Be it a slick bar serving dumplings or a hidden gem where a Michelin-trained chef is at the helm, these are the best Batemans Bay restaurants and cafes.
Batemans Bay restaurants are a true reflection of the dining scene on the NSW South Coast. There’s no pressure to dust the sand off your feet for breakfast, lunch or dinner here as the mood is as mellow and laid-back as the locale itself.
Visiting Batemans Bay’s restaurants and cafes will help you get a feel for the locale’s small-town charms. Here is our pick of where to eat and drink in Batemans Bay.
1. Rivermouth General St Store
Best for: Sitting in a patch of sun slurping Malteser iced frappes.
The Rivermouth General Store is in Tomakin, just 15 minutes’ drive from Batemans Bay and a lovely spot to retreat. Hang around in Tomakin long enough and you will get a taste of what life is like in this vaguely hippie town with a surfie vibe.
Wear your best pair of tattered jeans and slouchy beanie and order the brekky wrap, which specialises in farm-to-table produce. Clear your dining order for the rest of the day after ordering the crispy bacon, fried eggs, avocado, cheddar, greens and chutney.
Address: 101 Sunpatch Parade, Tomakin
2. ARLO at The Oaks Ranch
Best for: Golfers who are also foodies.
The Oaks Ranch is one of the best places to stay near Batemans Bay. The boutique hotel is located on acreage that backs onto the grassy banks of the Tomaga River and includes a nine-hole golf course designed by Greg Norman. After enjoying a cheeky round of golf, limber up with a few laps in the magnesium pool and then head to ARLO for an aperitivo.
The onsite restaurant serves a roster of simple rustic dishes such as goats curd and spinach agnolotti.
Address: 240 Old Mossy Point Rd, Mossy Point
3. Sam’s Pizza
Best for: Pizza draped in sheets of salty prosciutto and scattered with parmesan and rocket.
This is a saucy spot for pizza in Batemans Bay. Sam’s Pizza is located on the waterfront in Batemans Bay. It’s a family-friendly shrine to great pizza and pasta and the perfect spot to ignite that debate about whether pineapple should be served atop that little doughy boy.
Head to this venerable pizzeria for customer favourites such as fettucine gamberi (garlic prawns) and pizza Napolitana with anchovies and olives. Sam’s also serves calzones, both sweet and savoury. It would cause a sensation if this list of the best Batemans Bay restaurants didn’t include Sam’s Pizza.
Address: 3 Orient St, Batemans Bay
4. Cupitt’s Estate
Best for: Vegetables plucked from the garden located some 50 metres from your table
Road-trippers heading to Batemans Bay from Sydney should make a point of stopping off at Cupitt’s Estate. This world-class winery has a lot going for it. There’s a fromagerie, an award-winning restaurant, cellar door, brewery, and garden bar.
There is also a range of posh pods dotted around the rolling hills that look out over the vineyard, which is on the radar for anyone exploring this pretty pocket of the NSW South Coast food and wine region.
It’s another hour’s drive to Batemans Bay from here so fuel up on hero dishes such as smoked beetroot tartare with pickles, naval orange, baby capers and puffed rice crackers followed by the local conchiglie pasta with garden herbs and garlic shoot pesto. It’s a cracking choose-your-own-adventure concept.
Address: 58 Washburton Road, Ulladulla
5. The Patch Tomakin
Best for: Calabrese pizza and a side of truffle fries
Batemans Bay locals were stoked when this revelatory restaurant arrived in nearby Tomakin. And while the Tomakin Sports and Social Club might seem like an unlikely location for such a large-scale venue, The Patch is the talk of the town.
Conceptualised by Tully Heard, there’s a vegetable garden, a play area for kids, an indoor-outdoor bar, and a large al fresco area with river views.
Expect the menu to celebrate local producers such as Bodalla Dairy, Tilba Cheeses, Narooma Seafood and Honor Beds. The Patch is only a skip and a jump south of Batemans Bay.
Address: 71 Sunpatch Parade, Tomakin
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6. Al Fresco Coffee Roasters
Best for: A hangover-beating bacon and egg roll and flat white.
