta’bah, one of the town’s excellent bakeries, and coffee from Keith. On your way out, peruse its gift stores, art galleries and road-trip between its neighbouring towns.