Wine and Dine at the Best Restaurants in Merimbula

A sparkling seaside gem on NSW’s Sapphire Coast, Merimbula has long been a favourite for an easy coastal escape, but beyond the postcard views, there’s a food scene that’s seriously worth showing up for. Some of the best outposts include Tidal Restaurant for South Coast seafood on the water, Bar Monti for the best pizza in town and Dulcie’s Cottage for burgers and cocktails in a converted 1920s weatherboard cottage.

In recent years, Merimbula’s dining offering has levelled up, with a growing mix of restaurants, bars and casual eateries bringing fresh energy to the coast. Think just-caught seafood served metres from the water, cosy spots plating up authentic Japanese, nostalgic American-style diners, and local institutions that still nail a classic pub feed. Whether you’re planning a weekend away or mapping out a long lunch, this is where to eat well in Merimbula.

Best Casual and Pub-Style Dining in Merimbula

Bar Monti

Bar Monti is known for making the best pizzas in town. Opening in 2022, this cute neighbourhood restaurant and wine bar welcomes friends and family with open arms, filling their bellies with modern Italian delights like mortadella meatballs served on soft polenta, pepperoni or Margherita pizza, lamb ragu rigatoni, and the best baked limoncello cheesecake on the South Coast.

Suburb: Merimbula
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Italian
Best For: Group dining, families, wine lovers, weekend plans

Dulcie’s Cottage

Dulcie’s is a character-filled, reimagined 1920s weatherboard cottage serving mouthwatering burgers, wings, oysters, craft beers, and cocktails. Enjoy local ingredients served from a retro caravan under a shady jacaranda tree. Whether you’re sipping drinks in the garden or snuggling up by the fire, Dulcie’s is a must-visit, if not for the food, but for the oh-so-cute photo ops!

Suburb: Merimbula
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pub fare
Best For: Group dining, outdoor dining, cocktail lovers, weekend plans

Best Wine Bars and Long Lunch Spots in Merimbula

Bar Superette

Home to expertly-made cocktails, a bespoke wine list, delicious dishes and a chic setting for a long lunch or decadent dinner, Bar Superette has been a welcome addition to Merimbula’s food and bar scene.

Wander in or make a booking, choose a bottle of wine to share, and order a selection of bites from the blackboard, with a rotating selection of dishes that keep the locals coming back for more. Having served the likes of steak tartate, charcuterie boards, prawn sandos and fried cauliflower with pangrattato in the past, you can expect to be as delighted by the food as the stellar drinks selection.

Sitchu Tip: Keep an eye on socials for events at Superette, with vinyl nights and collabs with wineries keeping things interesting all year long.

Suburb: Merimbula
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Wine bar
Best For: Long lunch, wine lovers, date night, locals
Need To Know: Walk-ins welcome, or book ahead for a table.

Best Seafood and Fine Dining Near Merimbula

Tidal Restaurant & Wine Bar

A top pick from the Australian Good Food Guide, Tidal Restaurant is all about championing the best produce from the South Coast, making a name for itself as one of the best seafood restaurants in the area. The menu offers a masterclass in fresh, local seafood with creative small plates and innovative mains.

From succulent rock oysters to pan-fried Hokkaido scallops, garlic prawns and rich desserts, each dish is crafted with finesse, offering a delicious dining experience in a stunning waterfront setting. As for the drinks, you can expect excellent cocktails, wines, and beer, plus gins and single malts.

Suburb: Merimbula
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Seafood
Best For: Waterfront, date night, special occasion, wine lovers

Banksia Restaurant

You don’t need to travel far for an evening of fine dining, with Banksia Restaurant – less than a 10-minute drive away in the neighbouring town of Pambula – providing one of the best spots for elevated eats in the area.

Take a seat in the charming and cosy restaurant inside the heritage-listed old Pambula Bank, complete with a fireplace and white tablecloths, and make your way through a 3 course feast with matching wines. With a menu changing every fortnight to reflect the best available produce, except to dine on a range of protein and vegetables packed with flavour and texture.

Suburb: Pambula
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Best For: Special occasion, date night, wine lovers
Need To Know: Set 3-course menu with matching wines, changing every fortnight.

Best International Flavours in Merimbula

Umi-ko Izakaya

Tasty and affordable dishes with a side of fun are the order of the day at Umi-ko Izakaya, the eatery bringing authentic Japanese fare to the Sapphire Coast. Lanterns, old-school posters and neon lights draw you in, while the menu of small and large plates, ramen bowls and sashimi will entice you to linger longer.

