7 incredible Murwillumbah restaurants to try now

Lara Picone Lara Picone
hero media
Tuck into the beautiful produce of the Tweed Valley at these Murwillumbah restaurants that showcase both provenance and culinary talent.

Sprawling across both sides of the Tweed River, the bucolic and Art Deco town of Murwillumbah has long been an arts stronghold, but now this hinterland gem is turning up the dial and delivering good dining, too. From Murwillumbah restaurants to eateries tucked into the surrounding villages, these diners are making the most of the incredible produce of the region and plating it up with reverence.

1. Bistro Livi

Best for: Date nights and long Saturday lunches with friends.

This sleek fine diner wouldn’t look out of place in a city laneway, but here Bistro Livi  sits in the corner position of an Art Deco building in Murwillumbah’s M-Arts Precinct. With the owners coming by way of some of Melbourne’s best restaurants, it’s little wonder this refined 36-seater is faultless.

Local produce is expressed on the plate with respect and refinement, the drinks are well-stirred and the wine list elegant. Diners are tended to expertly amid the minimal-luxe interiors, making it very easy to lose time devouring exquisite dishes with a gentle Italian leaning. Book a babysitter and settle in for the night.

outside Bistro Livi restaurant, Murwillumbah
Find the refined Bistro Livi in Murwillumbah’s M-Arts Precinct.

Open: Dinner Wednesday–Saturday; lunch Saturday

Address: 1A, 1-3 Brisbane Street, Murwillumbah

2. Tweed River House

Best for: Special occasions or afternoon sessions by the water.

Stepping into this tenderly restored Queenslander-style homestead set right on the river is a little like taking a portal to the era of the British Raj. Opulent and expertly styled in sympathy with the breezy building, Tweed River House  is a special occasion restaurant.

the Tweed River House by the side of the river
The Tweed River House sits by the river in South Murwillumbah.

Service is en pointe and affable and the plates beautifully considered with local flavours assembled to showcase the region.

the restaurant interior of Tweed River House
The outdoor verandah offers peaceful views.

If you can’t get a spot for dinner, or even if you can, head to the downstairs Lawn Bar on a Saturday and Sunday sundowner.

a plate of food at Tweed River House, Murwillumbah
Plates are assembled to showcase the best produce in the region. (Image: Nelly le Comte Photography)

Open: Dinner Friday and Saturday; lunch Thursday–Sunday; Lawn Bar weekends from noon

Address: 131 River Street, South Murwillumbah

3. Barrels Pizza Restaurant

Best for: Casual dining with family and friends.

A contemporary pizzeria that honours the produce of the region, at Barrels Pizza  you’ll find oven-blistered pizza from classic Italian toppings to a few Aussie curveballs.

a table-top view of pizza at Barrels Pizza Restaurant
Taste your way through the menu at Barrels Pizza.

There’s also a range of antipasto to get the party started, from buffalo mozzarella with Roma tomatoes to goat’s cheese, roasted grape and walnut focaccia. You can also opt for takeaway if you prefer not to enjoy your hot pizza in the family-friendly dining room.

a woman holding a wine glass at Barrels Pizza Restaurant
It would be rude not to drink wine with your pizza.

Open: Wednesday–Sunday from 5pm

Address: 13 Wharf Street, Murwillumbah

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

AI Prompt

4. Potager

Best for: Intimate and cosy dalliances and group celebrations.

This gorgeous cottage garden setting with sweeping valley views is a stunning locale for a long lunch. Inside the charming timber cottage, guests are warmly welcomed with impeccable hospitality and treated to a menu with provenance and community at its heart.

the Potager Restaurant in a garden setting, Murwillumbah
Dine at the garden-themed Potager Restaurant.

Despite the country cottage vibes, the food at Potager  is elegant, refined and generous with influence from the antipodes to Europe and Asia without labouring the point.

an aerial view of the Potager Restaurant
Find yourself in a stunning location for a long lunch.

