The 15 Best Restaurants In Merimbula To Try Now

Dining at this Sapphire Coast gem of a town delivers a fair few surprises.

Whether it’s fish and chips, pizza or pasta, cocktails or oysters at a next-level fine diner, Merimbula restaurants are an example of regional dining done right. In fact, exemplary Merimbula restaurants such as Valentina, Dulcie’s Cottage, Bar Superette and Sunny’s Kiosk are putting the seaside village on the map. Here is the ultimate guide to 15 of the best Merimbula restaurants.

1. Sunny’s Kiosk

Best for: Narooma tuna tartare.

You can hire a boat from the edge of the pier where Sunny’s Kiosk sits to make sure you work up a sufficient appetite for the small plates and booze on offer here. But calling the neighbourhood eatery a kiosk is kind of understating what’s on offer.

Sunnys Kiosk by the edge of a pier, Merimbula

Sunnys Kiosk is perched at the edge of the pier near Top Lake, Merimbula.

The low-fi venue, full of vintage artworks, retro finds and eclectic furniture, is located at the edge of a pier overlooking the body of water locals call Top Lake.

a close-up of food at Sunny's Kiosk, Merimbula

Taste your way around the menu at Sunny’s Kiosk.

And it’s run by Tess Podger (who oversees the wine) and partner Matty Johnston (ex-Cutler & Co, Melbourne and Madalena’s, Fremantle) who looks after the food. The eatery morphs into a wine bar on Friday and Saturday nights in the warmer months. Arrive via a meander along the Merimbula Boardwalk. It’s Merimbula’s best-kept secret.

drinking at sunset by the edge of the pier at Sunny’s Kiosk, Merimbula

Have a tipple at sundown.

Address: 68 Lakewood Drive, Merimbula

Open: Breakfast and lunch 7.30am–2pm Thu-Mon; Dinner Fri-Sat 4pm–8.30pm (warmer months only)

2. Bar Superette

Best for: Confit lamb ribs with assorted local vegetables and a glass of Margan ‘Breaking Ground’ Rosato.

Bar Superette is a great example of a mind-bogglingly good bar in Merimbula. This narrow bar and takeaway wine store and deli is more Melbourne than Merimbula. And its name is a nostalgic nod to the small supermarket that sat on the site in the 1960s. Bar Superette is led by Ryde Pennefather who runs the wine bar alongside business partners Cam Charnock and Nick Parkinson.

the dining interior of Bar Superette, Merimbula

Pull up a stool at Bar Superette.

Ryde has a lot of community support and is seemingly mates with most of the shaggy-haired surfers sitting at the bar. Once you’ve been fed and caffeinated at one of the great local cafes, head to this bar for clever cooking, assured service and great natural wines. Ask the sommelier to suggest a bottle of wine and fine cheese and salumi from LP’s Quality Meats for your picnic hamper. Or help yourself and grab a bottle to sip at Bar Superette or take home.

a stack of wine bottles and drinks on display at Bar Superette, Merimbula

Savour a delightful bottle at Bar Superette.

Address: 16/20 Market St, Merimbula
Open: Tue-Sun noon–9pm

3. Banksia Restaurant, Pambula

Best for: Pineapple crespelle with star anise ice cream.

Locals are heavily invested in Banksia, housed in Pambula’s Old Bank, which is known for its farm-to-table cuisine. Co-owners chef Huw Jones and partner Renee have made Banksia a beacon for its three-course set menu with matched wines.

a close-up shot of food at Banksia Restaurant, Pambula

Enjoy a hearty meal at Banksia Restaurant.

White tablecloths and polished service set the tone inside the weatherboard cottage, where you can expect staples such as snapper and scallop pie with leeks, and Champagne brown butter or the veal fillet and crisp-pressed brisket with creamed spinach and a bordelaise sauce.

Treat yourself at Banksia Restaurant.

Address: 22 Quondola St, Pambula
Open: Wed-Sat 5.45pm–10pm; Sun 11.45am–4pm

4. Valentina

Best For: Blue swimmer crab aglio e olio with crunchy crushed potatoes.

Walking up the stairs to this beautifully realised restaurant provides the first clue that Valentina is something special. Since opening its doors in 2021, Valentina has wooed locals with its devotion to seasonally driven dishes. It’s also helped establish Merimbula’s reputation as a great destination for dining. Locals have a lot to thank Valentina’s owners Diane McDonald, Kirsty Pongratz and Ashleigh Cotter for. The restaurant retained its Good Food Guide hat with head chef Ashleigh Cotter (ex-Brae) at the helm. And it was nominated as one of five of the Best Regional Restaurants in NSW for a multitude of good reasons.

