Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. Australia
  3. New South Wales

Restaurants near Lake Illawarra

Price
Cuisine
Top Rated
Dining Options
Seating Options
Award-winning
Accessibility

293 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

A photo of Casa Nova Italian Restaurant & Bar, Shellharbour restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(20)
$$$$
• Italian • Oak Flats
Booked 15 times today
Delicious wood-fired pizza and enticing handmade pasta are waiting for you at Casa Nova Italian Restaurant and Bar.Whether you plan an intimate date night or a celebration with your friends or family, Casa Nova combines comfortable seating with talented chefs and brilliant front-of-house staff.You’ll be hard-pressed to draw your eyes from the table once the food arrives. Casa Nova is a mecca for lovers of Italian cuisine. Handmade pasta and wood-fired pizza are calling cards for the venue — but there’s more. Seafood, steaks, ribs, burgers, vegan, and vegetarian delicacies are also on offer.We celebrate our local produce with our wine list. Many New South Wales vineyards are featured here, with tap beer from around the world also readily available for you to try.Finally, you can finish your meal with a decadent dessert, be it a traditional tiramisu or a rich Nutella pizza.
A photo of The Coffee Club - Shellharbour restaurant
4.3
Awesome(3)
$$$$
• Café • Oak Flats
Booked 2 times today
Coffee Club Shellharbour is your go-to destination for a cozy and welcoming café experience. As soon as you step through our doors, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the sight of our friendly team will make you feel right at home. We have a huge selection of specialty teas, hot chocolate and soft drinks, as well as refreshing cocktails, ensuring there's something on the menu for everyone to enjoy.Our menu offers an array of dishes to satisfy your cravings, from our hearty big breakfast to our famous Eggs Benny Croissant.For lunch, grab a Chicken Club Salad or Lemon Pepper Calamari.We also have a selection of cakes and biscuits in the cabinet to choose from.
A photo of Kneading Ruby restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(1956)
$$$$
• Italian • Wollongong
Booked 33 times today
Kneading Ruby is a modern Italian restaurant in the heart of Wollongong, offering a vibrant atmosphere with high ceilings and exposed brick walls. Enjoy a breezy café feel during the day, and an intimate setting for evening dining. Our menu celebrates rustic Italian flavors with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Savor our wood-fired pizzas with crispy, thin crusts and delectable toppings. Indulge in melt-in-your-mouth gnocchi, succulent lamb shoulder, and seasonal vegetable sides bursting with flavor. Whether you're having a casual lunch with friends, a romantic dinner for two, or a lively gathering, Kneading Ruby caters to all. Our set menus allow you to sample a variety of dishes, perfect for sharing and creating memories. Experience the warmth and charm of Kneading Ruby, where our friendly staff will guide you through an extensive wine and cocktail list to complement your meal. Come and enjoy a taste of Italy right here in Wollongong!
A photo of Restaurant Santino restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(554)
$$$$
• Italian • Wollongong
Booked 15 times today
Restaurant Santino is tucked away in the corner of a lively laneway in central Wollongong. Our Italian style bistro has a wonderfully classic feel, creating an ambiance fit for a dirty martini and a number from Nina Simone. Walls are adorned with art deco prints which set off this incredibly designed, chic space. Our team of talented chefs takes pride in using only the freshest ingredients and creating dishes that are both traditional and contemporary. We make our fresh pasta daily, on a rotating menu so you can always expect something new and exciting.At Restaurant Santino, we understand that a great meal deserves an equally great wine pairing. That’s why we have a cellar stocked with an impressive selection of wines from around the world. Whether you’re a seasoned wine enthusiast or just discovering the joys of wine, our team is here to help you find the perfect bottle to complement your meal.
A photo of Bar Lina restaurant
4.9
Exceptional(73)
$$$$
• Portuguese • Wollongong
Booked 4 times today
