Top Restaurants in Shoal Bay
Top 10 restaurants in Shoal Bay, Australia
Discover the best restaurant in Shoal Bay, Australia including Rock Lobster Restaurant, Catch at Shoal Bay, Gianni's, Mod Thai Food & Noodle Bar, Essence Espresso, Red Neds Gourmet Pies, Sandpipers Restaurant, Nice Cafe, Sienna's Pizzeria Bar & Restaurant, Ethica Coffee House
Things to do in Shoal Bay
1. Rock Lobster Restaurant
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 445 reviews
Reviewed By lynmore58 - Sydney, Australia
This was an accidental find. Looking for somewhere to eat on a busy Saturday night in Nelson Bay. Ended up at Rock Lobster and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Staff were charming. Shared oysters kilpatrick then had the soft shelled crab while my husband had the steak. Both meals were well prepared - the steak was perfectly cooked to order. Would revisit without hesitation.
2. Catch at Shoal Bay
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 112 reviews
Our premier dining location with amazing views over the waters of Shoal Bay. Great local seafood options and something to excite everyone on the menu at Catch.
Reviewed By Dan H
I travel to beautiful Shoal Bay annually to play golf with friends and enjoy the wonderful scenery. After many years of eating at the the local italian - Giannis we decided to change due to the very average pizzas we recieved from there earlier in the trip. We decided to try "Catch" above the Shoal Bay Country Club tavern. Our group of 10 all enjoyed our meals, service and the fantastic setting overlooking the picturesque Shoal Bay from every angle.
3. Gianni's
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 371 reviews
Reviewed By SusieQ22Australia - Australia
Had the sardines with a fennel salad and delicious polenta chips. Well prepared and nicely presented. The Tiramisu was pretty lethal but tasted good and coffees reasonable. Staff were pleasant and efficient on a night where they weren't challenged by numbers.
Good menu - not too large but plenty of choice although I'd have to say they could print some new ones: they were dog eared and torn around the edges - not a good look at all.
It was a quiet night so easy to sit and chat but I expect it would be very noisy on a busy night.
4. Mod Thai Food & Noodle Bar
Overall Ratings
4 based on 315 reviews
Reviewed By Richo4321 - Sydney, Australia
Stopped in for thai while in nelsons bay. Food was ok, tasted sweet suger ? Service was ok. Staff friendly.
5. Essence Espresso
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 94 reviews
Great coffee
Reviewed By Culinarykids - Sydney
This is a cafe with Espresso in the name so I can't avoid mentioning the coffee - more a warm milky beverage - definitely needs work. Hopefully, this will improve. Regardless I will return and order food and tap water! The menu is very appealing and offers some interesting choices, the food is fresh and home style. Its funky and fun. Well worth a visit.
6. Red Neds Gourmet Pies
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 176 reviews
This Is A Almost A Tourist Attraction In Itself For Port Stephens!
Reviewed By theminiaturekitchen
We were passing through Nelson Bay and decided to grab a quick bite at Red Ned's. Walking in you realise there isn't much Seating space, and a wall covered in awards, and news clippings about the small pie shop. With over 50 different varieties, it really is impressive how many types of pies they made right from classic Australian beef, to pork, chicken, vegetarian and sweet pies too. The sheer number of awards is enough to get you ultra excited about what lies ahead. Service here is very friendly, and the ladies were more than happy to help us make our selection. We went all vegetarian, and chose the zucchini and sweet potato pie, the deluxe vegetarian pie and the satay vegetarian pie. My favourite of the all was definitely the zucchini and sweet potato pie which was packed with delicious flavour. The best part of the pies was 100% the delicious flaky and buttery pastry. The satay vegetarian pie unfortunately didn't have much of a satay flavour, and instead had hints of spice and chili. Again the pastry was delicious, but the filling didn't quite do it for me. Similarly with the deluxe vegetarian pie, the filling was a little dry :( By the looks of it there best pies are the beef pies, so ofc go ahead and try those. If you are vegetarian, then I recommend the zucchini and sweet potato pie for sure! Keen to try the sweet pies here too :D
7. Sandpipers Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 674 reviews
Open for dinner Tuesday to Saturday from 5.30pm
Reviewed By Sally S - Sydney, Australia
Another great dinner at Sandpipers. Loved the prawn hotpot, so full of garlicky & chilli flavour. For mains we had the pork belly which was tender & had crispy crackling and the market fish, Mahi Mahi was excellent.
So together with efficient service and BYO, you can't go wrong.
8. Nice Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 516 reviews
Reviewed By caroleo591 - Sydney, Australia
We used to love this place - it really was outstanding. The food is still good but the staff are surly and unfriendly. It makes such a difference to the experience. One of my guests and I were horrified by the single use plastic straws in the water bottles - come on guys, raise your game.
9. Sienna's Pizzeria Bar & Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 273 reviews
Reviewed By n0maDz - Australia
We actually went in to Nelson Bay to have breakfast somewhere else, but couldn’t get a table and then came across Sienna’s.
My eggs Benedict was delicious and my husband thoroughly enjoyed Nonna’s Eggs served with a ragu. Service was good and the coffee great.
Perhaps not as trendy as the place we originally intended to go, but the breakfast was very good and we’d come back again.
10. Ethica Coffee House
Overall Ratings
4 based on 71 reviews
Reviewed By ronfromOzNewcastle - Newcastle
I only went for coffee which is sourced from the highest Mountains in New Guinea and the owner has taken the high moral ground (no pun intended ).Observing the poached eggs that others were having for breakfast it all looked yummy . I live nearby but have never visited. That will change.
