10 of the best Norfolk Island restaurants and cafes

Dine on everything from fresh-from-the-sea fare to flavour-crammed breakfast classics at these Norfolk Island restaurants and cafes.

Slow food is more than a movement on Norfolk Island, it’s a way of life – and visitors reap the benefits. With much of its food grown in the island’s rich volcanic soil, including locally made meats, cheese, coffee and honey, and a bounty of fresh seafood waiting just offshore, every meal is a delicious occasion.

Locals have made the most of what they’ve been given, starting with the bananas; green bananas are fried into crispy fritters or cooked in milk to create ‘mudda’ (dumplings), while overripe bananas are often mashed and baked to create pihli. Nothing is wasted.

There are over 20 restaurants, cafes and takeaway shops to choose from – no small feat for an island roughly eight kilometres long and five kilometres wide. Here, a hit list to satisfy hearty appetites.

1. The Golden Orb Cafe

breakfast and coffee at The Golden Orb Cafe, Norfolk Island — Fuel up with a fine breakfast at The Golden Orb Cafe. (Image: Norfolk Island Tourism/Lumea Photo)

Embrace the natural splendour of Norfolk Island’s lush surroundings with a seat in The Golden Orb Cafe ’s leafy courtyard. Open for breakfast and lunch from 7am, Wednesday to Sunday, the Norfolk Island eatery is a family-owned operation where locals love to unwind. The menu kicks off with the likes of a brekkie burger with hashbrown and hollandaise, eggs benedict several ways and a rich shakshouka before the kitchen switches into seafood crepes and homemade fettuccini with creamy garlic prawns for lunch. Just add Seven Miles’ Cat’s Pyjamas coffee, roasted in Sydney’s northern beaches, for a top-notch meal drenched in delights.

2. Cafe LaPérouse

a French-inspired dining setup at Cafe LaPérouse, Norfolk Island — Cafe LaPérouse nails French-inspired dining. (Image: Norfolk Island Tourism/Lumea Photo)

Throwing open its doors in February 2025, Cafe LaPérouse is the island’s first French-inspired eatery and one of the newest culinary hot spots. A little slice of Paris right opposite the airport, the Norfolk Island cafe nails French-inspired dining while utilising the region’s finest ingredients. Think croque Mademoiselle, fluffy omelettes and savoury cheese puffs better known as gougère and adored globally. Unsurprisingly, it’s run by a French family who craft their magic entirely on-site and are also partial to whipping up unmissable sweet and savoury pastries. Wash your meal down with a Belgian chocolate, or two.

3. The Olive Cafe

a customer ordering at The Olive Cafe, Norfolk Island — Order a takeaway coffee from The Olive Cafe. (Image: Norfolk Island Tourism/Lumea Photo)

The smell of bacon cooking on the grill and freshly brewed Old Quarter coffee lures just about everyone to The Olive Cafe come dawn. Open Monday to Saturday for breakfast, morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea. The Norfolk Island cafe’s menu boasts daily crowd-pleasers and hearty Italian-inspired fare at night. Find homemade muffins, smoothie bowls, breakfast burgers and crepes early in the day before burgers, salads and sandwiches roll out at lunch.

4. Bailey’s Restaurant at Governor’s Lodge

Located at Norfolk Island’s Governor’s Lodge, one of the best Norfolk Island accommodation options, Bailey’s Restaurant is renowned for its historic digs and modern Australian à la carte menu. Dishes highlight the culinary creativity and local flavours of Norfolk Island, spanning seafood starters of seared scallops, seafood pappardelle, and a garlic prawn hot pot, while sous vide lamb rump and chermoula king prawns impress as mains.

5. Salty Beer Garden

clinking cocktail glasses at Salty Beer Garden, Norfolk Island — Pair casual bites with delightful cocktails at Salty Beer Garden. (Image: Norfolk Island Tourism/Lumea Photo)

Located in Burnt Pine, Salty Beer Garden is your trusty local pub and the place to seek out when laidback dining is high on the agenda. Serving up cold beers, casual bites and garden views, the Norfolk Island pub plates up gourmet burgers, toasties, fish and pulled pork tacos, rice bowls and wraps, plus a dedicated kids’ menu. The kitchen opens from midday to 8pm every day, but time your visit to a Wednesday, Friday or Sunday when live music dials up rowdy fun.

