From the waters surrounding Australia comes a diverse bounty of unique taste sensations, which have seafood lovers salivating at the thought of lobster, prawns and oysters.
Whether you reel in a fresh fish yourself to cook on the barbeque, or are lured in by offerings plated up every night at a local eatery – there’s no denying Aussies love their seafood.
Take the ocean drive from water to your plate and drop a line at one of these six restaurants:
Take a moment to check out Frui Momento, an award-winning slick new winery restaurant in Margaret River. Located on Caves Road in Wilyabrup, this stunning destination boasts picturesque vineyard views from beautiful surrounds of timber doors, wine racks groaning with bottles and wooden ceiling beams, or dine alfresco and soak up rays on sunny days.
Perhaps pair a glass of Champagne with a choice from the caviar selection, then dive into entrées of cured kingfish, kimchi jelly, abalone cream, salted radish and furikake; before netting a main of Patagonian toothfish, broad beans, eggplant and a side of potato salad, finishing sweetly with rosella, chocolate and coconut.
There’s nothing wrong with a little history and the North Byron Hotel on Bayshore Drive in Byron Bay has it in spades. Rife with sunshine and salt air, Byron is home and a place that can only be described and shared through an experience and that is what you’ll get at this thriving mecca of good food, great music, laughter and a chill-seeker vibe.
Fringed with lush greenery, flowering gardens and coastal interiors, relax from sunlight to sunset with a cold one and plates like charred Fremantle octopus, orange and fennel salad and pistachios; then hook a main plate of cassarecce pasta with spanner crab, confit tomato bisque, herbs and pangrattato.
Sweeping views of the Mary River and a beautiful historic building await Maryborough locals and visitors at Portside Café & Restaurant on Wharf Street. Nestled inside the original Customs House residence, relax alfresco on the spacious verandah or on the green, overlooking Mary River Parklands and Queens Park; while indoors is warm and inviting promising memorable dining at white-clothed tables.
Dive right in with fresh oysters, Prosecco, lime zest and salmon caviar, before wrapping your hands around pepper-battered Baja fish tacos, with guacamole, slaw, greens, chipotle and chilli lime aioli; or perhaps wild-caught grilled fish is the bait you need, with seasonal greens and housemade tartar.
Find the freshest seafood Central Queensland has to offer at Pompano Seafood Deli at various locations around Yeppoon. This mobile deli and food truck pops up at markets, picnics, festivals and events, along with stints at Capricornia Cruising Yacht Club and Coorooman Creek, dishing up all manner of seafood temptations sure to hit the mark.
Throw your net over catches like a brioche roll oozing creamy salmon with horseradish and fresh chives, best enjoyed with an ice-cold glass of wine and potato chips; be enticed by a steaming bowl of sand crab lasagne, or chow down on a barramundi muffin, with Mexican spiced potato cakes, jalapeños and sauce.
Housed in the original Post Office, Clock by the Bay on Cliff Street in Portland delivers Modern Australian cuisine to locals and visitors to the Great Ocean Road area. Settle in with a glass of local wine or cheeky cocktail at blond wood table settings and admire the view through the large arched windows or dine alfresco on balmy days and soak up warm sea breezes while perusing a menu offering carefully selected dishes changing throughout the seasons.
For a fintastic start to your meal, reel in pan-fried garlic prawns, avocado, roast cherry tomatoes, rocket and aioli, served on grilled focaccia; or tender fried local squid, pickled cucumber, coleslaw, nahm jim, chilli mayo, sesame and fried shallots, washed down with an ice-cold glass of Chardonnay.
At SHIO on School Road in Geeveston, every meal is more than just a dining experience – it is a journey through the heart of Tasmania’s rich produce and a deep dive into Chef Kazumasa’s profound culinary philosophy. This dedication to purity and authenticity, along with showcasing the state’s bounty, culminates in a dining spectacle that both satiates the palate and nourishes the soul.
Traditions intertwine with modernity and each bite tells a story of passion, craftsmanship and reverence for nature’s gifts, all served omakase-style in charming country surroundings at Cambridge House. Expect a 12-14 course degustation with dishes like baby octopus, bluefin tuna, freshwater eel and salmon.
