Some dining destinations are more than a meal - they’re an experience shaped by their breathtaking surroundings. Across Australia, there are restaurants and cafés where sweeping riverbanks, rugged coastlines and sparkling seas provide the perfect stage for flavours that impress as much as the views.
From Wollongong’s tranquil lagoon to the banks of the Murray River, tropical Airlie Beach and the dramatic Encounter Bay, each venue invites you to pause, savour and soak it all in.
Whether you’re chasing coastal breezes or riverside calm, these five restaurants promise scenery worth the journey and dishes worth every lingering moment.
Nestled along George Hanley Drive, Lagoon Seafood Restaurant sits at the edge of Wollongong’s stunning coastline, where the tranquil estuary meets the ocean. Surrounded by swaying palms and the gentle flow of water, it offers a serene dining setting that feels both refined and relaxed.
Expansive windows frame sweeping views of the lagoon and surf, creating a backdrop that changes with the light of day. Inside, the atmosphere is elegant yet inviting, blending coastal charm with contemporary design. Expect to savour seafood dishes such as sesame-crusted salmon, brown rice, cucumber, onion and heirloom tomato salad.
The Swan Reach Hotel, perched on Hasse Hill Road, gazes out across the majestic Murray River with sweeping, uninterrupted vistas. Originally fashioned around an 1860s homestead, its weathered stone and timber evoke a timeless rustic charm. Inside, warm lantern-light washes over a relaxed bar and restaurant, where patrons gather over hearty meals and easy conversation.
Outdoors, an alfresco lawn and riverfront terrace offer a gentle breeze and space to unwind as sunlight dances on the water. Start a memorable meal with scallops and garlic butter, or pork spring rolls with hoisin sauce, before mains such as kangaroo fillet, roast beetroot, pumpkin, wilted spinach, broccolini, onion jus and parsnip crisps.
The Sidewalk Café on Airlie Esplanade captures the easy-going charm of Airlie Beach with its relaxed, open-air setting. Fringed by swaying palms and overlooking the sparkling Coral Sea, it offers a breezy spot where locals and travellers pause to soak up the tropical atmosphere. The café’s casual vibe blends perfectly with its location - steps from the foreshore and a short stroll to the lagoon.
Bright umbrellas and coastal accents give it a welcoming touch, while the gentle hum of the esplanade adds to its lively character; dive right in with a signature seafood medley of crumbed reef fish, prawns, calamari, Asian slaw and fries, or a salmon poké bowl with quinoa, cabbage, edamame, wakame, pickled ginger, kimchi, nori, wasabi mayo, sesame and togarashi.
Whalers Seaside Dining, perched on Franklin Parade in Encounter Bay, offers a spectacular coastal escape where the ocean meets the sky. With sweeping views across the rugged shoreline and calm waters, the setting is as memorable as the dining itself. The venue blends contemporary style with a relaxed seaside charm, creating an inviting atmosphere for both leisurely lunches and refined dinners.
Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the ever-changing seascape, while the gentle sound of waves provides a soothing backdrop. Cast your net over starters like salt and pepper squid, Asian salad, sweet chilli and lime mayonnaise, then reel in mains of oven-baked barramundi with almonds, spring onion, ginger, au gratin potatoes, roasted carrot, pumpkin, broccolini and lemon butter sauce.
Black Dingo Café on Tweed Terrace sits perched beneath the Point Danger Lighthouse, where every table offers sweeping ocean vistas across the Tweed River and out to the sea. Bright, airy interiors with pale timber tones flow into decks that catch coastal breezes, creating an easy-going, sunlit atmosphere.
Coffee aromas mingle with salty air as café-goers chat over freshly made bagels, slow-cooked lamb baguettes or vegetarian plates dressed with pesto and truffle oil. The staff greet regulars and newcomers alike with warmth and dogs are welcome companions. Whether stopping in after a surf or soaking up sunrise peace, it’s a place made to linger.
