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.

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.

A guide to the best Wollongong restaurants and cafes