Diners' Choice: Good for special occasions restaurants in Illawarra

OpenTable

Updated 05 August 2026

Looking for the best special occasion restaurants in Illawarra? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Roy's Restobar

5.0

5 (78)

$A41 to $A100

Modern Australian

Wollongong

About the restaurant

A neighbourhood bar and restaurant sourcing sustainably grown and endemic produce along with high quality seafood. Focusing on intensively house made offerings from cheese and pickles all the way through to desserts. With an Aussie only wine and craft beer menu we are highlighting the best products come from right here and it's best to support local.

Top review

Sue

Dined on 18 Jul 2026

Roy’s restaurant/ wine bar is a great venue with friendly staff great food and a nice casual atmosphere, the menu is is small but everything is absolutely fabulous,Roy’s is a must visit.

Ruki Robatayaki Grill & Bar

4.8

4.8 (782)

$A41 to $A100

Creative Japanese

Wollongong

About the restaurant

Fire, smoke, and umami - RUKI is all about the good stuff.

From the team that brought you Débutant Dining comes a new experience inspired by the late-night izakayas of Japan, right in the heart of Wollongong.

Enjoy charred skewers straight off the grill, fresh seafood and cold beer.

Take a seat at the bar and let us take care of you. You deserve it.

Top review

Linda

Dined 1 day ago

Exceptional food and service. Thank you to the staff who were brilliant and went above and beyond when they really didn’t have to. A really great experience all round. Highly recommended. ❤️

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Popular dish

BASQUE CHEESECAKE

Ain't Nonna's

4.8

4.8 (380)

$A41 to $A100

Contemporary Italian

Wollongong

About the restaurant

WE AIN'T NONNA'S! It's a simple as that. We love and appreciate all the Nonna's out there and the beautiful food they create. We don't want to compete with your Nonna's cooking, so we won't.

This is our take on home style Italian cooking.

Top review

Roger

Dined 2 days ago

Relaxed friendly operation. We had a range the antipasto dishes and shared a main. The dishes were all well presented with very tasty sauces. The vinaigrette on the oysters was a standout. Very pleasant service

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Silica Restaurant and Bar

4.8

4.8 (499)

$A41 to $A100

Modern Australian

Kiama

About the restaurant

Set on Kiama's Surf Beach with beautiful views of the ocean and coastline, Silica Restaurant offers Kiama's freshest local seafood and finest dining experience.

Our menu is designed around locally sourced and home-grown ingredients, showcasing the very best of South Coast produce.

Top review

Jess

Dined on 25 Jul 2026

Service was wonderful, attentive and friendly without being annoying. Food was gorgeous. We had the 6 course tasting menu. Each course was delicious. Highly recommend and we’ll be back.

Debutant

4.6

4.6 (663)

$A41 to $A100

Steakhouse

Wollongong

About the restaurant

Showcasing Australia's best and rarest cuts of beef dry aged in house and butchered daily.
We are very proud to cook our steaks exclusively over iron bark the best and only way in our opinion.
Soak up the feeling of opulence in our dining room or enjoy a drink in our upstairs lounge, dark and moody inspired a New York loft sit back and relax, enjoy a snack or burger.
Indulge in the finest cuts and luxurious atmosphere, and savour the flavours that define this unparalleled steakhouse experience.
Established relationships with our esteemed suppliers, nurtured since 2019, grant us access to the finest selection of wagyu beef.
In our journey, we invite our guests to discover the diversity and profound taste profiles of the different breeds, cuts, and regions. Our extensive menu tells the story of our hard working farmers, offering an insight into the careful breeding, meticulous feeding, and dedicated care behind each variety.

Top review

Rosa

Dined on 30 Jul 2026

The staff were very friendly and helpful as it was our first time dining at this restaurant. Food was exceptionally and delicious. Highly recommended to dine at this restaurant.

