The Forster region may be known for its beautiful beaches and outdoor activities, but it’s also filled with fantastic foodie spots to grab a bite to eat and drink after your adventures.
- 3 min read
Coffee by the sand: Beach Bums Cafe
Shoes are optional at Beach Bums Cafe, located just steps from Forster Main Beach. It’s the perfect place for breakfast or a post-surf coffee with unbeatable ocean views. The seasonal menu features classic breakfast dishes, gourmet toasted sandwiches, salads and burgers, with healthy and gluten-free options too.
Beach Bums Cafe, Forster
Signature cocktails: Wharf St Distillery
Looking out over the busy main street of Forster and the turquoise waters of Wallis Lake, Wharf St Distillery is the kind of enticing place that immediately draws visitors in. Their signature gins are flavoured with local botanicals, like the pink-flowering beach succulent pigface, tangy citrus fruits, and even oyster shells – fitting for a town that produces some of the best Sydney rock oysters in the country. Enjoy them in a cocktail, with a splash of tonic or as a tasting paddle.
Wharf St. Distillery, Forster
Lakeside dining: Spice Monkey
With an idyllic spot overlooking Wallis Lake, Spice Monkey serves Asian cuisine with a strong Japanese influence. On the menu you’ll find delicious share plates, dumplings, noodles, sushi and sashimi. Enjoy the sunset over the lake from the outdoor table or dine inside at one of the booths or at the bar. They even serve their own beer – Monkey Magic.
Spice Monkey, Forster
Authentic pizza: Pezzella’s
Showcasing some of the region’s best produce while using traditional Italian methods and recipes, Pezzella’s brings the best of Italy and Australia together in the form of a pizza. After spending a year travelling Italy and learning about different food and dishes from different regions, the Aussie owners returned to NSW, where they started selling woodfired pizza at local markets. Now Pezzella’s has a permanent home in Forster and welcomes you to enjoy the simple pleasures in life – good food and good company.
Pezzella's, Forster - Credit: Pezzella's
Ocean fresh seafood: Wallis Lake Fishermen’s Co-Op
It doesn’t get much fresher than the fish from the Wallis Lake Fish Co-Op. As well as supplying local restaurants, markets and sending seafood to Sydney, their catch is available from the Wallis Lake Fisherman’s Co-Op shop in Tuncurry. Open seven days a week, here you can find fresh fish, fillets, prawns, crabs, lobsters, pipis, cockles and oysters.
Wallis Lake Fishermen's Co-Op, Tuncurry
Beef straight from the farm: Great Lakes Paddock
It’s pasture to plate in action at Great Lakes Paddock, where their herd of Angus cattle roam happily through the lush green property. There’s also a vineyard on the property, producing a small range of sparkling, white and red wine. Relax in the beautiful surroundings, sip on a glass (or two) of wine, and enjoy a platter of cheese, meat and local produce. Great Lakes Paddock regularly hosts special events and live music as well.
Great Lakes Paddocks, Wootton
Gin & grazing platters: The Farmer’s Wife Distillery
Kylie Sepos comes from three generations of farming families and this passion for the land inspired her to start The Farmer’s Wife, a boutique gin distillery on her property in Allworth. Each small batch gin is themed around the seasons, like the zesty citrus and sauvignon blanc grapes in the Summer Spritz Gin or the rich smoky flavours of the Warm Winter Gin. Order a grazing board of local cheese, meats and condiments, and raise a glass to the good life.
The Farmer's Wife Distillery, Allworth
Dog friendly drinks: The Coastal Brewing Company
Beer enthusiasts can sample ale, lager, stout and more from a regularly rotating selection at The Coastal Brewing Company taproom. The beers are made using all-natural ingredients with names inspired by the beauty of the Barrington Coast. Think Sugarloaf Lemon Sour, Diamond Beach Pilsner, Very Crowdy NEIPA and more. The dog- and child-friendly microbrewery offers tasting paddles, as well as cider and soft drinks for the non-beer drinkers too. You can even buy kegs and cans of beer to take home with you from the bar.
The Coastal Brewing Company, Forster
The best local oysters: Thirty Three Degrees
Thirty Three Degrees is part of the East 33 group, Australia’s largest producer of Sydney rock oysters. The lakeside restaurant showcases the delicious oysters in a variety of ways. Enjoy them natural, traditional Kilpatrick style or go for a more unusual selection like topped with a mango chilli puree or served hot with an herbed crum and spicy chorizo butter. From the deck, you can see the leases where the oysters are cultivated in Wallis Lake.
Thirty Three Degrees, Tuncurry
Tacos, tequila & sunsets: Si Señorita
This Forster restaurant celebrates Mexican food and culture, with a gorgeous setting overlooking Wallis Lake. The menu at Si Señorita features both traditional and modern dishes, including tacos, quesadillas and margarita cocktails, made with local produce and authentic ingredients. You’ll also find some dishes from further afield, like Peruvian ceviche, Cuban chicken and patatas bravas.
Si Señorita, Forster - Credit: Si Señorita
Traditional Turkish food: Anatolia Turkish Cuisine
Sample authentic Turkish dishes like adana, köfte and shish at Anatolia Turkish Cuisine. The wood-fired oven turns out flavourful pides, bread and even pizza. Next door, you can finish with something sweet from the Anatolia Sweet Bazaar. Decorated with colourful tiles and hanging lanterns, this hole in the wall specialises in traditional Turkish treats.
Anatolia Turkish Cuisine, Forster - Credit: Anatolia Turkish Cuisine
