Best Yamba Restaurants To Book For 2025

Whether you’re planning a full-on eating itinerary or just stopping through town, the best Yamba restaurants provide delicious and diverse delights.

This little NSW surf town, just two hours south of the Gold Coast, punches well above its weight in the dining stakes. From overachieving burger joints and refined special occasion feasts to authentic Neapolitan pizzerias and Mexican fiestas, the finest Yamba restaurants promise to please every palate.

The shortlist

Best for seafood: Sandbar Yamba
Best date spot: El Ocaso
Best views: Pacific Hotel
Best casual eats: BrGr Spot
Best family-friendly dining: The Mexican

1. Paradiso Restaurant & Bar

a look inside Paradiso Restaurant & Bar, Yamba — The interior at Paradiso Restaurant & Bar is Asian-inspired.

Paradiso is a buzzing haven of Asian-inspired fare. The kitchen crew, who launched this place on the back of successful careers in the big smoke, play around with the freshest of local seafood, fusing absolute flavour bombs with top-notch produce. The Paradiso clincher? The bar team is equally renowned thanks to their killer cocktails that utilise seasonal fruit and excellent spirits.

Dinner is the only meal on offer, and it’s served across two sittings every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. If you haven’t got a booking and you’re just keen to sample those crafty concoctions, you’re good to stay in the bar area and take your time.

Cuisine: Asian

Average Price: $$$-$$$$

Atmosphere: Sizzling

Review: 4/5

Location: 10 Clarence St, Yamba

2. Karrikin

a table-top view of food plates at Karrikin, Yamba — Karrikin is a special occasion dining destination. (Image: Elise Hassey)

Arguably Yamba’s most lauded restaurant, Karrikin  is the place to celebrate special occasions – though there’s no reason why you shouldn’t stop by for a casual dinner either. As of September 2024, the original owners have put the establishment up for sale in its entirety (stock and staff included), however it remains open to fuel locals and visitors via their exceptional brand of seasonal, locally sourced wizardry.

A four-course menu rotates daily based on whatever’s peaking at the time, but you can expect native ingredients to make regular appearances (while the current owners are in place, anyway).

You might find dishes like potato dumplings with snapper mousse and pickles, smoked fish with Davidson plum cracker, and perfectly prepared pork with cabbage, apple and chard sui gravy, lining the menu. All the finer details have been considered too, right down to the artful presentation of dishes, beautiful ceramic plates and fancy glassware.

What’s more, the setting is glorious, all sage and grey walls, matte black furnishings and plenty of timber. There’s also a breezy indoor-outdoor feel to the space, with bifold doors opening the seated bar counter to the undercover patio out front, and the dining room leading through to a leafy backyard.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average Price: $$$$

Atmosphere: Elegant

Review: 4/5

Location: 27 Coldstream St, Yamba

3. Drift

pizza at Drift pizzeria in Yamba — Drift has amassed a loyal legion of followers for its high-end pizzas.

A Neapolitan-style pizzeria, Drift  has amassed a loyal legion of followers for its high-end pizzas, which are lovingly assembled using free-range charcuterie, organic Australian stone-milled flour, and artisanal cheeses.

It’s also become one of the best Yamba restaurants thanks to its warm hospitality and attention to every angle, as its cocktails are similarly top-shelf, paired with house made syrups and fresh cold-pressed juices.

The wine list has been carefully curated too, pleasing even the most discerning of oenophiles with a smattering of pét-nats and generous cross-section of old and new world wines. Vegetarians and vegans are catered to here as well, and there’s a handful of side dishes and salads to choose from.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average Price: $$$$

Atmosphere: Elegant

Review: 3.5/5

Location: 29 Yamba St, Yamba

4. Playa Bodega

the indoor dining of Playa Bodega, Yamba — This stellar dining venue is perfect for family gatherings. (Image: @playabodega)

Dial up your holiday vibes at Playa Bodega , where authentic Mexican cuisine takes centre stage and the family-friendly good times roll endlessly. Cruise the menu for the classics, including outstanding Yamba King Prawn Tacos that shine a light on the region’s most famed deep-sea export, plus there’s a kids’ menu stacked with just-cheese nachos and chips and nuggets.

It only opened in the early months of 2024 and has already become one of the most-loved restaurants in town thanks to its skilful ode to traditional street food and, of course, expertly shaken margaritas.

