6 Best Restaurants in North Coast, New South Wales

Dining at Arajilla Retreat at least once during a stay on Lord Howe Island is a must. The cuisine, which changes daily, uses fish straight from the ocean and lovely homegrown vegetables. Begin with a drink at the cozy bar, decked out just a little like a gentlemen's club with leather armchairs, and then take a seat at the restaurant with its white walls and one dramatic burgundy-color feature wall. The three-course menu changes weekly, based on what is fresh and in season, with the likes of sesame-crusted kingfish often on offer. Desserts are irresistible and may include black sticky rice with lychee sorbet, toasted coconut, and kaffir lime.

In-house guests take precedent over those not staying at the resort, so bookings are essential.

Located in a picturesque seaside setting, this restaurant offers a menu featuring a variety of seafood dishes prepared with locally sourced ingredients. It's a relaxed dining experience with views of the ocean but offering a high-end culinary experience, with dishes like loin of kingfish and seared swordfish. This is a popular Friday and Saturday night spot for both locals and those visiting, wanting to savor delicious seafood.

In this century-old farmhouse with distant views of Byron Bay the draw is upmarket Mod Oz cuisine blending Asian and Mediterranean flavors. Produce fresh from the owners' farm is featured on the ever-changing menus. There is always one meat dish and one seafood, like dry-aged bone in rib eye with tarragon bernaise or line caught fish roasted on citrus leaves, capers, olives. As the name suggests, the restaurant also has accommodations: the Dairy and the Sunrise House, two cottages with wonderful views, can both sleep up to eight people. The restaurant is located 5 km (3 miles) inland from Byron Bay at Ewingsdale.

Fish-and-chips don't come any fresher than those served at the fishermen's co-op near the breakwall on the northern side of the harbor in Coffs—everything on the menu is straight off the trawler. Although most of the retail space is given to sales of fresh seafood, you can buy freshly cooked (grilled, battered, or crumbed) fish-and-chips here, as well as calamari, fish cocktails, and salads. There are a few tables on a covered deck out front, but the best place to eat is perched on a rock on the nearby breakwall, staring out to sea.

This is a fine place to socialize with the locals and tourists and enjoy some honest, unpretentious food. The on-site restaurant and bar called The Golfy is open to nonmembers for dinner on Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday, and the menu includes a variety of roasts (such as roast chicken or lamb), steak with garlic butter, schnitzel, fish, and salads. Friday night is the "big night out" on the island, when almost everyone turns up for the sunset barbecue—try the barbecue kingfish and grab an ice-cold beer. Desserts include what appears to be the island staple—sticky-date pudding and ice cream. It's best to come early to take in the view over the golf links and the lagoon beyond. 

Overlooking the harbor’s edge, here you'll find fresh produce and traditional Japanese fare. Serving up sashimi, sushi, and noodles, Nagisa is a popular weekend restaurant with a buzzy atmosphere. There's also a lively teppanyaki bar, where you'll be mesmerized by the talented chefs and incredible aromas of sizzling meats and fresh seafood.