Sitchu Tip: The pork katsu curry warms the soul, and the kimchi poke bowl with radish and edamame provides a fresh option come lunchtime.

Suburb: Merimbula
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Japanese
Best For: Group dining, quick bite, locals, weekend plans

Mezcals

Newly opened in the heart of town, Mezcals Merimbula is bringing a fresh hit of colour and flavour to the Sapphire Coast. The menu leans into authentic Mexican cooking, with a focus on bold and vibrant dishes made using fresh produce and traditional ingredients.

It’s our kind of place because it’s the kind of place made for a long, margarita-fuelled dinner. We’d suggest starting with elotes or guac and chips, then move onto tacos (all gluten-free) or heartier mains packed with spice and punchy flavour. It goes without saying but don’t skip on the signature cocktails, either.

Suburb: Merimbula
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Mexican
Best For: Group dining, cocktail lovers, long lunch, weekend plans

Kitty’s Bar & Dining

Kitty’s is located within Club Sapphire and offers a delicious dining experience with an Asian-fusion flair. The menu features fresh, locally sourced ingredients and innovative dishes that blend modern flavours with classic faves like dumplings, pork belly bao buns, five-spice squid salad, donburi bowls, fresh oysters and Korean fried chicken.

The chic mid-century décor – with its 20-metre marble-top bar and a cosy sandstone fireplace – is the perfect backdrop for a long lunch. In summer, the sunny courtyard hosts live music.

Suburb: Merimbula
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Asian fusion
Best For: Long lunch, group dining, outdoor dining, locals

Frequently Asked Questions about Merimbula’s Best Restaurants

What is the best restaurant in Merimbula for seafood?

Tidal Restaurant & Wine Bar is the standout for seafood in Merimbula, championing fresh produce from the South Coast in a waterfront setting on Beach Street. It’s a top pick from the Australian Good Food Guide, with rock oysters, pan-fried Hokkaido scallops and garlic prawns on the menu alongside a strong drinks list of cocktails, wine, beer, gins and single malts. Banksia Restaurant, a short drive away in neighbouring Pambula, is another option for a seafood-inclusive fine dining experience, with a changing three-course menu built around the best available local produce.

Are there good Asian restaurants in Merimbula?

Yes, Merimbula has a strong spread of Asian dining options. Umi-ko Izakaya on Market Street brings authentic Japanese fare, including ramen, sashimi and small plates, with standout dishes like pork katsu curry and a kimchi poke bowl. Kitty’s Bar & Dining, located within Club Sapphire, offers an Asian-fusion menu of dumplings, pork belly bao buns, five-spice squid salad and donburi bowls in a mid-century setting with a sunny courtyard. Between the two, visitors can find everything from casual izakaya-style dining to a more polished long lunch experience.

What restaurants in Merimbula are good for a long lunch?

Bar Superette and Kitty’s Bar & Dining are both well suited to a long lunch. Bar Superette offers a bespoke wine list and a rotating blackboard menu of shareable dishes like steak tartare and charcuterie boards in a relaxed setting on Market Street. Kitty’s, set within Club Sapphire, pairs its Asian-fusion menu with a 20-metre marble-top bar and a sunny courtyard that hosts live music in summer, making it a good pick for lingering over a meal with a group on a weekend afternoon.

Is there fine dining near Merimbula?

Yes, Banksia Restaurant in neighbouring Pambula, less than a 10-minute drive from Merimbula, offers one of the more elevated dining experiences in the area. Set inside the heritage-listed old Pambula Bank with a fireplace and white tablecloths, it serves a three-course menu with matching wines that changes every fortnight to reflect the best available local produce. Tidal Restaurant & Wine Bar in Merimbula itself also leans toward a more refined experience, recognised by the Australian Good Food Guide for its seafood-driven menu in a waterfront setting.

What restaurants in Merimbula are family-friendly or casual?

Bar Monti and Dulcie’s Cottage are two of the more relaxed, family-friendly options in Merimbula. Bar Monti, a neighbourhood Italian restaurant and wine bar, serves pizza, pasta and mortadella meatballs in a welcoming, casual setting. Dulcie’s Cottage, a converted 1920s weatherboard cottage, serves burgers, wings and oysters from a retro caravan under a jacaranda tree, with a garden for sipping drinks and a fire for cooler evenings. Both suit a laid-back meal with family or friends rather than a formal sit-down occasion.

Now that you’ve had your foodie fix at the best restaurants in Merimbula, it’s time to explore! Take a drive to discover the best walks on the South Coast, or go further with the best road trips in NSW.