6. The Homestead Restaurant

a close-up shot of a meat dish at The Homestead Restaurant, Norfolk Island — The Homestead Restaurant elevates the dining experience with an intensified menu of the island’s seasonal produce. (Image: Norfolk Island Tourism/Lumea Photo)

It’s the wood-fuelled Argentinian Perilla grill at The Homestead Restaurant that elevates this dining experience. Cooking over embers intensifies the flavours of the island’s seasonal produce, meat and seafood – and it’s all thanks to the owner’s dad, who engineered it for Kurt and Jill Menghetti when they opened this contemporary boutique restaurant in 2019. Housed inside a 1930s island home, the culinary experience is one of the island’s most elevated with the likes of grilled wild octopus done with chorizo, local fish paired with cauliflower puree, duck confit and refined desserts lighting up tables. The team also bakes the island’s only wood-fired naturally fermented sourdough, attracting a cult following of its own.

7. Hilli Restaurant

a dining table at Hilli Restaurant, Norfolk Island — Pull up a chair for a European-inspired feast. (Image: Norfolk Island Tourism/Lumea Photo)

In native Norfolk Island language, ‘hilli’ translates to lethargy, which perfectly describes how the owners of Hilli Restaurant want you to feel once you’re done dining with them. Feast inside or out in the courtyard alongside bright blooms as a European-inspired menu showcases the destination’s rich spoils. Traditional duck pâté infused with Cointreau, a creamy seafood crepe, delicate cheese soufflè, beef eye filet wrapped in smoky bacon and other moreish knockouts will keep spirits soaring. Visitors should note that they’re closed Wednesday and Thursday.

8. Baunti Tours

Determined to sample the freshest of flavours while visiting Norfolk Island? Once you’ve ticked off everything above, take your passion to the next level with one of Baunti Tours ’ group expeditions. Offering a progressive dinner inside a private island home, a gourmet picnic and even a breakfast bushwalk, operators have been shining a light on the island’s produce for more than 20 years. Our picks include the traditional Baunti Fish Fry, recreating ancient cooking adopted by the island’s original communities, and the Lavender Farm Tour taking guests through blooming lavender fields and into lunch built from paddock-to-plate wonders.

9. Bounty Bar & Grill

a steak dinner at Bounty Bar & Grill, Norfolk Island — Feast on a juicy steak to entice your appetite. (Image: Norfolk Island Tourism/Lumea Photo)

Housed within a charming 1900s building at the end of town is Bounty Bar & Grill . Open for lunch and dinner, the Norfolk Island restaurant offers a contemporary menu that champions local meats and produce with a range of two-person share platters to seriously entice. Don’t overlook the Surf and Turf, a juicy steak cooked to your liking and served alongside King prawns or seared scallops, and the loaded pizza selections, too. The team also open their doors from 9am for coffee and cake.

10. Juddway

Grab and go a flavour-packed foot-long sando at Juddway , a Norfolk Island takeaway joint that instantly endears. It’s a fuss-free feed filled with locally sourced standouts, such as the prawn and crab roll, classic BLT, cold cut creations and saucy Italian meat subs. Simply rock up, pick something off the chalkboard and get stuck in quick sticks, saving you more time to explore the magical destination’s countless gems.

Discover some of the best places to stay on Norfolk Island

Newcastle’s vibrant creativity is evident everywhere, from a thriving live arts scene to an ever-growing offering for gourmands. Those with a hunger for new and exciting experiences should put Newcastle on their radar.

When it comes to consuming the culture of a city, digesting it (in the literal sense) is an appropriate place to start. But it’s not just a world-class wining and dining scene that’s on the menu (not to mention all the new restaurants in Newcastle ). Newcastle – just two hours north of Sydney – offers the perfect blend of arts, culture and culinary experiences that make it a prime destination for an extended escape. The city’s creative future looks even brighter with the reopening of the highly anticipated Newcastle Art Gallery on the horizon.

aerial of Nobbys beach in newcastle nsw — Newcastle offers the perfect coastal setting for the arts and delicious eats. (Image: City of Newcastle)

Given Newcastle’s compact size – many venues are within easy walking distance or a quick drive away – you can immerse yourself fully. From decadent patisseries to fine diners and casual coastal eats, here’s a fresh taste of Newcastle: where to eat, drink and soak up the coastal city’s good vibes.

1. Pastry cafes in Newcastle

pastries next to a pastry box from crumb cafe in newcastle — Lean into Newcastle’s pastry renaissance at Crumb. (Image: Jemma Donkin)

Pastry is having a moment, with a quietly booming scene led by CRUMB, the brand-new pastry cafe in Lambton led by legendary Gareth Williams (of Covered in Crumbs, EXP) and Ben Richardson (Autumn Rooms). Gareth describes his style of food as ‘creative chaos’. Enjoy that abstract artisanal approach over a savoury chorizo, bechamel, cheddar and poppy pastry, or a layered mortadella and pesto mayo croissant sandwich.

