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The best Coffs Harbour restaurants for elevated holiday dining

Kristie Lau-Adams Kristie Lau-Adams
Nutrient-dense bounties, often sourced just off the coastline, create happy holiday dining at the best Coffs Harbour restaurants.

Proud to be local, embracing quality seasonal produce, Coffs Harbour’s food scene is impressive. So impressive that I’ve transitioned the NSW North Coast town from frozen banana pit-stop to a coveted overnight hang. From overachieving cafes and bakeries to the finest of restaurants and pubs, the best Coffs Harbour restaurants have given me cherished family memories. Here, my recommendations for every meal of the day.

In short

If you only visit one of the best Coffs Harbour restaurants, make it Donovans Surf Club Restaurant & Bar. It’s always comfortable and relaxed, as water views effortlessly drop shoulders and good times (and prices) roll from breakfast to lunch.

The shortlist

Best outdoor dining: Aanuka Beach House
Best date spot: Bistro Vue
Best for large groups: Donovan’s Surf Club Restaurant & Bar
Best views: Jetty Beach House

1. Aanuka Beach House

a spread of food and drinks at Aanuka Beach House, Coffs Harbour restaurants
Vibrant share plates and Italian-inspired delights dominate the menu. (Image: Take Studios)

Perched on Diggers Beach with sweeping views out to the ocean, Aanuka Beach House is an infectious scene when I visit in mid-2025. Sun-drenched terraces dotted with umbrella-slung tables lure glamorous crowds as spacious lawns trickle out to that frothy blue. I love this Coffs Harbour restaurant because it sparks immediate holiday vibes no matter how many emails you’re missing back at home. I visit for lunch most recently, but the hotspot is equally chockers first thing when an epic buffet breakfast is served from 7am to 10am daily. My midday menu, however, offers top-notch pub classics including a wood-fired pizza of more than 10 varieties (that also cater for vegans) as well as seasonally charged share plates like zucchini blossoms, prawn rolls with guacamole and a seriously stacked antipasti board of Italian-inspired delights.

Cuisine: Modern Australian with Italian homages

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Holiday buzzing

Location: 11 Firman Dr, Coffs Harbour

2. The Spare Room

summer garden pasta at The Spare Room, Coffs Harbour restaurants
The signature summer garden pasta at The Spare Room.

Skipping over to Sawtell, about 15 minutes’ drive south of the Coffs Harbour jetty, I find The Spare Room, a lowkey spot for authentic Italian. As wildly beautiful as Coffs Harbours’ beaches always prove, this place pulls crowds indoors of a Sunday thanks to the weekly live jazz from 6:30pm. Here for the carbs? You’re speaking my language. Get your fix with lovingly prepared classics including saffron and pea arancini balls with capsicum jam, lavishly topped pizzas, and a revolving door of pastas – think seafood squid ink linguine with basil butter emulsion, prawns and calamari – that you can opt to dress with crispy prosciutto, like I did.

Cuisine: Italian

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Homely and intimate

Location: 23 First Ave, Sawtell

3. Bistro Vue

a table-top view of share plates at Bistro Vue, Coffs Harbour restaurants
The savoury menu strives to reflect the seasons. (Image: Bistro Vue)

The jetty strip swings one step sexier since the arrival of Bistro Vue in August 2025, offering locals the Melbourne hole-in-the-wall sophistication this town so very demands. The fit out is sleek and moody thanks to rich timbers and white marble, and the team is always out to impress, single-handedly dialling up Coffs Harbour’s hospitality chops. The menu strives to reflect the seasons with most recent standouts spanning panko and herb-coated prawns and a harissa-roasted chicken Maryland over a bed of saffron couscous. Plus, there’s always fresh oysters with your choice of champagne granita or pancetta and aged balsamic, a refined take on Kilpatrick.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $$$

Atmosphere: Neighbourhood elegance

Location: 384B Harbour Dr, Coffs Harbour

4. Donovan’s Surf Club Restaurant & Bar

beach views from Donovan’s Surf Club Restaurant & Bar, Coffs Harbour
Slow the pace right down and dine with views of Park Beach at Donovan’s.

