Romantic Restaurants in Wollongong. Discover romance in every bite at our best Illawarra restaurants.

Your Insider’s Guide to Woo-ing in Wollongong! Indulge your senses at Wollongong’s most enchanting romantic restaurants. Explore our curated list of intimate dining destinations, perfect for foodies on the hunt for culinary adventure – or a perfect date night without the kids! From candlelit dinners in our best Illawarra Restaurants to Wollongong fine dining with ocean views, read on to savour some sweet moments together…

Steamers Bar & Grill

Get something sizzling at Steamers Bar & Grill… For such a large space, Steamers Bar & Grill manages to convey a very warm and intimate atmosphere. Located right on Wollongong Beach, it’s an amazing place to visit for lunch on the terrace, but it is much more than just its stunning views.

Featuring a large modern fireplace in the middle of the restaurant, it’s a perfect romantic dining locale. The comprehensive menu has something for everyone, featuring dishes from all over the world. The shared boards are a wonderful place to start, although it can be hard to choose between the Butchers Board – with its Churrasco dry-aged rump, or the Tempura Soft Shell Crab and King Prawns on the Wood-fired Seafood Board… That is the kind of difficult decision I am happy to take on. There is a lovely selection of wines, as well as an amazing little wine bar attached to the venue.

And why not take a little stroll on the beach in the moonlight after dinner?

Restaurant Santino

*Cosy up in a booth with your Tesoro (tresaure) and a glass of excellent vino…*

A little slice of Italy here in Wollongong! It’s hard to go past Restaurant Santino for romance. Located in Globe Lane it’s just like stepping into an Italian side street and finding the secret local place. Hosting an eclectic mix of old film posters, family photographs and famous footballers on the walls, the atmosphere is welcoming and authentically Italian.

While the menu isn’t extensive, every dish is a winner. Employing the Italian ethos of fresh and simple ingredients, the flavours are mouth watering. All the pasta is freshly made on site, and you can tell.

With Sonny’s Wine Shop next door (and owned by the same gang) it’s no surprise that the wine list at Restaurant Santino is one of the best in the ‘Gong. There isn’t much under $60 a bottle on the menu, but the selection is considerable. Particular attention is paid to Italian wines, and it’s worth talking to the waitstaff about their suggestions – they know their stuff. It feels fancy without being pretentious. All in all, the perfect location for a special night out together. Andiamo!

Centro CBD – Italian Fine Dining, Live Music & Events

*Alfresco setting? Fine dining? Mangia Mangia!*

Centro CBD is the perfect setting for a special occasion. With innovative menus, magical atmosphere, and high-quality customer service, this gorgeous restaurant offers classic Italian fine dining, with a twist! They also are also a live music & performance venue, holding intimate dinner concerts! You can relax and dine at the comfort of your own table with a bottle of wine, and enjoy listening to local artists in an ambient, acoustic environment.

For foodies, Centro CBD is the ideal place to celebrate a special night, the kitchen holds a real passion for the freshest produce – one that is obvious from the first bite! (They also have a great range of imported Italian beer which was a lovely surprise!) So if you’re looking to spoil your sweetheart in style (but also want to spoil yourself with button-popping mangiare bene) this is your spot.

Altitude1148 – Breathtaking views over the Illawarra Escarpment

Love is in the air, and so is the breathtaking view at Altitude 1148! Elevate your next date night with a romantic lunch or dinner experience surrounded by breathtaking views and a memorable sunset….

Altitude 1148 is a contemporary restaurant with not only amazing, panoramic views of the Illawarra, but also hosts a warm, friendly & professional fine dining experience. You will find authentic traditional Indian cuisine along with, delicious seafood dishes & a modern Australian menu.

Did someone say fine dining with a view to die for?

The Imperial at Clifton

Picture this: a romantic dinner with stunning oceans views as your backdrop. Whether it’s breakfast, lunch or dinner, The Imperial at Clifton is serving you deliciousness. There’s also a selection of sweets prepared in-house and picnic hampers available to enjoy at a picnic spot of your choice – double the romance.

Just over 500m from the Sea Cliff Bridge, The Imperial at Clifton is perched on a clifftop on the tourist road known as the Grand Pacific Drive and set amongst numerous coastal towns, untouched beaches and must-see landmarks.

Whether it’s a picnic for two or ten, their specially prepared gourmet hampers are filled to the brim by their team of chefs. Pick your picnic spot and let The Imperial Express deliver picnic hampers to you at one of our neighbouring coastal picnic spots or drop by to collect your pre-ordered goods. Learn more here.

Georgia Rose

This cafe by day, cocktail bar by night, Georgia Rose located in the Shellharbour Marina Dining Precinct, offers a relaxed and inviting atmosphere with hand-painted murals and stunning views of the Shellharbour Marina. Cosy, fun and inviting, it offers a relaxed and coastal vibe for catching up with your other half. Definitely worth a check in for a cool date night option. Learn more here.

