Long summer days and warm coastal nights call for eating well and lingering longer, and Wollongong delivers on both. From laid-back cafés perfect for slow mornings to breezy beachside venues and spots made for sunset drinks by the water, the city’s food and drink scene comes alive in summer.
Whether you’re fuelling up after a swim, planning a long lunch with friends or chasing that golden-hour glow, these are the places that capture the best of where to eat in Wollongong this summer – relaxed, vibrant and perfectly matched to the season.
Cafés That Do Summer Mornings Properly
Summer mornings in Wollongong are best spent with good coffee, fresh flavours and a table that lets you ease into the day. The city’s café scene leans bright, beachy and effortlessly cool, with spots that do standout breakfasts, long brunches and quality coffee worth lingering over.
Whether you’re starting the day after an early swim or settling in for a slow catch-up with friends, these cafés set the tone for sunny days done right.
Longboard Cafe
Bright, breezy and sitting right by the sand, Longboard Cafe is a Wollongong favourite for summer mornings that roll effortlessly into lunch. This covered al fresco spot on South Beach pairs unbeatable coastal views with a menu that’s fresh, wholesome and made to suit the season.
Food here is all about balance. You’ll find vibrant wholefood dishes, vegan and vegetarian options, colourful acai bowls and salads alongside classic café comforts like bacon and egg rolls, eggs benedict and beachside burgers. The menu changes seasonally, keeping things interesting and focused on quality local produce.
Coffee lovers are well looked after too, with specialty beans roasted by local legends Seven Mile, plus smooth matcha and refreshing smoothies for warmer days. Pet-friendly, relaxed and perfectly placed by the water, Longboard Cafe nails that sweet spot between healthy eats, good coffee and laid-back summer vibes.
Diggies
Perched right on the edge of North Beach, Diggies is the kind of café that captures Australian beach culture perfectly. Bright, breezy and always buzzing, it’s a go-to for fresh food, great coffee and those uninterrupted ocean views that make brunch feel like a holiday.
The all-day menu leans seasonal and local, with dishes designed for long, relaxed meals by the sea. Whether you’re settling in for a late brunch, catching up over lunch or easing into the afternoon, there’s plenty to choose from – including a dedicated Little One’s menu for families.
If you’re in the mood to linger, Diggies also delivers with a well-curated wine and cocktail list that pairs beautifully with the coastal setting. Popular with locals, families and beachgoers alike, it’s a summer staple that blends casual dining with laid-back seaside style.
Lee and Me
Warm, welcoming and full of character, Lee and Me feels less like a café and more like a home you want to linger in. Set inside a beautifully restored heritage terrace house dating back to 1890, it’s a charming spot for breakfast, lunch or a long coffee catch-up.
Inside, the vibe is relaxed and friendly, with cosy indoor spaces, a sunny balcony for warmer days and a communal table that invites you to settle in and stay awhile. The menu delivers on all fronts, with standout breakfast and lunch dishes, freshly baked goods and excellent specialty coffee that locals rave about.
There’s also cocktails if you’re keen to switch gears later in the day, plus takeaway options when you’re on the move. Effortlessly inviting and full of heart, Lee and Me is one of those places that quickly feels like your go-to.
Beachside Eats That Taste Better After a Swim
When summer hits, meals by the water just taste better. Wollongong’s beachside dining scene is all about easy-going food, salty air and views that steal the spotlight.
From casual coastal lunches to long, relaxed meals with the ocean right in front of you, these spots are made for lingering between swims, sharing plates with friends and soaking up that unmistakable beachside atmosphere.
The Boathouse North Wollongong
Sitting right above the sand on the top level of the North Wollongong Surf Life Saving Club, The Boathouse North Wollongong delivers one of the city’s best beachside dining views. With sweeping outlooks across North Wollongong Beach, it’s the kind of place where you arrive for a meal and end up staying longer than planned.
The venue offers two distinct vibes in one. A lively bistro serves up a seasonal menu inspired by the surrounding land, lakes and sea, while the bar and terrace lean more casual, perfect for relaxed meals and drinks just steps from the shoreline.
Bright, open and effortlessly coastal, The Boathouse is ideal for summer lunches, easy dinners and laid-back afternoons spent watching the waves roll in.
