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  5. Thirroul
South Sailor, Wollongong, AU-NSW

South Sailor

4.6
4.6
775 Reviews
$41 to $100
Seafood
Top tags:
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.

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 18 times today
Experiences are available.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Cuisines

    Seafood, Modern Australian, Creative Japanese

  • Hours of Operation

    Tue, Wed 17:00–22:00 Thu–Sat 17:00–22:30 Sat 11:30–15:00 Sun 11:30–22:00

  • Phone number

    (02) 4268 6008

  • Website

    http://southsailor.com.au/

  • Payment Options

    MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress Code

    Casual Dress

  • Executive Chef

    Graham Ette

  • Private party facilities

    GROUP DINING AND CELEBRATIONS! Looking for somewhere to host your work shindig, celebratory hurrah, birthday bash or overdue catch-up with your nearest & dearest—you’ve found it! South Sailor has an outside garden which offers the perfect locale for your next private dining experience or party. For all the details, head to their website and check out their Event Function Kit.

  • Location

    216 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Wollongong, AU-NSW 2515

  • Area

    Thirroul

  • Parking Details

    There is ample street parking and additional parking is public carpark across the road on Mary Street.

  • Public Transit

    Fast train from Sydney to Thirroul station and an easy 10 minute walk.

  • Additional

    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Beer Garden, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, View, Weekend Brunch, Wine

Featured in

Experiences

  • Weekend Bottomless Lunch

    A$79.00 per person

    Multiple dates available
    If there’s one thing we love, it’s a bottomless lunch. Sip on endless amounts of your fav drink, wine, bubbles or beer! Dine on a drool-worthy seafood share with all your girl gang (or bros). Yup people, summertime is officially here! For the current menu, head to the South Sailor website.

What 775 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.4Ambience
  • 4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • New South Wales

    Neighbourhood Gem

  • Illawarra

    Most Booked

Sort by

Filters

  1. GD

    GlendaD

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall2food2service3ambience3
    I ordered battered fish salad and chips. Batter on fish was way too thick, crunchy and overcooked. I was quite disappointed.
  2. KM

    KMMM

    New South Wales

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 10 August 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food was amazing - definitely recommend the FEED ME option. The staff could not have been nicer. A fantastic restaurant.
  3. MY

    MYou

    New South Wales

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 6 August 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Absolutely incredible food. Will definitely be back.
  4. C

    Catherine

    Sydney

    18 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on 6 August 2022

    overall3food3service5ambience3
    The octopus is always delicious and the dumplings were amazing ask for a spoon to drink the broth. The Baja tacos yummy but get the grilled version and a side of slaw. The seaweed pasta was amazing but not sure why they serve the prawns on the side. The crumbed fish was small and very dry. Service is excellent and the cocktail list is too!
  5. C

    Cara

    Sacramento

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 30 July 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    The sushi was incredible as was the curry. The barra burger rated only medium. The courtyard seating was comfortably warm even in winter due to the heaters, and the service was excellent as always. Such friendly people there.
  6. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Exclusive

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 29 July 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    The chocolate tart was like overly sweet chewy disgusting fudge a surprisingly distasteful experience Fien the good quality of the rest of the food. Neither of us could stomach it - bit of a waste
  7. R

    Rach

    New South Wales

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 29 July 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    The food was outstanding. Even better than last time.
  8. AR

    AngelaR

    New South Wales

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 29 July 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    Absolutely beautiful, finally got to experience south sailor… The only thing I could fault was it was cold inside 🥶
  9. D

    Docrodd

    Sydney

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on 27 July 2022

    overall1food2service4ambience1
    Staff welcoming and helpful. Restaurant too cold for comfort. Wine excellent. Food disappointing. Entree (dumplings) bland. Seafood curry spoiled by skin on fish. Roti very nice. Seafood chowder disappointing. Overcooked fish, undercooked potatoes and about three small prawns but no other seafood. When I booked, online, I answered the question that it was a special dinner, our wedding anniversary. That was never acknowledged.
  10. GC

    GiovannaC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 23 July 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This was my first time and I thoroughly enjoyed the food, service and ambiance. Will be back!
  11. KF

    KylieF

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 16 July 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Loved it. Amazing, attentive friendly wait staff. Really relaxed vibe. The food was perfection! Thank you for a perfect night!
  12. AV

    AlexV

    Sydney

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on 16 July 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The staff are lovely, warm and cosy with the heating in the outside area and the food was great, as usual, I had the seafood curry with the roti...so full of seafood and hearty...perfect winter meal!
  13. SC

    SaraC

    Sydney

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 16 July 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Absolutely amazing food and service, the best restaurant in the Illawarra 🤍🤍🤍
  14. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New South Wales

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on 16 July 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always exceptional food and service
  15. GP

    GregP

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 15 July 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    First time for dinner Food and service was excellent We took our dog staff were very professional Can’t wait to go back
  16. C

    Catherine

    Sydney

    18 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on 2 July 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Delicious food and great service. Can’t wait for my next appointment down at thirroul so we can dine here again!
  17. K

    Kat01

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 30 June 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Noise was positive and added to ambience and energy. The food is fresh and cooked to perfection and the selections are not too complicated so as to overwhelm.
  18. JP

    JeremyP

    Sydney

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 26 June 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great selection of drinks and menu for whole family
  19. EM

    EdnaM

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 25 June 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food. Service very fast & efficient. We had a mix of vegetarian & seafood choices. Very yummy. Would defo re-visit.
  20. KK