I have such a great time at Donovan’s Surf Club Restaurant & Bar, where almost every table scores a view of pristine Park Beach. One visit, I even looked straight out to sea and spotted whales breaching, a sight reserved for whale migration season between June and November. Lunch on the sun deck around the back of the bistro, or within this Coffs Harbour restaurant’s spacious sunroom, is always relaxed as locals chat into golden hour, while breakfast runs from 7.30am and offers an awesome vantage point for your morning cuppa. Meanwhile, morning and pub-style lunch plates from Executive Chef Matt Donovan offer serious indulgence, with personal favourites including the croissant French toast with Dulce de leche and ice cream for breakfast (hey, we’re on holidays) and for lunch, hot honey prawns with rice and a cucumber salad.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Chilled out and filled with locals

Location: 23 Surf Club Rd, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450

5. Daikichi Woolgoolga

Japanese cuisine at Daikichi Woolgoolga, Coffs Harbour
Daikichi Woolgoolga rolls out authentic Japanese classics. (Image: Coffs Coast and Jay Black)

One of the newest Coffs Harbour restaurants, Daikichi Woolgoolga brings authentic Japanese classics to the coast. It’s located in the thick of charming Woolgoolga, one of my favourite lesser-discovered Coffs Harbour towns, and rolls out all the typical flavour-lashed Japanese cravings including bento boxes, pork and chicken katsu curries, Donburi rice bowls with miso soup and a selection of sweets. Hot tip: grab a BYO bottle of wine for a cheap and cheerful meal out because these guys don’t charge corkage.

Cuisine: Japanese

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Casual

Location: 58 Beach St, Woolgoolga

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6. Morty’s Joint

diners outside Morty’s Joint, Coffs Harbour
Morty’s Joint marries quality comfort food with cocktails to give patrons a reliably good time. (Image: Jay Black)

One of the highlights of Sawtell’s First Avenue, Morty’s Joint is a neighbourhood comfort food-slash-cocktail bar that draws an energised crowd. Home to DJ sets, free pool, the occasional drag bingo and delicious American-style bar snacks, it’s my go-to for a chilled catch-up with friends. Get your carb-load on with the likes of fancy fries, juicy burgers, panko-crumbed schnitzels (they’re just $15 a pop if you’re there on Wednesday night), and a sirloin steak with a range of sauces, as crafty tipples and quality craft brews reliably quench your thirst.

Cuisine: Comfort food

Average price: $-$$

Atmosphere: Rock and roll

Location: 63 First Ave, Sawtell NSW 2452

7. Bayside Bar & Grill

Located inside the Pacific Bay Resort, the lovely Bayside Bar & Grill lures guests with its gorgeous position overlooking a lagoon. Staying at the hotel, one of the best Coffs Harbour accommodation picks, is going to offer you prime table selection, but anywhere on the outdoor terrace will instantly dazzle. Brace yourself for indulgent mains that lean into local produce like a sirloin, sourced from Dorrigo in the Northern NSW Tablelands, with potato gratin, and a linguine with prawns caught off the east coast.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $$$

Atmosphere: Holiday mode

Location: Pacific Bay Resort, corner Pacific Hwy and Bay Dr, Coffs Harbour

8. Bar Que Sera

inside Bar Que Sera, Coffs Harbour restaurants
Pair your wine with Mediterranean share plates at Bar Que Sera. (Image: Jay Black)

Under new management from September 2025, Bar Que Sera is still one of the best places in the region for either a top-quality vino pit-stop or lazy afternoon indulgence. I love the refined yet relaxed vibes of this Coffs Harbour hot spot, as the team rely on local ingredients to inspire their seasonal menu. Additionally, everything these guys plate up is Instagram-perfect. Pick your poison out of more than 100 wines and wash it down with the likes of swordfish cooked with N’duja butter, confit lamb rump with whipped goat curd and pickled dates, and Yamba prawns with ricotta gnocchi.

Cuisine: Mediterranean share plates

Average price: $$$

Atmosphere: Elegant

Location: 61 First Ave, Sawtell

9. Jetty Beach House

dining at Jetty Beach House, Coffs Harbour restaurants
Soak up Mediterranean-inspired interiors and a menu of refined pub favourites.

