The best new restaurants in the Sutherland Shire

1. Fior

Head to Fior in the Sutherland Shire suburb of Gymea and you’re likely to find punters packed in tighter than a tin of anchovies. Chef Tristan Rosier and his partner Rebecca Fanning, also run Jane and Arthur in Surry Hills and they saw an opportunity in the area when they moved nearby to raise their young family. Tristan’s attention to detail extends beyond the food: he engaged Luchetti Krelle to help reimagine the space, which was occupied by Caruso’s Italian for more than two decades. If Jane and Arthur are distinctly Australian diners, Fior is like their next-gen sibling from Italy who has an ironic mullet, wears chinos and doesn’t mind dishes that riff on modern classics. Rosier successfully demonstrates how Italian food can evolve with seasonal Australian ingredients. All the pasta is made in-house, as is the gelato. Start with the former, finish with the latter.

2. Folk Lounge & Dining

Restaurateur and chef Albi Cuni has endeared himself to locals for more than a decade at the helm of Albi’s Taverna in Cronulla. But the timing was right to make a move and the chef has been lured to helm Folk Lounge & Dining at Tradies Gymea where he continues to showcase modern-day Mediterranean food and mod Oz classics. The sophisticated new space is all olive-green banquettes, bare timber tables and terrazzo. Here, you’ll find the expansive menu broken up into tapas, appetisers, pizza, pasta, burgers, mains, sauces, salads, desserts and gelato. Even the kids’ menu is more refined than most with plates of pasta Napoletana proving a popular option for kids and therefore time-poor parents on the go. Diet be damned. You can always dedicate the rest of the weekend to wellness.

table full of dishes at Folk Lounge & Dining at Tradies Gymea

Find an expansive menu of incredible food at Folk. (Image: Leigh Griffiths)

3. Pino’s Vino e Cucina al Mare

First he conquered the Sydney suburb of Alexandria with Pino’s Vino e Cucina . Now restaurateur Matteo Margiotta wants to give residents of the Sutherland Shire a taste of his homeland and heritage with his stylish new sister venue in Cronulla. Matteo, who arrived in Australia 14 years ago from Rome, has promoted his ‘right-hand-man’ Cristiano Patacca (Otto’s, est.) to the position of executive chef to oversee both restaurants. And together the duo has collaborated on a menu of decadent dishes that Matteo says his Dad, Pino – featured on the logo – would appreciate. Signatures include a seafood grigliata mista, Roman cacio e pepe on thick, hand-rolled pici pasta and decadent lobster pasta. Margiotta says he chose the historic building in Cronulla because it’s “in the heart of community" where he moved with his wife and two daughters during the pandemic.

pasta dish at Pino’s Vino e Cucina al Mare in sutherland shire

Treat yourself to hand-rolled pasta and mouthwatering creations.

4. Sista Gin Bar

Sista Gin has a fine reputation for serving sensational cocktails, many of which include gin, making it one of the best new bars in Cronulla. The intimate bar tucked away on Cronulla St has an intimate retro speakeasy vibe with raw bricks and green velvet chairs making for a congenial space. In addition to the gin aficionados being drawn to the bar for well-crafted cocktails, Sista Gin ensures patrons are well fed. Hungry after your morning surf? Refuel on prawn and saffron linguine and wild mushroom risotto. Or order an array of small plates of tapas to share: think soft tacos stuffed with pulled beef or pumpkin and sage arancini. There are also more casual offerings such as charcuterie boards, cheeses from near and far and grilled halloumi.

cocktails lined up at Sista Gin Bar sutherland shire sydney

Taste sensational cocktails at Sista Gin Bar.

Return to the classics

Want to know what to do in the Sutherland Shire over a long weekend? Visit for the surf and the sunshine. Then get buzzed for the restaurant scene. In addition to Cronulla’s much-loved restaurants such as Queen Margherita of Savoy, Giro’s Osteria, Alphabet St, SeaLevel, The Pines and Summer Salt, visitors will find Jensen’s worth the jaunt to Kareela Village and a swag of top spots to enjoy a cocktail in the Sutherland Shire . While the bustling beachside suburb in Sydney’s south has everything from swanky lounge bars like Papa Js (an offshoot of Jensens) to beach-chic luxe shacks like Bobby’s, it also has low-key hangs that are further afield. Sunday Road Brewing and Hairyman Brewery are both worth plugging in your satnav. There’s a lot to love about the brand-new Bay Central Woolooware too. Shoppers are flocking to the upmarket food court for everything from burgers to banh mi. The food court defies pigeonholing: pinball from Levain Sourdough Pizza to Ishq and Dilara Kebabs and Street Food.

Experience as much as possible by staying a night (or several) at beachside Quest Cronulla and Rydges Cronulla , or centrally located Quest Woolooware Bay .

fresh seafood at Hurricanes Grill & Bar in sutherland shire

Don’t forget Sutherland Shire’s much-loved restaurants, like Hurricanes Grill & Bar.

Aussies might think they know what Port Stephens is all about – but it’s time to take another look.

You might’ve driven through this NSW coast town. Maybe even stopped for fish and chips or a quick dip. But spend a long weekend in the new Port Stephens , and you’ll seriously regret not doing it sooner. We’re talking treks across beaches, reef dives and up-close time with rescued koalas.