Headlands Austinmer Beach
With sweeping ocean views and a relaxed coastal atmosphere, Headlands Austinmer Beach is a standout for beachside dining that feels like a mini escape. Perched above the sand, it’s the kind of place where the view is just as memorable as what’s on your plate.
There’s something for every mood here. Settle in at the bistro for breakfast, lunch or dinner, grab woodfired pizza, sample fresh, seasonal dishes or keep it casual with bites from The Airstream. On weekends, the vibe lifts even further with pop-up food options and live music, making it an easy choice for long summer sessions by the sea.
Whether you’re dropping in for a casual meal, enjoying a sundowner with friends or pairing great food with a coastal stay, Headlands Austinmer Beach delivers laid-back dining with front-row ocean views.
South Sailor
Built around a love of casual, fresh seafood, South Sailor is made for long lunches, easy dinners and everything in between after a day by the water. Relaxed and welcoming, it’s the kind of place where you kick off your shoes, order to share and let the afternoon roll on.
The menu blends classic chip-shop favourites with more adventurous seafood flavours, including an in-house sushi and poké bar. Everything is cooked to order and designed for sharing, with sustainably sourced fish and a strong focus on local prawns, oysters and seafood from the South Coast, Australia and New Zealand.
Behind the bar, you’ll find wines made for seafood feasts, a solid line-up of beers and ciders from the South Coast and across Australia, plus a few favourites on tap. With indoor and outdoor seating, a licensed bar and a kids’ beach cubby, South Sailor works just as well for a relaxed family lunch as it does for an evening of shared plates, drinks and laid-back coastal vibes.
Sunset Drinks That Stretch into Warm Summer Nights
When the sun starts to dip and the sky turns golden, Wollongong knows how to do drinks with a view. From beachfront bars to elevated spots overlooking the coastline, sunset is the city’s cue to slow down, raise a glass and soak it all in.
These venues are made for golden hour moments, where ocean breezes, warm light and a perfectly timed drink set the scene for summer nights that stretch just a little longer…
PEPE’s on the Beach
Open, airy and made for golden hour, PEPE’s on the Beach delivers sunset drinks with uninterrupted ocean views and serious holiday energy. With expansive bi-fold doors and open windows facing the water, the sea breeze rolls straight through, setting the tone for relaxed, beachside evenings.
The large deck is the heart of the venue, blending Mediterranean-inspired outdoor living with laid-back Australian coastal style. Hanging chairs, palm trees and sweeping beach views make it an easy place to settle in as the sun dips lower.
The food and drink menu leans fresh and vibrant, drawing on California-inspired flavours designed to be shared. Pair a cocktail with a few plates, watch the sky change colour and let the evening unfold – PEPE’s is all about slowing down and soaking up the moment.
The Imperial at Clifton
Just moments from the iconic Sea Cliff Bridge, The Imperial at Clifton is a true destination for sunset drinks with a view. Set along the Grand Pacific Drive, the venue delivers sweeping clifftop outlooks across the Pacific Ocean and escarpment, making golden hour here something special.
Steeped in history, the venue beautifully blends its heritage roots with a refreshed coastal charm. Original features like the timber staircase, reinstated front terrace and multiple fireplaces create a warm, character-filled atmosphere that invites you to slow down and take it all in.
Whether you’re stopping in after a scenic drive or settling in for drinks as the sun sinks into the sea, The Imperial pairs great food and drinks with one of the most memorable outlooks on the coast.
Georgia Rose Shell Cove
From morning coffee to sunset cocktails, Georgia Rose Shell Cove knows how to shift gears as the day rolls on. By night, the venue comes alive as a vibrant bar, serving craft beers, curated wines and premium spirits alongside a seasonal menu designed to share, snack or feast.
Set against sweeping marina views, the space is bold, welcoming and full of personality. Hand-painted murals, lush greenery and warm lighting create an atmosphere that’s perfect for easing into the evening as the sun dips over Shell Cove’s harbour.
With regular happy hours, themed nights and sunset sessions on offer, Georgia Rose is made for lingering with friends, sipping something special and soaking up one of the coast’s most beautiful backdrops.
From sunrise coffees to beachside lunches and sunset drinks that roll into warm nights, Wollongong’s food and drink scene is made for summer. Whether you’re chasing casual café vibes, relaxed meals by the water or a front-row seat to golden hour, these spots capture the best of eating and drinking along the coast.
Add them to your summer hit list and let the season unfold, one great meal and perfectly timed drink at a time.