There’s no better way to celebrate a weekend, holiday, or day off than with a long, lazy lunch of good food and good company. Here's our guide of where to while away the day on the Central Coast. 

Saddles Mount White

A long lunch at Saddles will feel like a getaway in the country, relaxing in the homestead style building surrounded by 28 acres of bushland and native plants. Working with an array of local artisan producers, Saddles has plenty of tasty items to keep the long lunch rolling. Start with a grazing platter of house-made charcuterie and sourdough bread, sample award-winning cheeses, beforeing sharing a selection of their savoury pastries and salads. You might take a break and walk around the pond before returning for dessert - their take on the humble lamington being a crowd favourite and menu highlight!

Open: Mon-Sun 8am-5pm
Where: 20 Ashbrookes Rd, Mount White 
Prices: Charcuterie $28, savoury bakery items $25, roast chicken $39, sides $12, desserts from $9
More Info: click here

Berowra Waters Inn

One of the best kept secrets in the region, this stunning restaurant and accommodation is definitely a full day trip (or overnighter!). It takes absolute waterfront to a whole new level, only accessed by boat transfer or seaplane, and boasts a fine dining degustation menu. Head chef Brian Geraghty has worked at hatted restaurants here in Australia and Michelin starred restaurants around the world so you are in for a treat of complete indulgence. 

Open: Thursday and Sunday: 12pm-3pm, Friday and Saturday: 12pm-3pm, 6:30-8:30pm, 
Where: 1 Calabash Point, Berowra Waters
Prices: 6-course degustation $195 pp
More Info: click here

Springs at Peats Ridge

Surrounded by rural properties on the hinterland of the Central Coast, this is a farm to table lunch experience. The changing menu uses local produce sourced fresh or you can book a High Tea. Chef Dan creates a hearty, homestyle, and simply satisfying menu from stand outs such as gin cured salmon, to slow cooked lamb shoulder, and the Wagyu brisket burger. Take a break after lunch and enjoy the farmland views before diving back in for a feel-good dessert such as the cake of the day, or sticky date pudding. 

Open: Fri-Sun 11am-4pm 
Where: 1080 Peats Ridge Road, Peats Ridge
Prices: Starts from $9, mains from $18, desserts from $16, High Tea from $50
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The BOX On The Water

Affectionately known as ‘The BOX’, this icon of Ettalong serves up modern Australian cuisine and seafood share plates, including a four-course Grazing Feast for groups of 4-12. The scenic views across Broken Bay to Sydney’s northern beaches will keep you happily parked for the afternoon! With an aptly named “while you are deciding” section of the menu, enjoy olives, tamari almonds, spiced chickpeas or sourdough and dukkah to wet the appetite. From there the range of seafood, small plates (featuring zucchini flowers, pork ribs, scallops) and large plates (including barramundi, falafel, paella) are well chosen to suit all tastes. Each item on the menu is accompanied by suggested wine pairings, including a range of dessert cocktails and dessert wines to sweeten the deal! 

Open: Mon-Thu 11:45am-3pm, Fri-Sun 11:45am-8:30pm
Where: Ettalong Beach Waterfront Reserve, The Esplanade, Ettalong Beach 
Prices: 2 courses $55 or 3 courses $70, Grazing Feast $85pp
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Shady Palms 

An eclectic surf shack inspired by Hawaii, you’ll be lazing about under one of the colourful beach umbrellas at Shady Palms. Graze on a tonne of tasty share plates, dive into a burger, or order a round of pizzas for the table and settle in for the afternoon. The island vibes drinks menu will keep you going for hours as you forget you’re in Avoca and go tropical for the day! 

Open: Lunch Fri-Sun from 12pm 
Where: 366 Avoca Dr, Kincumber
Prices: shares from $15, burgers $25, pizzas from $22
More Info: click here

Mumbo Jumbos

For a super relaxed, bare-foot-and-laid-back, Island life type of long lunch you want to head to the Caribbean Rum Shack overlooking Terrigal beach. Think tropical cocktails, reggae rhythms, quirky decor, and a Jamaican flavoured menu that you will happily sample your way through as the day turns into sunset. Graze through the ‘Little Tings’ menu for street corn, fries, chicken wings or popcorn prawns, share a plate of jerk tacos, or go the whole shebang with a Bahamian Meat and Seafood board. 

Open: Fri-Sun 12pm til late 
Where: 92 Terrigal Esplanade, Terrigal
Prices: Smalls from $10, Wings $20, Taco plate $25, Share board $125, Cocktails from $19
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The Beachcomber 

‘The Beachie’ screams The Hamptons on the Central Coast with its blue and white beach umbrellas, rustic white washed interior, palm trees and lake views. The menu is certainly pub classics but the resort vibe makes it a worthy spot of a long and lazy lunch. Grab a bucket of chilled fresh prawns to help you settle into “holiday time” before choosing from a range of seafood, meat and vegetarian salads, tacos, burgers, and pub fare. With cocktail jugs, you might want to order one and watch the sun go down over Budgewoi Lake. 

Open: Mon-Fri 7am-1am, Sat-Sun 8am-1am 
Where: 200 Main Rd, Toukley
Prices: Salads, burgers and tacos from $18, Pizzas from $22, Bucket of prawns $42
More Info: click here

8 at Trinity Point

Head north up the lakes to 8 at Trinity Point on the waterfront of Lake Macquarie. Order your Aperol Spritz to plan your way through the contemporary Italian menu such as Burrata, Zucchini Flowers, Lamb Ragu and Lobster Mornay. This is a great spot for a celebration lunch, staff outing, or long weekend getaway. 

Open: Lunch - Thurs-Fri 11:30am–4pm, Sat-Sun 11:30am-4pm
Where: 81 Trinity Point Dr, Morisset Park
Prices: Entrees from $22, Mains from $26, Pizzas from $18
More Info: click here