Elegant interior of Valentina Merimbula.

The elegant interiors of Valentina Merimbula are to die for.

Bring a crew, if you’ve got one, or sit with your Valentine at one of the sleek tables near the floor-length windows to enjoy signature dishes such as whipped cod roe and flatbread, and spaghetti with crab. Dine alone if you want the crunchy crushed potatoes as they are too good to share.

Try the linguine alla marinara at Valentina.

Address: 5/2 Market St, Merimbula
Open: Lunch, Wed-Sun noon–5pm; Dinner Tue-Sun 5pm–11pm.

5. Merimbula Aquarium and Wharf Restaurant

Best for: Seafood linguine with garlic, herbs, chilli and wine.

You know the fish is fresh when you see the local anglers wandering across from the wharf to sell their catch. In addition to the freshly caught wharf-fresh catch, Merimbula Aquarium & Wharf Restaurant sells Broadwater Oysters, which are some of the best available on the NSW South Coast. Stop by the aquarium and see the local and tropical marine life after lunch so you don’t feel guilty when devouring your seafood platter for two.

Address: The Wharf, Lake St, Merimbula
Open: Breakfast Wed-Sun from 10am; Lunch Wed-Sun from 11.30am; Dinner Thu-Sat from 6pm.

6. Dulcie’s Cottage

Best For: A big, fat Dulcie Burger with ground beef, cheese, bacon, onion, pickles, tomato, ketchup and secret sauce.

Yes, you can order a cheeky dozen Broadwater Oysters as an entrée at Dulcie’s Cottage if you’re up to the task. But you can also order a casual cheeseburger from the 50s’ food van while chatting up your crush around one of the communal tables on the deck at Dulcie’s.

the restaurant exterior of Dulcie’s Cottage, Merimbula

Dulcie’s Cottage evokes rustic country charm.

The sister venue to Valentina owned by Diane McDonald and Kirsty Pongratz has struck a chord with locals who converge here for cocktails and live music. The original weatherboard cottage was built in 1925 by Arthur and Dulcie Goodsell and this era is honoured in the framed photos of the Goodsells, and carefully curated mix of bric-a-brac and taxidermy.

the restaurant interior of Dulcie’s Cottage, Merimbula

The restaurant’s interior has a vintage feel.

Address: 60 Main St, Merimbula

Open: Noon–11pm Mon-Thu; noon–11.30pm Fri-Sat; noon–10pm Sun

7. Bar Monti

Best For: Pizza topped with thin slices of potato, rosemary, fetta and truffle oil.

James Sverdrupsen (ex0Restaurant Hubert) and his wife Kat added to the seaside charms of Merimbula when they moved back to Merimbula in 2022 to open Bar Monti. Bar Monti is now one of the top recommendations for places to eat in Merimbula. Especially if you like homemade pizza and pasta, which is best enjoyed with family and friends in the atmospheric courtyard.

The menu at this traditional Italian joint won’t surprise you but it stands out for its simplicity. You’ll find classic antipasti such as arancini, calamari fritti and focaccia. And pepperoni pizzas, pork and veal lasagne and spaghetti with Italian sausage. It’s all worth a try. Given the location – main street Merimbula – the crowd is a mix of locals and tourists. Bar Monti makes for an easy informal night out.

Address: 6/11 Merimbula Drive, Merimbula

Open: From 5pm Thu-Mon

8. Wheeler’s Seafood Restaurant

Best For: Fresh oysters from The Oyster Bar followed by Narooma yellowfin tuna.

One of the best ways to savour the South Coast is to follow the Gourmet Coast Trail, which has a special Merimbula Weekend Getaway curated with food-focused road-trippers in mind.

the exterior of Wheeler’s Seafood Restaurant

Book dinner at Wheeler’s Seafood Restaurant.

Wheeler’s Seafood Restaurant is one of the highlights on the itinerary and a must-do when in Merimbula. Enjoy a signature seafood platter, which includes oysters from the Wheeler’s own farm, at this architecturally designed building which includes an oyster bar and takeaway window.

A plate of oysters and glass of rose at Wheeler's Restaurant

Wheeler’s Restaurant is the place to dine on seafood.

Address: 162 Arthur Kaine Drive, Pambula
Open: Bookings for lunch Wed-Mon noon–2pm; Bookings for dinner Wed-Mon 5.45pm–8pm

9. Kitty’s Bar + Dining

Best For: Korean fried chicken, gochujang sauce, pickled daikon with Kewpie mayo.