What a spot. Jetty Beach House, at the foot of the Solitary Islands, is a natural light-filled space with calming Coffs’ water views. Even better, it sings with a quintessentially Coffs vibe: utterly relaxed and humble. Expect a menu dotted with fresh seafood (the chilled king Mooloolaba prawns with bloody mary mayonnaise is something of a novelty and always smashable), plus burgers, pizzas and other pub classics. It’s also a great spot for kids as a dedicated children’s menu dishes up popcorn chicken with chips, butter pasta with tomatoes, fish and chips and more.

Cuisine: Pub classics

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Casual, but it can get rowdy

Location: 1 Jordan Esplanade, Coffs Harbour

10. Lime Mexican

friends dining at Lime Mexican, Sawtell
Discover inventive Mexican favourites at Lime Mexican. (Image: Destination NSW)

In the main fig tree-lined street of Sawtell, Lime Mexican is a beloved pick, serving mean mojitos and inventive Mexican street food that would feel right at home in Tijuana. Although the decor is light and bright, the ubiquitous Dia de los Muertos-inspired mural and colourful sombreros confirm this is a place for fun and celebration. Expect textbook favourites like beef nachos, tacos with pulled pork, and fajitas with Chipotle steak, done with ample flair.

Cuisine: Mexican

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Party times

Location: 1/13 First Ave, Sawtell

11. Stef & Co

diners at the waterfront Stef & Co restaurant, Coffs Harbour
The Italian cafe and restaurant delivers scenic waterfront views.

Overlooking the tranquil waters of Coffs Creek, Stef & Co is a multipronged dining destination dedicated to Italian cuisine. It starts in the morning as a cafe offering freshly brewed coffee and hand-crafted Italian pastries, but I highly recommend winding your way back again when the sun sinks to catch it transformed into a pizza and cocktail bar. Additionally, there’s the team’s more upscale portion of the space, Osteria Restaurant, where incredible fresh seafood and the most quality of meat cuts make for another round of Italian feasting. Don’t miss the traditional fish stew with market fillets, mussels, prawns, calamari and octopus, served with crusty white bread.

Cuisine: Italian at every hour of the day

Average price: $-$$$

Atmosphere: Homely

Location: 319 Harbour Drive, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450

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12. Latitude 30

friends dining at Latitude 30, Coffs Harbour restaurants
Latitude 30’s location by the marina boasts panoramic views from the water’s edge. (Image: Destination NSW)

This Coffs Coast restaurant is a classic for its unbeatable location, and the fact you can enjoy seafood sourced from the trawlers moored directly opposite. Latitude 30, located within the Marina, is the product of founder and owner Marcus Blackwell’s passion for seafood, which extends to his childhood growing up off the coast of Scotland. Expect beautifully prepared and presented, dishes including the not-so-discreet seafood platter of lobster, prawns, bugs, oysters and ceviche.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $$$

Atmosphere: Elevated yet breezy

Location: Unit 8-9, 1 Marina Dr, Coffs Harbour

13. The Pier Hotel

dining at The Pier Hotel, Coffs Harbour restaurants
Cosy country pubs don’t get better than The Pier Hotel.

The Pier Hotel was built in 1905 to cater for weary travellers journeying by land and sea up and down Australia’s East Coast. A century on, that core demographic is sticking with it, and the pub located on the Jetty strip is as popular as ever. A cosy country pub that beautifully blends the old and new, it’s light and bright and a brilliant spot to enjoy hearty grub such as bangers and mash with caramelised onions, and five jam-packed burger types ranging from a house beef patty with cheese to a southern chicken wrap with guacamole.

Cuisine: Pub classics

Average price: $-$$

Atmosphere: Relaxed

Location: 356 Harbour Dr, Coffs Harbour

14. The Seaview Tavern

pizza and share plates at The Seaview Tavern, Coffs Harbour
The Seaview Tavern serves up reliably good pub food.

