The best waterfront dining in NSW (for every budget)

Mid-range bites

The Surf Deck, Northern Beaches

Sandy feet are welcome – or even encouraged – at The Surf Deck, a slick little restaurant and bar on the edge of Collaroy Beach. There are more windows than walls, making for unmatched views of the surf while you sip on a pina colada or banana daquiri and snack on Sydney rock oysters, swordfish carpaccio and woodfired pizza.  

The Surf Deck, Collaroy - Credit: Merivale Collaroy

Armory Wharf Cafe, Western Sydney 

Once the Royal Australian Naval Armament, the heritage-listed Newington Armory is now sprawling parkland and an arts precinct. The Parramatta River runs alongside it and perched on the very edge is the Armory Wharf Cafe. Serving breakfast and lunch, it’s the perfect spot for families to refuel after walking or cycling through the park. 

Armory Wharf Cafe, Western Sydney - Credit: Armory Wharf Cafe

St George Sailing Club, South Sydney  

After a $15 million renovation, the 125-year-old St George Sailing Club has been transformed into South Sydney’s most stylish spot. Set out over the water at San Souci, there’s a 300-person indoor/outdoor dining room; a raw bar serving fresh oysters, salmon sashimi and tuna tartare; and a huge wine and cocktail list.  

Outdoor dining at St George Sailing Club, San Souci - Credit: Leigh Griffiths

Merewether Surfhouse, Newcastle  

Merewether Surfhouse is a place you could happily return to every day. Set alongside Newcastle’s best surf beach, there’s a cafe on the ground level for pre-surf coffees or breakfast, and an Italian restaurant and bar on the rooftop with sweeping views over the coastline – and the best woodfired pizzas in town.  

Merewether Surfhouse, Newcastle

Little Shack, Port Macquarie  

Tucked into the breakwall of Port Macquarie’s harbour, Little Shack is casual beachside cool at its best. Grab a seat at one of the picnic tables out the front for breakfast tacos in the morning, a lobster roll for lunch, and cocktails as the sun sets. 

Lunch on the deck at Little Shack, Port Macquarie

The Quarterdeck, Narooma 

The Quarterdeck in Narooma has been a local favourite for almost 20 years and in 2021 it became hospitality heavyweight Justin Hemmes’ first venue outside of Sydney (he now owns three other venues in town). Perched on stilts above the tidal waters of the Wagonga Inlet, it’s all about laid-back seafood and Mexican-inspired snacks, plus fun cocktails with a Tiki twist.

The Quarterdeck Narooma, Narooma - Credit: Honey Atkinson

Merimbula Aquarium Wharf & Restaurant, Merimbula  

Just-caught fish and exceptional Broadwater Oysters (from nearby Pambula) are always on the menu at Merimbula Aquarium Wharf & Restaurant, where you’ll dine with a 180-degree view of the ocean. If it’s a special occasion, go for the seafood platter and stretch lunch into the afternoon. 

Merimbula Aquarium and Wharf Restaurant

The Oyster Shed on Wray Street, Batemans Bay 

It’s with good reason that the NSW South Coast is known as Australia’s Oyster Coast. In Batemans Bay, head to the The Oyster Shed on Wray Street at the banks of the Clyde River. Don’t expect white tablecloths here – it’s just a shed, a few outdoor tables and the freshest oysters you can imagine.  

The Farm Gate and Oyster Shed on Wray Street - Credit: Eurobodalla Shire Council

Tuross Boatshed, Tuross Lake 

Tuross Boatshed is a laid-back absolute waterfront eatery where the shellfish are plucked straight from the water. If the kids don’t want to wait for your order, hire one of the boatshed’s kayaks and send them off for a paddle around the calm waters. 

Tuross Boatshed and Cafe, Tuross Head

Blacksmith Provedore, Lake Mulwala 

On the western bank of Lake Mulwala in the Murray region, Blacksmith Provedore is a Mid Century Modern-inspired masterpiece, all white tiles, bold arches and chic stonework. Sit back under a pink umbrella with a woodfired pizza and an Aperol spritz. 

Blacksmith Provedore, Mulwala

High-end dining

Raes Dining Room, Byron Bay  

Even if you aren’t staying in one of the seven luxe suites at Raes on Wategos, you can still get in some excellent celebrity spotting at the two-hat restaurant. The light and bright Raes Dining Room feels like a slice of the Mediterranean in Byron, offering a three- or six-course menu with a focus on seafood and native ingredients. 

Raes on Wategos, Byron Bay - Credit: Raes on Wategos

Rick Stein at Bannisters, Mollymook 

English celebrity chef Rick Stein’s seafood restaurant sits inside boutique hotel Bannisters by the Sea in Mollymook. The food is simply prepared, but of the highest quality – think Goan-style mussels from Jervis Bay, grilled scallops from Shark Bay – and is perhaps only outshone by sweeping ocean views from the breezy, light-filled dining room. 