Open: Dinner Friday and Saturday; lunch Friday–Sunday

Address: 502 Carool Road, Carool

5. Husk Distillery

Best for: Lawn sessions on sunny afternoons and gatherings with mates.

Northern Rivers rum distillers, Husk,  are equally loved in the region for their delicious tipples as they are for their cellar door digs. The beautiful brick building houses the barrels of spirits quietly maturing, as well as a gorgeous bar and restaurant that sprawls out onto a terrace and onto the grassy lawn overlooking cane fields, from which their rum is made.

the Husk Distillery in Tumbulgum
It’s not all about the spirits at Husk, it also features a gorgeous bar and restaurant.

Start the experience with a distillery tour, where you’ll get to taste rum and their violet-hued ink gin, then grab a table or patch of grass to sip cocktails and savour share plates. There’s a very handy shuttle service, should you wish to loosen your restraint.

Husk Distillery aerial view
Expect to find space to roam at the sprawling Husk property.

Open: Daily from 11am

Address: 1152 Dulguigan Road, Tumbulgum

6. Farm & Co Restaurant

Best for: long lunches that go on and on…

This farm-to-plate eatery has some of the Tweed’s best restaurateurs at the helm, ensuring the organic produce that lands on the plate is deftly crafted to showcase seasonality and flavour.

Perched on a 52-acre farm in the Tweed Valley, Farm & Co Restaurant’s  agrarian setting makes for a lovely place to unwind with good food and wine, while the kids free-range in the sunflower patch.

Nourishing share plates may include the likes of wood-smoked lamb shoulder with chimichurri or roasted goldband snapper with aromatic oil and curry leaves or opt for the signature banquet and be surprised and delighted.

Open: Dinner Thursday–Saturday; all-day dining Friday–Sunday

Address: 529 Cudgen Road, Cudgen

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

7. House of Gabriel

Best for: Gazing across at the twinkling river while you enjoy fresh fare.

Housed in a charming riverside building once home to a bakery and a confectionery, House of Gabriel  serves a slice of history with a menu of seasonally changing dishes.

the House of Gabriel in Tumbulgum
Drop by House of Gabriel for a meal served inside a charming riverside building with an eclectic past.

Take up a spot on the front deck festooned by purple wisteria and enjoy simple but delicious contemporary Australian fare and local beverages from Husk Distillery and Stone & Wood, as well as carefully curated wines.

sweets and pastries at House of Gabriel, Tumbulgum
The High Tea is exceptionally popular here for good reason.

High tea is a popular affair here (bookings essential) with handmade treats and elegant teaware really leaning into the bygone nostalgia of the building.

tea and pastries at House of Gabriel, Tumbulgum
Score Parisian-style pastries and desserts at House of Gabriel.

Open: Breakfast and lunch Wednesday–Sunday; pizza night Friday

Address: 106 Riverside Drive, Tumbulgum

Discover more hidden gems, insider tips and local delights in our travel planning hub for the Tweed.
Lara Picone
Working for many of Australia’s top publications, Lara Picone has had the distinct pleasure of writing, editing and curating content about the finer things in life for more than 15 years. Graduating from Macquarie University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, her editorial foundation began at Qantas: The Australian Way magazine, before moving on to learn the fast-paced ropes of a weekly magazine at Sunday Magazine and picking up the art of brand curation at donna hay magazine. Pivoting a near-problematic travel lust into a career move by combining it with storytelling and a curious appetite, her next role was as Deputy Editor of SBS Feast magazine and later Online Editor of SBS Food online. She then stepped into her dream job as Editor of Australian Traveller before becoming Online Editor for both International Traveller and Australian Traveller. Now as a freelancer, Lara always has her passport at-the-ready to take flight on assignment for the Australian Traveller team, as well as for publications such as Qantas Magazine, Escape and The Weekend Australian. As ever, her appetite is the first thing she packs.
View profile and articles
Halcyon House exterior and pool view
Tweed

The boutique coastal stay worth skipping Byron Bay for

Welcome to Hotel Addict, a monthly column where I check into Australia’s best hotels, exploring not just the rooms, but the stories, service and settings that make each stay unforgettable and worthy of your wishlist.

