17 of the best restaurants, cafes & drinking spots in Port Stephens

Breakfast spots and casual eats

The Little Nel

Where: Nelson Bay

A favourite with both locals and visitors, The Little Nel is the perfect beachy place to start your day. Grab a seat on the leafy patio (dogs welcome) and order a coffee before tucking in to shishito chilli scrambled eggs, roasted pumpkin bruschetta, a chilli lobster and prawn omelette, or fresh peach and mango crepes.

Saltwater Restaurant

Where: Fingal Bay

Perched atop the Fingal Bay Surf Club, Saltwater Restaurant has a relaxed atmosphere and beachy vibe, complemented by the sweeping ocean views. It’s a popular spot for a long lunch, afternoon drinks or casual dinner. You’ll find local Holbert’s oysters on the menu as well as fish, burgers and steaks, plus an impressive cocktail list.

Shoal Bay Country Club

Where: Shoal Bay

This sprawling, pastel-hued venue on the waterfront at Shoal Bay has a restaurant for every mood and every time of day. Start with breakfast downstairs at Mermaids Cafe or just grab a sweet treat from Mermaids Bakery. At lunchtime, The Kitchen & Patio has gorgeous ocean views and fresh seafood, woodfired pizza and cocktails on the menu. Atmos specialises in authentic Greek cuisine, from chargrilled octopus and slow roasted lamb shoulder to a classic souvla.

Crest Birubi Beach

Where: Anna Bay

Surrounded by the sands of the Worimi Conservation Lands, Crest Birubi Beach might just have the best views in Port Stephens. With a glass-walled dining room and open air terrace, you’ll be able to soak in the sea breezes and coastal scenery with every bite. It’s open for breakfast and lunch every day, plus dinner on Friday and Saturday, and the menu is a mix of local seafood, fresh salads and bistro staples.

Cheeky Dog

Where: Soldiers Point

Set on the ground floor of Bannisters Port Stephens and just 50 metres from the sand, Cheeky Dog is a coastal pub with a Mediterranean spin. Start your meal with a selection of antipasti – like parma ham, olives, whipped ricotta and guindilla peppers – then move on to cider steamed mussels, stone baked barramundi or prawn linguini. The large venue can seat 400 people across indoor and outdoor sections, and your pup is always welcome to dine with you.

Chic coastal dining

Rick Stein at Bannisters

Where: Soldiers Point

The second outpost of famed English chef Rick Stein, the restaurant is part of the stylish Bannisters Port Stephens hotel. As you would expect from Stein, local seafood is the standout, though the menu draws inspiration from his travels around the globe. Expect flavours from Asia, the Middle East, India, Mexico, Turkey and beyond. Sit outside on the terrace or tuck into a cosy booth and ask the expert sommelier to recommend the perfect pairing for your meal.

Mavericks on the Bay

Where: Nelson Bay

Look out over the boats bobbing at anchor in d’Albora Marina as you feast on fresh seafood at Mavericks on the Bay. From the sashimi plate to freshly shucked Holbert’s oysters, lobster bao buns, battered barramundi and chips, and the three-tiered seafood platter, this is a meal you will remember. Don’t miss their colourful cocktails, just the thing to toast a day on the dunes.

Little Beach Boathouse

Where: Nelson Bay

You can’t get much more waterfront that Little Beach Boathouse. Set on the edge of Nelson Bay with a deck that juts out over the sand, the bright and sunny restaurant promises modern Australian dining with a focus on ingredients from the region. Local oysters, plenty of seafood and European-inspired dishes like confit duck, sous vide lamb rump and squid ink spaghetti make for a satisfying meal. For a pre-dinner cocktail, head to Below Deck bar on the lower level at sunset.

Tillermans

Where: Tea Gardens

The longest continually operating restaurant on the NSW North Coast, Tillermans can trace its history back to 1883. Today, it’s a warm and welcoming French-inspired cafe and bistro. The indulgent menu includes dishes like a breakfast trifle, sauteed mushrooms with garlic and hazelnut butter, twice bakes goats cheese souffle, and a very Gallic fromage and charcuterie board with duck terrine, chicken liver pâté and pork rillettes.

The Galley Kitchen

Where: Corlette

This award-winning restaurant is part of the luxurious Anchorage Port Stephens hotel and overlooks its sparkling pool and the marina beyond. It offers all day dining, so you can start with their signature sparkling breakfast, relax over a pizza at lunch or finish the day with an elaborate seafood tower. Don’t forget to order dessert – the boozy chocolate tart is worth every calorie.

Seafood and local produce

Bub’s Famous Fish & Chips

Where: Nelson Bay 

The Fishermen’s Wharf on the marina at Nelson Bay is the go-to spot for some of the best restaurants in the area, so you know the seafood is going to be good. Head to Bub’s Famous Fish & Chips and grab a dozen oysters, some fresh prawns, barbecued octopus and some fresh fish, and you’ve got a feast fit for a king. You can even bring a bottle of wine and relax on the deck.

Holberts Oyster Farm

Where: Salamander Bay

Port Stephens is famous for its oysters with millions of shellfish harvested from the clear waters of the estuary each year. Holberts Oyster Farm is one of the area’s main producers and you’ll see their oysters on menus everywhere. Go straight to the source and eat them at their waterside outlet, where you can watch the workers shuck them fresh from the sea. It’s also fully licensed, so pair them with a glass of wine or cold beer.

Little Mavs

Where: Nelson Bay

Sometimes, it’s best to keep things simple. Little Mavs is a classic seafood takeaway joint on the water at Nelson Bay. Pick up some fish and chips, barbecue king prawns or a lobster roll, and sit by the foreshore to watch the boats moving around the harbour. Perfect.

Medowie Macadamias

Where: Medowie

The 12-acre plantation at Medowie Macadamias has been growing their signature nut for more than 40 years. It’s a family-run business and the owners are involved in every step of production, from harvesting the nuts to creating tasty new products. Wander through the farm then visit the cafe to taste some of their specialty treats.

Cellar doors, breweries and distilleries

Lemon Tree Passage Distillery

Where: Lemon Tree Passage 

This boutique distillery and its tiny waterfront bar opened in 2020 and quickly became known for its delicious, botanical infused spirits. Think gin with mountain pepperberry, acacia wattleseed and local honey for sweetness. Or vodka infused with hibiscus, rosehip, apple and berries. Sit down and enjoy a cocktail, then buy a bottle of your favourite to take home. 

Murray’s Craft Brewing Company

Where: Bobs Farm

Port Stephens’ only craft brewery, Murray’s Craft Brewing Company has been creating unique brews for almost 20 years. It has now expanded into B Farm by Murray’s, which includes the brewery, a winery and distillery, William Restaurant and the Agnes High Tea Pavilion. You can also order a picnic basket to enjoy on the spacious grounds or among the vines. It’s a one-stop shop for all things local and delicious.

Tynan Wines

Where: Salamander Bay

Though no grapes are grown in Port Stephens, Tynan Wines sources the best from vineyards around NSW to create their delicious drops. The range includes everything from bubbles to crisp whites, blush rose and rich reds, as well as custom creations like limoncello spritz, sangria and mulled wine. Visit the cellar door for a tasting or book in for one of their monthly degustation dinners.