The days run into each other on the Sapphire Coast NSW when your holiday rituals revolve around where to eat, drink and stay in Merimbula. Those keen to stay in this seaside village will find their daily practice starts with a swim or a surf in the lilac light of dawn. After that, it’s about killer coffee with locals. Oysters pulled straight from pristine waterways. Dinner at some of the best restaurants in Merimbula celebrating the day’s catch. And small bars that swap words like ‘quaint’ and ‘charming’ for ‘sophisticated’ and ‘world-class’. Here are 14 of the best spots to settle in for a long weekend in Merimbula.
This sun-drenched kiosk sits at the edge of Merimbula’s Top Lake, a low-key spot filled with vintage art, granny-chic finds and eclectic furniture. Run by Tess Podger (ex-Icebergs Dining Room & Bar), the neighbourhood fave serves small plates and drinks by day and morphs into a lively wine bar on weekends over summer. sunnyskiosk.com.au
Pambula is just 10 minutes from Merimbula as the glossy black cockatoo flies. And it’s worth the detour to dine at Banksia, the fine diner housed within Pambula’s heritage-listed Old Bank. Chef Huw Jones and wife Renee are passionate about Sapphire Coast produce and have built a loyal following for offering a memorable dining experience not too far from Merimbula. banksiarestaurant.com.au
Merimbula is considered one of the best beach towns in NSW for eating and drinking thanks to neighbourhood joints like Bar Monti. Jamie Sverdrupsen (ex-Restaurant Hubert) and his wife Kat are the brains behind Bar Monti, where the volume rises as the night wears on, fuelled by good-time vibes generated by great pasta, pizza and wine. An excellent option for both dinner and drinks. barmonti.com
Spend the morning hiking over the pink and red-hued rocks so you can justify the calories in a glass of the Aristotelis Ke Anthoula Chenin Blanc at Bar Superette. Expect Parisian-style tables, a spotted gum bar and small plates such as anchovy toast and crumbed whiting at the cosy, natural-leaning wine bar that doubles as a bottle shop. barsuperette.com
Umi-Ko Izakaya is like a little neon-lit shrine to Tokyo drinking dens. The bar pours sake alongside Japanese beers and cocktails, best enjoyed with small plates such as beef tataki, agedashi tofu and nasu dengaku eggplant, plus sashimi and ramen for those settling in for the night. umiko.com.au
Watching the tide ebb and flow from your table at Tidal Restaurant is a great way to connect with the rhythms of Merimbula. Start with Merimbula Lake Oysters before moving to market fish with swimmer crab, lemongrass and ginger tortellini and Champagne cream. Thoughtful wine pairings and attentive service seal the deal. tidalrestaurant.com.au
Built in 1925 by Arthur and Dulcie Goodsell, this weatherboard cottage now houses one of Merimbula’s most characterful bars. Order a dozen Broadwater oysters or lean into the dude food – sriracha buffalo wings and burgers from the vintage food van – before settling in for cocktails and live music on the deck. dulcies.com.au
Don your finest flanno even if there’s no wood that needs choppin’ so you blend in with the cool cats at Longstocking Brewery. The brewery, just 10 minutes from Merimbula, is part of a precinct that includes a double-decker bus turned barbershop and garden centre. It’s a top spot for a middy and wood-fired pizza along the South Coast Ale Trail. longstocking.com.au
Wade through waist-deep water to oyster leases on Merimbula Lake with Merimbula Oyster Tours. After a short cruise through the estuary, guests don waders to learn how oysters are grown, shuck them straight from the basket and taste them moments after harvest. The oysters are paired with crisp local wine or bubbles. merimbulaoystertours.com.au
Don’t be surprised if you find yourself researching local real estate after lunch at Wheelers Seafood Restaurant. Road-trippers short on time can skip the seafood tower and sidle up to the Daily Oyster Bar for freshly-shucked oysters. This long-standing favourite for seafood lovers also has a full-service fish and chippery. wheelersoysters.com.au
Coast Resort is in the heart of Merimbula. From here, you can pad down to the ocean with a surfboard attached to your hip. Or stay put and luxuriate in the laid-back Sapphire Coast vibes by the pool. There’s also a tennis court and one- to three-bedroom townhouses and apartments to suit families. coastresort.com.au
Spend the morning swimming like you’ve got gills before retiring to Hillcrest Merimbula. The rooms at the renovated motel include pops of colour inspired by the Merimbula coastline, mosaiced with pink sandstone, and have sweeping views of the coast. Enjoy a round of tennis by day and chill around the fire pit by night. hillcrestmerimbula.com
Set on a headland with expansive ocean views, NRMA Merimbula Beach Holiday Resort covers everything from camping and caravanning to cliff-top villas and safari tents with outdoor baths. Days revolve around swimming, surfing and fishing, with accommodation options to suit a range of budgets. Guests can pick up wood-fired pizzas here every Friday night from 5pm to 5.30pm until sold out. nrmaparksandresorts.com.au
Road-trippers who want a night off cooking will appreciate the convenience of being in the midst of Merimbula. While the apartments are self-contained – with a full kitchen, laundry and lounge – the walkable location means you can switch between downtime and dining. thepalmsapartments.com