Cuisine: Mexican

Average Price: $$-$$$

Atmosphere: Fun-fuelled

Review: 3.5/5

Location: 16 Clarence St, Yamba

5. Sandbar Yamba

al fresco dining at Sandbar Yamba — Enjoy brekkie on the sun-drenched patio. (Image: Supplied)

While you can pull up a curb-side chair at Sandbar Yamba to enjoy brekky, the best time to trial this Yamba restaurant is lunch. Clear the calendar as long lunching is all too encouraged thanks to the lashings of sun streaming onto its front patio. Expansive windows thanks to French doors make the inside spots equally heavenly on a clear day.

The food is French, with the likes of chicken liver parfait, truffle croque madame, Moules mariniere mussels and steak frites dotting a rich menu, but there are other European influences and plenty of locally sourced seafood, including those famous Yamba prawns. Consider the very reasonable set menu, priced at $79, which includes three courses plus a glass of wine, for stress-free decision making.

Cuisine: European, leaning very French

Average Price: $$$$

Atmosphere: Breezy

Review: 4/5

Location: 30 Clarence St, Yamba

6. Pacific Hotel

a spread of food on the table at Pacific Hotel, Yamba — Pacific Hotel is known for its fresh, delicious seafood. (Image: Supplied)

Locals, tourists, passers-through – everyone pops into the Pacific Hotel , the Yamba pub high on the hill above Main Beach. It’s your classic Australian beach pub – wood-panelled walls, historical photographs of the region, and a large oval bar splitting the pool tables at the front and dining at the back. Best of all, a lot of the popular Yamba Airbnbs are within walking distance, meaning it’ll fast become your (temporary) local.

Food-wise, you’ll find all your pub meal favourites. Love a steak? It’s on the menu. More of a schnitty or parma person? Both are present and accounted for. Aside from the stalwarts, market catches of the day are available alongside house made tartare sauce, chips and salad, as well as crumbed fish burgers and more. Pair your pick with a cold one and stunning ocean views, and you’ve nailed the perfect afternoon.

Cuisine: Pub fare

Average Price: $$$

Atmosphere: Casual

Review: 3.5/5

Location: 30 Clarence St, Yamba

7. El Ocaso

the light-filled dining space at El Ocaso, Yamba — Gather with friends over seafood and cocktails. (Image: Elise Hassey)

Looking to treat yourselves? El Ocaso is an intimate Yamba restaurant serving up some of the most outstanding plates in the region. Bringing an authentic splash of the Mediterranean to the NSW North Coast, the hot spot offers refined dining in a beautiful fit-out pointed over the Clarence River.

Don’t miss the magic they make out of local produce, including a photo-ready carpaccio whenever it returns to the menu. Local seafood is presented with artistic flair while the cocktails are playful and creative, a signature characteristic of this standout dining destination.

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Average Price: $$$$

Atmosphere: Relaxed yet chic

Review: 4/5

Location: 6/18 Coldstream St, Yamba

8. BrGr Spot

a close-up shot of burger at BrGr Spot, Yamba — Indulge in mouthwatering burgers at BrGr Spot.

When the post-beach craving for a burger strikes, head for Brgr Spot . This tried-and-true outfit, just a block back from Yamba’s Main Beach, is known for its fries (shoestring or sweet potato) as much as its burgers and reasonable prices.

Find both vegetarian and vegan options on the menu, and if the kids are tagging along, there’s a dedicated ‘Groms’ menu with nuggets, a basic burger and fried halloumi up for grabs.

A pretty generous selection of beers, wines and cocktails are also on the agenda, ensuring afternoons at this Yamba restaurant are lazy and lengthy.

Cuisine: Burgers

Average Price: $$

Atmosphere: Chilled out

Review: 3/5

Location: 2/15 Clarence St, Yamba

9. The Mexican

carnitas tacos at The Mexican, Yamba — Carnitas tacos are best paired with margaritas.

It’s frozen margarita o’clock at The Mexican where families head for the generously plated flavours of Mexico. While a liquid diet may be tempting, dive into its menu of all the household names including jalapeno poppers, burritos, enchiladas, sizzling fajitas and even a crowd-pleasing Mexi Layer Dip, which is exactly what it sounds like and unapologetically indulgent.

The fit-out encourages you to let ‘er rip, too, as red leather booths and rainbow-hued Papel Picado bunting (you’ll know it when you see it) hangs from the ceiling. A Yamba restaurant for guaranteed great times.

Cuisine: Mexican

Average Price: $$$

Atmosphere: Intoxicating

Review: 3.5/5

Location: 25 Coldstream St, Yamba

10. Sweet N Spicy Cafe

the restaurant exterior of Sweet N Spicy Cafe, Yamba — Sweet N Spicy Cafe is a casual diner with a focus on pan-Asian cuisine.

