Super Spots For Sunday Lunch With The Family
Where to make the most of Sunday lunches around town
As far as the category of lunch goes, Sunday lunches are pretty much elite tier.
Long, lazy [and sometimes boozy] they are an ideal way to get the family and extended family together for a nice big catch-up. Grown-ups can kick back whilst the kids run free and everyone has full and smiling bellies.
Check out our list of awesome local spots for a big, lively family shindig! Bring everyone – aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents- the whole gang!
Or why not make it a friends’ tradition? Besties are family too!
KID-FRIENDLY
The Mill
It’s pretty hard to go past The Mill at Dapto Leagues Club for its award-winning Tabatinga Family Fun & Social Centre. With a ton of different play areas for kids to enjoy including bumper cars, disco rooms and even a ninja course, this is Sunday-Funday at its core!
The meals are delicious and very generous plus their extended plonk menu is defo worth a look-in. Helloooo apple pie cocktail!
Kids menu // Yep, the Billy Lids [kids] are sorted
Price // $
The Fold Loves // The Italian Gelato for dessert mmmmm
Balgownie Hotel
This cracker spot has been going since 1899 and is still an excellent location for your Sunday lunch with the crew.
With areas dedicated to kiddos and outdoor spaces to stretch those little legs, they’ve got you covered. Serving up all the best pub classics like burgers, schnittys and steaks as well as salads and sharing bites. Nice!
We’re also fans of their mocktail list for a tasty treat sans the liquor.
Kids menu // You know it!
Price // $
The Fold Loves // The fun locals events they hold throughout the year. Keep an eye out for their next one.
Lake Illawarra Hotel
These guys have recently had a refurb and we are here for it! The new playground is epic, with soft flooring, fencing and shelter for those rainy days. There’s also loads of covered outdoor seating around the playground so that you can keep an eye on those rascals while you have your lunch.
There are larger fully enclosed cabanas that can be booked for groups that are equipped with fans and heating so they can be enjoyed all year round.
Oh, and did we mention? Kids eat FREE with any main meal purchased on Sundays woohoo!
Kids menu // Yep, and all meals come with a drink and ice cream- score!
Price // $
The Fold Loves // They even cater for kids’ birthday parties as well.
Towradgi Beach Hotel
Long been a favourite with us Illawarra locals, we love a good Sunday at TBH. With loads of spots to pop a seat both indoors and outdoors as well as a decent-sized playground, it’s an excellent choice for the whole family.
They’ve got a large menu for all types of eaters and they’re frozen cocktails are a perfect summer treat.
Kids menu // Yes, and all meals come with a middy of softy too!
Price // $
The Fold Loves // Hangin’ outdoors on a sunny Sunday arvo.
The Fraternity Club
The Fraternity Club are all about providing a fun space for the bambini and adulti alike. As well as kids’ play areas there’s a mini arcade, gelato stand and of course chocolate machine. What more do you need?
With two restaurants to choose from inside the club- La Trattoria for classic Italian Bistro fare and Il Bene for their famous pizza, we’re drooling just writing about it. Salut!
Kids menu // La Trattoria has a few kid’s options and Il Bene has their Kid’s Mickey Mouse Pizza
Price // $
The Fold Loves // That they offer vegan cheese and gluten-free options to cater to diners’ needs.
The Shellharbour Club
This is a huuuuuge venue with plenty of dining areas and space to stretch out and explore. If you’re coming with kids your best bet is the Precinct area which has a whole street food vibe as well as a play area and other activities.
The Shellharbour Club offers kids meal deals as well as ‘Family Street Eats Bundles’ to keep the whole family fed. Remember to save room for a sweet treat from Bon Bon as well.
Kids menu // There’s a dedicated kids’ menu as well as plenty of options at each dining spot.
Price // $
The Fold Loves // The variety, there’s literally something for everyone.
Wests Illawarra
Artisan Dining inside Wests has a long menu full of family faves.
Woodfired pizzas, club classics, salads, pastas, steaks and more.
There’s also a small playground inside the dining area so the kiddos can let loose whilst the grown-ups chow down.
Sunday is Roast of The Week day too, if you’re in the mood for a classic.
Kids menu // Yes, in the cutest pirate ship themed box for goof measure!
Price // $
The Fold Loves // Slurping down a thickshake from The Craft Cafe
AL FRESCO
Scarborough Hotel
Talk about a spot for outdoor dining. Right on the cliff’s edge, the ocean views here are just breathtaking! Scarborough Hotel is a popular location for anyone travelling up or down the coast and it’s also a good option for a meet-up with those city-slicker relos who are travelling down from Sydney.
We recommend booking this one in advance as it gets preeeetty busy on weekends and arriving early as parking spots can get tricky to find.
Kids menu // For the under 12’s
Price // $
The Fold Loves // The views, honestly, we could stare out over the big blue all day.
Diggies
An iconic spot in Wollongong for brekkie, did you know that Diggies also do a cracker lunch? Share plates for grazing, burgers, sambos and even fresh barra.
Their deck seating is great for taking in North Beach whilst also taking in good food and coffee. We appreciate the extent of their little ones’ menu- way more than just your standard chicken nuggets or chips.
Did you know they’re also fully licensed? Mimosas and spritzers for the win!
Kids menu // It’s a goodie.
Price // $
The Fold Loves // The super friendly staff, they always make our day.
The Fitz Cafe & Bar
We feel like Sundays are made to be spent on a rooftop and thankfully The Fitz Cafe & Bar just gets it. With both indoor and outdoor dining, all weather is covered and with their excellent menu, all appetites.
They run their brunch menu along with their lunch menu all the way until 3 p.m. on Sundays so perfect for anyone who’s in the mood for a bit of bacon or some pancakes instead of the usual Sunday lunch grub.
