Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in New South Wales

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance in New South Wales? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Mimosa Wines

4.9

4.9 (452)

$101 and over

Modern Australian

Bermagui

About the restaurant

A boutique family owned gastronomic restaurant on the South Coast of NSW. We offer a 3 course lunch & dinner menu ($110pp) with optional wine pairing ($50pp).

Head chef Jan Semmelhack is a unique creator, focused on the superb local produce of the South Coast which results in a unique dining experience. Originally from Germany, Jan was the head pastry chef in two Michelin star restaurant in Berlin. Be sure to try his exceptional desserts to complete your Mimosa sensory adventure!

Our wine list has been curated to highlight snippets of the best of Australian & New Zealand wines. We showcase small, up and coming producers, as well as some of the more established winemakers. Due to our continued commitment to sustainability, we favour growers who embrace organic & biodynamic farming practices.

Top review

Linda

Dined 2 days ago

A beautiful location. Calm & peaceful with soft music in the background. A set price menu with 4 options. The food was delicious, the friendly staff explained each dishes ingredients when brought to our table, the deserts were also amazing. The chef made a cup cake size cake as a birthday treat, a nice surprise. We had never had truffle before and a small piece was complimentary at the end of our visit, very tasty and delicious. Will go back for another special occasion.

Matildas

4.8

4.8 (30)

$41 to $100

Pizzeria

Nambucca Heads

About the restaurant

Matilda's is where the Nambucca neighbourhood gets together, over wine, local food & weekend backyard bbq's. Matilda's shack is an icon in the valley and aims to represent its great growers, chefs, crew & community.

Top review

Allan

Dined on Apr 24, 2025

Matilda’s was a lovely relaxing restaurant with amazing pizzas

Glasshouse

4.7

4.7 (1634)

$41 to $100

Modern Australian

Timbumburi

About the restaurant

Led by Head Chef Jarrod Smith, Glasshouse is proud to serve a variety of expertly prepared, locally sourced dishes, in a phenomenal venue.
Goonoo Goonoo Station is undoubtedly the New England regions finest destination for accommodation, dining, and events.

Please note:
At Glasshouse, we have seatings options for groups from 2 - 50 people.
If your desired time is does not show, unfortunately that time is not available.

Top review

Chanelle

Dined on Apr 21, 2025

Lovely food, priced well, and very tasty. Friendly staff who were very quietly spoken. Beautiful location worth seeing during the day if you can book for lunch.

Il Toscano Long Jetty

4.8

4.8 (440)

$40 and under

Italian

Shelly Beach

About the restaurant

Il Toscano means “The Tuscan”, and is a perfect representation of everything I am, and all that I love about my home land in Italy.

My name’s Matteo – head pasta maker, chef and owner of il Toscano. I was born and raised in the countryside of Tuscany, and although I’ve now lived in Australia for over 9 years, my passion for all things Italian has never been stronger.

Nor has my passion for sharing it with Australia and the Central Coast. I noticed that while there are a lot of outlets serving Italian food up here, they’re largely not hitting the mark when it comes to quality, authenticity and traditional local Tuscan food.

Our mission is to bring people together for an amazing Italian experience with good food, wine and good times and share with you my strong passion and our local traditional cuisine as if you were in Tuscany.

Top review

Graham

Dined today

It’s a really good restaurant, good value for your $$, not cheap but then quality is worthwhile paying for. Staff was fantastic knew their stuff, willing to chat with you as well & up for some harmless fun as well. Will definitely go back again.

Discover more

Popular dish

Rigatoni Amatriciana

Bar Monti

4.8

4.8 (250)

$41 to $100

Italian

Merimbula

About the restaurant

Casual Italian eatery down the laneway, 6/11 Merimbula Drive, Merimbula NSW.

Monti’s menu is seasonal with a focus on fresh pasta. We aim to use the best local and Australian produce to reinterpret Italian classics.

We offer a modern approach to an authentic Italian dining experience- a space for family and friends, tasty food, fine wine and good times.