Coffee comes in a wide range of permutations at this humble hub aimed squarely at local caff-fiends. Perch over your laptop for hours, ponder the outcome of the most recent election, or simply meet up with your mates to enjoy coffee brewed by Al Fresco Coffee Roasters in nearby Moruya. This is the second outpost for the team behind the boutique roasters who are passionate about sourcing ethical coffee for their customers.
Not only is Al Fresco Coffee Roasters one of the best cafes in Batemans Bay, but it partners with producers to make an impact overseas in the coffee-growing regions. You will enjoy your coffee even more when you learn you are helping farmers achieve a better way of life through Project Columbia.
Address: 5 North St, Batemans Bay
7. Sawatdee Thai
Best for: Red whisky pork ribs.
Looking for cheap and cheerful Thai food in Batemans Bay? Sawatdee Thai has an expanded menu of crowd-pleasing pan-Asian dishes that hit the sweet spot between salty, sweet and spicy. The menu is divided into a selection of dishes with or without chilli and is stuffed with staples such as beef massaman curry, Thai salads, and satay noodles.
The rustic restaurant also does a roaring takeaway trade for its BBQ pork and chicken and fried rice. The eatery is one of the best in Batemans Bay and has hit the trifecta of ambience, comforting curries and friendly staff.
Address: 2/32 Orient St, Batemans Bay
8. Crumb
Best for: Seriously delicious burgers and Black Betty blend of ONA coffee.
The Flamin’ Hot Cheetos eggs benedict with bacon from Crumb has cult status in Batemans Bay. It’s a Franken-benny. A beautiful freak show of canary-yellow hollandaise atop two poached eggs on sourdough that will kick off your carb fuelling for the day.
Get in early at this popular cafe in Batemans Bay to avoid missing out on our other must-have: chilli scrambled eggs and sriracha with baby spinach, feta and chilli.
You won’t be able to leave a Hansel & Gretel-like trail behind you to find your way back to Crumb as there won’t be anything left over. Nab an outdoor table at this cute corner cafe, which is a great way to meet the locals in Batemans Bay.
Address: 2268 Beach Road, Batehaven
9. Cafe Three66
Best for: Un-smashed avo toast served on soy and linseed sourdough with beetroot hummus, marinated feta.
Expect a lot of tradie traffic at Cafe Three66, an industrial-chic venue that draws high-vis-vest-wearing locals in their droves for the bacon-and-egg roll deals on offer from 5am till 10am.
Perched just metres away from Mosquito Bay, the waterfront cafe is clean and spare, with polished concrete and rustic timbers softened by hanging greenery.
Expect surprises on the menu to be served with the changing seasons. The coffee here is good and strong, and the cafe has stunning water views.
Address: 366 George Bass Dr, Lilli Pilli
10. The Oyster Shed on Wray Street
Best for: Slurping down a cheeky dozen oysters on the over-water verandah at this rustic oyster shack.
Sit by the big wide windows facing the Clyde River to best enjoy a dozen oysters slurped down in situ at The Farm Gate and Oyster Shed on Wray Street.
Of course, the tranquil scene here is part of the journey: there’s a fire pit outside in winter and sun-splashed tables over summer to enjoy just-shucked oysters harvested straight out of the Clyde River.
It’s one of the best things to do in Batemans Bay. Expect cameos from local fishos who pull up outside in their dinghies and pop in for a quick feed.
Address: 5 Wray St, North Batemans Bay
11. Broulee Brewhouse
Best for: A hazy ale and dirty big burger.
There’s every style of beer going at Broulee Brewhouse, which has become a happy seaside hub for hipsters and salty-haired surfers.
The North Broulee brewhouse was established by a couple of locals who wanted to curate a beer list with as much care as a sommelier. Six styles are on offer all up, including sweet lagers, a hazy pale ale and XPA paired, if you please, with artfully prepared charcuterie boards.
This place is a local favourite for grizzled surfers who congregate here for burgers and beers. Tap into it. It’s one of the best places for a beer near to Batemans Bay.
