Photography courtesy of Kitti Gould

With the opening of Meribella restaurant in Terrigal, lovers of gourmet dining, wines, and mixology have found a new way to indulge their senses in timeless grandeur.

The Mediterranean-inspired restaurant brings together the very best of the sea and the land, with a menu curated by rising culinary talent, Joshua Mason, who returns to the coast armed with Michelin start credentials.

Each of the seasonal delicacies is paired with impeccable wines from the Hunter and the world’s top wine regions to harmonise with the flavours of the sea. With one of the most eclectic cellars on the Central Coast, Meribella offers an elevated yet approachable dining and drinking experience.

“We’re offering a contemporary avant-garde menu that features an elegant style of cooking. I can’t wait for people to sit in this space, and enjoy our premier tasting menu as they spend time enjoying the service and each dish we put forward,” Joshua said.

Set inside the iconic Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific, guests can gaze out the grand arched windows and through the Norfolk Pines with sprawling views of the ocean beyond.

The spacious dining room is filled with a warm and carefree ambience enhanced by the high ceilings and large glass windows in the Conservatory. The design evokes a sense of nostalgia for times past and the colour palette blends relaxed coastal hues with the lush darker tones of nearby rainforests.

“With Meribella, we wanted to create a truly unique dining experience that celebrates the seafood and amazing produce we have here on the Central Coast and throughout Australia,” Director of Food and Beverage at Meribella, Michael Fantuz said.

At the bar, sophisticated classic cocktails take their place beside a lineup of eminent Meribella originals. Each is crafted to celebrate local and regional legends like the award-winning Moore’s Gin from Distillery Botanica at Erina, whiskey from Amber Lane at Wyong, and the South Australian vodka, Aether.

Friday and Saturday evenings will see the space filled with live music from talented local artists to set the mood and enhance the experience further.

Meribella is the latest venue to join the coast’s growing culinary scene and marks the beginning of a new era for glamorous coastal dining.