The Best Seafood Restaurants on The Central Coast

When you’re on the Central Coast, seafood’s pretty much a given. Fresh, local, and served every which way – from seafood platters and king prawns to fish and chips on the sand – you’ll find plenty of seafood restaurants across the Central Coast dishing up the goods.

And with more than 80 kilometres of coastline and all that fresh, salty air, it’d be rude not to tuck in and enjoy some of the best seafood you’ll ever taste.

The old saying goes, when in Rome… but what about when on the Coast? Eat seafood, we say! So here’s our pick of the best spots to do just that.

Best seafood restaurants on the Central Coast, NSW

The Boathouse Hotel, Patonga

When it comes to seafood (and seaside) dining, we are low-key obsessed with The Boathouse Hotel Patonga. Let’s start with the fact that when you land here – be it from just up the road on the Peninsula or further afield, and whether you’ve arrived by boat, by bus (yes, they offer a courtesy bus too), or you’ve driven yourself – you feel like you’ve arrived at a truly unique spot.

We’re talking about a destination. An oceanside vista, where the laidback vibes meet seriously good food! And, with the launch of their new summer menu, which dropped just last week, you’ve got one more (very good) reason to make the trip to The Boathouse. Their seafood is quite simply put – the best.

This spot has always been known for championing fresh, clean flavours, and yet somehow they’ve still managed to take things up a notch with their latest offering. Their exceptional new Head Chef, Zoe Scott, is the creative genius behind seafood that has you speaking about it well after you’ve left.

We can’t go past the Kingfish Crudo with pickled chilli, ponzu and finger lime, actually, we also can’t go past the punchy Tuna Tostadas that are topped with yuzu mayo, avocado, chilli, soy and crispy shallots. Other crowdpleasers include seafood menu staples of King Prawns in garlic and herb butter, Seared Tuna Salad, and, of course, Sydney Rock Oysters in spades.  Or for something a little more classic, why not ‘go iconic’ with the Fish and Chips, best enjoyed with an ice cold brew, or a glass of rosé.

Settle in for a long lunch, drop by for a sunset feed by the water, bring the fam, or make it a date day. No matter what you’ve got planned, one thing you can count on is that The Boathouse Patonga nails that perfect mix of relaxed coastal dining and refined flavour. It’s a must-visit this summer for anyone chasing the best seafood on the Coast.

Make a booking here.

Fishermen’s Wharf, Woy Woy

A Central Coast institution, the award-winning Woy Woy Fishermen’s Wharf has been reeling in locals since 1974 – and three generations later, it’s still going strong. This place has saltwater in its veins and seafood down to an art form; it’s home to three seafood experiences in one: the Fresh Seafood Market, Takeaway Fish & Chips, and the waterfront Wharf Restaurant.

Inside the purpose-built Wharf Restaurant, naturally, they serve up the freshest, sustainably sourced seafood for lunch 7 days a week. But hot tip – make sure you book to avoid disappointment, as this iconic spot is pretty damn popular!

The WWFW Hot & Cold Platter for two ($120) is a showstopper, but we’ll be ordering the Chilli Blue Swimmer (or Mud Crab when available), Singapore Style. Or the Snapper Ceviche. Or the Swordfish Schnitty Burger… OK, you’ve guessed it, we really want one of everything on the menu, please. Oh, and did we mention the wine list is very classy, award-winning and very affordable, which is always a win.

And another bonus tip, if you’ve got the kiddos with you, they’ll love seeing the pelicans (aka Wharf’s arvo crew) get fed fresh cut fish frames by the team (almost) daily between 3-3.30pm. Please keep in mind, though, that feeding these magnificent birds cooked seafood and hot chips is not on, or good for them, so be sure to leave it to the pros. And, safety warning, don’t get too close to them; they are wild and may bite.

To book your table at Woy Woy Fishermen’s Wharf, visit their website here.

 
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Ocean Restaurant, Blue Bay

Now this is the kind of place that reminds you why living on the Coast is so good. Perched right on the water at Blue Bay, Ocean Restaurant has that perfect mix of fancy and relaxed – white tablecloths, perfectly plated dishes, and a front row seat to that iconic blue-on-blue ocean-to-sky view. And between May-November, you might even glimpse whales cruising by.

