Just over an hour from Sydney, New South Wales, the Central Coast is home to beautiful expanses of golden coastline and rich, bountiful countryside. It’s no surprise then, that it features some excellent restaurants serving up fresh seafood and local produce in warm, welcoming environments. Whether you’re planning a special occasion, a family gathering or a relaxed night out with your mates, the best restaurants on the Central Coast await.
A Killcare estate is one of the best spots in New South Wales to host a special occasion, while a Pearl Beach restaurant serves up seaside Italian dishes. Woodfired pizza is the speciality at a Wamberal hotspot, while a neon-lit Thai restaurant immerses diners in fragrant flavours. Ettalong Beach boasts two excellent restaurants, one right on the foreshore and the other across The Esplanade. Terrigal is home to one of the Central Coast’s best Italian restaurants and an excellent Asian bar serving up fun cocktails. For a fun, fine-dining experience, visit an elegant Indian restaurant or enjoy a classic high tea in an extravagantly floral dining room.
Read on for the best restaurants on the Central Coast and book your next beach meal on OpenTable today.
Keep reading to find 10 of the best restaurants on the Central Coast
For special occasions – book at The Wild Flower Bar & Dining at Bells in Killcare Heights
The Wild Flower Bar & Dining at Bells at Killcare invites you into a stunning Killcare home with a wide, grassy lawn. The Mediterranean menu features local suppliers from across the Central Coast and surrounding inland areas. This includes the restaurant’s kitchen gardens, with olive trees, free-range hens and bee hives. Enjoy fresh seafood and simple, seasonal dishes in an elegant bistro space. Group celebrations are a speciality for The Wild Flower, with two- to five-course set menus and multiple private dining spaces. Visit on Sundays for a roast of the day with all the trimmings. On Tuesdays, take a trip to the Mediterranean with the two-course set menu, or enjoy fluffy focaccia, house-made pasta and sommelier-selected wine on Fridays. Caviar on fluffy brioche is the perfect way to start any meal, while a light pistachio sponge makes for a delightful conclusion.
For one of the best seaside restaurants on the Central Coast – check out Amalfi Restaurant and Bar in Pearl Beach
Amalfi Restaurant and Bar Pearl Beach is a picturesque beachfront restaurant that invites you to enjoy ‘la dolce vita’. Dine out on the terrace under yellow-and-white-striped umbrellas or head through the bright yellow door and into a cool, sheltered, two-storey dining space. Surrounded by trees and just steps from the sand, this is the ultimate destination for a coastal meal. Start with some tomato or anchovy bruschetta and Sydney rock oysters. For your main, try a creamy prawn risotto or a juicy lamb shank with roast baby potatoes. Add some chunky chips with truffle mayo or freshly baked bread on the side to round out any meal. For the bambini (kids under 10), order crowd-pleasers like the cheese garlic pizzette or hearty spaghetti meatballs. Everyone will enjoy the dessert options, including a lemon cheesecake (to match the yellow-and-white decor) and a self-saucing Amalfi chocolate indulgence pudding.For one of the best seaside restaurants on the Central Coast – check out Amalfi Restaurant and Bar in Pearl Beach
For unforgettable pizza – visit Lagune Artisan in Wamberal
If you want to enjoy quality, artisan pizzas, you can’t go wrong with Lagune Artisan in Wamberal. The smokey flavours of the woodfire oven add an extra special touch to each carefully prepared slice at this friendly restaurant. Lagune Artisan is just a few steps away from the Wamberal Beach watchtower, surrounded by leafy trees and natural beauty. Kick back on the deck with coffee and a sando, or cosy up indoors and enjoy your favourite pizza toppings with a glass of Italian wine. The breakfast menu includes house-made muffins, bacon and egg focaccia sandwiches and creamy acai bowls. For lunch, enjoy fluffy Tuscan focaccia sandwiches with hearty fillings from 11 am and house-made pasta from noon. In the evenings, start with an aromatic garlic pizzette before trying the risotto al funghi or classic chicken parmi. The kitchen makes pizzas with in-house Neapolitan dough that goes through a long fermentation process for extra texture and flavour.
For one of the best Thai restaurants on the Central Coast – check out Thaiger Temple in Terrigal
Neon-lit Thaiger Temple is a new offering from the experienced Samingkaw family. Having spent over 25 years serving up unique Thai food on the Central Coast, the latest offering is an immersive culinary experience. Grab a seat under the hanging lanterns in this minimalist, mood-lit temple and worship at the altar of rich Thai flavours. Enjoy classic Thai favourites like pad Thai with juicy pork belly or Penang beef with tender, slow-cooked sirloin. Hearty seafood options include deep-fried whole snapper and stir-fried kra tiam prawns. A real crowd-pleaser, Thaiger Temple also has vegan and gluten-free menus. Vegans can dig into tofu-based versions of pad se ew or veggie-filled spring rolls and dumplings.
For one of the best seafood restaurants on the Central Coast – book at The BOX on the Water in Ettalong Beach
Enjoy quality seafood right by the ocean at The BOX on the Water. Whether you dine out on the sand or stay indoors behind the floor-to-ceiling windows, you’ll get panoramic views of Ettalong Beach and Broken Bay. The architectural, modern interior is offset with organic touches from hanging plants and round wooden chairs. For special occasions, book one of The BOX’s feast options. The hot and cold seafood feast features local prawns, steamed mussels and much more, while the grazing feast showcases seasonal dishes with an optional wine pairing. Alternatively, enjoy a high tea by the sea, featuring tea from Emerald Tea Traders and hand-picked sweet and savoury bites. Don’t miss The BOX’s signature pale ale fish and chips with house tartare sauce or the creamy yuzu and cardamom creme brulee.