    KimK

    New South Wales

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 24 June 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food as fabulous as always but counter tables are too small and close together
  21. RK

    RossK

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 19 June 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Brilliant restaurant From the time you arrive to the time you leave everything is on point. The food is very very good
  22. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Sydney

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 17 June 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Great food and margaritas :-)
  23. JB

    JacB

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 12 June 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Flavours in the Smokey Seafood Chowder were beautiful
  24. v

    violetak

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 11 June 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food is unique - the fish tacos are sensational. The wines are well chosen. Must try the cocktails next time - our son tells us the negroni is very special. Staff are lovely.
  25. PR

    PeterR

    Sydney

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 11 June 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    You won’t find better seafood dishes anywhere else in Wollongong or Sydney for that matter. Absolutely gorgeous. Also fast, friendly service with a wide menu choice.
  26. C

    Catherine

    Sydney

    18 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on 11 June 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Service was slow to begin with as waited a while to order but everything was perfect from there from the very friendly professional service to the delicious food. Glad we took a break for a while as looks like South Sailor has got its groove back.
  27. MP

    MareeP

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 10 June 2022

    overall5food5service3ambience3
    Food at South Sailor is outstanding. The standard has always been the same each visit. Would highly recommend to my friends - Sydney people, check out South Sailor :)
  28. RB

    RenataB

    New York Area

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 9 June 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    We went to South Sailor for the first time. The food was good, but I expected more when ordered the seafood plater. Some good options in it, like the kingfish carpaccio, the sushi roll, but fish tacos and prawn tostada not great. The main issue for us, was the lack of a good sound system, you could not hear the music properly, and it was a very cold night and they left a door inside the kitchen open and you could feel the cold breeze inside. Didn't feel cozy. Drinks were great, and also the service was good. We will come back :-)
  29. LE

    LEF42

    New South Wales

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 5 June 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    We enjoyed the "bottomless" lunch. Fabulous small bites of seafood served in interesting and tasty ways. I particularly enjoyed the cevice and calimari with chimichurri. Be sure you start with the Ink Gin and tonic. Wine and beer to follow for up to 2 hours, it is really good value.
  30. MT

    MichelleT

    Canberra

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 4 June 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fantastic service, hot fresh seafood served with delicious cocktails. Loved it. It’s an intimate space. Great for a romantic fun dinner or a catch up with a friend. Our waitperson was adorable and actually all the staff were on the ball.
  31. DP

    DebP

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 4 June 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    An excellent dinner experience! Fabulous food and service.
  32. HP

    HelenP

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 29 May 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    South sailor is a family favourite. The food is wonderful and consistent, ambience fun and casual but also special, staff are friendly and informative, and it’s great for kids.
  33. a

    amyg

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on 28 May 2022

    overall3food3service3ambience1
    Bottomless lunch wasn’t much food at all. We were seated on the highway which wasn’t very pleasant and our drinks were stopped 15mins before our 2 hours so we had to purchase more. Not a great experience don’t think we will be back
  34. SR

    SueR

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 27 May 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Packed Friday night made it hard for the staff to hear our order but food arrived quickly considering it was a full house. Really enjoyed the flavours of the fish tacos, dumplings and bbq octopus. Followed up with chocolate tart and berry meringue. Very nice. Super friendly staff, beautiful fish tank.
  35. CJ

    CJT2022

    New South Wales

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 27 May 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Innovative menu that suits a variety of tastes, great food and atmosphere with friendly and helpful staff. Will return!
  36. JB

    JBSydney

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 25 May 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We enjoyed our dinner at South Sailor. Great service and the food was delicious.
  37. MF

    MareeF

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 22 May 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Beautiful food, coeliac friendly & excellent service!
  38. N

    Nurt

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 21 May 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Great food, good atmosphere and the staff were very helpful
  39. H

    Hugo

    London

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 13 May 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    I had the torched fish. Terrific with a slight smoky flavour. My favourite.
  40. KM

    KerrieM

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 13 May 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    One of my favourite places to eat! I’ve enjoyed a romantic night with my husband, a family celebration and last night, dinner with my daughter. The food is delicious and clever and the staff are attentive and lovely. A complete gem in the Northern suburbs.

FAQs

South Sailor is rated 4.6 stars by 775 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 18 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for South Sailor

216 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Wollongong, AU-NSW 2515

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Area

    Thirroul

  • Hours of Operation

    Tue, Wed 17:00–22:00 Thu–Sat 17:00–22:30 Sat 11:30–15:00 Sun 11:30–22:00

  • Cuisines

    Seafood, Modern Australian, Creative Japanese

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Dress Code

    Casual Dress

  • Parking Details

    There is ample street parking and additional parking is public carpark across the road on Mary Street.

  • Public Transit

    Fast train from Sydney to Thirroul station and an easy 10 minute walk.

  • Payment Options

    MasterCard, Visa

  • Executive Chef

    Graham Ette

  • Additional

    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Beer Garden, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, View, Weekend Brunch, Wine

  • Website

    http://southsailor.com.au/

  • Phone number

    (02) 4268 6008

  • Private party facilities

    GROUP DINING AND CELEBRATIONS! Looking for somewhere to host your work shindig, celebratory hurrah, birthday bash or overdue catch-up with your nearest & dearest—you’ve found it! South Sailor has an outside garden which offers the perfect locale for your next private dining experience or party. For all the details, head to their website and check out their Event Function Kit.

Featured in

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