Sure, they’re labelled a cafe, but this casual spot invites BYO wine and dishes up abundantly plated main meals, so it’s a firm Yamba restaurant favourite.

It’s hard to pin down Sweet N Spicy Cafe ’s exact cuisine, which veers a little all over the place, but there’s a definite pan-Asian lean — think Vietnamese beef salad, Thai-style choo chee prawns and Malaysian chicken curry, with some arancini, buffalo wings, and beef empanadas thrown in for good measure.

Beyond the food, it’s the warm, friendly and efficient service that keeps diners coming back for more.

Cuisine: International

Average Price: $$-$$$

Atmosphere: Casual

Review: 3/5

Location: 28B Yamba St, Yamba

11. Sassafras

pasta and wine at Sassafras, Yamba — Give house-made pasta a twirl with a swirl of wine. (Image: Supplied)

Love Italian food? Lock in a visit to Sassafras , a family-friendly joint situated in the middle of town. The menu is all about no-fuss eats – woodfired pizzas (some of the best Yamba pizza on offer, in fact), classic pastas and fun, summery cocktails.

With plenty of outdoor seating, Sassafras is also a pet-friendly Yamba restaurant if you’ve got your fur baby in tow. A must-try is the interestingly named ‘Rat Baits’ – little fresh-baked breads with a trio of house-made butter.

Music fans will love the live gigs Sassafras holds, too. Check the website for artists and dates.

Cuisine: Italian

Average Price: $$$

Atmosphere: Light and local

Review: 3.5/5

Location: 2/16 Yamba St, Yamba

12. Yamba’s Fisho

raw shrimp on display at Yamba’s Fisho — Yamba’s Fisho has a strong focus on local, fresh seafood.

Looking for the best fish and chips around? It’s in town at Yamba’s Fisho . Technically a tiny takeaway shop on Yamba’s main street corner, we’re giving it a pass into the Yamba restaurants category thanks to its picnic tables right out front — an unofficial alfresco dining area.

Grilled, battered or crumbed, the delicacies are focused on local, fresh seafood and the team regularly update their Facebook page with recent catches.

Yamba’s Fisho is always brimming with fresh Yamba prawns and cooks up some of the best potato scallops in the country. Prices are cheap, the service is fast and the chips are crunchy, salty and consistently delicious.

Cuisine: Fish and chips

Average Price: $$

Atmosphere: Informal

Review: 4/5

Location: Corner Yamba and Coldstream Streets, Yamba

13. Restaurant 1894

dining at Restaurant 1894, Argyle Hotel, Yamba — Restaurant 1894 offers finessed pub classics in the heritage Argyle Hotel. (Image: Supplied)

Found inside the beautiful heritage Argyle Hotel in nearby Maclean, Restaurant 1894 is a 25-minute drive from central Yamba and worth the extra effort. The building was reopened in November 2024 after restoration efforts that have kept the original digs in tip-top shape, and Restaurant 1894 is its flagship dining offering.

Spanning finessed pub classics including Yamba prawn linguine, a mixed mushroom risotto and various Angus cuts, the menu is drawing hungry locals from across the Clarence Valley. Wash it all down with a quality drop off the restaurant’s international wine menu.

Cuisine: Pub fare

Average Price: $$$

Atmosphere: Cheerful

Review: 3.5/5

Location: 205 River St, Maclean

This article was originally written by Melissa Mason with updates by Kristie Lau-Adams.

NSW’s beach towns take on a new kind of magic when the cooler months hit.

Autumn and winter cast a whole new light on the New South Wales coastline. The sun hangs lower, the shadows stretch longer and the air is crisp and fresh. The frenetic summer crowds are gone, and the rhythm slows to the pace of a leisurely winter bush walk through still, damp quiet. From wineries pouring winter reds to the annual whale migration up the ‘humpback highway’, here’s why winter on the New South Wales coast is better.

Winter on the NSW South Coast

Winter down south means misty dawns, sipping a flat white on the beach. The thrill of a whale spotting from the headlands and evenings spent slowly savouring Shoalhaven’s wines by the fire.

Start in Kiama, where waves crash into the famous Blowholes. This natural spectacle is achieved when underground pressure and swell unite, sending sea spray soaring above the basalt cliffs. This means, due to larger waves, you’re even more likely to see an explosive display in winter.

two people standing in front of kiama blowhole — See Kiama’s blowholes in full force. (Image: Destination NSW)

Inland, the Minnamurra Rainforest Walk in Budderoo National Park is all subtropical forest and trilling lyrebird song. Make sure to walk silently along the elevated boardwalks, past winter-swelled creeks and the tangled roots of fig trees. You might just hear one of the musically talented birds mimicking your footsteps.