Andie's

4.6

4.6 (115)

$A41 to $A100

Mediterranean

Thirroul

About the restaurant

Nestled in the heart of Thirroul and just steps from the beach, Andie's features a stunning outdoor courtyard that offers a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for casual dining or special gatherings.

Enjoy your meal surrounded by lush cabbage tree palms and the sounds of the sea.

Inside, our beautifully designed space invites a cosy vibe with warm lighting and Mediterranean-inspired decor. Join us for a delightful dining experience that captures the charm of this coastal gem!

Top review

Michael

Dined on 3 Jul 2026

Always a pleasure to visit Andie's. Delicious food in a casual environment.

Outback Steakhouse - Wollongong

4.5

4.5 (1071)

$A40 and under

American

Wollongong

About the restaurant

We are a contemporary, casual dining steakhouse restaurant beloved worldwide. Currently with 6 restaurants in NSW and 2 in Queensland. We pride ourselves on serving up variety; our unbeatable steak cuts are complemented by delicious choices of chicken, ribs, seafood, and pasta at a price for everyone. Our strategy? We’re the leader of the pack by emphasizing consistently high quality delicious food delivering a warm, welcoming environment.

Top review

Michelle

Dined on 31 Jul 2026

Amazing as always. Delicious fresh food. Great friendly staff

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Popular dish

Tomahawk

Duck in Heaven

4.5

4.5 (184)

$A41 to $A100

Asian

Thirroul

About the restaurant

Cooking up delectable, mouth watering morsels of Char Siu pork & BBQ duck. Think Peking duck pancakes and pork bao. Fresh. Simple. Satisfying & Fun.

Top review

alisha

Dined on 21 Jun 2026

Our favourite place for a family lunch . Ambience and delicious.

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Popular dish

Peking Duck Pancakes (2)

Popular dish

Peking Duck

Popular dish

Duck Confit Spring Rolls

Casa Nova Italian Restaurant & Bar, Shellharbour

4.5

4.5 (24)

$A40 and under

Italian

Oak Flats

About the restaurant

Casa Nova Italian Restaurant & Bar brings people together over authentic Italian food and warm hospitality. Located in Shellharbour, our menu showcases handmade pasta, woodfired pizza, fresh seafood, ribs, burgers and vegan and vegetarian favourites, all complemented by wines from New South Wales vineyards and beers on tap from around the world.

Whether you're joining us for a casual lunch, family dinner or special occasion, there's always a reason to gather around the table.

Casa Nova Italian Restaurant & Bar is also located at Circular Quay, Honeysuckle, Green Hills and Toronto.

Top review

Denise

Dined on 7 Jul 2026

Lovely admisphere for a ladies lunch. Food was amazing

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Experience

La Tavola

Experience

Sit-Down Set Menu (Minimum 8 Pax)

Experience

Bottomless Lasagna

South Sailor

4.4

4.4 (1229)

$A41 to $A100

Seafood

Thirroul

About the restaurant

With a love for casual, fresh seafood, South Sailor offers lunch, dinner and a wine & cocktail we just know you'll love! Just 150 metres from Thirroul Beach, South Sailor is a fitting spot to settle back after a day on the sand and surf.

Expect to find a contemporary seafood focussed menu with the very best that the South Coast and Australia has to offer. The menu is a combination of classic chip-shop fare and more worldly seafood flavours with an in-house Sushi & Poké Bar. The kitchen, lead by Executive Chef Graham Ette, prepares delicious seafood plates cooked to order, designed to share.

With indoor & outdoor seating, a licensed bar and kids beach cubby, gather the family for a relaxed weekend lunch or head in with friends for an evening of drinks and a shared feast. South Sailor is the perfect locale for those wanting to enjoy the Coal Coast vibe and warm welcome.

Top review

Anne

Dined 1 day ago

We have 4 share plates between 2 friends. Prawn and scallop sushi, raw fish taco’s, eggplant, & crab croquettes. All so tasty

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Experience

South Sailor FEED ME menu

Experience

Weekend Bottomless Lunch

Experience

South Sailor Social!

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