Five places to dine this summer on the Sapphire Coast.

Words by: Miranda O’rourke

When asked where to dine on the Sapphire Coast, we are spoilt for options. These are 5 restaurants that you don’t want to miss this Summer.

My Valentina 

Sitting up high and overlooking Merimbula Lake over to Bar Beach, this place will transport you. Brought to you by people who know food, Val’s is a favourite amongst locals and visitors. The interiors of the restaurant are the first thing you notice when you walk up the stairs and arrive into the restaurant. You’re presented with beautifully rendered white textured walls, styled with touches of the Mediterranean and of course then you’re hit with the view. Whenever I dine here I am reminded of what a paradise this part of the world is. The unpretentiousness of this restaurant means you can walk in straight from the beach, with sandy toes and salt in your hair – the perfect summer eatery.

The food at Val’s is high quality. Designed for sharing, it is the perfect place to grab some friends and try multiple dishes. With a seasonal based menu, the dining experience is regularly changing, with fresh and local seafood often being the highlight. 

Tip: We’d recommend an earlier dinner. So you can take in the full view.

Banksia 

We love Pambula. It really has everything you need, and thankfully for us, an amazing restaurant is one of its perks! Situated in Pambula’s old bank, the restaurant lies in the heart of Pambula’s main street. The eatery is perfect for those who can never make a decision when looking at a menu, (me!). I often get overwhelmed and conflicted by the many choices, and I am also one of those who get significant food envy when I look over at what other diners are eating. With this, Banksia is the perfect spot to eat. The menu is a set three course meal which changes weekly. The menu incorporates local produce wherever possible and often collaborates with local growers and producers. Huw and Renee know their food, but they also know their wine. We love to dine in and match our meals to the wine they have carefully selected to compliment the meals.

Tip: Book ahead. Things fill up fast here.

The Oyster Barn 

When you travel to a small coastal town known for its oysters and seafood, you are going to want to dive into the best. Lucky for you (and us) the Oyster Barn is just up the road from the cottage. Located right on the edge of Merimbula Lake, the barn doubles as a production factory and an eatery. 

Here, you can buy fresh seafood to take home or you can perch up in the sunshine under the mangroves and eat perfectly prepared seafood by the experts. The people here know seafood – they live and breathe it. So, all you need to do is sit back, soak in the sunshine and bite into some oysters, or scallops, or tuna, or whatever else tickles your fancy.

Tip: This is a daytime venue. Pack a hat!

The Tasting Room 

You’ll know by now the Sapphire Coast is home to amazing fresh produce, so naturally a tasting room on the coast would be a hit. Brought to you by the duo behind Pambula’s finest café, Toast, The Tasting Room brings together local producers – North Eden Gin, Broadwater Oysters and Breakfast Creek Vineyard. Learn all about the process behind the produce and ask questions to the people making it happen. Book in at a time that suits, with most days offering more than one sitting. 

Tip: This has only popped up for the month of January. It’s now or never.

Tathra Pub 

We love a good pub, and Tathra pub is just that. A short 25 minute drive from the cottage is the town of Tathra and it is a beauty. Hit hard by bushfires two years in a row, and bouncing back only to head straight into the firing line of covid. The town of Tathra offers many things, one of those being an old historic pub with an amazing view of the ocean. Often known for spotting whales in peak season while you dine, the view of the ocean is probably our favourite thing about this pub, closely followed by the fact that the pub has no pokies and pulls it main revenue through supporting local artists and musicians. Support a local pub which supports our small community.

Tip: Research what is on at the pub and choose a night that has a live band!