The Ultimate Foodie Trail in Kiama: Where to Eat From Breakfast to Dinner
Kiama might be known as a small, surfy town for the laidback traveller, but its food scene is anything but! This country haven by the water can be explored in a single day and if you’re a foodie, then you could very easily spend 24 hours walking your way from coffee to artisan bakeries to long lunch spots to fine dining restaurants.
For those food obsessed among us looking to plan their perfect day in Kiama from breakfast to dinner, here are all our unmissable stops.
Local Tip: you can very easily plan your whole day around Manning Street and Collins Street, this is where the action happens!
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The ultimate Kiama foodie trail at a glance…
8:00 - Coffee: Part One
9:30 - Bakery: Slow Dough
11:00 - Shopping: Meander on Manning Street
12:30 - Lunch: Diggies
3:00 - Sweet treat: The Pines Gelato Bar
5:00 - Happy Hour: Uncle Fuku’s
7:00 - Dinner: Silica
Stop 1 - Coffee & Breakfast
First stop on your Kiama itinerary, coffee! There are almost too many good cafes to choose from, however these are just some we feel cannot be missed.
Early rises needing a coffee and pastry fix
Fresh and inspired flavours
Coffee with a side of vibes
A Big Breakfast (arrive hungry!)
Looking for the best pubs on the South Coast? → You can find them here!
Stop 2 - Bakery
When it comes to where to eat in Kiama, it would be remiss of us not to mention some of the very best bakeries along the New South Wales South Coast. Grab a pastry and (another) coffee before you head to the famous blowhole!
Grab a picnic breakfast at…
Indulge in a sweet treat at…
Nab some artisan bread to take home at…
Local Tip: Slow Dough is a local favourite (for good reason) however is only open Friday - Sunday and is first in first served. Get in early-ish so you don’t miss the good stuff!
After more sweet treats? → Find the Local Compass guide to the best bakeries here!
Stop 3 - Browse Between Bites
A Kiama day trip isn’t all about the food. Between cafés and long lunches, take some time to browse Kiama's independent boutiques, pick up a new book, discover local artists or let the kids burn off some energy at the playground before your next stop.
Boutique shopping
The Collective Beat - Best for: Locally made gifts
Bombo Clothing Co - Best for: Relaxed coastal fashion
Empire23 - Best for: Contemporary Australian fashion with a more mature focus
Golden Muse The Store - Best for: Cool, young and fresh fashion
Deer Willow - Best for: Chic pieces and homewares
Bookstores
Jennie's Book Nook - Best for: Hidden second-hand finds
Galleries
SevenMarks Gallery - Best for: Contemporary Australian art
Fern Street Gallery - Best for: A smaller gallery highlighting paintings, ceramics and works by local artists
If you're visiting with kids
Stop 4 - Long Lunch
A comprehensive Kiama food guide NEEDS long lunch destinations. Whether you’re after something relaxed by the water or fine dining, here are our favourite spots for every occasion.
For ocean views and a relaxed menu
For elevated casual dining
Stylish but traditional Vietnamese
Optional detour to a winery (absolutely worth driving the 10 minutes to Gerringong)
Stop 5 (optional)
Afternoon treat…
The Pines Gelato Bar – run by sixth-generation local dairy farmers and a standout for house-made gelato if you’re in the mood for something sweet!
Stop 6 - Dinner
Now for the finale, the only place to end your foodie trail would be at the best restaurants Kiama has to offer, and offer they will! Here are the places we insist you visit on your travels.
If you're celebrating
Date night
Relaxed evening
Cocktail bar, great food and happy hour
Staying overnight? → Is this the coolest motel makeover on the South Coast?
FAQ’s
(Everything you want to know, answered).
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Locals eat across Kiama’s cafés, bakeries, casual seafood spots and modern restaurants rather than relying on one main dining precinct. Native Café, KG on Terralong, Stonewall Café and Nova Kombi are among the cafés counted as local favourites. For longer meals, popular Kiama restaurants include Penny Whistlers, Silica, Cin Cin Wine Bar and Olive & Vine.
The best place to eat will depend on the occasion: choose a bakery or neighbourhood café for breakfast, a waterfront venue for lunch, and one of Kiama’s contemporary restaurants or wine bars for dinner.
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There is no single best café in Kiama for every visitor, but Penny Whistlers is a strong choice for waterfront views and relaxed all-day dining, as well as the cafes mentioned in this article! Some others not mentioned but are very popular among locals are: Native Café, KG on Terralong, Stonewall Café and Nova Kombi.
For something quieter, try The Quarry Café at Burnetts on Barney.
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Yes. Kiama is an excellent South Coast destination for food lovers because its compact town centre brings together cafés, artisan bakeries, seafood, contemporary Australian dining and relaxed waterfront restaurants. The broader Kiama region also offers breweries, wineries, farm produce and dining experiences in nearby Gerringong, Gerroa and Jamberoo.
A Kiama foodie trail can easily include morning coffee, pastries, a long lunch, an afternoon treat and dinner, with coastal walks, shops and galleries between stops.
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Many of Kiama’s central cafés, bakeries and restaurants are within walking distance of one another, particularly around Terralong Street, Collins Street, Manning Street, Kiama Harbour and the town centre. This makes it easy to create a self-guided Kiama food trail without moving the car between every stop.
Some destinations, including the Little Blowhole, outer beaches and venues in Gerringong or Jamberoo, require a short drive.
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One day is enough to enjoy a well-planned Kiama foodie trail covering coffee, a bakery, lunch, an afternoon treat and dinner. You can also fit in the Kiama Blowhole, harbour, boutique shops and a short coastal walk between meals.
However, staying for a full weekend gives you more time to explore nearby Gerringong, Gerroa and Jamberoo, as well as additional restaurants, wineries and regional food experiences. Kiama works well as either a day trip from Sydney or a relaxed South Coast weekend escape.
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For artisan bread and pastries, include Slow Dough, Parfait Patisserie and Flour Water Salt on your Kiama bakery trail. Slow Dough is especially associated with naturally leavened baking, while Parfait Patisserie is the stop for French-style croissants, cakes and delicate pastries. Flour Water Salt is ideal for traditional sourdough bread and baked goods to take home.
Availability can change throughout the day, so visit bakeries early for the widest choice—particularly on weekends.
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Yes. Many Kiama cafés and restaurants offer vegetarian dishes, and the wider Kiama region has several vegan-friendly options. Finding Fillmore’s is the most vegan friendly options, however other cafés and restaurants around Kiama also provide vegetarian or adaptable menu choices.
Dietary options can change with seasonal menus, so contact the venue before visiting if you require fully vegan food, gluten-free preparation or careful management of food allergies.
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