Keep it casual

Start the day with a great brew from Supply Specialty Coffee & Bar, right in the centre of Coffs Harbour. Tucked away behind a hidden laneway door, Dark Arts Cafe & Bar has a little bit of everything: locally roasted coffee, craft beer, wine, cocktails, live music and comfort food – think all-day breakfast and lunch menus brimming with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and kid-friendly options. Grab a New York-style bagel, top-notch toastie and a delicious coffee before you hit the surf at Good Time Charlie's in Nambucca Heads.

Supply Speciality Coffee and Bar, Coffs Harbour

In Bellingen, Bruno's Mediterranean Kitchen is known for its vibrant flavours and cosy atmosphere, with a Mediterranean-inspired menu crafted from locally sourced ingredients, seasonal cocktails and an eclectic wine list. Just around the corner, Za'atar Bellingen is a Middle Eastern kitchen serving up Israeli-style falafel, hummus and street food, with a menu available both to eat in and take away. Up on the plateau, Components Cafe is a gorgeous country cafe in Dorrigo with a warm, cosy interior – the perfect spot for tea, coffee and a relaxed catch-up with friends or family.

Bruno's Mediterranean Kitchen, Bellingen - Credit: Bruno's Mediterranean Kitchen

For a taste of Mexico, head to Lime Mexican Sawtell, a burrito bar and taqueria with an extensive menu of tacos, quesadillas, nachos and churros, as well as delicious margaritas – don't miss the daily happy hour. Also in the trendy little town of Sawtell, Bar Que Sera serves seasonal share plates and bar snacks alongside boutique wine, cocktails and craft beer, celebrating quality independent producers.

Lime Mexican Sawtell, Sawtell

Dine with a view

Perfectly positioned on Coffs Creek in the heart of the Jetty, Stef & Co offers three dining experiences in one vibrant waterfront destination. Start the day with artisan coffee and fresh Italian pastries at the cafe and bakery, settle in for a long lunch at the Osteria restaurant, or sip handcrafted cocktails to live music at the pizzeria and cocktail bar as the sun goes down.

Stef & Co., Coffs Harbour

For a view of a different kind, head inland to Three Blue Ducks Bellingen, set on 16 acres of beautifully manicured gardens with sweeping views of Dorrigo National Park. This true paddock-to-plate dining experience blends great food with breathtaking scenery, making it the perfect setting for an indulgent meal or long lunch.

Three Blue Ducks Bellingen, Bellingen - Credit: The Lodge Bellingen

Feast on fresh local seafood

With an unbeatable location overlooking the ocean and the marina, Latitude 30 serves incredibly fresh seafood – caught each morning by the local fishers. Order the impressive seafood platter, featuring fresh lobster, prawns, bugs, oysters, ceviche and housemade bread. Keep an eye out for whales cruising past at lunchtime. Taste Restaurant Sawtell combines classic French training with the best sourced local ingredients and produce. Regulars swear by the spicy seafood chowder and the barramundi special with tiger prawns.

Latitude 30, Coffs Harbour

Head for the Coffs Harbour Fishermen’s Co-operative, set right on the edge of the marina, and grab the city’s best fish and chips. Or choose from the huge range of just-caught seafood for a picnic or barbecue. The Nambucca Oyster Company is on the Nambucca River and sells premium Sydney rock oysters direct to the public. You’ll also see them on the best menus around town.

The Nambucca Oyster Company, Gumma - Credit: The Nambucca Oyster Company

Raise a glass at a brewery or distillery

For craft beer and wood-fired sourdough pizzas, head to Bellingen Brewing Co. This cosy brewery has a strong sustainability focus and was designed and created using local timbers and salvaged materials. If you're not into beer, there is also a selection of Australian organic wines and excellent cocktails. In the centre of Coffs Harbour, King Tide Brewing blends European and Australian styles both in a glass and on the menu, with craft beers and meat cooked over the charcoal grill.