Bannisters by the Sea, Mollymook Beach

Tweed River House, Murwillumbah 

A grand century-old family home on the edge of Murwillumbah has been transformed into Tweed River House, a bistro and palm-fringed lawn bar with uninterrupted views over the river to the peak of Wollumbin-Mount Warning. With a former Michelin-starred chef in the kitchen and the best Northern Rivers produce on the table, it’s a true taste of the enviable Tweed lifestyle.  

View from the Tweed River House balcony, Tweed River - Credit: Alex Carter

Latitude 30, Coffs Harbour

With an unbeatable location overlooking the ocean in the Coffs Harbour Marina Village, Latitude 30 serve incredibly fresh seafood – caught each morning by the local fishers. Make sure you try the impressive seafood platter, featuring fresh lobster, prawns, bugs, oysters, ceviche and housemade bread. 

Friends enjoying food and drink at Latitude 30, Coffs Harbour

The River Moruya, Moruya 

At The River Moruya chefs meld classic French and modern Australian techniques to serve exceptional local seafood. Set in a restored cottage on the edge of the water, it feels like dining at the home of a fabulous foodie friend. The Rhubarb Sbagliato goes down a treat at sunset.  

The River Moruya - Credit: Eurobodalla Shire Council

Paper Daisy, Cabarita Beach  

Part of the retro-chic Halcyon House hotel in Cabarita Beach, 40 minutes north of Byron, Paper Daisy pairs a distractingly beautiful dining room with glimpses of the ocean, a long gin menu and delightful flavours on the plate. The one-hat restaurant serves up a set four-course menu that’s sophisticated yet simple, created from locally and ethically sourced ingredients. 

Paper Daisy Restaurant at Halcyon House, Byron Bay - Credit: Halcyon House

Whalebone Wharf, Port Macquarie

At Port Macquarie's Whalebone Wharf, nestled on the banks of the Hastings River, the views alone are worth visiting for – the seafood offers reason to linger. Order seafood chowder, grilled octopus, ocean trout rillette – or go the whole hog with an over-the-top seafood platter.  

Whalebone Wharf, Port Macquarie 

Thirty Three Degrees, Forster

Thirty Three Degrees is part of the East 33 group, Australia’s largest producer of Sydney rock oysters. The lakeside restaurant showcases the delicious oysters in a variety of ways. Enjoy them ‘natural’ or Kilpatrick or go for a more unusual selection with watermelon and mint or tempura style. From the deck you can see the leases where the oysters are cultivated, and if you enjoy a few too many wines or cocktails with the seafood, you can take advantage of the courtesy bus, servicing the Forster-Tuncurry region.  

Thirty Three Degrees, Tuncurry - Credit: Thirty Three Degrees

Valentina, Merimbula

Imagine this scene. A beautiful timber dining room flooded with sunlight. In front of you is a perfectly charred flatbread, oysters topped with finger lime, and a few sardines. You've got a negroni and your partner has a pét nat, and out the floor-to-ceiling windows, you can see Merimbula Lake. This is the experience at Valentina, a Merimbula restaurant from Sydney restaurateurs, that’s already winning awards for their service style, interiors, and creative and Italian-ish approach to local Sapphire produce. 

Valentina, Merimbula - Credit: David Rogers

Unique experiences

Sydney Oyster Farm Tours

Oysters don’t come much fresher than the ones you pull from the water yourself. Sydney Oyster Farm Tours will take you for a cruise over the leases at their Hawkesbury River oyster farm, before donning waders for a white tablecloth tasting in the water. 

Sydney Oyster Farm Tours, Mooney Mooney

Kayak and Shuck with Navigate Expeditions

On the Pambula River in the Sapphire Coast, take a Kayak and Shuck tour with Navigate Expeditions. Paddle through the waters of the pristine Beowa National Park to reach Broadwater Oysters for a tasting of their award-winning Sydney rocks. 

Kayak and Shuck tour with Navigate Expeditions, Pambula River

Pizza Paddle with Region X

Region X's Pizza Paddle Tour in Batemans Bay takes food delivery to a whole new level. Pizza from famed local restaurant Sam’s will be delivered right to your kayak for the ultimate dinner on the water, with just the moon, stars and sounds of the Clyde River for company. 

Region X Sea Kayak and Camping Adventures, Eurobodalla - Credit: Region X

Catch a Crab

Many regard The Tweed’s mud crabs as the most succulent in the state, but don’t take their word for it. Go straight to the source with Catch a Crab. There’s no adventure quite like spearing an enormous crustacean from the Terranora Lakes mangrove system, then building on your haul with freshly harvested oysters, prawns and fish. At the end of the day, they sizzle on a barbecue while you sit back and enjoy the spectacular scenery.

Catch A Crab, West Tweed Heads

Wharf to Winery with Murray River Paddlesteamers

If you’d prefer someone else to do the paddling, board a Wharf to Winery cruise on a classic Murray River Paddlesteamers. Departing from Echuca-Moama, you’ll glide gently down the river to Morrisons Winery and Restaurant for a lazy lunch and wine tasting. Look out for kangaroos grazing by the river as you dine. 

Chef serving meals at Morrisons Riverview Winery and Restaurant at Moama in Riverina, Murray - Credit: Visit River Country