The Spare Room restaurant at Sawtell plans to add beer garden, space for more diners

One of Coffs Harbour’s most popular restaurants is looking to expand in on-trend Sawtell with a new space “unlike any in the area”. See what’s on the menu.

The Spare Room restaurant at Sawtell has plans to add a beer garden and boost its capacity.

The Spare Room restaurant at Sawtell is looking to expand its footprint by adding a beer garden and space for more customers.

Owner Toby Stitt has lodged a development application with City of Coffs Harbour to convert the “dead space” out the back of the First Ave eatery.

The concept would create an al fresco area with drinks served from a portable craft beer bar.

“It will allow us to accommodate an extra 40 guests,” Mr Stitt states in the planning documents.

The current restaurant site has an indoor dining space with an 80-guest capacity.

The back area behind the restaurant has been described by owner Toby Stitt as essentially “dead space”.

The Spare Room on Sawtell’s leafy restaurant strip has fast established a name for itself with residents and tourists alike, achieving a 4.5-out-of-5 ranking on TripAdvisor.

It has also been appreciated as a venue for live entertainment.

People reviewing The Spare Room restaurant rave about the food. Picture: TripAdvisor

“The Spare Room is a small family run business that has been trading since 2015,” Mr Stitt said.

“We are seeking approval for this extension as it is becoming increasingly hard to run a small business and feel that the addition of this beer garden will allow us to provide a different space for the public to enjoy our venue while enjoying a beverage and pizza in the sun.

“It will create a beautiful outdoor dining experience for the public. One that is unlike any in the area.”

Mr Stitt said the expansion would create four additional hospitality jobs, and the total estimated cost of the works is $20,000.

The development application is on public exhibition until December 9.