For one of the best Italian restaurants on the Central Coast – visit Il Toscano in Terrigal and Shelly Beach
With outposts in Terrigal and Shelly Beach, Il Toscano brings a taste of Tuscany to the Central Coast. Chef, owner and head pasta maker Matteo grew up in the Tuscan countryside and is passionate about sharing a traditional taste of his home country with Australia. He uses carefully chosen ingredients to create homemade dishes, just like Nonna used to make (in fact, many recipes come straight from Matteo’s nonna). Start with the soft polenta di Matteo served in a wild boar or mushroom sauce. Move on to the house-made pasta and choose between spicy penne arrabbiata and baked cannelloni stuffed with spinach and ricotta. The dessert menu is always changing, so be sure to ask at the counter for the latest sweet treats. If you love what you’ve tried, you can even purchase some of the freshly made pasta to take home and cook yourself.
📍 Terrigal — Check availability
📍 Shelly Beach — Check availability
For your next big night out – dine at Maew Maew in Terrigal
One of the Central Coast’s best Asian restaurants, Maew Maew is perfect for a big night out with your mates. Bathed in neon pinks and blues, this Terrigal hotspot is always buzzing in the evenings. Start by sharing plates of piping hot Shanghai pork soup dumplings and crispy taro curry puffs. Move on to larger plates of Hainanese chicken with Maew Maew’s secret chilli sauce or tender Masaman beef with roast kipfler potatoes. Add some wok-fried greens on the side and finish with fluffy Thai-style doughnuts with pandan coconut custard. To taste a little bit of everything, order one of the set banquets. The drinks menu includes a range of wines divided by taste and texture and several Australian and Asian beers on tap. The bar uses a wide selection of spirits to make signature and classic cocktails, including the yuzu and matcha slipper and the pickle blossom martini.
For one of the best restaurants on the Central Coast for families – book at Ettalong Diggers in Ettalong Beach
Dine on the sunny Tallow Beach Terrace or indoors at Bistro 51 at Ettalong Diggers, one of the Central Coast’s best family restaurants. Watch boats go by on the water or gaze out the windows at the rolling hills from this elegant bistro hotspot. If the kids are feeling restless, they can play in the kids’ play zone, featuring arcade games and an enclosed area for younger kids. The varied menu highlights flavours from around the world, with a particular focus on Asian and Italian dishes. Start with some juicy chicken satay skewers before moving on to a hearty gnocchi bolognese or a flavour-packed nasi goreng. Signature dishes include the Australian barramundi fillet and the rich Guinness pie with seasonal veggies. The kids’ menu offers meat and plant-based nuggets, juicy cheeseburgers and flaky fish. Theme nights include pasta night on Mondays, schnitzel night on Wednesdays and roast night on Sundays.
For one of the best Indian restaurants on the Central Coast – book at The Grand Palace in Terrigal
Dine like royalty at The Grand Palace (Terrigal) Indian Restaurant Fine Dining. The tantalising aroma of hearty curries and the smokey tandoor oven will draw you into a spacious restaurant with unique, ornate furnishings. Kick things off with some succulent chicken malai tikka or tandoori prawns served with fragrant mint sauce. Vegetarians can enjoy crispy samosas or deep-fried mushrooms stuffed with cottage cheese. The main menu has all your favourites, including rich butter chicken and tender lamb shank korma. Don’t forget to add some naan on the side − there are roughly eight kinds to choose from − and a serving of crispy pappadums. For dessert, you can’t go wrong with some kulfi (a creamy, spiced ice cream), flavoured with mango or pistachio and almond.
For afternoon tea at one of the best restaurants on the Central Coast – check out Binky High Tea House in Erina
Celebrations just got even better at Binky High Tea House in Erina. Serving up extravagant high tea experiences, this picture-perfect restaurant knows how to throw a party. Dine under glittering chandeliers, hanging lavender and neon lights in this elegantly over-the-top restaurant decked out in floral accents and shades of pink. A particularly popular spot with brides-to-be, this is the perfect place to throw a bridal shower, propose to your bridesmaids or host a bachelorette party. Staff will soon pack your table with tiered trays of delicate macaroons, refreshing sandwiches and adorable cakes. Fluffy scones and aromatic teas follow on rose-patterned china. There are several high tea options, so you can choose from traditional, cocktail-focused, antipasto, cheese and more. Whether it’s a bridal shower, a child’s birthday or a family get-together, book your next function at Binky.
From high tea to fresh seafood, the best restaurants on the Central Coast have something for every diner and every occasion. With the bounty of the ocean and the NSW countryside on this city’s doorstep, there are always fresh, local flavours to try. Whether you’re planning a special occasion, a family gathering or a relaxed night out with your mates, the Central Coast has the right restaurant for you.
Secure your spot at one of the best restaurants on the Central Coast on OpenTable today.
Looking for more great restaurants in and around the Central Coast? Check out these guides:
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- The 10 best family restaurants in Sydney for kids and adults alike
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- 6 unique restaurants and bars reshaping Sydney’s dining scene
- The best 10 Italian restaurants in Sydney to book now
- The 10 best Japanese restaurants Sydney loves right now
- The best restaurants in Sydney for outdoor dining
- The 10 best seafood restaurants in Sydney to book ASAP
- The 7 best French restaurants to try in Sydney
- 10 of the best Chinese restaurants in Sydney to book now