Dreams on Crown

One of Wollongong’s coolest and newest wine & dine places to go, Dreams on Crown offers a deliciously dreamy menu of snacks, meals, sharing platters, cocktails and an extensively stocked bar. Enjoy your meal in their cosy dining area or take in the sights of Crown St Mall from their balcony. Located in the heart of Wollongong, it’s the perfect place for a pre-dinner cocktail and settle in for the evening….

The Waterfront Tavern

Whether you’re sipping on a signature cocktail or dining on fresh Australian produce with a postmodern twist, romancing your significant other has never looked so good! Located in the heart of the Shellharbour Marina Dining Precinct, The Waterfront Tavern allows you to wine, dine and relax in style.

Serving the freshest Australian produce in an elegant atmosphere, Waterfront Tavern offers quintessential coastal dining – the seafood platter is already a crowd favourite, while a cold seafood bar features freshly shucked NSW oysters, sashimi and more. L’amore! Book your table now here.

SoCo Kitchen – Southern Comfort on the South Coast

*Believe the buzz – SoCo brings the drool-worthy flavours of the American South to the ‘Gong!*

A relative newcomer on the Wollongong scene, SoCo Kitchen is a hard place to get into. Not only because of the buzz that has erupted around this little gem, but also because it really is a ‘little’ gem. There are only five tables in the room!

The place is seriously dripping with Southern charm, you can’t help feeling like you have found yourself tucked away in New Orleans local hang out.

As well as your significant other, make sure you take your significant appetite, the servings are not small. The smoked fish dip for starters is an absolute winner. They have all the dishes you would hope for in a place like this – gumbo, brisket, po’ boys and amazing burgers.

The cocktail list is a must see, with names like “Buddy Guy,” “Elvis Presley” and “Dolly Parton.” (The “Jimmy Buffet” margarita is paritcularly yummy!) There are American soft drinks and beers, as well as local favourites and a small wine list that covers the basics.

Babyface Kitchen: Passion on every plate

Located right at the heart of The Gong, Babyface Kitchen might look lo-fi, but it packs a punch when it comes to the kitchen. These guys take their food very seriously, operating from an ethos of sustainability and creativity. Their produce is all locally sourced from small farms and small batch producers – and even uses native Australian ingredients – so their menu is seasonal, and constantly evolving.

On Sunday’s they offer a set menu, with excellent wine pairings (all natural, from small producers). If your sweetheart has a soft spot for the gourmet, I can highly recommend Babyface Kitchen. (And don’t be fooled by the industrial decor – the energy in this place is as warm and welcoming as you could want!)

Ruby’s Kitchen – Fine Dining on the Mountain

*The best degustation menu around? You be the judge!*

Ruby’s in Mount Kembla is a beloved fine-dining restaurant, and a but of a local icon! The cottage itself is a historical gem – standing proudly in the area since the 1800s. A visit is like stepping back in time. The open fireplaces and scattered antiques add to the charm of the place and create a very cosy atmosphere.

Sourcing produce locally, Ruby’s offer a seven or five course menu, with paired wines, from Friday to Sunday. Seven courses allow for a more mindful experience of multiple flavours and textures, supporting their philosophy of ease and comfort in dining. They plate up a bit of a modern twist on classic fare, utilising contrasting textures and flavours carefully crafted to bring a sensory experience (think Confit of Petuna Ocean Trout with Pickled Fennel) And the mountain backdrop? Absolutely unbeatable for romance!

Moominn – The Czech Pub

*‘Czech’ out this cute spot for a deliciously different date night!*

Moominn Bar & Kitchen on Crown St is a cacophony of kitsch! 70’s lamps, Chinese lanterns, vines hanging from the ceiling along with a crazy cork bunting, it’s a maximalism edging into goblincore territory and I want to live there! This Czech kitchen and bar is both intimate and fun.

As soon as you walk in you know you want to stay a while. It’s not a big place, mainly tables for two and a few larger ones. The window corners are ideal for a cosy tete-a-tete, and the lighting is ambient and low (but not so low you can’t see!)

There is an excellent selection of Czech style dishes as well as a list of starters that will have you asking for one of everything. The décor is over the top and the food is too – in a wonderful way. Moomin Fries come with parmesan, parsley, and truffle salt. At Moomin – more is more, and it works in every delicious mouthful.

There is a small-ish selection of wines, but attention has been paid to the quality. Czech beers on tap are a great touch, but it’s the cocktails that will keep you coming back to the bar!

Moomin makes a great starting point for the night, or for your nightcap. Or you know what? Just stay there all night…

Want more unique ideas for romantic dates? Check these out…

Romantic Things To Do In Wollongong & The Illawarra. Date Ideas for Couples…

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