Kitty’s is one of the gems on the Sapphire Coast. The playful space, within Club Sapphire, reflects the laid-back attitude of the seaside neighbourhood. There’s a small, ever-changing menu of pan-Asian share plates such as bao buns stuffed with pork belly, slaw, hoisin and crackle, pot stickers, and Thai-style fish cakes as well as Kitty’s killer cocktails.

Kitty's Bar Merimbula has a wrap-around bar and display of bottles.

Kitty’s Bar has added a touch of class to Merimbula’s wining and dining scene.

The elegant bar is named in honour of Kitty Travers, the inaugural president of the Merimbula Imlay Women’s Bowling Club. Raise your Sundowner Spritz to Kitty for inspiring the type of jumping joint that Merimbula was missing. She would have loved it.

Vegans are catered for at Kitty’s Bar.

Address: 119 Main St, Merimbula
Open: Wed-Thu 5pm–9pm; Fri-Sat 5pm–10.30pm

10. The Oyster Barn at Merimbula Gourmet Oysters

Best For: Oysters, prawns and crays

The oysters that arrive on a platter at Merimbula Gourmet Oysters will be a mix of Sydney rock oysters and the Angasi or flat oyster. The fact the flavour and quality of these briny bivalves is dependent on the pristine waters of Merimbula Lake gives visitors a deeper appreciation of the pristine environment.

Outdoor deck for dining overlooking oyster leases in Merimbula

Enjoy oysters while overlooking the leases where they were grown at The Oyster Barn.

Head down a corrugated road just off the Princes Highway and follow the signs to The Oyster Barn, where second-gen farmers Pip and Dom Boyton are renowned for their oysters.

The Oyster Barn’s award-winning oysters can’t be missed

Address: 49 Oyster Track, Millingandi
Open: Wed-Sat 10am–3pm

11. Tidal Restaurant & Wine Bar

Best For: Celebrating the merroir of the Sapphire Coast with dishes like blue swimmer crab ravioli

There’s all kinds of cheffing wizardry on show in the kitchen at Tidal Restaurant & Wine Bar (formerly Stillwater), on the banks of Merimbula Lake. The seafood-centric restaurant is the place to go for a dozen locally farmed fresh oysters or mains such as locally trapped snapper with roasted carrot cream and bouillabaisse jus. The location of Tidal Restaurant & Wine Bar is as memorable as the food, making this one of the best places to eat in Merimbula.

a close-up of seafood meal at Tidal Restaurant & Wine Bar, Merimbula

Dine on flavourful seafood dishes at Tidal Restaurant & Wine Bar.

Address: 23 Beach St, Merimbula
Open: Lunch Thu-Sat 11.30am–2.30pm; Dinner Wed-Sat 5pm–late

12. Longstocking Brewery

Best For: The Diablo wood-fired pizza with a tomato coulis, buffalo mozzarella, chilli, Tabasco, garlic and red onion

Entering the Oaklands Barn is like opening Pandora’s box. It’s where you will find a garden centre, a red double-decker London bus that is now a pop-up chop-shop (read: hairdresser’s) and the biggest small-batch brewery on the Sapphire Coast.

A tray of oysters and glass of rose at Longstocking Brewery.

Enjoy oysters and a glass of chilled rose at Longstocking Brewery.

The rule of (green) thumb here is there are no wrong choices: stop to browse from the garden centre gift store, which includes Jones & Co. pots and planters, get a minty new mullet, and then kick back in the courtyard of Longstocking Brewery, one of the best spots for a middy near Merimbula. The wood-fired pizzas are also hugely popular.

Longstocking Brewery is popular for its wood-fired pizza.

Address: 3546 Princes Highway, Pambula
Open: Wed noon–6pm; Thu noon–8.30pm; Fri-Sat noon–10pm; Sun noon–6pm

13. Hotel Australasia, Eden

Best for: Quattro Formaggio pizza with a rocket and parmesan salad on the side from Pikes Bistro

This grand old hotel reopened in 2022 in nearby Eden after being seamlessly restored with modern additions. It’s now one of the best places to stay on the Sapphire Coast. And while the eight luxuriously appointed heritage rooms are a draw, the wining and dining are also on point.

Stay for three nights so you can pinball between Pikes Italian Bistro, the John Hines Bar and Circa 1904 and work through the menus, which are driven by locally sourced seasonal ingredients. The charming dining room housing Circa 1904 is set to open its doors in 2024.

a family enjoying lunch at the Hotel Australasia in Eden

Bring your family to lunch at Hotel Australasia. (Image: Destination NSW)

Address: 144 Imlay St, Eden
Open: All-day dining 11am–till late; John Hines Bar 7 days a week.

