A Guide To The Best Wollongong Restaurants And Cafes

Plan your next visit to the Illawarra region around where to eat and drink in Wollongong.

Wollongong has, in its own quiet way, become an epicentre of cool in the Illawarra. The city is now a hub for young creatives and entrepreneurs to realise the city anew and, as a result, the concentration of great places to eat and drink around the city has multiplied. There are now more than enough offerings to inspire an extended stay.

Here is our guide to some of the best cafes and restaurants in Wollongong.

Cafes

Lili.J

Lili.J has gained a lot of attention in Wollongong for its focus on simple, honest rustic fare done well. Housed in a charming corner house, the white-on-white cafe doubles as a plants nursery and is lifted with lush foliage and pops of colour from flower-filled vases. Order a bacon and egg roll to feast on in the sunroom out the back, which is furnished with vintage finds and spills onto a pet-friendly grassed courtyard.

Head to Lili.J for simple, honest rustic fare done well.

Lee & Me

Lee & Me is a local favourite that occupies an 1890s’ terrace that has become the unofficial headquarters for the ’Gong’s hipster brigade. Sit by the fireplace in winter, on the sun-splashed balcony in summer, or at the communal table where you can engage in a bit of banter with the beard(y) barista. After downing your short black, head upstairs to meet up-and-coming creatives including The Little Hair Room by Chloe, Tuesday Euphoric Florals and Alleway Designs.

Lee & Me occupies a majestic 1890s’ terrace.

Diggies

Diggies is open for breakfast, lunch and weekend brunch when it is full to the brim with a healthy mix of millennials, young mums and, of course, the ubiquitous MAMILs who end their Sydney to Gong ride with coffee and a Savvy Session of seasonal greens, herbs, sheep’s feta, avocado, crushed roasted almonds, and poached eggs. Join sandy-toed locals at the more relaxed 1930s’ Art Deco North Beach Kiosk for coffees or settle in for a post-swim brunch at the sit-down section of the seaside café.

Diggies full to the brim.

Bull & Bear

Your stocks will go up if you take your Hinge date out for breakfast at Bull & Bear, which has swallowed up three shops on vibey Victoria St. The name is not a metaphor for the movements of the stock market. Rather, it came to chef and owner David Juarez Vidal after returning from Spain where he ran with the bulls in Pamplona and visited El Oso y el Madroño (The Bear and the Strawberry Tree), the symbol of Madrid. Go the whole hog and order El Gordo (The Fat One) or a beefy breakfast burrito.

Breakfast at Bull & Bear.

Delano’s Specialty Coffee

Delano’s Specialty Coffee doubles as a coffee house and roastery nestled in North Wollongong. Geek out on all things coffee related, from the state-of-the-art roastery to latest equipment at Delano’s Cafe, which draws the city’s coffee community here for mighty good brews. You can learn to level up your coffee at home by signing up for a barista class where you will see the science behind making the perfect cup of Joe.

Delano’s doubles as a coffee house and roastery.

Restaurants

K.Malu

K.Malu is a mash-up of the owners’ names, Keana Lufe and Maria Luciani. The menu at the casual continental kitchen and bar, located on the site of the former award-winning fine-dining restaurant, Caveau, is also a mash-up of European flavours: from Italian arancini to pan-fried Spanish chorizo. The restaurant has had a refresh, which includes a mural of the pair’s dog Peppa, and is now known for its cheeses and salamis from all over Europe, its fondue nights and Sunday lunch specials.

His Boy Elroy

Ask a local where to find the city’s best burgers and they will point you to His Boy Elroy. Expect the Fatboy Burger with fries to be easily a seven-serviette job, stuffed as it is with a juicy pattie, green oak lettuce, American cheese, house-made pickles and special sauce washed down with a craft beer. Go full fat boy and order another pattie and bacon at the industrial-styled laneway diner, then slurp down a hearty bowl of ramen at Dagwood, an American sports bar-styled diner in nearby Market St.

Nosh lineup from His Boy Elroy.

Kneading Ruby

The quality of the pizza at Kneading Ruby comes down to the quality of the ingredients, from the flour to the tomatoes and fior di latte. Sharing a pizza with family and friends in this elegant venue, which has soaring ceilings and exposed beams, makes for reason enough to spend the weekend in Wollongong. Everything on the menu is delicious, but the pizza and hand-rolled pasta is the go. Order the classic margherita, and marinara and the house-made garlic bread on the side (it has a cult following).

Share with family and friends at Kneading Ruby.

Baby Face Kitchen

Baby Face Kitchen occupies a modest, minimalist-style space in a narrow room where you can get a good view of the waiters parading past with plates of elegant sashimi and pressed cucumber with green ants. As one of Wollongong’s dining sensations, Baby Face Kitchen is a popular choice with discerning locals who appreciate the Japanese cooking methods in play and the seasonal menu that relies on local suppliers. Order the sashimi plate and seared Ranger’s Valley wagyu rib cap if it’s on offer.

Baby Face Kitchen does minimalism well.

Rookie Eatery

Rookie Eatery is an up-to-the-minute venue housed in the oldest house in Keira Street, which runs parallel to Wollongong Beach. The restaurant is known for its experimental menu with a mod-Oz accent that is as hybrid as Kylie Minogue’s: think yellowfin tuna with a ginger mignonette, potato dumplings with fermented chilli butter, market fish with a dashi vinaigrette and chicken two ways. While Rookie is light, bright and breezy, sister restaurant Debutant, next door is a warm, cosy French bistro.

Rookie is known for its experimental menu.