On the plate, it’s pure indulgence. The Ocean’s Seafood Platter for Two ($194) is the main event, stacked with everything from oysters and slipper lobster to tempura prawns and ocean trout. But honestly, every dish here is a winner – for us, we can’t go past the Tasmanian sea scallops with truffle lemon butter. Add a glass of something crisp and that friendly service they’re known for, and you’ll see why Ocean’s one of the most popular seafood restaurants on the Central Coast.

See their full menu and book your table here.

Drifters Wharf, Gosford

Sitting right on top of the water, Drifters Wharf has seafood meets surf-bar energy. The indoor-outdoor dining with panoramic views over Brisbane Water gets us every time, not to mention the menu that slings the very best, from the fish tacos to the prawn linguine to seafood platters to make you swoon. Then there are wines, cocktails and beers… oooft, Drifters has got a loosened-up vibe that works for every occasion.

On the menu, an entire “Drifters Heroes” section that’s dedicated to their seafood.  As we mentioned, their platters are top notch and boast Sydney rock oysters, tiger prawns, soft shell crabs, mussels and more. Plus, you have the choice of hot, cold or combined platters. Or why not grab a bucket of prawns?  Either way settling in at a table on the deck makes for perfection. It’s not ultra-formal, but that’s what we like, and if you’re after excellent seafood, views and the relaxed vibe, it nails the brief.

Check out the menu, what’s on and book your spot right here.

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Best Seafood Restaurants on the Central Coast, NSW

Swells, Terrigal

Overlooking Terrigal Beach, Swells brings a more refined edge while still feeling like a relaxed Sunday sesh. Light-filled, with ocean views and a deck that catches the breeze, it showcases Aussie seafood done well.

Their menu lets the seafood do the talking, pairing king prawns with lemon-chilli-garlic butter, and char-grilled swordfish is served with crushed saffron potatoes. It’s a solid pick for those moments when you want seafood that feels a bit more celebrated.

Amalfi, Ettalong

Look, we wouldn’t blame you if a beach lunch at Amalfi turned into dinner. It’s just that sort of place! On the seafood front you’ll find buttery king prawns with garlic-butter and fried capers, calamari fritti and Sydney rock oysters dressed with lemon & red caviar. If you’re after something a bit more pasta-y, the saffron prawn ravioli or black linguine with prawns, cherry tomato and chilli are both winners.

Coral, Terrigal

Right on the Esplanade, Coral is polished without being pretentious – you’ve probably stopped to peek inside when walking past, the interiors are so lush and inviting. The menu celebrates land and sea, with the pièce de résistance being the Seafood Platter to Share ($189), loaded with lobster, Balmain bug, octopus, scallops, wild-caught yellowfin tuna and more. We love that the kids menu has grilled fish rather than battered, and the calamari’s a nice touch.

Avoca Beach House, Avoca Beach

With views stretching out over Avoca and a massive skylight flooding the restaurant with natural light, Avoca Beach House is all about easy coastal dining. Make the most of happy hour on the balcony, share a hot or cold seafood platter for dinner, then finish up with a stroll along the beach. Simple, fresh and beautifully done, pop this on your list of Summer restaurants to visit on the Central Coast.

Avoca Beach Seafoods, Avoca Beach

Head downstairs and you’ll find undoubtedly the most laid-back offering on our list. You can’t beat Avoca Beach Seafoods for proper beachside fish and chips. They’ve won awards for it! Grab your order, find a spot on the sand and dig in. They’ve got all the classics covered plus fresh prawns, oysters and deep-fried NZ mussels. Perfect with an ice-cold beer.

The Tropic @ Terrigal Pavilion (Coming Soon)

The newest addition to Terrigal’s dining scene is almost here. The Tropic will bring a Mediterranean twist to the haven with fresh seafood, share-style plates and unbeatable ocean views. Set on the ground floor of the Terrigal Pavilion, the space is bright and breezy – and beachfront! A sneak peek at their menu has us drooling with grilled king prawns with spicy ’nduja butter, snapper fillets with citrus dressing, kingfish carpaccio, and a strong drinks list to match. They’re taking bookings from 3rd December, and we can’t wait!

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