Kids menu // No, but there are a few options on the regular menu like pancakes or chips that could keep the kiddos satisfied.
Price // $
The Fold Loves // Hangin’ on the rooftop feeling urban chic.
Figtree Hotel
Right off the Princes Highway, it’s hard not to miss this one when making your way through that part of town. Both a covered terrace and beer garden for alfresco dining there’s ample room to make the most of the outdoors.
They’ve got a fairly hefty menu of tasty pub goodies but we have to admit we’re a little partial to their Honey BBQ schnitzel topper- bacon, mustard honey AND cheese come on!
Kids menu // $11 meals for members, $13 for non.
Price // $
The Fold Loves // Their partnership with Publinc- is an excellent way to raise funds for awesome local causes.
Lo Stretto
Book the fam in for lunch at Lo Stretto and you’ll be scoring brownie points from everyone all day. Seriously, the outdoor seating with INCREDIBLE views over the ocean and the absolutely delicious Italian meals are just a match made in heaven.
Their indoor seating is also fully surrounded by windows so even on the less-than-ideal weather days you’ll still score those wonderful views.
Make sure to save tummy space for their tasty cakes and gelato.
Kids menu // There are 3 kid’s options to choose from.
Price // $
The Fold Loves // They make a pretty excellent cup of java as well.
Ocean Beach Hotel
Seafood Sundays should be a thing [if they’re not already] and if they are then Ocean Beach Hotel is a great place to celebrate them. Their seafood is award-winning and their outdoor seating has great views over Shellharbour beach.
The Hot & Cold seafood platter for 2 sounds like a pretty epic feast.
Kids menu // Yes AND There’s a pizza menu, and that’s pretty much the same right?
Price // $$
The Fold Loves // Grazing on Jervis bay mussels cooked in white wine, chilli, garlic and butter – luxury.
FOR GROWN-UPS AND ALMOST ADULTS
The Imperial at Clifton
Full of history [and also good times] The Imperial at Clifton is the spot to bring your out-of-town relos or fussy in-laws to REALLY impress them.
The building has had the most incredible facelift and the windows upon windows of ocean views will have you so distracted you might actually forget to eat. But seriously don’t do that or you’ll miss out on some tasty eats.
Kids menu // There are four awesome options for the kids.
Price // $
The Fold Loves // Their picnic hampers, they’ll deliver the good times to you at four different picnic locations around town.
Resin Brewing
For excellent brews, excellent bites and plenty of excellent atmosphere, Resin Brewing in Bulli is a great spot for a Sunday family lunch. We love their fresh salads, and binge-worthy burgers and those cinnamon donut balls are lush.
There’s both indoor and covered and uncovered outdoor seating. They welcome bookings and walk-ins and in winter have been known to have a good old-fashioned fire going.
Kids menu // Yessiree
Price // $
The Fold Loves // The occasional live music on Sundays, keep an eye out for their next sesh.
Baby Face Kitchen
We’ve popped this one on the list because on Sundays they offer something very cool. Baby Face Kitchen’s Sunday Lunch Set. For $80pp you can treat the family [the older ones anyway] to a special curated 4-course set menu, with a dessert that changes weekly. There’s also the option to add the hand-picked wine pairing for extra and we reckon that sounds pretty fun!
They also have their seasonal a la carte menu if that’s more the gang’s thing.
Kids menu // This one’s for the grown-ups
Price // $
The Fold Loves // Making Sunday extra fancy once in a while
Georgia Rose
We’re always going on about how much we love Georgia Rose and it ain’t no different on Sundays. All-day-brekkie, a ton of lunch options and an excellento location right on Shell Cove Marina, how could we not talk it up?
If you’re coming with a bigger group, we recommend booking in advance to avoid any disappointment.
Kids menu // For both the brekkie and lunch menu
Price // $
The Fold Loves // The Sunday sessions that run from 3-6, fab for the older [over 18] members of the fam.
The Hill Bar & Kitchen
Make your way to Gerringong on Sundays for family lunch at The Hill Bar & Kitchen. The restaurants’ coastal views give us heart eyes and their menu give us heart tummy. Oh, and don’t even get us started on the cocktail menu.
This is another one we recommend securing a booking for as it gets quite busy on the weekends, pretty much the whole of Gerringong does really. Lunch runs until 2:30pm but if you stick around until 3 pm there’s a nice little happy hour to boot.
Kids menu // Yes
Price // $
The Fold Loves // The fish and chips- it’s a seaside classic.
Ruby’s Mount Kembla
Okay if you wanna pull all the stops for the family this Sunday then may we suggest Ruby’s Mount Kembla. Only open from Friday dinner to Sunday Lunch this really is a weekend treat.
Choose from a 7 or 5-course locally sourced tasting menu and prepare to have your taste buds spoiled rotten. This is one we suggest leaving the kids with the babysitter for and just making it an adult-relos thing.
Kids menu // Leave ‘em at home for this one
Price // $$$
The Fold Loves // Pure indulgence is what Sundays should be really about.
Steamers Bar & Grill
Right on Wollongong foreshore, Steamers Bar & Grill has a pretty big name for themselves in the Illawarra dining scene, and we get it! The food and drinks are divine and the vibes are immaculate.
So, it only makes sense to bring the family here for a super special Sunday lunch. Loads of the meals are designed to be shared so you can try a bit of everything and if you’ve got a group of 12 or more you can even organise a group menu when you book. It sounds divine if you ask us.
Kids menu // They sure do, and it comes with a cute little maze to fill out whilst the kids are waiting for their food.
Price // $
The Fold Loves // Their regularly changing weekly specials, always something new to try.
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