Why the Central Coast food offerings make it a culinary mecca

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.

Sample incredible wine, cocktails and dishes at Bells At Killcare. (Image: Nikki To)

Plan your next visit to the delicious Central Coast.

This boutique hotel on the Bouddi Peninsula with its own award-winning restaurant and recently added luxury lodges is the perfect retreat.

Bells at Killcare on the NSW Bouddi Peninsula is a world-class retreat with dreamy rooms, luxury lodges, a day spa, bakery, vibrant restaurant and hectares of tranquil gardens. Owned by husband-and-wife team Karina and Brian Barry, who bought the stylish retreat from Australian entrepreneur John Singleton in 2017, Bells at Killcare offers all the charm and sophistication you want from a five-star coastal break.

The addition of The Lodges at Bells at Killcare in 2023 upped the ante further with four luxurious tri-level lodges offering an elevated stay on par with nearby sister property and Luxury Lodge of Australia, Pretty Beach House.

The location

a group of friends exploring the Bouddi Coastal Walk, Central Coast

The Central Coast is home to the scenic Bouddi Coastal Walk.

The Central Coast, just an hour’s drive north of Sydney, has evolved to become an incredibly accessible and beautiful seaside destination where some seriously sophisticated retreats, luxury places to stay and vibrant dining options have sprung up over the years.

The Bouddi Peninsula is located at the southern tip of the Central Coast, across from Sydney’s northernmost suburb, Palm Beach, and is dotted with high-end holiday destinations such as Macmasters Beach, Pretty Beach, Patonga and Killcare.

Lodges feature a heated magnesium pool, two outdoor double day beds and a dining area.

This is the spiritual heart of the Central Coast – Bouddi means heart in local Aboriginal languages – and there is evidence of rock carvings and middens found in numerous locations around the area’s idyllic national parks.

Pack walking shoes and swimmers as, all up, there are seven pristine beaches and many spectacular walking trails that wind around the coastal headland at Killcare. You can also take the scenic route and visit the sleepy, picturesque seaside villages of Pretty Beach, Hardys Bay and Killcare itself, where Bells isn’t. (It’s located up the hill at Killcare Heights.)

The accommodation

The Bells at Killcare bedroom interiors in Central Coast, NSW, Australia

Cottages and suites have an easy-breezy Hamptons aesthetic. (Image: Dom Cherry)

Bells at Killcare boutique hotel comprises a series of suites and cottages set in landscaped gardens. Kitted out with Ralph Lauren furnishings in a palette of beachy blue and white with signature striped awnings, they embody a coastal-chic Hamptons aesthetic that will have you in holiday mode from the moment you check in.

Deluxe two-storey cottages, one-bedroom cottages, lakeview villas, garden villas and king suites are designed for two people, while the two-bedroom cottages are perfect for families and groups of four.

Rooms in the lodges channel the tones of their bushland surrounds.

Four tri-level, two-bedroom luxury lodges in a separate bushland setting on site are the latest addition to Bells at Killcare’s variety of accommodation options.

The Lodges

Spend your days relaxing at your own private pool when you check into a lodge.

In 2023, Bells at Killcare added another feather to its cap with the addition of four luxurious, architecturally-designed lodges. The design departs from the rest of the property’s Hamptons aesthetic and tunes into the local environment instead with natural tones, textures and design details that reflect the surrounding coastal angophora canopy.

Each lodge is split over three levels.

On the ground floor, two bedrooms each with its own en suite and balcony are rendered in a calming palette of stone and foliage tones.

The lodge’s spa-like bathrooms boast underfloor heating, rain shower and a free-standing tub.

Bathrooms boast underfloor heating, rain shower and a free-standing tub as well as access to your lodge’s private magnesium pool, complete with day beds and barbecue area.

The second level opens up to a generous open-plan dining and living area, with fully equipped kitchen and comfortable lounge area with a fireplace for the cooler months, large-screen TV and sliding doors that lead to a wraparound terrace.

two women hanging out at the sunset deck of Bells at Killcare

Soak up the view from the sunset deck – the centrepiece of each lodge.

The pièce de résistance of each lodge is a third-level Sunset Deck that lets you drink in views over Pittwater, Palm Beach and the Hawkesbury River. Best served with pre-dinner snacks and a sundowner of your choice delivered daily to the lodge.

Thoughtful touches abound in the lodges: from the well-stocked bar and pantry full of local goodies to the fresh-baked bread and choice of newspaper left in a basket by your front door every morning.

