As the sun dips below the horizon and golden light dances
across the ocean, some venues transform into more than restaurants - they become
immersive experiences. Whether it's sipping wine over coastal cliffs or
indulging in seafood as waves crash in the background, these handpicked venues
offer sunset sessions where the ambience is just as delicious as the menu.
Here's where to go when you're hungry for sea breezes, golden hour and plates that impress:
Simon's Waterfront – Warrnambool, Vic
Perched above the Warrnambool Surf Lifesaving Club, Simon’s Waterfront feels more like a lookout than a restaurant. This Modern Australian gem commands sweeping views of the Southern Ocean, making it a quintessential destination for those exploring the Great Ocean Road. The split-level layout gives diners multiple ways to enjoy the coastal ambience - whether it’s basking in the beer garden with mates or curled up inside by the fireplace, glass of local wine in hand. As daylight fades, the ocean glows with pink and gold reflections, creating a perfect backdrop for laid-back luxury.
The menu captures the essence of ocean dining with confidence and creativity. A creamy seafood chowder arrives steaming in a locally baked cobb loaf, rich with prawns, fish and delicate aromatics - a soul-warming dish as the breeze cools. Other highlights include maple-glazed prawn tacos with a kick of sriracha and grilled salmon dressed in soy miso reduction. For those after heartier fare, the Nepalese lamb shank curry offers depth and spice, served with housemade flatbread and cooling yoghurt raita. Be sure to end on a high note with a chocolate lava cake that oozes decadence.
Book ahead to secure your sunset table - this one's a local favourite.
The Kiosk Floreat Beach – City Beach, WA
Unfussy, open-air and effortlessly chic, The Kiosk Floreat Beach is where Perth locals escape for beachside bites with a front-row seat to the Indian Ocean. Located on Challenger Parade, just metres from the sand, this all-day café morphs into a sunset lounge as the sun dips low. The vibe is casual yet curated - live music during Summer months adds rhythm to the sea breeze and the slow shift from daylight to dusk becomes an experience in itself.
The menu, like the venue, is seasonal and sun-kissed. Grilled lamb loin chips served atop fluffy vegetable couscous with lemon and thyme gravy elevate classic comfort food into something coastal and refined. The Exmouth ginger prawn salad is a standout, with avocado, fennel, radish and carrot miso dressing delivering layers of crunch and citrus. Pair it with a crisp white wine or a local brew and let the salty air do the rest.
Don’t miss your golden hour moment - book your beachside seat now.
Cypress Lakes Bistro & Bar – Pokolbin, NSW
Tucked within the lush grounds of Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort in the Hunter, Cypress Lakes Bistro & Bar brings a vineyard-meets-sunset vibe to the Hinterland. With full glass frontage and a breezy alfresco area, this relaxed venue invites you to linger. Polished wooden floors and an open kitchen lend a touch of polish, but the real star here is the vista - rolling greens and fading sunlight casting long shadows across the landscape.
When it comes to the menu, there's a focus on familiar favourites elevated by thoughtful technique. The Sri Lankan chicken curry is a heady bowl of spices softened by creamy coconut notes, served with fragrant jasmine rice. Elsewhere, a roasted crispy pork belly with sweet potato purée and plum sauce strikes a sweet-savoury balance, while fettuccine tangled with lamb ragu is the kind of carb-loaded comfort made for cool evenings.
Reserve a table and toast the sunset with something local in your glass.
Hyde Paradiso – Surfers Paradise, Qld
If you're looking for sunset dining with a side of glamour, Hyde Paradiso is your destination. Sitting high above The Esplanade on level one of Peppers Soul Hotel, this Surfers Paradise hotspot delivers Mediterranean flair with a beachfront view. It’s where bronzed locals and stylish travellers sip cocktails to the soundtrack of waves and DJs. Daybeds, luxe booths and sprawling ocean views set the scene - this is not just dinner, it’s an experience.
The food is fresh, bold and curated for sharing. Portuguese chicken arrives spiced and succulent, paired unexpectedly with charred pineapple and a peppery kick from watercress - a vibrant dish that’s both tropical and satisfying. Earlier in the day, brunchers are treated to spiced prawn rolls and sweet potato crisps, while dinner brings out the heavyweights - think lamb skewers, chermoula yoghurt and eye fillet tartare. Each bite tastes better as the sky blushes coral.
Secure your spot at Hyde and make your next sunset one to remember.
From windswept cliffs to golden beaches and verdant hills, these venues prove that the best meals aren’t just about what’s on the plate - they’re about where and when you enjoy them. As the light fades and glasses clink, let the sea air and sweeping views elevate your next dining experience - because sunsets, like great meals, are best savoured slowly.