Feeling adventurous? Book a session at Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures for a wobbly walk through the canopy on Australia’s highest zipline.

Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures on the new south wales south coast — Walk among the tallest trees. (Image: Destination NSW)

Next, it’s time to take the speed down a notch with a drive over to the historic village of Berry. It’s been a beloved stop for generations of Sydneysiders heading south, as has the obligatory stop at its famous doughnut van for crisped, cinnamon goodness. If you’re ready for something a little more chunky, stroll right past the boutiques (okay, go on, just one quick peek) to Milkwood Bakery . Their flaky pastries and all-day breakfasts are best enjoyed under cream-coloured fringed umbrellas.

Back in Kiama, you’ll also find modern Middle Eastern share plates at Miss Arda , and next-level burgers on The Hungry Monkey ‘s extensive menu: an ode to everything pattie-shaped.

End the day at The Sebel Kiama on the harbour. The apartment-style rooms come with full cooking facilities — a welcome addition for families looking to test out the local produce they picked up along the way. Including, but not limited to, vintages from nearby Crooked River Wines .

The Sebel Kiama exterior — Sleep by the harbour.

Winter on the Mid-North Coast

A trip up north is a gentle one at this time of year. You’ll still feel that sunshine warming your shoulders, but the lower temperatures make space for rainforest walks, vineyard lunches and long coastal hikes. All without that pesky humidity.

First stop? It has to be the town of Port Macquarie. Start by marking out a stretch of the nine-kilometre coastal walk you want to tackle (or do the whole thing), which winds from Town Beach to the lighthouse along rugged headlands and quiet beaches. Hot tip: binoculars. Don’t forget them if you want to partake in some close-up sightings of dolphin pods or whales migrating up the ‘humpback highway’.

Port Macquarie Coastal Walk, winter on the New South Wales coast — Wander the Port Macquarie Coastal Walk. (Image: Destination NSW)

Swap sea for canopy at the Sea Acres Rainforest Boardwalk , one of the last remaining pockets of coastal rainforest in the state. The accessible elevated trail passes under climbing ferns and tangled strangler figs, and is alive with scarlet robins, goannas and diamond pythons – if you’re lucky, you might see one slipping through the leaf litter.

Afterwards, lunch is sorted at Cassegrain Wines , where crisp whites and elegant reds are grown using a blend of French winemaking tradition and Australian innovation. After a tasting, saddle up for a horse ride through the estate.

port macquarie koala hospital — Meet Koala Hospital inhabitants at their temporary home. (Image: Destination NSW)

The beloved Koala Hospital is rebuilding, so meet its furry patients in their temporary bushland abode at Guulabaa – Place of Koala . Here, you can see rehabilitation up close and learn how one of Australia’s most iconic animals is being carefully rewilded and protected.

Back in town, Whalebone Wharf serves up fine dining with serious views to go with your oysters. Prefer something breezier? Bills Fishhouse + Bar does everything from blue swimmer crab toast to zucchini noodles drizzled in basil and wattleseed pesto. Down by the waterfront, Little Shack slings ceviche, mushroom burgers and fish tacos with casual aplomb.

At the end of it all, check in to Mercure Centro Port Macquarie , right in the heart of town. From here, everything’s walkable. Just park the car, pop your keys in your pocket, and stroll down to the beach.

bed at Mercure Centro Port Macquarie — Check in to Mercure Centro Port Macquarie.

Winter on the Central Coast

On the Central Coast, expect to explore oyster farms that sit on estuaries, beaches that stretch empty for miles, and the kind of surprise sightings of whale sprays that can stop a hiker in their tracks.

The best way to settle into this slower rhythm is with the Bouddi Coastal Walk , an 8.5km trail that dips through rainforest and eroding cliffs. It’s made for unhurried walkers and long-lens photographers.

Up the coast in Terrigal, it’s prime time to spot humpbacks on the move. Join a cruise or find your own perch — Crackneck Lookout and Norah Head Lighthouse are both local favourites.

a humpback whale breaching on the central coast — Spot migrating humpback whales. (Image: Destination NSW)

Travelling with kids? It would be sacrilege not to visit the Australian Reptile Park . Here, Elvis the saltwater crocodile reigns supreme, and the venomous snake talk somehow manages to be simultaneously terrifying and fascinating.

