Sun, salt, and something delicious in your hand – that’s summer in Wollongong. With sparkling beaches, ocean rock pools, harbour swims and a thriving coastal food scene, Wollongong is the ultimate summer destination for anyone who plans their day around their next bite. From beachside cafés and takeaway fish and chips to breezy long lunches and sunset drinks by the water, this is your go-to guide to eating your way through a Wollongong summer.
Whether you’re visiting from Sydney for the weekend, road-tripping along the Grand Pacific Drive, or simply chasing the best beaches and restaurants in the Illawarra, consider this your permission to eat, swim, repeat.
Sunrise Sips & Beachside Brekkie
There’s something special about a Wollongong summer morning. The sand is still cool underfoot, the ocean is glassy, and the only real dilemma is – swim first or coffee first? Whether you’re emerging from an early dip at North Wollongong Beach, floating in the harbour, or strolling along the Blue Mile, this is a city that does breakfast with a view exceptionally well.
At the northern end of North Wollongong Beach, North Kiosk is a rite of passage. Post-swim flat whites, flaky pastries and classic breakfast plates are best enjoyed with uninterrupted ocean views and salty hair. It’s casual, iconic and exactly what summer mornings should taste like.
Across from City Beach, Longboard Café brings laidback coastal charm to the brekkie ritual. Smoothie bowls, stacked toasties, fresh juices and consistently good coffee make it a go-to for beach lovers who like their mornings bright and easy. Swimmers line up barefoot, sunglasses on, already planning their second dip.
Overlooking Wollongong Harbour, Basin Café delivers that dreamy combination of boats bobbing in the background and strong, reliable coffee in hand. It’s relaxed, welcoming and ideal for easing into the day after a harbour swim, with generous breakfast plates that keep you lingering a little longer than planned.
Just around the harbour, Bombora is another local favourite where the views and the coffee go hand in hand. With harbour outlooks and satisfying breakfast options, it’s perfect for fuelling up before a coastal walk, a surf session or a full day of beach-hopping. Order your go-to brew, breathe in the ocean air, and settle into summer mode.
Swim, Snack, Repeat
Summer in Wollongong isn’t about sitting still. It’s dip, dry off, snack, repeat. From harbour swims to ocean rock pools and long stretches of golden sand, this is a region made for grazing between swims.
Right on Wollongong Harbour, Levendi is the kind of place you head straight to when the only thing on your mind is classic fish and chips. Grab a box, find a spot overlooking the water (which isn’t hard) and let the sea breeze handle the rest. And because it’s summer, you’re absolutely justified in following it up with a scoop (or two) of their delicious gelato before wandering back in for another harbour dip.
For something a little different, Salty Dog Café is a local favourite serving freshly roasted coffee and traditional East European-style crêpes that hit the spot at any time of day. Whether you’re refuelling after a morning surf or chasing something sweet between beach sessions, this is where breakfast, brunch and dessert blur together in the best way possible. Coffee in hand, crêpe folded just right – it’s an easy yes.
Further north in Coledale, Rosie’s Fish & Chips is worth the scenic coastal drive alone. Their beer-battered fish is fresh and cooked to order, using wild caught, sustainably sourced fish from Australian waters. The hand-cut chips are made from local spuds and triple cooked for maximum crunch, with the option to have them fried in Australian grass-fed beef dripping. Take your haul down to the sand, watch the waves roll in, and tell us that isn’t peak summer.
Because in Wollongong, the formula is simple – swim, snack, repeat.
Long Lunches with a Coastal Breeze
When the sun is high and the morning swim has well and truly earned its reward, it’s time to stretch things out. Long lunches in Wollongong aren’t rushed. They’re slow, sun-soaked and best enjoyed with something cold in your glass and salt still in your hair.
Up in Austinmer, Headlands Austinmer Beach is made for this exact moment. Sitting pretty above the coastline, it’s relaxed, vibrant and built for lingering. Settle in with fresh, seasonal plates, share a few dishes across the table and let the ocean views do most of the talking. It’s the kind of place where lunch easily drifts into the afternoon.