The Lodges are fully serviced, and all-inclusive packages can include concierge service and nightly turndown, breakfast and dinner at The Wild Flower Bar & Dining (see below), two-course lunch or barbecue pack delivered to your door or an explorer’s backpack lunch for days you’re exploring Bouddi National Park, and local transfers to the beach and walking trails.

All delivered with laid-back, friendly professionalism by staff passionate about showing off this beautiful pocket of NSW.

The food

THE POOL BAR

The pool bar is an ‘honesty’ bar where guests can pour their own drinks.

Bells at Killcare has a garden bar and poolside service so that you can enjoy a cocktail and oysters al fresco as well as an honesty bar tucked into a dinky 1950s caravan where guests can pour their own drinks.

The relaxed pool area, tucked into a private corner of the property, also follows the Hamptons theme, with blue-and-white umbrellas and lounges.

ONSITE BAKERY

Freshly baked croissants available at Bells Bakery in Central Coast, NSW, Australia

Bells Bakery produces freshly baked pastries and artisan sourdough daily. (Image: Dom Cherry)

There’s also a beautiful bakery and larder onsite, which turns out freshly baked pastries and artisan sourdough and offers both guests and locals the chance to pick up picnic goodies to take away or back to their cottage or lodge.

THE WILD FLOWER BAR & DINING

The Wild Flower Bar and Dining Restaurant at Bells at Killcare in Central Coast, NSW, Australia

The Wild Flower Bar & Dining is inspired by the theme: Bouddi by the Sea. (Image: Dom Cherry)

The onsite restaurant, The Wild Flower Bar & Dining, has been shaped by culinary director Cameron Cansdell. Menus are guided by the idea of ‘food of the sun’ – from the Med to Morocco – and harness produce from the property’s own kitchen gardens, chooks and beehives as well as from local NSW suppliers and growers.

The restaurant interiors commissioned Kate Swinton wallpaper and cushions and framed etchings of native flora. The light fittings that feature so prominently in the dining room are also woven from local Killcare grasses by local artist Lee Cavendar.

The main dining room here is on the balcony, which overlooks the beautiful, manicured grounds and, thanks to floor-to-ceiling louvres, has an al fresco feel.

The wine list is also extensive with a globe-trotting mix of international – particularly Italian – and local wines.

The day spa

Rejuvenate both your body and mind at the Bells Day Spa. (Image: Dom Cherry)

Another drawcard at Bells at Killcare is Bells Day Spa, a stylish sanctuary that is anchored to the garden and thoughtfully designed with warmth and intimacy in mind.

The day spa is hugely popular for its botanical iKOU products, which are used in treatments such as the Mindful Wellness Ritual, which involves both a massage and a facial.

Its bespoke beauty and bathroom products are hand-made exclusively for Bells at Killcare and include a beautiful high-end signature candle (in collaboration with Lumira), Botanical Shampoo & Conditioner, hand wash and hand lotion, which are all available for purchase.

The beach is not far away, and there’s magnificent hiking around the Bouddi National Park. That’s if you can bear to tear yourself away.

Does Bells at Killcare have access for guests with disabilities?

The Garden Suite has ramp access and a rail and seat in the shower.

Is Bells at Killcare family-friendly?

Bells at Killcare makes an ideal family break. Children over 13 can be accommodated in any room type across the property. Children under 13 are welcome in the lodges and in the two-bedroom cottages.

Details

Escape to this scenic hideaway on the Central Coast.

Best for: Couples, families and groups looking for a luxe coastal getaway close to Sydney with all the bells and whistles.

Address: 107 The Scenic Road, Killcare Heights

Cost: All-inclusive packages at The Lodges start from $750 per person per night for four guests and $1200 per person per night for two guests (minimum two-night stay). Children under 13 stay free of charge.

Or opt for the Bed & Breakfast Package, at $2000 per night for four people.

Guests checking into The Lodges during the cooler months can take advantage of a Winter Stay3Pay2 offer: stay three nights in June, July or August for $4000 for a family of four, including daily gourmet breakfast, delivered drinks and canapés to lodge each afternoon and VIP nightly turndown. Perfect for July school holidays.

Rates for cottages and suites start at $527 per night for two people, including gourmet breakfast.

Need more inspiration? Discover the best things to see and do on the Central Coast.

Why the Central Coast is a foodie mecca