Former Masterchef contestant Gina “Nonna G” Ottaway is a big supporter of Shellharbour Square Fish Market’s produce. Photo: Gina Ottaway.
With the coast on our doorstep and Easter in the air, there’s one thing that comes to the fore in the Illawarra – seafood.
Whether you choose to eat seafood on Good Friday as part of an Easter family tradition or because of its religious significance, the real challenge lies in choosing what you’ll eat and how you’ll eat it.
In the Illawarra, we’re spoiled for choice, from fresh prawns and oysters for your home spread, to casual fish and chips wrapped in paper by the beach, or a fine dining hot and cold seafood platter experience overlooking the water.
It’s all thanks to each municipality fortunate to have access to one or more fishmongers for the freshest catch, often sourced from here on the South Coast, for an at-home feast.
Or, for those not wanting to do the cooking, there’s an abundance of award-winning seafood restaurant options with creative dishes or special platters.
For something that’s cheap as … well, chips, there’s an endless number of simple old-fashioned fish and chipperies – and don’t spare the chicken salt.
Here’s where to find some of the freshest seafood in each of the three Illawarra municipalities this Easter – Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama:
Fish Markets
Harley and Johns Seafood owner Grant Logue is preparing for another busy Easter with seafood sales. Photo: Kellie O’Brien.
Harley and John’s Seafood, Fairy Meadow
Harley and John’s Seafood has been a staple in Fairy Meadow for more than 20 years and its owner Grant Logue has seen how much residents of the Illawarra love experimenting with seafood in their home kitchens. “They are experimenting with things like doing gravlax (cured salmon) and cured ocean trout. They are getting more adventurous in that way,” Grant said. He said customers increasingly wanted to source sustainable, South Coast or Australian seafood, with his business the first independent fish market in NSW to gain Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) chain of custody certification, which ensured seafood came from a fishery certified as sustainable. It has an extensive range of fish, mussels, oysters, and bugs, crab and prawns.
Location: 7 Daisy St, Fairy Meadow.
Kiama Fish Market, Kiama
Sat behind the vessels in Kiama harbour is an iconic yellow building with a history spanning 50 years of delivering fresh seafood from the South Coast and throughout Australia to the Illawarra. The Kiama Fish Market is a family-run business and is known for buying directly from South Coast fishers to ensure freshness. In the past month it has stocked fresh scallops, bugs, rock and Pacific oysters and even mullet. The added bonus is it’s easily accessible, with plenty of free parking.
Location: Kiama harbour, Kiama.
Shellharbour Square Fish Market, Shellharbour City
If you’ve ever walked down the Coles end of Stockland Shellharbour, you’ll known it’s hard to miss the fish market. It has offered a variety of quality, fresh and sustainable seafood for more than 30 years. It is also a fishermen’s co-operative, which means it can purchase directly from fishermen. Its range includes barramundi and salmon fillets, mussels and king prawns and even platters and barbecue packs. For those with busy lifestyles, the market now takes orders online and delivers to homes.
Location: 211 Lake Entrance Rd, Shellharbour City Centre.
Others to try: Aish’s Seafood and Takeaway, Berkeley.
Seafood Restaurants and Cafes
Photo: Saltwater Cafe.
The Lagoon Seafood Restaurant, North Wollongong
One thing Wollongong does well is a good seafood restaurant, making it hard to choose just one, hence why you need to check our “others to try” list. However, it’s hard to go past the local institution that is Lagoon Seafood Restaurant in North Wollongong, which has been bringing the flavours of the sea straight to the table since 1986. Open across the entire Easter period, this award-winning beachside restaurant has the advantage of fine dining at the restaurant or more casual eats at the deck bar and kiosk. Overlooking the water, take a look at the fresh seafood platter specials and gourmet fish dishes.
Location: George Hanley Dr, North Wollongong.
Saltwater Cafe, Kiama
Having been a previous Most Outstanding Restaurant winner at the Local Business Awards, this cafe on Terralong Street in Kiama has the added benefit of also being a takeaway. It reopened with new owners in 2021, with its signature dishes including Blue Oscar featuring grilled blue grenadier topped with grilled prawns, and Prawn, Salmon and Avocado Salad. For Easter, it’s also doing a preordered seafood platter for $100.
Location: 104 Terralong, St Kiama.
Waterview Japanese Restaurant, Shell Cove
If you’re looking for something a little different than the traditional seafood buffet or bistro, then the seafood cuisine on the menu at Waterview Japanese offers a restaurant experience, while overlooking the stunning Shellharbour Marina at Shell Cove. Featuring authentic Japanese flavours with coastal inspiration, expect traditional sushi rolls through to yuzu miso salmon and king prawn katsu.
Location: 100 Cove Blvd, Shell Cove.
Others to try: Harbourfront Seafood Restaurant, Wollongong; The Galley, Port Kembla; The Blue Swimmer, Gerringong; The Seahorse Oceanview at the Gerroa Boat Fisherman’s Club, Gerroa; Lucia’s By The Sea, North Wollongong; Bombora Seafood Cafe/Restaurant, Wollongong; and Silica Restaurant, Kiama.
Fish and Chip Takeaway
Santorini By The Sea. Photo: Kellie O’Brien.
Levendi Fish and Chippery, Wollongong
On any given weekend, you’ll see long line-ups for harbourside takeaway Levendi in the heart of Wollongong. Serving the Illawarra since 2006, it specialises in fish and chips, with a host of seafood variety packs and individual seafood items. Its menu also extends to seafood salad and grilled fish choices for those wanting healthier options. With Google reviews boasting that it’s the “best place to hang out near the harbour”, you know it’s in the ideal location for a picnic too.
Location: 81 Cliff Rd, Wollongong.
Fish Vibes Jones Beach, Kiama Downs
Serving some of the best classic fish and chips in the Illawarra, it has the added bonus of ensuring the whole family is fed with special gluten-free batter, vegetarian options, and a prioritisation toward dietary needs of customers. Expect specials like the Snapper Burger and signature dishes like Battered Barra Baguette and Fried Fish Tacos. According to one Google reviewer, it has “exceptional fish and chips. Easily the best of my existence”.
Location: 13 Johnson St, Kiama Downs.
Santorini By The Sea, Shellharbour Village
Across from the harbour in Shellharbour Village, is the always popular Santorini By The Sea which is praised for its service and large portion sizes. That’s backed by one Google reviewer who siad: “10/10 service and amazing food to boot”. It offers a variety of battered seafood packs through to pieces of grilled salmon. With a few eateries along that stretch of Addison Street, if there’s no alfresco seating available, the harbour and park make for great picnic spots.
Location: 2/7 Addison St, Shellharbour Village.
Others to try: Rosie’s Fish and Chips, Coledale; Fishnets Takeaway, Wollongong; Flying High Cafe, Stanwell Tops; Dandaloo Village Takeaway, Brownsville; Riggsy’s Takeaway, Barrack Heights: North Beach Kiosk, North Wollongong; and Shells Diner, Austinmer.
Of course, with any of the above and knowing demand during Easter, it’s wise to preorder at your closest fish market, book early for seafood restaurants, and arrive early at your favourite takeaway spot.
