Nelson Bay dining at Anchorage Hotel & Spa
Port Stephens has become one of the standout food destinations on the NSW coast. The estuary produces some of Australia’s finest oysters, the waters deliver fresh seafood year-round, and the restaurants in Nelson Bay have grown to match the setting.
Anchorage Hotel & Spa sits at the heart of it. Three waterfront venues on a boutique marina at Corlette Point, an award-winning kitchen, and a dining experience that runs from the first coffee of the morning to the last whisky of the night.
Dining at Anchorage Hotel & Spa
The Galley Kitchen
The Galley Kitchen is one of the best restaurants Nelson Bay has produced, taking out best restaurant in a hotel and resort at the R&CA Savour Awards for Excellence in Regional NSW. It’s a bright, unhurried all-day restaurant overlooking the pool and marina, with 180-degree views across Port Stephens Bay.
As a seafood restaurant Nelson Bay visitors return to season after season, The Galley Kitchen builds its menu around what’s fresh and local. Past dishes have included seared scallops with roast corn puree and harissa, tonkatsu pork belly with pineapple salsa and chilli caramel, and char-grilled lamb loin with chermoula and watercress. Dine indoors or on the pool terrace, seven days a week.
Moby’s Bar
Moby’s Bar Dark leather, plush velvet, mahogany, and marble: the fit-out takes its cue from Herman Melville’s 1851 seafaring novel and carries views down the beach and out to the horizon.
The whisky list is among the most serious you’ll find at any restaurant in Nelson Bay. Settle in with freshly shucked Sydney Rock Oysters, house-cured salami, or locally inspired antipasti. It works as a pre-dinner ritual or a destination in itself.
Poolside Bar
The Poolside Bar delivers drinks and food directly to sun loungers and private cabanas. Pool in front, ocean views and nothing that needs to be done quickly.
Nelson Bay restaurants: the broader dining scene
The Nelson Bay dining scene has grown well beyond a single-note seafood offer. The marina precinct, the beachside suburbs, and the town centre each have their own character, and the area now covers everything from destination waterfront dining to casual takeaway on the foreshore.
Waterfront and marina dining in Nelson Bay
Anchorage Hotel & Spa sits directly on a boutique marina at Corlette Point, making it the most complete Nelson Bay wharf restaurant experience in the area. Three venues, absolute water frontage, and views across Port Stephens Bay from every seat.
For other restaurants in Nelson Bay marina worth knowing, Little Beach Boathouse at Little Beach marina is well regarded for fresh local seafood and views over the bay. The upstairs restaurant is the main event, with Below Deck bar below for a more casual sundowner. Mavericks on the Bay at d’Albora Marina is a reliable pick for marina-side lunch, with a broad menu and a strong cocktail list.
Seafood restaurants in Nelson Bay and beyond
Port Stephens is oyster country. Holberts Oyster Farm has been growing oysters in the estuary for more than five generations and is one of the largest oyster processors in NSW. Beyond oysters, the local catch brings wild prawns, yellowfin tuna, blue swimmer crab, and barramundi to tables across the region.
Sandpipers on Magnus Street is a local institution — family-owned, relaxed, and a popular seafood restaurant in Nelson Bay NSW.
Italian, Greek and everything else in Nelson Bay
The Nelson Bay food scene covers far more than seafood. For Italian restaurants in Nelson Bay, Nigroni’s Pizza Wine Kitchen on Magnus Street is the standout: wood-fired pizza, modern Italian fare, chandeliers and dark timber in a relaxed setting that’s become a firm local favourite.
Atmos at Shoal Bay Country Club is a standout for Greek-inspired meze: slow-roasted lamb shoulder, chargrilled octopus, and sharing platters done properly. It’s consistently one of the most talked-about restaurants in the Nelson Bay area.
The Nelson Bay town centre and marina precinct cover most cuisines and budgets: cafes, Thai, and good takeaway options. Restaurants in Nelson Bay make Port Stephens an easy destination for groups with different tastes.
Nelson Bay restaurants with a view
Enjoy uninterrupted views across the bay from the pool terrace, Moby's Bar, and the Poolside Bar, all tucked away from the crowds at Anchorage Hotel & Spa on Corlette Point.
Further along the marina precinct, Little Beach Boathouse serves fresh local seafood with views over the bay, while Mavericks on the Bay at d'Albora Marina offers a broad menu and a strong cocktail list right on the water. For something further afield, Saltwater Restaurant in Fingal Bay sits above the Surf Life Saving Club with panoramic ocean views, around 15 minutes from Nelson Bay.
Need a tip for the best restaurants in Nelson Bay NSW? Our team knows the area well and is happy to point you in the right direction.
Plan your visit
Anchorage Hotel & Spa is at 26 Corlette Point Road, Corlette NSW 2315, 2.5 hours from Sydney via the M1 Pacific Motorway and around 45 minutes from Newcastle via the Hunter Expressway.
- Phone: (02) 4984 2555
- Email: info@anchorageportstephens.com.au
Frequently asked questions
Can non-hotel guests dine at Anchorage Hotel & Spa?
The Galley Kitchen and Moby’s Bar, welcome visitors who are not staying at the property. When the hotel is at full capacity, dining may be reserved exclusively for in-house guests. If you’re not staying at Anchorage, it’s worth calling ahead to confirm availability before you visit. Reservations for The Galley Kitchen dinner service are recommended, particularly on weekends and during school holidays.
Does Anchorage Hotel & Spa cater for private events and group bookings?
Yes. The Galley Kitchen accommodates private dining and group functions, with event spaces on-site for groups from 12 to 150 guests. Catering is handled by the in-house kitchen. Contact the team on (02) 4984 2555 or info@anchorageportstephens.com.au to discuss availability.
What are the best waterfront restaurants in Nelson Bay?
Anchorage Hotel & Spa is the most complete waterfront dining address in the area, with three venues directly on a boutique marina at Corlette Point. Little Beach Boathouse and Mavericks on the Bay at d’Albora Marina are also well regarded for Nelson Bay waterfront dining. Sandpipers on Magnus Street is a popular CBD option for modern Australian seafood.
Is Port Stephens known for its seafood?
Yes. Port Stephens is one of Australia’s most productive oyster-growing regions. Holberts Oyster Farm has farmed oysters in the estuary for more than five generations, and their oysters appear on menus across the area. The local waters also produce wild prawns, yellowfin tuna, blue swimmer crab, and barramundi.
Is there a good Italian restaurant in Nelson Bay?
Nigroni’s Pizza Wine Kitchen on Magnus Street is the most well-known Italian restaurant that Nelson Bay has to offer. It serves wood-fired pizza and modern Italian dishes in a relaxed setting and is popular with both locals and visitors.
How far is Anchorage Hotel & Spa from Sydney and Newcastle?
Anchorage Hotel & Spa is approximately 2.5 hours from Sydney via the M1 Pacific Motorway, and around 45 minutes from Newcastle via the Hunter Expressway and Nelson Bay Road.
Is Anchorage Hotel & Spa good for a special occasion dinner?
The Galley Kitchen’s waterfront setting, award-winning kitchen, and attentive service make it a popular choice for anniversaries, birthdays, and celebrations. For larger groups or private dining, the on-site event spaces cater from 12 to 150 guests.