The Food Lover's Guide to the Illawarra

A Guide to restaurants, cafes, food shops and wine in and around Wollongong

Frati Italian Cuisine: 307 Lawrence Hargrave Drive; Thirroul NSW 2515; Ph: 02 4268 3404; The food here is fresh and light and the service friendly and unpretentious. Had an; excellent rocket salad with goats cheese, spaghetti amatriciana with very fresh; tomatoes and a dessert of pears with hazelnuts. The Zabaglione is; wonderful! About $40 per person, BYO.; Last visited January 2002.
Manjit's Indian Restaurant: 4/268 Princes Highway (Palm Court Centre); Corrimal NSW; Ph: 02 4285 7970; Open 7 days. Lunch Tue-Sat 12-12.30pm Dinner Mon-Sun 5-11pm (Licensed - buy from pub bottle shop); We enjoyed a very pleasant Saturday lunch here. The Palm Court Centre has a large outdoor area which is quiet and sheltered from the elements. The service was very good and so was the food. Would recommend the Platter for 2 Entree which includes delicious tandoori lamb cutlets - quite a substantial entree. Very acceptable versions of all the Indian standards and some surprise desserts - more than gulab jamoons. Manjit's also has takeaways and delivers to the Corrimal area.; Last visited September 2001.
Carluccio's Kitchen: Shop 1/23-25 Princes Highway; Fairy Meadow NSW 2519; Ph: 02 4283 4300; BYO; Great Italian food done with confidence - more than your standard Italian. Professional friendly service. This is quite a large buzzing restaurant so can get noisy when there are large groups so go early for a quieter time.; Last visited July 2001.
Palm Beach Thai: 421 Princes Highway; Woonona NSW 2517; Ph: 4285 9883 or 4284 2226; BYO - bottle shop across the road; Reliable Thai food with friendly service. Good value.; Last visited January 2002.
Litani's Lebanese Restaurant and Coffee House: 120 Corrimal Street; Wollongong NSW 2500; Ph: 4228 3231; BYO; Very friendly people. They have a wide range of Lebanese pastries.; Open long hours.; Last visited January 2001.
Woonona Pizza: Shop 2/429 Princes Highway; Woonona NSW 2517; Ph: 02 42855252; Don't expect anything special at Woonona Pizza [although the pasta; with broccoli is very special according to my friend], just enjoy the friendly; atmosphere and the good service. The menu is small and doesn't change; much but its great for winding down on a Friday night; (don't forget to book!) and the great advantage to me is that I can walk there!; Last visited November 2001. Now they deliver it is even more convenient..
Il Porcellino: Trattoria and Pizziera; 3/2 Kembla Street; Balgownie; Ph: 02 4285 1503; BYO Open Mon-Sun 5.30pm till late; Friendly people, not too noisy. The pasta was good and the main courses generous.; Last visited January 2002
Fireworks: 40 Moore Street Austinmer NSW 2515; Ph: 02 4268 1790; The best coffee in the Illawarra. Excellent food - great for breakfast and lunch,; cakes straight out of Australian Gourmet but with a special touch.; Paintings, jewellery, ceramics and cards also for sale.; Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday for breakfast and lunch.; Friday and Saturday night for dinner.; Last visited July 2001.
Cafe mmm...: 190 Lawrence Hargrave Drive; Thirroul NSW 2515; Ph: 4268 1598; A friendly little place on the left hand side between Thirroul and Austinmer (travelling north). Nice breakfasts.; Last visited January 2001.
Crown Cafe and Catering: Shop 1/361 Crown Street; Wollongong 2500; Ph: 02 4226 1265 Fax: 02 4226 1210; Open Mon-Fri 8.30am-5.30pm, Sat 9am-2pm; Beautiful, fresh zingy sandwiches and salads including many vegetarian options. It was hard to know what to choose.; It all looked so appealing.; Last visited January 2002.
Oskar's Wild Bookstore & Coffee Bar: 289a Lawrence Hargrave Drive; Thirroul 2515; Ph/Fax: 02 4267 2580; Open 7 days.; Good coffee and a nice range of cakes and other food. Fresh runny cream served with; the excellent pecan pie. Wish they had more comfortable seats though!; Last visited December 2001.
The Gourmet Platter: Shop 2/104 Railway Street; Corrimal NSW 2518 (Next to Rod Optical, opposite Corrimal Court); Ph: 02 42858968 or 015 350 319; Very friendly people with a great range. Tastings always available.; More information in their newsletter. Just mention that you fancy; something and next week there it will be!; Last visited January 2002 (we go there every week).
Balgownie Quality Meat: 127 Balgownie Road; Balgownie NSW 2519; Ph: 02 4284 4058; This prize winning butcher is the place to go if you want that special cut of meat or a; dozen fresh quails for the weekend. The prizes are for their sausages which are very; good. A very professional and friendly butcher shop.; Last visited January 2002.
Porter's Liquor Coledale: 746 Lawrence Hargrave Drive; Coledale NSW 2515; Ph: 02 42671331; Fax: 02 4267 4203; Have a very interesting selection and special wine events.; More information in their newsletter.; Last visited July 1999.
The Wollongong Cellars: Cnr Kenny and Burelli Streets; Wollongong NSW 2500; Ph: 02 42292177; Fax: 02 42281530; Free membership to Wine Club - regular tastings every 2nd Thursday..; More information in their newsletter.; Last visited August 1997.; Recommended by the Gourmet Platter

Last maintained January 2002.

The Food Lover's Guide to the Illawarra

Restaurants

Cafes

Food Shops

Wine