Read more
Michelle Kuramochi of Raven Place
Tweed

Meet the female changemakers transforming The Tweed’s culinary scene

The women of The Tweed are growing more than just food. On Bundjalung Country in the Northern Rivers of NSW, they are reshaping the region’s culinary culture, placing community at the heart of everything they do.

Read more
surfer at fingal heads the tweed
Tweed

Dive into summer with hikes, great bites and wellness in The Tweed

Warmer days call for slowing down and relaxing in nature. Discover why The Tweed is the ultimate destination to do just that.

Read more
A timber wine cellar and bar with bar stools
Tweed

Found: a 1,000-bottle wine bar inside a secluded Northern Rivers rainforest retreat

Secluded by 250 acres of ancient rainforest, an ultra-romantic hideaway is harbouring a secret. A newly opened, impressively well-stocked wine cellar and bar, helmed by a hospitality veteran, is giving nature lovers another reason to head for the Tweed hinterland.

Read more
hero media

The ultimate new summer guide for the Sutherland Shire

    Gemma Kaczerepa Gemma Kaczerepa
    Continue
    Sunshine, sea breezes and sand-speckled locals: the Sutherland Shire is perfect for an idyllic Sydney summer.

    The Sutherland Shire is one of Sydney’s most dynamic regions. Home to an eclectic mix of top-notch eateries and drinking holes, a flourishing arts scene, and striking land and seascapes, it’s a haven for foodies, culture seekers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

    It’s also an ever-evolving destination with a constant wave of new places to eat and drink, and under-the-radar pockets to explore – many of which are dog-friendly.

    If you’re venturing to this gorgeous part of the world this summer, here’s your guide to what’s new and worth discovering.

    Savour the summer dining scene

    Fred’s After Hours on the sutherland shire
    Pop into Fred’s After Hours.

    The Shire’s buzzing dining scene is one of its biggest drawcards, and many of the region’s culinary highlights can be found in the sun-soaked beachside hub of Cronulla. A bunch of newcomers have recently set up shop, making the area ripe for culinary adventure.

    Homer Rogue Taverna is exactly as its name suggests: a cheeky take on classic Greek food. Expect meze and mains bursting with bold flavours and a wine list packed with standout Greek drops.

    Freds Providore – a Cronulla favourite for casual cafe fare and excellent coffee – is now open late from Thursday to Sunday. Come sundown, it morphs into Fred’s After Hours, serving a refined European-inspired menu, wines, cocktails and a laid-back yet polished vibe.

    Bobbys is a slick destination right on Cronulla Beach, where you can grab a plate of freshly-caught seafood and a summery cocktail while cooling off in the sea breeze.

    And if you’re after a bit of everything, the sprawling and multifaceted Parc Pavilion is a melting pot of dining experiences. It blends a cafe, bistro, bar, Italian restaurant and a host of regular events, all tied together in a cool coastal setting.

    Got a Saturday morning to spare? The Shire Farmers Market in Sutherland is a must-do ritual, letting you (and your four-legged friend) browse fresh produce, flowers and gourmet treats against a backdrop of live music and local chatter.

    Dive into ocean pools

    ocean pool on the sutherland shire
    The ocean pools beckon.

    Given its prime coastal positioning, the Shire teems with crystal-clear ocean pools and enclosed bathing spots. Silver Beach Tidal Baths offers a netted
    swimming experience in Botany Bay. Tucked beside a small sandy beach, the tidal baths at Gunnamatta Park are calm and shallow – making them an ideal setting for less confident swimmers.

    Just a hop and a skip away is Shelly Park Ocean Pool, a magical rock pool carved in the ocean. It’s well-suited to young kids and offers sweeping views towards the open sea.

