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Wollongong has some choice bars (Black Cockatoo, hello), but a cool space offering excellent cocktails, wine and snackable food has long been missing. Enter Roy’s, which opened in late 2023 and became an instant hit for its easy-going menu and affordable line-up of natural Australian fizz (and white, orange and red).

The lighting is low, the mood is high and starting with a vodka watermelon highball and devilled mussels is the smart move. Snapper crudo is sent into orbit with hot mustard dressing; ribbons of charred zucchini are bolstered by a full-flavoured romesco; and a tangy steak tartare comes out completely hidden under a crunch of matchstick fries.

Market fish (hapuka, say) is on hand if you’re in for a longer session, but there’s a lot to like about just grabbing a window seat and a cheese plate for some people-watching.