Bellingen Brewing Co, Bellingen

Woolgoolga is a tasty little hub of craft drinks. Start at one of its two independent breweries – Woolgoolga Brewing Co. or Mogul Beer. Conveniently, they’re just around the corner from each other. Spirit connoisseurs should drop into the nearby Critters Distillery. Made from Australian wheat and locally sourced cane sugar, every drop of their alcohol is fermented on-site. Take a tour of the venue or simply stop by for the tasting experience.

Critters Distillery, Woolgoolga 

Learn the stories of ancient ingredients

For a deeper taste of the region, join Wajaana Yaam Gumbaynggirr Adventure Tours on a stand-up paddleboarding or walking tour across Country. Gumbaynggirr guides share Dreaming stories and language while introducing seasonal bush tucker, offering a unique perspective on the land and waterways that have supported the Gumbaynggirr people for generations – with a proportion of profits invested back into the local community.

Wajaana Yaam Gumbaynggirr Adventure Tours, Coffs Harbour

North of Coffs Harbour at Corindi Beach, the Yarrawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre is surrounded by tranquil bushland and pairs a first-rate bush tucker cafe with an exceptional Indigenous art gallery and cultural programs. Sit down for a coffee or a bite with a native twist before exploring the gallery or booking a cultural tour. Near the Forest Sky Pier, Nyanggan Gapi cafe is another Aboriginal-owned enterprise that supports local communities and serves traditional flavours plus great coffee.

Forest Sky Pier, Niigi Niigi - Sealy Lookout, Coffs Harbour

Browse the local farmers markets

Go straight to the source and pick up fresh produce at a local farmers market. The Coffs Coast Growers Markets are held outdoors every Thursday in the heart of the Coffs City Centre – browse in the open air, meet local growers and makers, and fill your basket with fresh fruit and vegetables direct from local farms, alongside honey, free-range eggs, artisan sourdough and a changing selection of small-batch condiments and preserves.

Coffs Coast Growers Markets, Coffs Harbour - Credit: Coffs Coast Growers Markets

Up in the hinterland, the Bellingen Growers Market has been a cornerstone of the community for over 25 years. Held every Saturday morning at the Bellingen Showgrounds (except the third Saturday of the month), expect fresh produce, pantry goods, plants and handmade wares from local growers and makers, plus good coffee and a friendly village atmosphere. Further west on the Dorrigo Plateau, the Dorrigo Handmade Markets transform the main street into 'Creative Central' three times a year, with dozens of local artists and creatives selling handmade wares alongside gourmet food and organic, homegrown produce.

Bellingen Growers Market, Bellingen - Credit: Bellingen Growers Market & Artisan Market

Family-friendly dining

Located at Diggers Beach in Coffs Harbour, Aanuka Beach House's ethos is all about enjoying the sun, salt and surf together. This is the spot for good times with friends and family, with regular happy hours, live music on the weekend, bottomless brunches and breakfast buffets all on offer. Jetty Beach House also has a fun playground, relaxed atmosphere, outdoor seating and picnic rugs to spread on the grass. In Woolgoolga is The Seaview Tavern, a family-friendly hotel offering excellent pub meals, an expansive beer garden, kids' play area, live music and more.

Aanuka Beach House, Coffs Harbour

Join the fun at a food festival

Time your visit right and you can join one of the Coffs Coast's much-loved food festivals. Held each September, Woolgoolga Curryfest is a vibrant, multicultural community event celebrating its rich Punjabi heritage, transforming the town centre and beach reserve into a colourful celebration of food, music, dance and community. Things heat up in Sawtell in July for the Sawtell Chillifest. Expect an array of chilli-inspired dishes from gourmet food trucks and local restaurants, family-friendly activities and a festive atmosphere in the picturesque streets of Sawtell.

Woolgoolga Curryfest, Woolgoolga - Credit: Woolgoolga Curryfest