    Experience local arts and culture

    Hazelhurst Arts Centre, Hazel Kitchen & Bar has curated the ultimate picnic experience
    See the art at Hazelhurst Arts Centre, then enjoy a picnic with or without your pooch.

    Hazelhurst Arts Centre in Gymea is elegantly positioned within a lush garden landscape, serving as the Sutherland Shire’s premier destination for arts and culture. This summer, experience the Art on Paper Award 2025 – a celebration of innovation and creativity through the versatile medium of paper.

    Set within the leafy surrounds of Hazelhurst Arts Centre, Hazel Kitchen & Bar has curated the ultimate picnic experience. Think abundant cheese platters, artisan charcuterie boards, fresh OJ and a thoughtfully chosen wine list, all available to take away and enjoy in the art-filled gardens just beyond the restaurant. Best of all, four-legged friends are welcome to join the fun.

    Next, venture south to the artsy village of Bundeena for the monthly Bundeena and Maianbar Art Trail . This self-guided journey through local artists’ studios offers a glimpse into their work and creative spaces.

    Relish the dog-friendly atmosphere

    a dog on Greenhills Dog Beach sutherland shire
    Let the dog off-leash at Greenhills Dog Beach.

    The Sutherland Shire is a bona fide playground for pups and their humans. Find a string of dog-friendly beaches popular with locals, visitors and pups alike. Silver Beach in Kurnell is a peaceful pocket, allowing dogs off-leash without restriction. While Horderns Beach in Bundeena and Greenhills Beach in Cronulla are equally serene and provide off-leash access (be sure to check times and seasonal restrictions before you go).

    If you’re planning to make a weekend of it, book yourself and your pooch into Quest Cronulla . With stylish and spacious pet-friendly accommodation, thoughtful amenities, and a prime location just steps from Cronulla Esplanade and a variety of dog-friendly cafes, it’s the perfect spot to rest after a full day of exploring.

    Get into nature

    Sunrise at Curracurrong Falls and Eagle Rock in the Royal National Park, Sydney.
    Find natural beauty in Royal National Park. (Image: Destination NSW)

    You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to outdoor escapes: imagine rugged bushwalks, breezy beachside tracks, meandering cycling trails and lookouts galore. The best part? Many of them are perfectly suited to dogs.

    Take your canine to Cronulla Esplanade – the Shire’s version of the famed Bondi to Coogee Walk. This eight-kilometre route takes you past the region’s most picturesque beaches, offering panoramic vistas and an electric energy. It heaves with locals every morning and weekend, getting their steps in with a coffee in one hand and a dog leash in the other.

    If you’re travelling without furry friends, stop by the Royal National Park. You’ll be engulfed in ancient bushland, craggy cliffs, towering rock formations, diverse wildlife and twisting tracks. The Jibbon Loop Track is a highlight, with spectacular views over the sea. Alternatively, the Karloo Track forms a loop that winds through untamed bush, freshwater pools and waterfalls. Re-lace your walking shoes or grab a bike to follow The Bundeena Drive to Marley  Walk  past freshwater pools and creeks, on to scenic beach views of Little Marley Beach.

    Hit up the beautiful beaches

    aerial of cronulla beach and esplanade
    Enjoy postcard-perfect beaches. (Image: Destination NSW)

    The stretch along Cronulla bursts with postcard-perfect beaches, each offering a different flavour. With rolling waves, regular patrol and a steady stream of beachgoers, Cronulla Beach and North Cronulla Beach are buzzy and built for all kinds of swimmers. Elouera Beach is a quieter option, attracting early-morning surfers hoping to catch the perfect wave.

    If you prefer a side of dramatic scenery, visit Wanda or Greenhills – in addition to ocean panoramas, both are backed by towering golden dunes and wild scrub. Looking for something more subdued? Shelly Beach Ocean Pool is a relaxed – yet no less captivating – retreat.

    Start planning your Sutherland Shire summer at visitsutherlandshire.com.au.