Despite the casual surroundings of this stretch of coastal holiday towns the thriving hospitality scene isn’t just home to coffee and takeaway shops with several fantastic restaurants serving up more refined cuisine. Here are our favourite five.
1. VALENTINA: MERIMBULA
Why we love them: A refined dining room with views over Merimbula’s picturesque waters, this modern Australian restaurant focuses on local produce in an elegant atmosphere with top line service.
Go to dish: The Fig & Honeycomb dessert is one you’ll go home and dream about, made up of fig leaf oil ice cream, honeycomb and wild bee pollen.
Expect to pay: Five course tasting menu for $120, or a la carte with dishes ranging from $30 to $85.
Where to find them: Upstairs 5, 2 Market St, Merimbula NSW
2. IL PASSAGGIO: BERMAGUI
Why we love them: Delicious Italian food that leans casual as far as this list goes, but still delivers exceptional quality in refined surroundings making it a suitable restaurant for both special occasions and a regular weeknight meal.
Go to dish: Spaghetti with spring greens, chilli, hazelnut and grana padano.
Expect to pay: Starters for $20, Pizzas for $30 and Mains for $35.
Where to find them: Fishermen's Wharf, SHOP 5, LEVEL 1/73-79 Lamont St, Bermagui NSW
3. RICK STEIN AT BANNISTERS: MOLLYMOOK BEACH
Why we love them: A staple of Australia’s coastal dining scene, Rick Stein has been serving up his delicious take on local seafood and more in this stunning location at Bannister’s Hotel with incredible sweeping ocean views since 2009 and has continually set a high bar for quality.
Go to dish: Locally caught Ulladulla Tuna served chargrilled with a fennel and green bean salad and salsa verde.
Expect to pay: $30+ for entrees, $50+ for mains.
Where to find them: 191 Mitchell Parade, Mollymook Beach NSW
4. BANGALAY DINING: SHOALHAVEN HEADS
Why we love them: Located in the Bangalay Luxury Villas Resort, this restaurant dishes up quality cuisine three meals a day with knowledgeable wait staff and an extensive wine list in a refined but casual atmosphere.
Go to dish: The Sirloin served with tarragon butter, baby leek and beef jus is a delicate dish that highlights high quality produce.
Expect to pay: A two course lunch set menu is available for $85, or a six course dinner set menu for $130. If choosing to go A La Carte, expect to pay $50 for mains and $30 for entrees.
Where to find them: 30 Staples St, Shoalhaven Heads NSW
5. MIMOSA WINES: BERMAGUI
Why we love them: Spectacularly located overlooking the rolling hills of Mimosa Winery, this fine-dining restaurant has a focus on local produce served in dishes inspired by Chef Jan Semmelhack’s (originally from Germany) travels across the world.
Go to dish: Both lunch and dinner services are from a set menu, but we love the locally caught Swordfish, perfectly cooked tandoori style with hints of ginger and a side of delicious carrots.
Expect to pay: Lunch set menu at $69 for two courses or $89 for three courses, dinner set menu at $120 for six courses.
Where to find them: 2845 Tathra-Bermagui Rd, Bermagui NSW