Meanwhile, Leibe European Pastries, Pekárna, Union St Pastry and Praise Joe also have their own flair and loyal followings. While Liebe European Pastries is famed for layered German pastries such as Franzbrötchen, Pekárna’s signatures (like cardamom pastries) are tethered to Czech traditions.

Head a few blocks west to Wickham, where Union St Pastry is the pinnacle for lovers of European-style viennoiseries, such as croissants and Danishes. A getaway to Newcastle also looks pretty fabulous with a mega brownie or chicken little toastie from Praise Joe .

2. Destination dining

Blanca resuarant in newcastle nsw — Step inside Mediterranean-inspired eatery, Blanca. (Image: Destination NSW)

Life looks pretty peachy from a table at the breezy Mediterranean-inspired eatery Blanca , which would not be out of place in Mykonos – when it swooped into the Honeysuckle Precinct a few years ago, it caused heads to swivel. Say yasou to mezedes of crudo di mare and sheftalia and grilled Abrolhos Islands’ octopus.

One may also fantasise about being back in Europe – specifically the 10th arrondissement in Paris – at Frenchie , the oh-so-French bistro that offers Euro-chic elegance with an inventive Australian flair. Indulge in the Date Night set menu, available every Thursday.

Peregrin is another stand-out. Listen to the sound of the ocean from the rooftop terrace, and order a Summertime Sour during aperitivo hour. Followed by the yellowfin tuna with pickled cucumber and market fish. And brand new on the scene is Papalote – a joint venture from the incredibly talented owners of Humbug and Flotilla serving up tasty Mexican classics.

3. Casual coastal cafes and kiosks

people swimming at Newcastle Ocean Baths — Follow Newcastle’s coastline for stunning views and tasty eats. (Image: David Diehm)

What better way to soak in Newcastle’s legendary coastline and stunning beaches than by visiting its casual coastal eateries while on the Bathers Way?

Enjoy hot chips and scallops on the sand at Swell Kiosk Bar Beach . Or a housemade sausage roll after a morning surf at Newcastle Beach, thanks to Southy Canteen , which is open from 6am.

Bring your furry travel companion to Sunnyboy Kiosk for a piccolo and puppuccino with views out to Dixon Park Beach. Try light eats, like acai bowls, or more substantial meals like nasi goreng at Blue Door in Merewether. Do a few lazy laps at Merewether Ocean Baths (the largest in the southern hemisphere) before tucking into swordfish skewers and salad at Merewether Surfhouse .

You can also watch the ocean compose a bit of magic from your perch at The Kiosk Newcastle Beach , where a matcha latte looks even better with the beach fresco.

Pause between eats to take in the iconic Newcastle Ocean Baths and Bogey Hole – perfect for a digestive swim or scenic picnic spot.

4. Hatted restaurants in Newcastle

couple eating at Flotilla newcastle — Flotilla serves up delicious meals. (Image: Destination NSW)

In recent years, Newcastle’s restaurant scene has evolved to include venues that have elevated the city’s reputation for culinary excellence. In addition to its cafes and kiosks, there’s now an exciting wave of hatted favourites putting Newcastle on the map.

Humbug is the epitome of Novocastrian dining; the mafaldine with brisket and beef cheek braised in Pedro Ximenez is emblematic of what the owners aim for here. Flotilla neatly knits the Newcastle wining and dining scene together, with young gun Josh Thurston showcasing the art of cooking proteins and produce over fire.

Bistro Penny is another sophisticated, hatted dining destination in Newcastle. Order the barbecued king prawns swimming in a saffron broth and the oxheart tomato salad.

5. Newcastle nightlife

Bartholomew's small bar in newcastle nsw — Stop by Bartholomew’s for a drink. (Image: Destination NSW)

As the sun dips in the west, so the city of Newcastle’s nightlife springs to life. Maru Hi-Fi is the next-gen small bar that’s redefining a night out in Newy – the sleek space serves great cocktails and embraces Newcastle’s alt attitude. Next door, Jams Karaoke & Bar is also bringing the vibes.

If a small bar in a grand old building is more your style, check out Roxanne , Bar Mellow and Bartholomew’s .

Start planning your Newcastle culinary coastal getaway this summer at visitnewcastle.com.au.