There’s a magic that happens just as the sun starts to dip - the kind of golden-hour glow that turns an ordinary meal into an unforgettable moment. For those who chase this ambient allure, there’s a handful of venues that don’t just embrace the sunset - they build their entire dining experience around it.
These restaurants pair exceptional cuisine with some of the most breathtaking backdrops around. Whether it’s a glass of Tempranillo at a hilltop estate or scallop risotto by the beach, here’s where to go when you want your evening to start - and end - with a view.
Brandy Creek Estate Restaurant – Drouin, Vic
Tucked into the rolling hills just north of Warragul, Brandy Creek Estate in
Drouin offers a sensory escape that starts with sweeping vineyard views and
ends with a glass of award-winning Sparkling Pinot Gris. The restaurant’s
expansive deck sets the stage for sunset dining at its finest, overlooking
olive groves and the Baw Baw Ranges in the distance. Whether inside or out, the
mood is relaxed, the service warm and the wine always flowing.
This is Gippsland’s answer to Basque-style grazing, with a
tapas menu that celebrates local produce and Mediterranean flair. Expect
vibrant dishes like King prawns bathed in a rich chilli beurre blanc sauce or
spiced lamb ribs kissed with cumin and Creole seasoning. For heartier
appetites, the rump steak with creamy mushroom sauce and scallop potatoes is a
comforting favourite.
Book your table at Brandy Creek Estate now.
Osteria Coogee – Coogee, NSW
Just steps from the sands of Coogee Beach, Osteria Coogee delivers Italian soul
food with a coastal twist. The venue radiates casual elegance with its woven
light fixtures, trailing greenery and open windows perfect for catching sea
breezes and vibrant sunsets. It’s intimate, unpretentious and ideal for a
low-key date night or a lingering dinner with friends.
Start with delicate scallop tartare and a
mascarpone-bottarga mashup that’s all silky texture and oceanic bite. Move on
to housemade paccheri tangled in lamb ragu and infused with white wine and
salsa verde butter - it’s rustic perfection. If you’re not full yet, the
dry-aged rib eye, dressed in rosemarino butter, is a worthy finale.
Fancy a sunset session with serious Italian flair? Book your spot at Osteria
Coogee today.
Cotton Tree Beach Bar – Maroochydore, Qld
Perched right along The Esplanade in Maroochydore, Cotton Tree Beach Bar lives
and breathes its namesake coastal lifestyle. Inside, the aesthetic is a breezy
blend of bamboo screening, cane furniture and ocean tones, but it’s the folding
windows that truly steal the show - revealing uninterrupted water views that glow
gold as the sun dips below the horizon.
Here, the menu moves effortlessly from beach brunches to
sunset bites. Dive into a dish of seared scallop risotto elevated with peas,
pickled fennel and a crunchy pangrattato crust, or opt for vibrant salads and
seafood-studded mains packed with punchy flavours. Pair it all with a crisp
local white and you’ve got a front-row seat to nature’s best show.
Looking for the ultimate golden hour hangout? Cotton Tree Beach Bar is
calling - book now.
Holy Ship Bar & Restaurant – Main Beach, Qld
Set aboard a converted fishing trawler, Holy Ship Bar & Restaurant
reimagines waterfront dining with a nautical twist. Moored along the Gold
Coast’s Main Beach, this one-of-a-kind venue combines maritime nostalgia with a
five-star fit-out and uninterrupted Broadwater views that dazzle at dusk.
On the menu: seafood with purpose. Start with fresh oysters
or salmon sashimi before diving into black mussels simmered in white wine,
garlic and herbs, served with a warm crusty baguette perfect for soaking up
every drop. For a lighter touch, market fish comes plated with lemon herb
butter and a crisp fennel salad. The sunsets? Nothing short of cinematic.
Make your reservation aboard Holy Ship today.
Six Beaches Fish Grill & Bar – Point Lookout, Qld
For those who dream of dinner with ocean views and a salty breeze, Six Beaches
Fish Grill & Bar in Point Lookout delivers in spades. With its panoramic
vista of the Brisbane coastline and laid-back charm, it’s an ideal destination
to watch the sun slip away while indulging in dishes crafted with the freshest
local seafood.
The menu leans coastal yet inventive. King prawns arrive
sizzling with garlic, lemon and chilli, while the gin-cured salmon offers a
more delicate, citrus-kissed affair. For heartier appetites, the char-grilled
rib fillet with chimichurri and house-cut chips balances land and sea. It’s
easy, elevated and endlessly scenic.
Sunset views and seafood cravings? Book your seaside seat at Six Beaches
now.
Whether you’re chasing the last rays of daylight or seeking a spot where the view is as memorable as the food, these restaurants prove that when it comes to dining at sunset, some moments are simply worth savouring.
