13 restaurants in Wollongong you must try

For breakfast and great coffee 

Diggies 

Perched on the edge of North Beach, Diggies’s menu is just as delicious as its views. Serving up brunch all-day, watch surfers race along waves as you eat eggs cooked every way imaginable. A Little One’s menu has every childhood favourite whilst their coffee has locals dropping by daily.  

Diggies, Wollongong

Seven Miles Coffee Roasters 

With 50 years of roasting experience, some say the coffee at Seven Miles Coffee Roasters is the most relaxing in Australia. Named after one of their original brewing site that was “seven miles from the city, a thousand miles from care”, this cafe is well-known for its laid-back style and exceptional beans. Try the Maverick blend – bright, malty and sweet. 

Seven Miles Coffee Roasters, Wollongong - Credit: Seven Miles Coffee Roasters

Casual eats 

Miller’s Local Bakehouse 

Committed to using local ingredients and local labour, Miller’s Local Bakehouse is a must-visit for great pastries and bread. Popular options include their twice baked croissant with ricotta, spinach and herbs, and their torched lemon meringue cheesecake. Best of all, there are no preservatives or additives in their baked goods.  

Millers Local Bakehouse, Wollongong - Credit: Emma Huber

Rosie’s Fish and Chips 

With a focus on simple food cooked well, Rosie’s Fish and Chips serves up beer battered fish and hand cut chips made fresh in house. Passionate about using local ingredients and wild caught fish, their menu reflects the latest catch of the day and may include sea bream, flathead and blue mackerel. Ask for your chips to be cooked in Australian grass-fed beef dripping for extra flavour. 

Rosie’s Fish and Chips, Coledale - Credit: Rosie’s Fish and Chips

For award-winning dining 

Restaurant Santino 

Head to Restaurant Santino, a hatted Italian bistro serving up classic favourites with a twist. Using only the freshest ingredients, their talented chefs create dishes that are both traditional and contemporary. Known for making fresh pasta daily and a wine cellar a sommelier would dream of, it’s no wonder their mantelpiece is overflowing with awards from the Australian Good Food Guide and Timeout. 

Restaurant Santino, Wollongong - Credit: Tom Opie

Babyface Kitchen 

Dial up the flavour factor for dinner with a share-style meal at recently hatted restaurant Babyface Kitchen – a unique take on Modern Australian cuisine with a focus on produce from local farms and small-batch producers. Try their set menu which features everything from mud crab to wasabi salt onion rings.   

Babyface Kitchen, Wollongong - Credit: Babyface Kitchen

For group eats and share plates  

Kneading Ruby 

Imposing from the outside with high brick walls, inside Kneading Ruby is unassumingly elegant with vines draped across timber ceiling beams and polished floors. Wood-fired pizza is a popular choice at this Italian eatery. Share a selection of food with a large group or opt for their feed-me menu that features a crowd favourite; pork cotoletta with lemon butter, capers, and feferoni. 

Kneading Ruby, Wollongong - Credit: Kneading Ruby

Ain’t Nonnas 

There Ain’t Nonnas in the kitchen, but this all-in-one cafe, deli and trattoria is nonna-approved. Using the skills their Italian grandmas taught them, the team make fresh loaded focaccias daily alongside their popular rigatoni alla vodka. Stop by for a quick bite or order some cocktails and make an evening of it. 

Ain't Nonnas, Wollongong - Credit: Ain't Nonnas

The Iron Yampi 

Taking the concept of ‘good sips and friendship’ seriously, locals head to The Iron Yampi for a glass or two of wine and a meal to remember. Serving up elevated Italian classics applauded by the Good Food Guide, their menu is always evolving to showcase seasonal produce. One thing is for sure, there are always plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free options included.  

The Iron Yampi, Port Kembla - Credit: The Iron Yampi

Bóveda 

Mixing fun with elegance, Bóveda serves up modern Mexican you can share with your whole table. Their menu features everything from tacos to lamb shoulder, all served under the light of disco balls. Each weekend, enjoy bottomless brunch complete with margaritas during the day and DJ sets at night. 

Bóveda, Thirroul - Credit Bóveda

For wine, cocktails and craft beer 

Five Barrel Brewing 

Clink glasses with mates at Five Barrel Brewing, a family-owned craft brewery and taproom that has 21 beers on tap. Dedicated to producing high-quality, unfiltered and unpasteurised beer every day, the kitchen serves up delicious meals Thursday to Sunday. Pair your burger with one of their hand-pumped ales. 

Five Barrel Brewing, Wollongong - Credit: Five Barrel Brewing

Howlin’ Wolf Whiskey Bar 

Decked out with more than 350 whiskies, Howlin’ Wolf Whiskey Bar mixes high and low culture. Whether you fancy a Pappy Van Winkle Old Fashioned or a tin of Victoria's best, Portuguese chicken or a pineapple fritter, this bar has you covered. With regular trivia nights and DJs spinning vinyl, time your trip with one of their events for a great evening out. 

Howlin' Wolf Whiskey Bar, Wollongong - Credit: Howling Wolf Whiskey Bar

Frank’s Wild Years 

Go for the live music, stay for the wine list, cocktails and Mediterranean share plates. A record bar that swaps, sells, and buys vinyl alongside serving up great drinks, Frank’s Wild Years has an events calendar full of musical performances and album release celebrations.