14. Mimosa Wines, Murrah

Best for: Bermagui flame cockles with cucumber, oyster and lemongrass

This winery restaurant is a little off-the-beaten-track. The destination diner between Bermagui and Tathra is surrounded by hills blanketed in vivid green vines and the bush beyond. There’s accommodation onsite so you can stay and play once you’ve wound your way from Merimbula to Mimosa Wines.

The restaurant interior of Mimosa Wines is classy and airy. (Image: Cassie Abraham)

The striking architecturally designed restaurant overlooks the vineyards, which produce top-notch estate wines. Enjoy a set menu of three or six courses created by Michelin-trained chef Jan Semmelhack with wines sourced from Australia and NZ.

scenic views from inside the dining at Mimosa Wines, Merimbula

Dine with scenic views at Mimosa Wines. (Image: Cassie Abraham)

Address: 2845 Tathra Bermagui Road, Murrah
Open: Thu noon–2.30pm Thu; Fri noon–2.30pm; 6–10pm; Sat noon–3pm, 6–10pm; Sun noon–3pm

15. Club Sapphire Pacific Bistro

Best For: A fully loaded slab of Texas parmigiana topped with BBQ sauce, ham, bacon, chorizo and cheese.

Club Sapphire Pacific Bistro hits the spot for a casual club feed. If you’re staying in Merimbula, you can pop in for a game of barefoot bowls followed by lunch or dinner at the casual eatery.

Pick from an array of cocktails at Club Sapphire Pacific Bistro.

Club Sapphire has cultivated a loyal following on the NSW Sapphire Coast. Expect classic club grub such as a scotch fillet steak and chips, garlic chilli prawn linguine, chicken parmie and haloumi and sweet potato fritters.

pork belly oysters at Club Sapphire Pacific Bistro

Pair your drinks with pork belly and oysters.

Address: 119 Main St, Merimbula
Open: Mon-Thu 10am–10pm; Fri-Sat 10am–11pm; Sunday 10am–10pm

Looking for markets in Merimbula and beyond? We’ve rounded up 12 markets in the seaside village worth driving for.

A visit to Merimbula markets is a must for roadtrippers. In fact, it’s a great excuse to explore more of the NSW South Coast. Here’s our guide to the many markets in and around Merimbula.

1. Farm on the Green

This urban farm at Club Sapphire Merimbula grows local and seasonal produce on top of the undercover car park on the old bowling green of Club Sapphire. Farm on the Green attracts Merimbula locals on a mission to lower their food miles and invest in chemical and pesticide-free produce. Staying in Merimbula for a few weeks? You can buy fresh produce from the farm gate every Sunday. And you can also participate in regular working bees to maintain the rooftop garden.

Fresh produce awaits at Farm on the Green.

Where: On top of the Club Sapphire, Main Street, Merimbula
When: Sundays 9.30am–11am

2. Merimbula Seaside Market

Merimbula hums with young hipster energy. You might have seen them the night before serving up natural wines at Bar Superette, one of the best bars in Merimbula. Or heading out for a surf at nearby Main Beach earlier that morning. They’re also here being all wholesome picking up fresh produce in their overalls. In addition to selling fresh produce, Merimbula Rotary Market has jewellery, plants, books, crafts and curios. It also has a playground, ocean-viewing platforms, BBQ and picnic area.

Where: Ford Park, Merimbula (between Fishpen’s and Main Beach)
When: Third Sunday of every month; 8am–noon

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3. Candelo Market

Candelo Markets draws a convivial local crowd who come to talk, shop and gossip. Artists, writers, farmers, tree-changers converge here in an unapologetically country aesthetic of floppy hats and Blundstones.

BYO picnic rug and sprawl alongside them on the lawn at Loftus Park to enjoy riverside performances by roaming musicians and entertainers. After refuelling on great food and coffee, fill your basket to the brim with seasonal produce designed to inspire that day’s dinner.

Spend a cosy Sunday at Candelo markets.

Where: William St, Candelo (Town Hall and Loftus Park)
When: First Sunday of every month; from 8.30am

4. Pambula Village Market

No trip to Merimbula is complete without a side trip to Pambula Village Market where the cast of local characters look like extras on The Drover’s Wife. The first place to pause is at the absolutely iconic sausage sizzle, which supports the Rotary Club of Pambula. Pick up preserves, pickles, jams, saucy spices, olive oil, meat, seafood and cakes. The market also sells upcycled clothing, hand-carved leather goods, jewellery and bric-a-brac.