If that isn’t enough to wear them out, zip and climb your way through Treetops Adventure Central Coast , a ropes course in the canopy of Ourimbah State Forest. Afterwards, steady your nerves with a garden tasting at Firescreek Botanical Winery , where fruit- and flower-infused wines are served under the trees.

Switch earth for sea and hop on a boat tour with Broken Bay Pearl Farm . Once you’re out on the water, you’ll learn how pearls are cultivated and have a hands-on lesson in grading and shucking.

woman holding a pearl at Broken Bay Pearl Farm — Get a hands-on pearl lesson. (Image: Destination NSW)

As the day winds down, grab a seat at Yellowtail in Terrigal , which takes seasonal native produce and presents it with Asian flair. Prefer something simple? Award-winning Mount White restaurant Saddles is a quintessential Australian dining destination. Find an impressive breakfast and lunch menu, dedicated to country-style cooking and seasonal produce.

Stay the night at Pullman Magenta Shores , between the ocean and the lake. There are plenty of ways to relax, with a massage at the day spa, a poolside beanbag and a round or two at the golf course.

restaurant at Pullman Magenta Shores central coast — Eat well at Pullman Magenta Shores’ restaurant. (Image: Destination NSW)

Winter in Wollongong

Wollongong does contrast pretty well. One moment you’re walking beneath an enormous Buddha, the next you’re ordering soju a few blocks from the surf. It’s a town where skydivers land on beaches, trails lead to paddocks and winter days stretch long and clear beneath the Illawarra cliffs.

If you’re coming from the north, start by crossing over the Sea Cliff Bridge. Curving dramatically out like a jutting ‘C’ out above the water means you won’t be able to resist pulling over (safely, in designated lookouts) to gaze down at the waves crashing on the cliffs below.

Just inland is the serenity of the Nan Tien Temple , the largest Buddhist temple in the Southern Hemisphere. You can trace the prayer path, explore the temple gardens and sip delectable Kam Quat Tea in the quiet light at the Dew Drop Inn Tea House.

monk teaching tai chi at Nan Tien Temple — Learn about Buddhist practices. (Image: Destination NSW)

Next, dust off that cowboy hat. It’s time for the Darkes Forest Riding Ranch . Take a guided canter via trail rides among peppermint gums and paddocks. If you’re happier to look at animals than ride them, Symbio Wildlife Park has red pandas dozing in trees, kangaroos that hop up to you and lessons on conservation.

The brave among you shouldn’t miss Skydive Australia – Wollongong . A free fall over the coast via tandem jumps before tumbling down to the sand is a breath-stopping thrill. Prefer to keep your feet on the ground? Check out the program at Wollongong Art Gallery , which delivers contemporary and Aboriginal exhibitions in the centre of town.

monkey at Symbio Wildlife Park — Hang out with the locals at Symbio Wildlife Park.(Image: Destination NSW)

As evening settles in, nab a table at Baby Face Kitchen . It has an ever-changing set menu, with dishes like hand-picked mud crab with white asparagus and salty brown butter, to sheep’s milk and honey ice cream. For something more casual, Dagwood Bar + Kitchen brings the fun with Korean fried chicken, sake cocktails and weekly all-you-can-eat bao buns.

Check in to Novotel Wollongong Northbeach , right by the sand. With a beachfront pool and ocean views, it’s an ideal base for whatever pace you choose.

Winter on the New South Wales coast starts with a cosy place to stay. Start planning your adventure at all.com.

13 of the best Yamba restaurants to book for 2025

Whether you’re planning a full-on eating itinerary or just stopping through town, the best Yamba restaurants provide delicious and diverse delights.

The shortlist

1. Paradiso Restaurant & Bar

2. Karrikin

3. Drift

4. Playa Bodega

5. Sandbar Yamba

6. Pacific Hotel

7. El Ocaso

8. BrGr Spot

9. The Mexican

10. Sweet N Spicy Cafe

11. Sassafras

12. Yamba’s Fisho

13. Restaurant 1894

The dreamiest cafes in Yamba for slow mornings

A guide to every picturesque Yamba camping hot spot

Every memory-making stop on a Yamba to Coffs Harbour day trip

15 Yamba Airbnbs for a blissful beach escape

Why winter is the best time to be on the New South Wales coast

NSW’s beach towns take on a new kind of magic when the cooler months hit.

Winter on the NSW South Coast

Winter on the Mid-North Coast

Winter on the Central Coast

Winter in Wollongong