The Seaview Tavern is a lively hotel that makes the most of its expansive open-air beer garden, festooned with fairy lights and kitted out with umbrellas. Everyone here seems to order the schnitzel (voted one of Australia’s top five in a 2020 contest) with gravy, chips and a side salad, and for good reason – it’s crumbed to crispy perfection and golden every time. Wash down your meal with one of their on-tap brews which include local craft creations.

Cuisine: Pub classics

Average price: $-$$

Atmosphere: Family-friendly

Location: 51 River St, Woolgoolga

15. 99 On Park Restaurant & Bar

a slice of cake on a plate at 99 On Park Restaurant & Bar, Coffs Harbour
Tuck into modern Australian dishes with French flair. (Image: 99 On Park Restaurant & Bar)

Tucked just a few streets back from the shore, 99 On Park Restaurant & Bar offers elegant dining with the occasional French twist. Fresh seafood takes centre stage across the menu, including the local prawns in gnocchi with a creamy bisque and the yellowfin tuna nicoise salad with pastured egg. Thoughtful wine pairings make whatever you order simply delicious.

Cuisine: Modern Australian with French influences

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Old-school classy

Location: 99 Park Beach Rd, Coffs Harbour

16. The Jetty Pavilion

a close-up of food at The Jetty Pavilion, Coffs Harbour restaurants
The menu offers Modern Australian pub and cafe classics.

Given a tick of approval from Aussie legend Robert Irwin, who posted a gushing Instagram video about The Jetty Pavilion during a recent road trip, this Coffs Harbour institute is beloved by visitors far and wide. Located on the Jetty strip, it’s a local’s go-to for long lunches, sunset cocktails and live music. The menu blends modern Australian cafe and pub classics, and unique flavours – think a fennel salted snapper, Thai fishcakes with snow peas, and an all-day breakfast that heroes a kimchi waffle. Set up on the breezy terrace to enjoy sparkling views while you dine.

Cuisine: Modern Australian pub and cafe classics

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Upbeat, even over breakfast

Location: 59/361 Harbour Dr, Coffs Harbour

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Kristie Lau-Adams
Kristie Lau-Adams is a Gold Coast-based freelance writer after working as a journalist and editorial director for almost 20 years across Australia's best-known media brands including The Sun-Herald, WHO and Woman's Day. She has spent significant time exploring the world with highlights including trekking Japan’s life-changing Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage and ziplining 140 metres above the vines of Mexico’s Puerto Villarta. She loves exploring her own backyard (quite literally, with her two young children who love bugs), but can also be found stalking remote corners globally for outstanding chilli margaritas and soul-stirring cultural experiences.
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After dark: 6 experiences along the Murray lighting up the night

(Credit: Serena Munro)

    Gemma Kaczerepa Gemma Kaczerepa
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    See the Murray region in an entirely different light by exploring its night-time experiences and attractions.

    By day, the mighty Murray River is a majestic and ever-changing sight, with river red gums and wetlands stretching along 2500 kilometres. But by night, its cities, towns, villages and landscapes totally transform.

    From Albury Wodonga to Mildura, and everywhere in between, you’ll be in for a multi-sensory and memorable treat encompassing mesmerising light shows, guided ghost tours and vibrant celebrations that capture the nocturnal magic of the river.

    This is no ordinary nighttime adventure; the region becomes an entirely different world when the sun sets. Discover six must-do activities along the Murray that can only be enjoyed after dark.

    1. Share in ghostly tales

    Port After Dark tour Murray at night
    Hold on to your nerve when learning local ghost stories. (Credit: Campaspe Shire Council)

    If you’re up for something a little more spine-tingling, Port After Dark in Echuca is your best bet. Rumour has it that the Port of Echuca Wharf and the buildings around it have long been home to lingering ghosts and mysterious events – like the vengeful woman said to haunt an old tramway bridge and spirits searching for stolen money through the town centre.

    You can hear all about them on this guided lantern tour, which takes place on Wednesday and Saturday nights after dark. The stories are atmospheric and intriguing – you may even spot a ghost or two yourself. If you’d like a more intimate experience, private tours are also available to groups of 15 or more.

