Eat Like a Local – Yamba

Yamba in NSW is a hidden gem amongst our nurses. Aside from great sunshine, the seafood and produce is to die for here! For very obvious reasons, foodies will be nothing short of full and satisfied when it comes to New South Wales.

With a full basket of activities to pluck at any time, a contract here is never a mistake. If you find it hard to leave, we don’t blame you! Being at the forefront of nature’s goods makes it difficult to have a bad meal.

Yamba is a place that has it all – friendly locals, world class beaches and delicious produce fresh from the sea and paddock.

Settled in Northern NSW at the mouth of the Clarence River, Yamba is a prime spot for a day trip, weekend break or for unwinding with the kids over school holidays while on your nursing contract.  

Here’s where the locals love to eat.

Pacific Hotel  

The Pacific Hotel is perhaps the most iconic pub in Northern NSW. Known to locals as ‘The Pub’, it’s a great vantage point to check out the surf, or whale watch on the deck.  

Fitted with a restaurant serving traditional pub grub, steaks and freshly caught seafood, the Art Deco Pub is definitely worth a visit for lunch or dinner, or a sneaky Squash on the deck.

Serving Yamba residents food and drink for over 90 years, The Pub deserves top spot of places to get some grub.  

Beachwood Café 

Tucked off from Yamba’s main street, the locals have been served delicious, simple meals and Turkish specialty coffees for almost 2 decades.  

Popular for their delicious, gourmet fusion of Middle Eastern and Australian cuisine, visitors and locals flock to Beachwood Café for the produce and passion for flavour.  

On their lunch menu, tuck into the fresh Yamba prawns in chilli & garlic, Turkish-style sardines, and dolmades with garlic yoghurt. Head to Beachwood for breakfast or lunch (how about brunch?!) 5 days a week.  

Yamba’s Fisho  

The appropriately named Fish and Chippery has been a staple for Friday night dinners for Yamba locals.

Run by a lovely local family, Yamba’s Fisho gets fresh seafood every morning from trawlers who dock at the break of dawn.  

Some real standouts are the school prawns and oysters, both renowned for being the sweetest and juiciest along the East Coast.

Pop in to peruse the fresh produce, or pick up a Fisherman’s basket to chow down while overlooking one of Yamba’s world class beaches.  

Paradiso  

A short stroll from the Pacific Hotel, Paradiso Restaurant and Bar welcomes all with an amazing atmosphere and ambience. 

It offers a delightful Asian fusion menu (Yamba Prawns make another appearance) with kaarage chicken, and fried pork belly.  

Grab one of their share plates and tapas to taste a piece of everything, and wash it down by heading to the bar, packed with mocktails, cocktails and imported beers.

Catch them from Thursday to Saturday at 5pm til late. Paradiso is the place to be to sit and relax.

Sassafras Yamba  

Open 7 days for dinner, Sassafras sits in the heart of town and is all about showcasing a mouth-watering array of pizza, pasta and seasonal specials. 

Enjoy the casual atmosphere of the relaxed and family friendly restaurant, and enjoy it even more with The De Casa pizza, which has been on the menu for over 20 years! 

Keep your eyes peeled for the specials, which feature second-to-none local seafood and produce. See the full menu here.