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  4. Illawarra
  5. Thirroul
South Sailor, Wollongong, AU-NSW

South Sailor

4.6
4.6
759 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 13 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 759 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
  • 4.5Service
  • 4.4Ambience
  • 4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • New South Wales

    Romance

  • New South Wales

    Sunday Lunch

  • Illawarra

    Best Overall

  • Illawarra

    Best Food

  • Illawarra

    Best Service

  • Illawarra

    Best Ambience

  • Illawarra

    Best Value

  • Illawarra

    Fit for Foodies

  • Illawarra

    Lunch

  • Illawarra

    Romance

  • Illawarra

    Special Occasions

  • Illawarra

    Most Booked

Sort by

Filters

  1. K

    Kat01

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    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.
  2. JP

    JeremyP

    Sydney

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

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

    EdnaM

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food. Service very fast & efficient. We had a mix of vegetarian & seafood choices. Very yummy. Would defo re-visit.
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Sydney

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 17 June 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Great food and margaritas :-)
  7. JB

    JacB

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 12 June 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Flavours in the Smokey Seafood Chowder were beautiful
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. C

    Catherine

    Sydney

    15 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    15 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.
  11. 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 :)
  12. 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 :-)
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. DP

    DebP

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 4 June 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    An excellent dinner experience! Fabulous food and service.
  16. 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.
  17. 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
  18. 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.
  19. 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!
  20. 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.
  21. MF

    MareeF

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 22 May 2022

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

    Nurt

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 21 May 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Great food, good atmosphere and the staff were very helpful
  23. 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.
  24. 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.
  25. MR

    MalcolmR

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 8 May 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our dining experience at South Sailor was amazing. We went for Mothers Day and cannot fault any aspects. Service was extremely friendly and helpful. Great children’s menu and the pricing was phenomenal. And most importantly the food was fresh and so good. For what we received we will definitely be back.
  26. C

    Casati

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 8 May 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Fantastic seafood tasting plate for two. Beautifully prepared and presented dishes with a Japanese aesthetic. Highly recommended. Friendly service in the busiest of times.
  27. k

    kathrynf

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 8 May 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a lovely table in tbe courtyard.The service was great just enough time in between courses.I felt the menu had enough dishes to satisfy everybody’s taste & our food was fantastic.We will definately be going back to South Sailor.
  28. JC

    JessC

    New South Wales

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on 7 May 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    I think this time we contributed to the noise level! The food is spectacular as usual and my friends from Sydney absolutely loved it.
  29. AD

    AnnaD

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 7 May 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We absolutely loved everything about the bottomless lunch & already planning to come back. Fabulous!
  30. J

    Jayzee

    Central Coast

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 6 May 2022

    overall2food4service2ambience1
    Asked for indoor table was seated outside on a very cold night. Loud drunken table of men who were banging on table and using obscenities. Food delivered to wrong table even though there were only 3 tables in the courtyard. Curry was 75% rice and 25% curry. Very disappointing experience.
  31. LB

    LibbieB

    Sydney

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 5 May 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Absolutely wonderful experience.
  32. RM

    ReneM

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 1 May 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    A lovely experience. Service and food was great. We will be back… soon.
  33. MP

    MikeP

    Sydney

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 1 May 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Friendly, helpful, efficient service. Food excellent.
  34. MS

    MattS

    Exclusive

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on 30 April 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Fish taco entrees were great as usual. Madras curry tasted fresh and interesting. Sashimi was high quality. Food came at a good pace. Outside seating was getting a little cool despite heaters - need a warm jacket. It would be great to see some change in the menu, particularly different large plates.
  35. SW

    SueW

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 28 April 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Really enjoyed dining at South Sailor for the first time...we'll be back!
  36. JW

    JenniferW

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 27 April 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great night with friends, friendly service, nothing too much trouble. We shared some dishes and all were delicious.
  37. MP

    MattP

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on 20 April 2022

    overall3food5service1ambience3
    Food was excellent. Service was very average. Having to repeatedly ask for more water. We were not told kitchen or bar were closing - as we wanted to order more. Suggest additional staff training
  38. AS

    AnnaS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 20 April 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    We very much enjoyed our evening here, the food was delicious, staff friendly and responsive and the atmosphere lovely, looking forward to coming again
  39. SA

    SeanA

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 20 April 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fantastic food, terrific value for money and awesome service
  40. IA

    IrisA

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 15 April 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Good quality food in great atmosphere Portions small though in relation to price.

FAQs

South Sailor is rated 4.6 stars by 759 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 13 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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