Where: Toallo St, Pambula (on the local sportsground)
When: Second Sunday of every month; 8am-1pm

5. Wyndham Village Market

Wend along the quiet streets of Wyndham to find this charming all-weather village market located far from the crazed honking of highway traffic. Freshen up on the town’s very own specialty coffee blend while listening to the delightful warbling of the local muso of the month. Many of those selling produce at Wyndham Village Market belong to generations of farmers selling seasonal specialties. The market also sells crafts and homemade treats such as jams and sauces.

Where: Cnr Clarke & Gordon Streets, Wyndham
When: Fourth Sunday of every month; 8.30am-1pm

6. Bermagui Market

The Bega Valley is known as being one of NSW’s most bountiful food bowls. And Bermagui Market should be on every NSW South Coast road trip itinerary. The fact it’s held at the scenic grounds of Dickinson Park makes it a picturesque place to hang out as much as buy fresh produce. In Bermagui, the market doubles as a hub as locals stop to chat in between wandering around the stalls selling fruit, vegetables and flowers. There are also homemade products and preserves. And the blissful setting comes with a sea breeze.

Local flavours at Bermagui Markets.

Where: Dickinson Park, Lamont St
When: Last Sunday of every month; from 8.30am-12.30pm

7. Bermagui Growers & Makers Market

This vibrant seasonal market is the kind of place where fresh blooms of dahlias sit alongside ready-to-eat meals and arts and craft. It’s crawling with well-heeled Canberrans testing out the range of their new Teslas and filling their frunks (front trunks) with flowers and food.

Load up with the freshest seasonal vegetables from Field Bucket Farms, fermented foods from Faraway Farm Foods and Mystery Bay Kelp seasonings. Visiting the NSW South coast markets is one of the best things to do in Merimbula.

Where: Bermagui Country Club
When: Every Thursday, from October to April; 3.30pm–5.30pm

8. Eden Community Market

There’s nothing that washes away big-city life stressors than a mooch around a country market. There are a lot of great places to eat and drink in Merimbula. But there’s nothing more nostalgic than scarfing down a sausage with sauce at an Eden Community Market stall. Wander amid the pyramids of fruit and towering displays of vegetables. Check out the local crafts. Listen to lively music and spicy gossip. And fossick for a bargain amid the bric-a-brac.

Where: Chandos St, Eden
When: Third Saturday of the month.

9. The Little Market

Follow the food-obsessed to the Honorbread courtyard in Bunga St while on the hunt for new obsessions. Do a vox pop of a panel of local experts and you’ll find the pain au chocolat from Honorbread a fantastic version of this fine French fare. From then on, just freewheel about the space spending time to pause at the stalls that have become fixtures at The Little Market. Gather here for gluten-free goodies, goat’s milk soap, Bodalla cherries, salads and greens and full-cream Tilba Milk.

Where: Bunga St courtyard
When: 9am-noon

10. Bega Produce Market

Big ups to Bega and its burgeoning list of growers and makers who have established one of the best markets on NSW’s Sapphire Coast. And hats off to the hardcore locals who shop here each week to support the local farmers. You see them arriving here at sun-up in a convoy of vans jam-packed with fresh produce. The goal with NSW South Coast markets such as this is to continue to educate consumers about where their food comes from. Buy a knitted beanie so you look the part.

Where: Littleton Gardens, Bega
When: Every Friday, 8am–1pm

11. Cobargo Market

Don’t forget your retro nanna trolley so you can move around the weekly farmers’ market in Cobargo with ease. Head to Cobargo after you’ve sorted your daily coffee needs in Merimbula so you’ll be good and ready to devour a few treats. Select a bunch of carrots. A chunky bouquet of broccolini. Procure some vintage vinyl. And then explore the town’s cool little eateries, galleries and heritage buildings.

Where: Main street of Cobargo
When: Every Saturday; 8am–1pm

12. Nethercote Fresh Food Market (quarterly)

The mission behind Nethercote Fresh Food Market is to encourage locals to grow their own food. The gardens supplying the produce vary from single beds to orchards and the produce is sold on the communal growers’ stall. The food is plucked the night before to ensure it’s in peak condition and the colourful fruit and vegetables on display are a feast for the senses. This market is about more than the produce. It’s about the people. Stay for the Market Hamper Raffle, which is drawn at noon each market day.

Where: Nethercote Hall, cnr of Nethercote and Back Creek Roads, Nethercote
When: Fourth Saturday of January, April, July, October; 8am–noon

15 of the best restaurants in Merimbula to try now