All in all? It only takes a day before you see Port Stephens in a whole new light, and not much longer until it’s locked in as your favourite family destination.

1. Stockton Sand Dunes

Port Stephens incredible Stockton Sand Dunes are the largest moving sand mass in the Southern Hemisphere. They shift like an endless magic trick across the Worimi Conservation Lands , a 4200-hectare coastal co-managed by the Traditional Owners.

Tear over them in a 4WD. Rev through valleys soft as melting ice cream on a quad. Carve down 30-metre slopes on a sandboard. However you choose to cross them, you’re guaranteed a seriously wild ride.

Four rugged 4WDs kick up trails of golden dust as they charge across the sweeping desert landscape. — Chase thrills across shifting sands. (Image: Destination NSW)

2. Scale Tomaree Head Summit Walk

A short climb through bushland opens up to the coastal drama of Tomaree Head . Spot Zenith, Wreck and Box Beaches. See the Fingal Island lighthouse and offshore rookeries where Australia’s rarest seabird, the Gould’s petrel, nests.

History buffs can’t miss the WWII gun emplacements. And if you’re hiking between May and November, bring binoculars. Travelling whales might just be breaching below.

Friends enjoying a scenic walk along the Tomaree Head Summit Walk in Tomaree National Park, Port Stephens. — Climb Tomaree Head for jaw-dropping coastal views. (Image: Destination NSW)

3. Watch out for whales

You’ve seen the spouts of migrating humpbacks and southern right whales from shore. Set sail from Nelson Bay to see them up close. Cruise straight into the action, with tail-slaps, barrel rolls and all.

And they’ve got competition from the local show-offs. Port Stephens bottlenose dolphins leap and play. Some tours even spot pudgy fur seals, spending lazy days soaking up the sun on Cabbage Tree Island.

A whale’s tail on the sea’s surface. — Watch for ocean tails. (Image: Destination NSW)

4. Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary

Pop into the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary to learn about the rescued koalas who climb, nap, snack and heal in this natural patch of bushland. Wander the immersive Sanctuary Story Walk to discover more about their habits, then head to the SKYwalk – a treetop platform constructed for spotting these eucalyptus-loving locals. Peek into the hospital’s viewing window, where sick or injured koalas may be resting in their recovery enclosures.

Not enough time around these adorable marsupials? Stay overnight in silk-lined glamping tents.

Koala sleeping in a tree at Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary, One Mile — See koalas in their natural habitat. (Image: Destination NSW)

5. Diving Port Stephens

Port Stephens has some of NSW’s best dive spots. At Fly Point, float through sponge gardens and coral castles thick with nudibranchs (AKA sea slugs). Halifax Park has blue gropers and crimson-banded wrasse, while Shoal Bay’s seagrass meadows hide pipefish, cuttlefish and octopus.

Accessible only by boat, Broughton Island is home to a vast array of marine (and bird) life. Snorkel with blue devilfish and stingrays at sites like The Looking Glass and North Rock. More experienced divers can head out with one of the many PADI-certified operators.

At nearby Cabbage Tree Island, expect to see shaggy-faced wobbegongs cruising along.

A couple suited up and ready to dive into adventure. — Suit up and dive into Port Stephens’ vibrant marine life. (Image: Destination NSW)

6. Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters

Not quite ready to dive in? Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters is the perfect way to spot local marine life without getting too deep. But there’s no obnoxious glass tank tapping here. Instead, this interactive aquarium allows guests to wade into natural-style lagoons that mimic the real thing.

Gently pat Port Jackson and bamboo sharks, hand-feed rays, and feel their sandpapery skin with your fingertips. It is all under expert guidance. If you want to go deeper, pop on a wetsuit and swim alongside tawny nurse sharks, white-tipped reef sharks and zebra sharks in the lagoon.

Family enjoying an animal feeding experience at Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters, Anna Bay. — Meet the ocean’s friendliest faces at Irukandji. (Image: Destination NSW)

7. Fish the estuaries

Fishing fanatics will fall for Port Stephens hook, line and sinker. Here, one of the largest estuary systems in the whole state sees tidal rivers and mangrove ecosystems. Waterfronts are thick with oysters, and residential fish that might include anything from bream, whiting and flathead, to blue swimmer crabs, kingfish and longtail tuna.

If you prefer to choose your own adventure and fish offshore, you can hire a boat from one of the marinas and set your own course.

three men fishing on a boat in port stephens — Join a tour or chart your own fishing trip. (Image: Destination NSW)

8. Taste new Port Stephens flavours

With plenty of activity to fill your days, refuelling on delectable cuisine becomes equally important. And Port Stephens answers the call.

Pop into Holbert’s Oyster Farm for fresh-farmed Port Stephens rock oysters and Pacific oysters, Australian king and tiger prawns, as well as a variety of tasty sauces to try them with.

Take a group to Atmos for an authentic Greek experience over large shared dishes and Greek-inspired cocktails. Or feast on sea-to-plate, modern Australian dishes at the pet-friendly Restaurant 2317.

A plate of fresh oysters. — Slurp your way through the region’s best oysters. (Image: Destination NSW)

Start planning your Port Stephens getaway at portstephens.org.au .

The best new places to eat and drink in the Sutherland Shire

The Sutherland Shire has long been a favourite for foodies, and some favourite new arrivals (and buzzy institutions to boot) are sprinkling even more stardust over Sydney’s southern suburbs.