Back in the city, Lagoon Seafood Restaurant has been a waterfront favourite for decades. Overlooking the harbour, it’s ideal for those who like their long lunches generous and full of flavour. Gather your crew, order broadly and lean into the seafood-heavy menu that feels perfectly matched to a sparkling summer day by the water.
Just steps from the sand at North Wollongong Beach, PEPE’s on the Beach brings colour, fun and bold flavours to the table. Think vibrant dishes, refreshing cocktails and a setting that practically demands a second round. It’s playful, lively and perfectly positioned for a post-lunch stroll along the beach.
And then there’s The Boathouse North Wollongong, located above North Wollongong Surf Club with its deck offering uninterrupted ocean views across North Wollongong Beach. With breezy coastal energy and a crowd-pleasing menu, it’s an easy choice for a sun-drenched catch-up that rolls effortlessly from lunch into late afternoon drinks.
In Wollongong, a long lunch isn’t just a meal – it’s part of the ritual. Swim, refuel, repeat.
Sweet Treats & Gelato Stops
No summer day in Wollongong is complete without something cold, creamy and slightly melting down your hand. After all the swimming, wandering and long lunches, this is your cue to lean into dessert.
Up in Austinmer, Austi Beach Café is famous for its authentic gelato, prepared the artisan way just like the Italians have done for generations. Made in-house using high-quality ingredients, it’s considered by many to be some of the best around. And honestly, there’s no better place to enjoy it than directly opposite one of the most beautiful beaches in the country. Ocean in front of you, cone in hand, sun on your face – summer perfection.
In the Wollongong CBD and just a few minutes from City Beach, Cow & the Moon is a family-run artisan gelateria that churns fresh gelato all day, every day. With exceptional attention to detail and quality, and accolades both locally and internationally, it’s become a true neighbourhood institution. Whether you’re team classic chocolate or feeling adventurous, this is where gelato cravings are taken very seriously.
And if you’re road-tripping back towards Sydney, Gelato Emporium at Bulli Tops is your strategic final stop. Located next to our Visitor Information Centre, it’s perfectly positioned for one last sweet fix before the drive home. Consider it the closing ceremony of your Wollongong summer – windows down, spoon in hand, already planning your next visit.
Because in a place like this, dessert isn’t optional. It’s tradition.
Sunset Sips & Easy Dinners
As the sun starts to dip and the sky shifts into soft pinks and golds, there’s only one rule – no one’s cooking. After a full day of swimming, snacking and soaking up the coast, dinner should be easy, satisfying and worth lingering over.
In the heart of the CBD, Little Vietnam is your go-to for fresh, flavour-packed dishes that hit the spot every time. Serving authentic Vietnamese cuisine alongside modernised favourites at quality prices, it’s ideal for a relaxed dinner that doesn’t feel overcomplicated. With vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free friendly options available, it’s an easy crowd-pleaser whether you’re dining as a couple, with friends or bringing the whole crew.
Just around the corner, The Living Room Wollongong delivers Greek-inspired food, icy cold tap beer and a warm, inviting atmosphere that keeps locals and visitors coming back for more. It’s vibrant, generous and made for sharing – the kind of place where plates land in the centre of the table and conversation flows as easily as the drinks. Top-notch hospitality and great food? Always a good idea.
And if you want to end the day with uninterrupted beach views, Seaside Shahi is nestled right by North Wollongong Beach, offering a dining experience like no other. Serving rich, flavourful Indian cuisine with the ocean just beyond your table, it’s the perfect setting for a sunset dinner that feels both comforting and special. Waves rolling in, spices warming the air, and that last glow of the day lingering over the water – summer doesn’t get much better.
Because here in Wollongong, the rhythm is simple – eat, swim, repeat. And when the day winds down, you do it all again tomorrow.
From sunrise swims to sunset dinners, Wollongong serves up summer exactly how it should be – salty, sun-soaked and seriously delicious. Whether you’re chasing the perfect post-dip coffee, classic fish and chips by the harbour, artisan gelato by the beach or an easy dinner with ocean views, this is your sign to plan the ultimate coastal escape. Eat, swim, repeat – it really is that simple!