Top review

Tish

Dined on Apr 25, 2025

Great local Italian, impressed with the food & cocktails!

Ulmarra Hotel

4.7

4.7 (332)

$40 and under

Australian

Coffs Harbour

About the restaurant

We are a country hotel on located on the banks of the Clarence River in Ulmarra, NSW. We have a Bar, Dining room and extensive Bear Garden overlooking the Clarence river, ideal for casual dining or just refreshments.

Top review

Dianne

Dined on Apr 29, 2025

Tranquil location bathed in sunlight looking out over the mighty Clarence River. Delicious food and refreshing drinks at affordable prices. Great service and coffee.

Autumn Rooms

4.7

4.7 (33)

$40 and under

Café

Newcastle CBD

About the restaurant

At Autumn Rooms we strive to keep it fresh, local and seasonal. We pride ourselves on our customer service and our warm & inviting atmosphere.

Top review

Simon A

Dined on May 3, 2025

Such a great experience to eat here. Staff always so helpful, friendly & quick to respond, delicious food options and all presented with so much consideration. If you haven’t been it’s a must!

Discover more

Experience

Bottomless Brunch

99 On Park

4.7

4.7 (256)

$41 to $100

Contemporary French

Coffs Harbour

About the restaurant

A casual elegant dining experience located in the picturesque Coffs Harbour. The beautifully crafted dishes are created with a focus on local, fresh, seasonal ingredients, carefully prepared by our talented head chef Loic and his team.
99 on Park offers an intimate contemporary dining experience with an old-style feel. With some lovely alfresco areas including a small courtyard to enjoy the warmer nights.

Top review

Jane

Dined 1 day ago

The best restaurant in Coffs Harbour without a doubt. Nice atmosphere, friendly and knowledgeable staff, exquisite food. We shared all of our meals and they were all delicious. Entrées: Pig & Shrimp, & the delectable whiting special. Mains: Duckbreast, cauliflower & pumpkin, and Local mahi mahi. Desserts: Pistachio Crème Brulée, and The Chocolate (& Hazelnut) One. Beautiful, exquisite flavours with the duck main being my favourite. A wonderful experience and would highly recommend.

Discover more

Experience

Mother's Day Lunch

Experience

Wednesday Set Menu Special

Experience

French Bistro Special Buy 1 Get 1 Free

No Bones Byron Bay

4.8

4.8 (1276)

$41 to $100

Vegan

Byron Bay

About the restaurant

No Bones is the brainchild of Tahlia, Yasmina and Laurie. In an attempt to change the way we think about what we put in our mouths, we opened our doors in April 2018 with a vision of bringing meat eaters and vegans together over good plant-based food. With each passing year, No Bones has evolved, driven by the determination to do better for both our community and the environment.

We are part of a plant-based movement and invite you to join us on our expedition to save the Earth one Brussels sprout at a time.

#brusselsnotbeef

Spread the word

@nobonesrestaurants

Top review

Natalie

Dined 2 days ago

We had an amazing experience last night! Really loved the space, the staff were fantastic, and we thoroughly enjoyed every single course of the tasting menu. Loved it!

Valentina

4.7

4.7 (905)

$41 to $100

Australian

Merimbula

About the restaurant

Valentina serves up a one of a kind dining experience of over the picturesque surrounds of Merimbula lake.
Now more than ever, Valentina values the feeling of being transported. The space has been curated to satisfy all of your Mediterranean beach holiday cravings.
Floor to ceiling glass takes you outside, and the coastal produce of the lake comes inside onto your plate.
Valentina’s dishes are designed to be shared with friends and family, served one after the other from the kitchen while diners lounge comfortably on abundant soft furnishings.
Everything about Valentina’s lulls you into a sweet long lunch holiday vibe.

Top review

KatieVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Love it! Consistency is king and Valentina certainly delivers

Discover more

Experience

$90pp Set Menu (7+guests Large group booking)

Explore Diners' Choice best of New South Wales

Explore more Diners' Choice lists