Inspired by the bustling tabernas of Lisbon, Bar Lina is a cosy, fire-fuelled Iberian bar serving bold Portuguese and Basque flavours with an Australian wine bar feel.It’s the kind of place where everything revolves around the flame—smouldering embers, blistered veg, and snacky plates that riff on the flavours of Portugal and the Basque coast.Next door to Restaurant Santino in the heart of Wollongong, Bar Lina hums with warmth and energy. The wine leans Iberian and natural, and the soundtrack slides from the groove of prince to the head-nodding beats of Biggie. Expect stacks of vinyl, buttery lighting, and a room that feels as good as it sounds.Whether you’re dropping in for a quick glass and a bite, or settling in for the long haul, Bar Lina is about good wine, good food, and music that moves the room.While we love little ones, our restaurant is designed as an intimate space best enjoyed by adults. As such, we are unable to accommodate children, including infants and prams.
A photo of Ain't Nonna's restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(367)
$$$$
• Contemporary Italian • Wollongong
Booked 10 times today
WE AIN'T NONNA'S! It's a simple as that. We love and appreciate all the Nonna's out there and the beautiful food they create. We don't want to compete with your Nonna's cooking, so we won't. This is our take on home style Italian cooking.
A photo of Ruki Robatayaki Grill & Bar restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(776)
$$$$
• Creative Japanese • Wollongong
Booked 19 times today
Fire, smoke, and umami - RUKI is all about the good stuff. From the team that brought you Débutant Dining comes a new experience inspired by the late-night izakayas of Japan, right in the heart of Wollongong.Enjoy charred skewers straight off the grill, fresh seafood and cold beer. Take a seat at the bar and let us take care of you. You deserve it.
A photo of Debutant restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(650)
$$$$
• Steakhouse • Wollongong
Booked 8 times today
Showcasing Australia's best and rarest cuts of beef dry aged in house and butchered daily. We are very proud to cook our steaks exclusively over iron bark the best and only way in our opinion. Soak up the feeling of opulence in our dining room or enjoy a drink in our upstairs lounge, dark and moody inspired a New York loft sit back and relax, enjoy a snack or burger.Indulge in the finest cuts and luxurious atmosphere, and savour the flavours that define this unparalleled steakhouse experience.Established relationships with our esteemed suppliers, nurtured since 2019, grant us access to the finest selection of wagyu beef.In our journey, we invite our guests to discover the diversity and profound taste profiles of the different breeds, cuts, and regions. Our extensive menu tells the story of our hard working farmers, offering an insight into the careful breeding, meticulous feeding, and dedicated care behind each variety.
A photo of Plough & Ale restaurant
4.1
Excellent(53)
$$$$
• Modern Australian • Albion Park
Booked 19 times today
Connecting local village-style charm with a stylish and cultural feel, the Plough & Ale Inn is a reflection of the area's history combined with an infectious modern outlook for our bright new suburb.Our menu pays homage to the history of the local surrounds, with top quality steaks and handsome feeds a signature.
A photo of The Grounds of Alexandria Cafe restaurant
4.3
Awesome(3191)
$$$$
• Café • Alexandria
Booked 168 times today
The Cafe food and drinks menu is bursting with fresh flavour, made with the finest quality ingredients and created with The Grounds own grown and locally sourced produce. The Cafe at The Grounds has team of chefs who constantly push the boundaries and reinvents the classics in order to deliver you perfect flavour combinations that will make you want to come back time and time again.NOTE: At The Cafe, to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to dine in, we operate on a walk-in only basis for smaller tables during peak hours. If no tables are available on arrival, we will add you to an electronic waiting list and text you when your table is ready, leaving you free to explore the rest of The Grounds. Rest assured, all groups on the wait list will be able to dine-in on the day.

How is content generated

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you

Discover best restaurants near Lake Illawarra

Lake Illawarra is a picturesque destination perfect for a day of relaxation and exploration in New South Wales. Where to Eat Near Lake Illawarra? The dining options near Lake Illawarra are as diverse as they are delicious. Guests can indulge in casual dining experiences ranging from vibrant cafes to chic bistros. Enjoy a hearty steak in a relaxed atmosphere, explore inventive dishes inspired by global flavors, or savor a cozy breakfast featuring delightful pastries and specialty coffees. Options range from refined steakhouse offerings and contemporary Australian cuisine to satisfying café fare. Whether you're looking for a quick bite or a leisurely meal, you're sure to find a perfect spot to complement your day by the lake.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2026 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo