Eating Out in Nelson Bay — A Local's Guide
Nelson Bay has a surprisingly good range of places to eat for a regional coastal town. The marina strip has the most variety — everything from fish and chips on the water to proper sit-down restaurants with a marina view. This is a personal guide to the places worth visiting, with honest notes on 41 venues across 9 cuisine categories.
☕ Coffee & Takeaway
Bayz Patisserie
Fresh bread everyday, nice pies and rolls freshly made up on the spot. Family owners who work very long hours but are always happy.
📞 (02) 4981 0372
Bites on the Bay
Beachside takeaway for coffee and burgers plus ice creams and soft drinks. Enough to keep the young ones happy whilst at Little Beach.
📞 (02) 4981 5915
Cafe Kin
Popular with the locals as it has a nice vibe in their little section in the front. Give their coffee 8/10. On some Fridays they open up as a wine bar. They also have a nice courtyard out the back as inside can be a bit dark. They offer white sugar and not just raw sugar if anyone is interested!
📞 (02) 4024 2129 · cafekin.com
Cafe on the Bay
Busy cafe right in the heart of the main marina.
📞 (02) 4905 5092 · cafeonthebay.com.au
Dolphin Watch Cafe
One of the best views in Nelson Bay to enjoy a coffee (8/10) or grab some fish and chips. Very handy if you are catching the ferry to Tea Gardens as you are allowed to take food and drinks on board.
📞 (02) 4984 1262 · 40 Victoria Parade, Nelson Bay
Inner Light Tea Rooms
Famous for their scones — jam or cream first doesn't matter when you have these views! For some strange reason they can't offer bacon so you have to settle for ham or smoked salmon with your eggs. Best to book first as the carpark has limited spots.
📞 (02) 4984 2505 · innerlighttearooms.com.au · 5A Lighthouse Rd
Little Nel
Very popular and can get a bit messy trying to get a park out the front, so best parking in the car park 50 yards past on the left. Excellent service, and great for breakfast and lunch. Coffee 8/10.
📞 (02) 4916 4600 · littlenel.com.au
Magnolias
Situated on the main marina, opposite dock C — which is where most of the cruises leave from. Coffee is a consistent 8/10 and their cake selection is excellent. They even have some beers on tap and a nice sunny aspect overlooking the water.
📞 (02) 4031 7850 · Website
Naked Alley
Opens early to catch the tradies going to work. Have wraps and salads plus some very nice cakes. Coffee 8/10.
📞 (02) 4984 9400 · nakedalley.au
Nice Cafe
Located upstairs near the $22 shop so you get a nice breeze. They even open on Christmas Day, for which we locals are grateful! Coffee 8/10.
📞 (02) 4981 3001 · nicecafe.coffee
🍽️ Modern Australian
Blue Water Grill
Based inside Nelson Bay Golf Club, so it offers what you would expect to get at a golf club — good value and reliable.
📞 (02) 4981 4256 · nelsonbaygolf.com/dining
Hog's Breath Cafe
Surprisingly, they have craft beer on tap and a happy hour to match. Cocktails are a good treat for Mum, as the kids are well catered for. Situated upstairs overlooking the marina. Don't like their curly fries — otherwise, they can't be faulted.
📞 (02) 4984 2842
Mavericks on the Bay
Best wine bar in town and live music on a Sunday afternoon is very popular with the locals. Food is consistently good though their drinks are a bit expensive — so if you're going on a date, make sure it's a hot one!
📞 (02) 4984 1203 · mavericksonthebay.com.au
SeaBreeze Hotel
Our favourite watering hole. Beers are always cold and they have a big bay window which catches the sea breeze. Steaks are good plus you can order takeaway which they'll bring to your table when ready to take home. Best meat raffles in town, supplied by Guy the Butcher. They also have modern clean accommodation upstairs if you get a bit carried away!
📞 (02) 4981 1511 · seabreezehotel.com.au
The Bouys Flame and Flavour
Famous for their chicken schnitzel, which they make fresh every day — a must-go-to place if you are staying for a few days. Open on weekends for breakfast from 7.30am.
📞 0438 125 245 · Website
The Home Interior
A great place to meet for a coffee or to have breakfast, with a whole interior design shop out the back. Great to have a browse and pick up a few ideas.
📞 (02) 4984 4888 · thehomeinterior.com.au
The Nelson Way
A family run venue, next door to The Landmark and near the Bowling Club. Food has always been good with various styles all cooked very well. Never had a bad meal there — even in a big group, everyone was happy. Good beers on tap and wine not too expensive. Ideal for small groups or large parties. Coffee is 7/10.
📞 (02) 4039 9948 · thenelsonway.com.au
Wests Nelson Bay
📞 (02) 4981 1344 · wests.com.au
🦞 Seafood
Bay Harbour Cafe
Lovely spot, right on the water and we often see dolphins whilst eating. Food is good but a little bit expensive — the views make up for it.
📞 (02) 4981 5017
Bub's Seafood Cafe
Nice fresh fish from the Co Op next door and excellent fish and chips.
📞 (02) 4984 3917 · bubsfish.com.au
Little Beach Boathouse
They have a full restaurant upstairs overlooking Little Beach (our favourite beach spot) and a downstairs deck right on the water. Often had a drink and some nibbles and watched a few dolphins playing.
📞 (02) 4984 9420 · littlebeachboathouse.com.au
Little Mavs
Good for fish and chips, plus they do an excellent lobster roll — big enough to share as it is a bit rich and garlicky. About once a month we get one as a treat. Situated next door to Maverick's Wine Bar.
📞 0400 078 633 · Website
Nelson Bay Fish Market
📞 (02) 4981 3330 · fishermenswharf.com.au
Sandpipers Restaurant
📞 (02) 4984 9990 · sandpipersrestaurant.com.au
Wharf Restaurant
📞 (02) 4981 0020
🥢 Asian
Jumbo Palace Restaurant
Worth a visit just to see the decor — it's way out there and shows off the owner's eclectic taste. Food is good but waits can be long and takeaway a bit erratic.
📞 (02) 4984 9888 · jumbopalace.com.au
Mod Thai
Been operating for quite a long time now and their takeaway is very popular. Good food. Always consistent.
📞 (02) 4984 4222 · modthai.com.au
Sunan 9 Thai Restaurant
Lovely family owners. Always happy. Food is always good and service is quick. BYO wine.
📞 (02) 4905 5087 · Website
The Hawker Inn Asian Sea Food
Same owner as Jumbo Palace, so the decor is worth a visit. On a balmy night you can sit on the balcony and watch the world go by. Large servings for the money.
📞 0405 874 722 · thehawkerinn.com.au
🍕 Pizza
Domino's Pizza
What can we say? They are just a big brand pizza company — though they do deliver and give local young kids the chance to learn things as they head towards full-time employment.
📞 (02) 4916 2520
Sharkey's Pizza Shack
Famous for their 'cheap arse' pizza deals every Tuesday but gets very busy as people order a few and take home to freeze some.
📞 (02) 4984 9599 · sharkyspizza.com.au
The Wood Oven
You won't believe this but they do the best hot chips in Nelson Bay, hands down. Pizzas are also very good and a great place to go with the family — indoor seating or a balcony overlooking the marina on a balmy night. BYO also.
📞 (02) 4984 4800 · thewoodoven.com.au
🍝 Italian
Nigronis at the Bay
Situated right in the heart of Nelson Bay, with indoor or outdoor eating options. Their slow cooked lamb shoulder is to die for — best to arrange when booking as numbers are limited. Big enough to share for two.
📞 (02) 4033 2449 · nigronisatthebay.com · 77 Magnus St
Sirena Seaside
Upstairs above Magnolia's in the main marina. Not cheap food but they do have happy hour drinks and a balcony overlooking the marina.
📞 0411 616 542 · sirenaseaside.com · Upper Level, d'Albora Marina
🫙 Indian
2 Brothers Indian
📞 (02) 4905 5608 · 2brothersindian.com · Unit 2/30 Donald St
Taj Tandoori
📞 (02) 4981 5521 · tajtandoori.com.au · 30 Donald St
The Only Place Indian
📞 (02) 4984 4414 · theonlyplace.com.au · 10/17 Stockton St
🍦 Ice Cream & Gelato
Marina Ice Creamery
Right in the heart of the marina. Everything made fresh and in-house, with flavours that will get your tastebuds singing. Grab a favourite after dinner and stroll around with childhood memories flooding back. Over 50 flavours to choose from.
📞 (02) 4984 1788 · marinaicecream.com.au
Neros Gelato
They open at 10am and shut at 9pm with an hour break from 5pm to 6pm. A well run family business with all of their gelato made in-house. Ideal for a stroll after dinner in the Bay. Remember that calories don't count whilst you are on holiday!
📞 0413 437 485
🫒 Greek
Nostimo at the Bay
Expect the same style as The Deck restaurant in Soldiers Point. Main servings are very generous and you could share them easily. Cocktails are very good as well, so the ladies tell me.
📞 (02) 4062 8898 · nostimo.au · 1 Trafalgar St
This guide reflects personal visits and opinions. Details like hours and menus change — always worth a call before making a special trip.
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