A Guide To The Best Wollongong Restaurants And Cafes

Plan your next visit to the Illawarra region around where to eat and drink in Wollongong.

Wollongong has, in its own quiet way, become an epicentre of cool in the Illawarra. The city is now a hub for young creatives and entrepreneurs to realise the city anew and, as a result, the concentration of great places to eat and drink around the city has multiplied. There are now more than enough offerings to inspire an extended stay.

Here is our guide to some of the best cafes and restaurants in Wollongong.

Cafes

Lili.J

Lili.J has gained a lot of attention in Wollongong for its focus on simple, honest rustic fare done well. Housed in a charming corner house, the white-on-white cafe doubles as a plants nursery and is lifted with lush foliage and pops of colour from flower-filled vases. Order a bacon and egg roll to feast on in the sunroom out the back, which is furnished with vintage finds and spills onto a pet-friendly grassed courtyard.

Lee & Me

Lee & Me is a local favourite that occupies an 1890s’ terrace that has become the unofficial headquarters for the ’Gong’s hipster brigade. Sit by the fireplace in winter, on the sun-splashed balcony in summer, or at the communal table where you can engage in a bit of banter with the beard(y) barista. After downing your short black, head upstairs to meet up-and-coming creatives including The Little Hair Room by Chloe , Tuesday Euphoric Florals and Alleway Designs .

Diggies

Diggies is open for breakfast, lunch and weekend brunch when it is full to the brim with a healthy mix of millennials, young mums and, of course, the ubiquitous MAMILs who end their Sydney to Gong ride with coffee and a Savvy Session of seasonal greens, herbs, sheep’s feta, avocado, crushed roasted almonds, and poached eggs. Join sandy-toed locals at the more relaxed 1930s’ Art Deco North Beach Kiosk for coffees or settle in for a post-swim brunch at the sit-down section of the seaside café.

Bull & Bear

Your stocks will go up if you take your Hinge date out for breakfast at Bull & Bear , which has swallowed up three shops on vibey Victoria St. The name is not a metaphor for the movements of the stock market. Rather, it came to chef and owner David Juarez Vidal after returning from Spain where he ran with the bulls in Pamplona and visited El Oso y el Madroño (The Bear and the Strawberry Tree), the symbol of Madrid. Go the whole hog and order El Gordo (The Fat One) or a beefy breakfast burrito.

Delano’s Specialty Coffee

Delano’s Specialty Coffee doubles as a coffee house and roastery nestled in North Wollongong. Geek out on all things coffee related, from the state-of-the-art roastery to latest equipment at Delano’s Cafe, which draws the city’s coffee community here for mighty good brews. You can learn to level up your coffee at home by signing up for a barista class where you will see the science behind making the perfect cup of Joe.

Delano’s doubles as a coffee house and roastery.

Restaurants

K.Malu

K.Malu is a mash-up of the owners’ names, Keana Lufe and Maria Luciani. The menu at the casual continental kitchen and bar, located on the site of the former award-winning fine-dining restaurant, Caveau, is also a mash-up of European flavours: from Italian arancini to pan-fried Spanish chorizo. The restaurant has had a refresh, which includes a mural of the pair’s dog Peppa, and is now known for its cheeses and salamis from all over Europe, its fondue nights and Sunday lunch specials.

His Boy Elroy

Ask a local where to find the city’s best burgers and they will point you to His Boy Elroy . Expect the Fatboy Burger with fries to be easily a seven-serviette job, stuffed as it is with a juicy pattie, green oak lettuce, American cheese, house-made pickles and special sauce washed down with a craft beer. Go full fat boy and order another pattie and bacon at the industrial-styled laneway diner, then slurp down a hearty bowl of ramen at Dagwood , an American sports bar-styled diner in nearby Market St.

Kneading Ruby

The quality of the pizza at Kneading Ruby comes down to the quality of the ingredients, from the flour to the tomatoes and fior di latte. Sharing a pizza with family and friends in this elegant venue, which has soaring ceilings and exposed beams, makes for reason enough to spend the weekend in Wollongong. Everything on the menu is delicious, but the pizza and hand-rolled pasta is the go. Order the classic margherita, and marinara and the house-made garlic bread on the side (it has a cult following).

Baby Face Kitchen

Baby Face Kitchen occupies a modest, minimalist-style space in a narrow room where you can get a good view of the waiters parading past with plates of elegant sashimi and pressed cucumber with green ants. As one of Wollongong’s dining sensations, Baby Face Kitchen is a popular choice with discerning locals who appreciate the Japanese cooking methods in play and the seasonal menu that relies on local suppliers. Order the sashimi plate and seared Ranger’s Valley wagyu rib cap if it’s on offer.

Rookie Eatery

Rookie Eatery is an up-to-the-minute venue housed in the oldest house in Keira Street, which runs parallel to Wollongong Beach. The restaurant is known for its experimental menu with a mod-Oz accent that is as hybrid as Kylie Minogue’s: think yellowfin tuna with a ginger mignonette, potato dumplings with fermented chilli butter, market fish with a dashi vinaigrette and chicken two ways. While Rookie is light, bright and breezy, sister restaurant Debutant , next door is a warm, cosy French bistro.

Rookie Wollongong — Rookie is known for its experimental menu.

Harbourfront Seafood Restaurant

Harbourfront Seafood Restaurant is a long-time local favourite overlooking the Belmore Basin on Wollongong Harbour. The menu at the waterfront eatery is designed for grazing and sharing; take a seat at a table for two beside the floor-to-ceiling windows of the elegant, light-filled eatery and you might even see the local fisherman hauling in their catch. Take your culinary inspiration from the sea and order hiramasa kingfish, roasted king prawns and panko-crumbed snapper fillets.

Waterfront seafood restaurant Wollongong — Does it get any better?

Find more great travel tips and itineraries in our Ultimate guide to Wollongong holidays.

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

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

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.

A guide to the best Wollongong restaurants and cafes