    2. Wander art installations

    Bruce Munroe's Fibre Optic Symphoinic Orchestra Murray at night
    See Bruce Munro’s immersive art installation. (Credit: Serena Munro)

    Right near the Perry Sandhills, sits an experience that feels almost otherworldly. Artist Bruce Munro (of Uluru’s Field of Lights fame) has created a Fibre Optic Symphonic Orchestra, a network of 80 Hills Hoists illuminated with fibre optic light combined with the sounds of an orchestra. The clotheslines glow and pulse in time to the specially composed score, immersing you in a dreamscape of light and sound.

    For a different light experience, you’ll find stillness at Trail of Lights, also curated by Munro. Located just 30 minutes away on Lock Island in Mildura, thousands of lights stretch over the landscape, spotlighting both the river and a series of Munro’s sculptures. The trail is intended to be a peaceful and meditative setting for wandering and reflecting.

    3. Learn through lasers

    Heartbeat of the Murray at night
    Travel 30 million years into the Murray’s past at Heartbeat of the Murray. (Credit: Ewen Bell)

    Discover a fascinating history in this dual act of lights and projections on the banks of the Little Murray River. Legends of the Mallee is a multimedia show in Swan Hill combining lasers and lights, which tells the story of the region’s rich past. Learn about the Wamba Wamba and Wadi Wadi Peoples who first inhabited the area, as well as the figures and events that shaped the Mallee of today.

    The river steals the spotlight in the Heartbeat of the Murray, a multimedia spectacle inside the Pioneer Settlement encompassing lights, lasers, sound and special effects against the natural backdrop. Through a sequence of large-scale animated projections, you’ll go back 30 million years to explore the Murray River’s formation before travelling to the present to learn how it supports modern communities.

    4. Light up the lake

    Lake Mulwala Laser Light Show Murray at night
    Watch the lights and lasers of Lake Mulwala. (Credit: Mulwala Water Ski Club)

    Travelling with kids? Head to Yarrawonga Mulwala and nearby Lake Mulwala for the family-friendly Laser Light & Sound Show. Lights and lasers are projected over the lake and onto curtains of fog, creating a colourful and high-energy visual display. The show suits all ages and tastes, set to a mix of songs that everyone knows and loves.

    You can take in the spectacle from either the grassy banks of the lake or book a table at the Mulwala Water Ski Club’s Malibu Deck Cafe, serving pub-style food and refreshing drinks, including excellent classic cocktails. If you’re watching from the foreshore, the show is entirely free, making it a great budget-friendly option.

    5. Be captivated by local culture

    Bullanginya Dreaming Murray at night
    Soak in the culture of the Bangerang People. (Credit: Laser Vision)

    Set aside an evening to explore Bullanginya Dreaming in Cobram Barooga – you’ll want ample time to take in the stories and symbolism of this immersive laser light and sound trail. The 1.8-kilometre trail explores the storytelling and culture of the Bangerang People, who have long cared for the lands around Bullanginya Lagoon in Barooga. The trail features 12 activations – each telling a different story – and combines dramatic lights and lasers with water and fire.

    Intertwined with the visual displays are Bangerang narratives, giving you meaningful insight into the area’s Indigenous heritage. It’s designed to be explored over 90 or so minutes, encouraging you to move slowly and thoughtfully.

    6. Discover a winter glow

    winterglow festival
    See the streets of Albury Wodonga come to life after dark. (Credit: Visit Albury Wodonga)

    Albury Wodonga comes alive as the weather drops, with an annual celebration of the season on Saturday, 15 August. WinterGlow takes over the CBD and features a vibrant program of things to see, do, learn, eat and drink.

    Take part in hands-on workshops that let you try different art forms and crafts. Feast on street food and winter warmers from local eateries. Browse for artisan wares at the night markets. Watch musical acts on the main stage. Or get involved in different activations, including a silent disco and giant maze. Artificial snow will be falling to add to the festive atmosphere.

    Even wandering the streets and laneways and soaking up the late-night energy will leave you feeling enchanted.

    Start planning a day-to-night adventure along the Murray at visitthemurray.com.au.