Kneading Ruby is just one Wollongong eatery that serves up a budget-beater menu. Photo: Kneading Ruby.
You don’t need to splash out to enjoy a great meal in Wollongong. The local dining scene is brimming with spots offering set menus that pack bold flavours without breaking the bank.
From Italian classics to vibrant Indian dishes and Japanese flair, here’s a roundup of some of the city’s best-priced set menus for $60 or under.
Kneading Ruby
5 Crown Lane
A Wollongong institution, Kneading Ruby has been packed since it opened. Step through the hardwood doors and lose track of time in a buzzy urban atmosphere that’s perfect for kicking off a night out. Their Feed Me Menu, priced at $50 pp (minimum four people), delivers a shared feast, starting with garlic bread and fried olives, followed by small plates such as prosciutto with stracciatella or cacio e pepe polenta chips, and finishing with heartier dishes such as gnocchi with pancetta and goat’s cheese, pork cotoletta with lemon butter, and a selection of signature woodfired pizzas. You definitely won’t go home hungry.
Osteria Lume
1/74 Kembla Street
Nestled in the former Pizzeria 50 site, Osteria Lume is a family-run treasure with a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Their authentic Italian dishes, crafted with love around a woodfire oven, shine in the mid-week two-course Classico menu, priced at $55 pp. Choose an entree like alla vodka pasta or woodfired prawns, paired with a main such as woodfired Atlantic salmon or slow-braised lamb shoulder. Available Wednesday and Thursday from 4:30 pm, the menu rotates regularly to keep things seasonal and exciting.
Ilu Ilu
Shop 5/10-18 Regent Street
Ilu Ilu is Wollongong’s Indian-inspired cocktail bar, bringing something fresh to the scene. With plush seating, vibrant colours, and a bold menu, it’s a feast for the senses. Their $60 pp tasting menu is designed for sharing, with dishes such as chickpea and peanut masala, dahi puri, aaloo chaat, chicken tikka, and lamb champaran. All dishes are traditional in flavour but presented in a modern way.
Lupa
98-100 Keira Street
Lupa, the iconic Italian house on the corner, serves up no-fuss classics in a laid-back setting. Their homemade pastas and wood-fired pizzas are always a hit, and the set menus, priced at $40 pp, $50 pp, or $55 pp, offer a spread of Italian favourites such as bruschetta, antipasti, grissini, and calzone. Always delicious, it’s an excellent choice for a relaxed catch-up with friends.
Night Parrot
69 Crown Street
Night Parrot is our late-night wine bar with dim lighting, fun vibes and round booth seating, perfect for stylishly gathering groups. Their Japanese-inspired menu is incredibly tasty, and the Feed Me Menu at $50 pp offers great value. Enjoy a shared selection of small plates, which could include Korean popcorn chicken, Kingfish sashimi, or duck pancakes, alongside dumplings, bao buns, and curries.
Beast Good Food Eatery
8 Crown Lane
Beast Good Food Eatery is a bustling Japanese spot that feels like a quick trip to Tokyo. A weekly go-to for many, their Teishoku Set Menu at $23 pp is the cheapest in our guide but no less delicious or filling. It features a main of karaage chicken or gyoza dumplings, plus sides like rice or green salad and miso soup. Offering excellent value, it’s a great lunch option if you’re shopping in the CBD.
That’s your guide to Wollongong’s best set menus for $60 or under. Whether you’re craving Italian comfort, Indian spice, or Japanese bites, these spots deliver without the hefty price tag.
