Eat, drink and enjoy at these Tweed Heads restaurants and eateries that cater to any mood.

Whether you’re keen to frock up for an intimate dinner with your romantic lead or looking for a buzzing eatery to catch up with friends, Tweed Heads and her over-the-border twin town of Coolangatta have all bases covered. From laneway gems to waterside eats and refined restaurants, these are the top picks for dining out.

1. Franc Jrs, Coolangatta

Best for: Getting pumped for a night out

This cool pizzeria with its retro Italo-American edge is unapologetically out there. Shuffle into a red banquette and settle in to have a giggle over the pizza names that are as entertaining as the vibe and packed with flavour-bomb toppings.

There’s the Jaloppy Poppy strewn with jalapenos, sausage and salami and the Sage Against The Machine scattered with sage and pancetta. There’s also a vegan menu and Detroit-style squares topped with everything from vodka sauce to whipped lemon ricotta. It’s a wild ride perfectly primed to fuel your night out.

Open: Daily for dinner (minus Mondays)
Address: 2/102 Griffith Street, Coolangatta Qld

2. Clay Cantina, Coolangatta

Best for: Dinner and drinks for couples or trios

Attracting national attention for its excellent home- and market-style Mexican plates, this petite laneway eatery is a must-visit. Take a seat in the beautifully tiled and earthy-hued dining room or the alley outside and prep your palate for authentic flavours, such as sopes topped with chipotle chicken, al pastor tacos and the sweet pastel de tres laches (three-milks cake).

If you’re keen to try your hand at making your own, book into one of Tuesday cooking classes, where you’ll learn to make a snack, salsa and a traditional dish.

Open: Wednesday–Saturday for dinner
Address: 2/16 Griffith Street, Coolangatta Qld

3. Bar Evelyn, Coolangatta

Best for: Date night done right

An elegant, upscale Italian bar and eatery that’s worth slipping into your finery for. Here, it’s all about the details and superior quality, from the natural wine list to seasonally driven antipasti and freshly made pasta.

Simplicity is executed with finesse in dishes such as the vodka sauce conchiglie and buccatini amatriciana, with the provenance of ingredients a focal point. If you’re in the mood for a more casual option, you can always takeaway a wood-fired pizza or two to enjoy by the beach.

Open: Wednesday–Sunday for afternoon drinks and dinner
Address: 58 Marine Parade, Coolangatta Qld

4. Eddie’s Grub House, Coolangatta

Best for: Good times

This rock and roll joint sits below the retro-revamped Pink Hotel and caters to the out-and-about Cooly crowd. Live music is on high rotation here and while you’re toe-tapping to the beat, you can enjoy something to eat from the dive bar-style menu. Think southern fried chicken, burgers, wings and onion rings paired with cold beers and karaoke.

Open: Wednesday–Sunday for arvo beers and burgers
Address: 171 Griffith Street, Coolangatta Qld

5. Ivory Waterside, Tweed Heads

Best for: Sunny arvo sessions

Despite the shimmering Tweed River and her tributaries meandering through the region, there are few places to sit and take it all in by the banks. But Ivory Waterside goes a long way to righting that wrong with its absolute waterfront locale on Terranora Creek, on offshoot of the main waterway.

Set yourself up on the deck and watch the sun ripple across the water as you tuck into well-executed, bistro-style fare, including steak, burgers, fish ’n chips and other usual suspects. Salt-rimmed margaritas beckon as the sun beats down, making it difficult to plan your exit. Extend the good times at Benny’s Arcade for a spin on some classic 80s games enjoyed with a cold beer.

Open: Thursday–Sunday from 11:30 am – 9 pm
Address: 156 Wharf Street, Tweed Heads NSW

6. Get Hooked Seafoods, Tweed Heads

Best for: Fish and chips with family

Sitting on the river and tucked just behind the Tweed Marina, you’ll find Get Hooked. And while it may be small, it sure packs a punch – in fact, it’s arguably the best spot for seafood in Tweed Heads and a local’s choice when it comes to the best fish and chips in town.

Perch yourself under an umbrella on the wooden deck out back and watch friendly pelicans bob in the water below before diving into a fresh seafood basket. Think juicy local prawns, daily-caught fish, crispy calamari, fresh oysters and, of course, a generous serving of chippies.

Open: Daily from 10:30am – 7 pm (8 pm Fridays and Saturdays)
Address: 2 River Terrace, Tweed Heads NSW

7. Pipit, Pottsville

Best for: Special occasions and real foodies

Drive 25 minutes south to Pottsville, and you will be rewarded with a restaurant that showcases the very best of the Tweed region’s offerings. Helmed by executive chef and owner Ben Dilvin (ex-Noma), Pipit is an award-winning fine dining eatery where thoughtful, modern Australian coastal cuisine takes centre stage. Choose from either the six-course, eight-course or à la carte menu, which are driven by the seasons and change every 6-8 weeks.

A large proportion of the space is taken up by the open kitchen, where sitting at the chef’s table allows you to enjoy the elegant choreography of the chef preparing your next plate with precision, be it Bay Lobster and bunya nut fregola with bunya nut miso, lobster butter and pipi dressing or Keitt mango layered with caramelised mango, guava, macadamia and koji ice cream. The fish-shaped buckwheat waffle with smoked snapper cream and finger lime and the vegetable crudités and tasty waste paste are signature bites and not to be missed.

Open: Monday, 5:30pm – 10pm; Thursday, 6pm – 10pm; Friday and Saturday, 12pm – 3pm and 6pm – 10pm; Sunday, 12pm – 3pm

Address: Shop 4, 8 Coronation Ave, Pottsville NSW

Discover more hidden gems, insider tips and local delights in our travel planning hub for the Tweed.