Harbourfront Seafood Restaurant

Harbourfront Seafood Restaurant is a long-time local favourite overlooking the Belmore Basin on Wollongong Harbour. The menu at the waterfront eatery is designed for grazing and sharing; take a seat at a table for two beside the floor-to-ceiling windows of the elegant, light-filled eatery and you might even see the local fisherman hauling in their catch. Take your culinary inspiration from the sea and order hiramasa kingfish, roasted king prawns and panko-crumbed snapper fillets.

Waterfront seafood restaurant Wollongong

Does it get any better?

Find more great travel tips and itineraries in our Ultimate guide to Wollongong holidays.

Beachfront bliss meets elevated comfort at this sleek coastal stay that balances location, views and refined dining in equal measure.

Novotel Wollongong Northbeach is a modern coastal escape that practically dips its toes in the Pacific. Set opposite one of the Illawarra’s best stretches of sand, this contemporary hotel brings together breezy design, sweeping views and elevated dining. Whether you’re here for a relaxing weekend, a family getaway or a work trip, this laid-back yet luxurious spot invites you to slow down, take in the view and let the sea air do the rest.

The location

Panorama suite bath and bedroom at Novotel Wollongong Northbeach

It doesn’t get much closer to the beach than this. (Image: Emily Murphy)

It doesn’t get much closer to the ocean than this. Novotel Wollongong Northbeach is perched directly across the road from North Wollongong Beach on Dharawal Country, with uninterrupted views over the Pacific. Just a short drive or 15-minute walk from Wollongong CBD, the hotel is well-placed for both seaside serenity and urban convenience. Directly opposite the sand, it’s also an easy base for beach walks, surfing or simply lazing by the shore.

Style and character

Palisade Kitchen and Bar at Novotel Wollongong Northbeach

The hotel is a coastal classic. (Image: Emily Murphy)

While the Novotel is part of a global hotel group, this particular outpost feels like its own coastal classic. A multi-million-dollar refurbishment in 2021 has transformed it into a sleek, contemporary stay with soft seaside tones, plush furnishings and curated finishes that make the most of its beachside location. Large windows and balconies invite the ocean in, while subtle nods to coastal living, like timber panelling, nautical blues and sandy beiges, enhance the relaxed aesthetic. It’s polished without being pretentious and perfectly pitched for both leisure and business travellers.

Facilities

Adrift Pool Bar at Novotel Wollongong Northbeach

Adrift Pool Bar is a summer hotspot. (Image: Emily Murphy)

The hotel is generously equipped with all the essentials and a few elevated extras. There’s a compact fitness centre, a swimming pool, an onsite convenience store and beach towels available at reception. With over a dozen event spaces including ballrooms, boardrooms and outdoor terraces, it’s also a popular wedding and conference destination. Parking is available onsite and reception is open 24/7.

Rooms

Panorama suite at Novotel Wollongong Northbeach

The panorama suite is true to its name. (Image: Emily Murphy)

There are 209 rooms and suites at Novotel Wollongong Northbeach, ranging from coastal-view standard rooms to sweeping top-floor suites. I stayed in the panorama suite (room 1002) on the 10th floor and can confirm it lives up to its name. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors open onto a wraparound balcony with panoramic views of the ocean, and a freestanding bathtub positioned by the bedroom window offers a luxuriously uninterrupted view of the coastline below.

Panorama suite bath at Novotel Wollongong Northbeach

Relax in the freestanding tub. (Image: Emily Murphy)

While the bathroom is a little dated, the living area is roomy and comfortable with couches and a dining table, there’s a coffee pod machine and two non-smart TVs – but honestly, the real entertainment is the view.

Food and drink

North Bar food and cocktails at Novotel Wollongong Northbeach

North Bar is the place for creative small plates and cocktails. (Image: Emily Murphy)

Dining is a highlight here, with five venues onsite. North Bar is the place for creative small plates and cocktails in a chic, coastal-inspired setting. I started with Sydney rock oysters, followed by prawn and lobster rolls and juicy pork and garlic chive dumplings.

For something more refined, Palisade Kitchen & Bar offers elevated modern Australian fare with a focus on fresh seafood and local produce. The charcuterie board set the tone, but the standout was the seared yellowfin tuna with white soy dashi, charred mandarin, nori paste and rice crackers – a dish that felt as artful as it was flavourful.

Palisade Kitchen and Bar barramundi at Novotel Wollongong Northbeach

The pan-fried Spring Creek barramundi is delicious. (Image: Emily Murphy)

Other highlights included grilled Spencer Gulf king prawns with miso garlic butter and yuzu sesame, and pan-fried Spring Creek barramundi with kipfler potatoes, beurre blanc and shaved fennel. I finished with a decadent Biscoff and ricotta New York-style baked cheesecake.

Access for guests with disabilities?

Yes, there are accessible rooms available featuring roll-in showers, lowered amenities and wider doorways. The main areas of the hotel, including reception, lifts, restaurants and event spaces, are wheelchair accessible, with staff available to assist as needed. There are also accessible parking spaces near the entrance.

Family-friendly?

Absolutely. The hotel offers family rooms and interconnecting rooms, and there’s a kids’ menu available at both North Bar and Palisade. The beachfront location makes it easy for little ones to play by the sea, and the staff are welcoming to guests of all ages.

Details

Best for: Couples, weekenders and anyone who wants ocean views with elevated dining.

Address: 2-14 Cliff Rd, North Wollongong, NSW

Cost: From around $270 per night for a standard room.

A guide to the best Wollongong restaurants and cafes