Northern NSW town Yamba is a perfect getaway to relax, rest, drink and eat — especially the prawns
Yamba is the perfect destination for relaxation and seaside bliss with its laid-back coastal charm, scenic beaches and famous prawns, what’s not to like?
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Yamba in the Northern Rivers Region of NSW has a population of 6,000 and the eateries to match Australian towns 10-times the size.
Sydney Eat Street — as a guest of Destination NSW — toured the coastal town 670km north of Sydney. These are the best picks.
The Surf
“Check in and chill out” is the mantra at The Surf, a 12-room luxury boutique hotel perched on Yamba’s northern headland overlooking Main Beach.
The Surf has stood for 100 years, but its latest renovation replaced the generic façade with seamless wraparound balconies, spacious rooms, and a rooftop terrace featuring panoramic views and a heated pool.
Emphasising lavish yet effortless accommodation, The Surf leaves dining to neighbouring eateries like Sandbar Restaurant, Gather Cafe, and Bowen’s Deli, which provide gourmet hampers and platters. With a focus on locally sourced produce, breakfast platters can range from simple offerings like baguettes with butter and jams, house-made granola, and fresh juice to decadent options like truffle croque monsieur, a French-style grilled cheese sandwich with ham and truffle béchamel.
Later in the day, guests can enjoy the Yamba seafood platter, generous charcuterie and cheese boards, and antipasti platters. For a relaxed Yamba experience, cross the street to The Kiosk for coffee, brekkie rolls, and a surf-side stroll.
2 Queen St; thesurfyamba.com
Yamba Distilling Co
Looking for a sea change, Adam Freeman and Alison Sloley left Adelaide in 2019 and embarked on a three-month tour along the coast before landing in Yamba, eventually opening their first-ever gin distillery.
Alison explains, “We’d done cafes and hotels but decided to do something Yamba didn’t have, so we took a uni course.” Four years later, with the local community’s support, they moved into a house-sized warehouse with a deck, grassy yard, picnic tables, and an endless supply of botanicals from their herb garden.
And Brodie, a playful terrier that rules the roost. “People will come in, like the chilli growers, and ask, ‘What can you do with this?’ So, we made chilli vodka.”
They’ve also received a big bucket of rosella fruit — now their Ruby Gin’s sweet-tart base.
“We just expanded on what people were bringing us, and every time we have a new one, we have a party with our regulars.”
11 Uki St; yambadistilling.com.au
The Karrikin
You’d be forgiven for doubting the existence of a hatted restaurant in this unassuming beachside village, but Karrikin’s owners, Yamba natives Clare Bourke and Zac Roberts, were equally astonished when they received their first “chef’s hat” in 2021.
“It was an overwhelming surprise. We knew we were doing well based on customer satisfaction and feedback, but industry recognition is something special,” says Zac.
Karrikin is derived from a Noongar word referring to the smoke from natural bushfires that aid seed germination and renewal.
This metaphor reflects Zac’s ever-evolving, inventive four-course share menus, driven by seasonal local produce, seafood, and meats.
Guests can enjoy wattleseed sourdough with macadamia butter, spiced carrot tart with curried macadamia and finger lime, grilled Yamba prawns, rare-seared venison, fragrant rice congee, and lamb rump with cauliflower cream, baby beetroot in chilli jam butter, Davidson plum, and miso gravy.
The wine and cocktail list focuses on local producers while featuring other Australian and international labels.
27 Coldstream St; karrikinyamba.com.au
Gather Cafe
Like many, Gather Cafe’s owners, Lauren Wilson and Mark Bursell, moved to Yamba during the Covid lockdowns. Lauren sought a sea change, while Mark, an experienced cafe owner and coffee aficionado, desired a town with a burgeoning dining scene.
Mark started working at Gather and met Lauren, a regular, and their partnership blossomed. They retained the name when they bought the cafe due to its special significance. With veteran chef Michael Desmond, Gather’s menu now offers elevated cafe classics focusing on local produce, such as The Avo (a whole sliced avocado with parsnips and almond gratin, and pistachio crumb) and corn and coriander fritters with jalapeño yoghurt, alongside specials like pork belly with fried egg.
Lauren says their vision for Gather is to create a business where the staff can grow alongside them in a region full of potential. Lauren says, “Our goal is for locals to enjoy the best possible food and coffee without having to travel far”.
3/14-15 Clarence St; Gatheryamba.com.au
Wobbly Chook Brewery
To understand this backpacker hostel turned brewery is to know the story behind the name. It’s said that the patriarch of The Henwood family, Steve ‘Chook’ was seen walking rather wobbly after a session out with mates.
It may not be the brewery’s origin story, but it’s definitely in keeping with a good time and beer. Grab a table inside near the brewing tanks or at an outdoor picnic table along one of Yamba’s main drags.
The burgers are stacked and pair perfectly with a “wobbly schooner”. There’s also a yummy Yamba prawn Thai salad, steak sandwich, fisherman’s basket, and chicken schnitzel, and for those that can’t choose between brews or just keen to try something new, there’s also a variety of tasting paddles as well as a list of other drinks.
26 Coldstream St; wobblychookbrewing.com
Eat Street was a guest of Destination New South Wales
Originally published as Northern NSW town Yamba is a perfect getaway to relax, rest, drink and eat — especially the prawns
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