Address: 71 Coronation Drive, Broulee
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12. River Road Providore
Best for: Nostalgic favourites such as vanilla slices and sausage rolls.
Visitors to the NSW South Coast are spoilt for choice when it comes to farm-fresh produce. Pop into River Road Providore in Nelligen to procure smoked wild trout, Bakerdave sourdough, homemade pickles and cheeses from Tilba Dairy.
The providore is located at Edward Road Market Place, a collective endeavour that brings together a diverse mix of makers and growers.
Address: 2 Edward Road, Batehaven
13. Merinda Cruises
Best for: You already know that dinner and a cruise are a match in heaven
If you really want to push the boat out, enjoy fresh fish and chips and a side salad as part of your twilight dinner cruise onboard the MV Merinda.
The cruise, a highlight on the self-drive Batemans Bay Explorer itinerary of the Gourmet Coast Trail, coasts along the calm waters of the Clyde River all the way to Nelligen onboard the wooden boat while you graze on fresh seafood and listen to commentary on wildlife and local history.
The boat launches directly from The Innes Boatshed, which brings the catch from the ocean to your plate.
Address: 1 Clyde St, Batemans Bay
14. Mossy on Gardens
Best for: Prawn linguine or pulled pork burgers.
The posse behind Mossy now have three of the best cafes on the NSW South Coast: Mossy on Pacific (in Mossy Point), Mossy on Train (Broulee) and Mossy on Gardens (Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Garden).
Walk through the tunnelled gardens, dense with natives, to find a table on the sun-splashed deck in this leafy, grassy oasis. Vegos will love the Garden Bowl which includes field mushrooms, roasted tomato, avocado, baby spinach, pickled cabbage, corn, red onion, quinoa, dukkha and a green goddess dressing. Divine.
Address: Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Garden, Deep Creek Dam Road, Batemans Bay
15. Bistro at the Bayview
Best for: Solid pub grub options such as parmigiana and schnitzels.
It’s somewhat compulsory to visit a pub while you’re in country Australia. Bistro at the Bayview is one of the few pubs in Batemans Bay and a popular spot for families looking for a feed.
Carb-phobes will love that they can order a bun-less burger stack here. Those with more of an appetite can opt for the classic chicken parmigiana or classic beef burger, served with cheese and pickles and all the usual trimmings.
Kids are welcome at this Batemans Bay pub, where the staff hand out an activity pack and offer refillable soft drinks with every kids’ meal. The hotel also has queen bedrooms with single beds, making it one of the best places to stay in Batemans Bay for families.
Address: 20 Orient St, Batemans Bay
16. Starfish
Best for: Fish and chips at sunset, glass of wine in hand.
Starfish is a no-frills family-friendly bistro in Batemans Bay. But you don’t need the frills: you don’t want the decor to compete with those waterfront views.
You might find yourself here first thing in the morning for coffee on your first visit to Batemans Bay. And then get lured back to bookend the day with sundowners while watching the sailboats return to the harbour.
While Starfish is one of the best places to get fish and chips in Batemans Bay, it also balances out the menu with nasi goreng, slow-cooked beef short ribs and Indo-inspired gado gado bowls. The pizzas and tacos are also a hit for families. BYO scooters so the kids can make the most of the location on Mirra Murra Walk.
Address: 1 Clyde St, Batemans Bay
17. JJ’s at the Marina
Best for: Happy hour and bar snacks such as Szechuan-dusted WA whitebait.
Craving school prawns? Fancy a bowl of mussels sourced from Jervis Bay? JJ’s at the Marina is your go-to.
Expect seafood to be the star of the show at the main restaurant located in an industrial-chic warehouse on the banks of the Clyde River. There’s also Southern Catch, the more casual option on the banks of the Clyde River where you’ll find a happy mix of couples and families draped around colourful picnic tables.
JJ’s at the Marina is certainly a tourist destination. But it’s also a cult favourite with locals who head here for happy hour to enjoy shaken margaritas and a bucket of beer-battered chips and prawn cutlets.
Address: 27 Beach Road, Batemans Bay
