Whether you’re an early riser seeking the perfect breakfast experience, looking for an idyllic lakeside lunch or dreaming of absolute waterfront dining, here’s how to make the most of your gastronomic journey around Lake Macquarie.
Ease into the day with breakfast
Start a memorable day in Lake Macquarie by diving under the waves at Redhead Beach before gazing out to sea from your perch at Cargo Espresso Bar in the Redhead Beach Surf Life Saving Club. For a more sedate aquatic experience, take a dip at the Belmont Baths netted swimming enclosure in Belmont, then cross the road to fuel up with a bowl of Farmer Jo granola as you look out over the lake at Common Circus.
Tuck into all-day breakfast treats, including plenty of gluten-free options like Persian eggs and roasted mushrooms, at Table 1 Espresso, facing the lake on The Esplanade in Warners Bay. Or get your coffee fix at edgy cafes away from the water, like Mr. Sister Coffee in Speers Point, Cafe 2283 on The Boulevarde in Toronto, and The Yoga Place Cafe in Blacksmiths.
Savour a leisurely lakeside lunch
For an unforgettable lunch with an unbeatable view, let Luxe Lakeside organise a gourmet picnic with themed luxury trimmings and meat-based, vegetarian and gluten-free grazing boxes for you to enjoy in a foreshore park.
Looking for something more casual? Grab a light lunch at Tinto Espresso Bar, right on the wharf on the lakeside Toronto Foreshore Reserve in Toronto, or cross the road and treat the kids or yourself to classic American diner-style fare and a thickshake or hot-fudge sundae at Greg and Audrey’s. You can also take a similar trip back in time at The Diner, at the Dullboy’s Social Co ten-pin bowling and entertainment centre in Warners Bay.
Prefer a more wholesome option? Savour a weekday wholefoods lunch or weekday brunch of ‘nourish bowls’ at Mama-P, which has great vegan and dairy-free and gluten-free options, on the Pacific Highway at Charlestown.
Watch the sun set from your dinner table
As dusk falls, Lake Macquarie’s sailing and community clubs come alive with great dining options and waterfront views. In Belmont, feast on a seafood platter and modern Australian pub fare at Lake Macquarie Yacht Club’s Crusoe’s on the Lake. At nearby Belmont 16s sailing club, dine on bistro favourites such as daily roasts at Sails Eatery, tuck into a steak or a big salad at Salt Kitchen, or grab a burger at the Boat Shed bar. Or linger over the contemporary Australian fare at the Bay Restaurant at the Royal Motor Yacht Club in Toronto.
Watch the last rays of sunlight bounce off the water from your table at the impressive 8 at Trinity restaurant at Trinity Point Marina in Morisset Park. Revel in the warmth of a balmy summer evening from the outdoor seating at the Lake Bar & Bistro at Raffertys Resort at Cams Wharf. Or soak up the ocean vista as you sip a cocktail and nibble on ocean-to-plate dishes in the waterfront restaurant at Caves Coastal Bar & Bungalows at Caves Beach.
Discover a burgeoning craft beer scene
To complete your gastronomic adventure, venture into the industrial estate between Morriset town centre and the M1 Motorway, where a hidden craft beer scene awaits.
Dig into oven-roasted chicken wings, loaded fries and burgers in the compact dining room at Lake Mac Brewing Co. as you sample the delicious beers on tap – there are plenty of cocktails and white wines by the carafe if you prefer something less hoppy. You can also take home a four-pack of some of freshest canned beer around – your server pours ales direct from the tap into cans and seals the lids on the spot.
Enjoy a tasting paddle as a walk-in, or call in advance to arrange a tasting session with locally sourced meat and cheese accompaniments, at ‘pico-brewery’ Bread & Brewery, on the next side street past Lake Mac Brewing Co.
Or book ahead to secure a table for dinner at the popular The Yard Brewery & Smokehouse, a cavernous space at the far end of the Morisset industrial estate. Here you can wash down melt-in-your-mouth smokehouse barbecue and pizza with a selection of Yard Kings Brewing Co. craft ales brewed in the stainless-steel vats standing beyond the dining area.