Surf n Turf Illawong

Set in Illawong, in Southern Sydney and The Shire, Surf n Turf Illawong celebrates the delicious meeting point of land and sea. The kitchen leans into generous flavours and comforting technique, offering a considered spread that pairs crisp, ocean-bright bites with rich, slow-cooked warmth from the grill and pot.

The opening gambit is disarmingly simple: garlic bread done properly and house made roti with Apricot Shitor, a sweet-savoury flourish that hints at the kitchen’s curiosity. From there, lime-lifted salt and pepper calamari and wagyu meatballs simmered in napoletana sauce and finished with parmesan promise both brightness and depth.

Mains stride confidently. Pan seared duck breast finds harmony with beetroot puree, roasted hazelnut, fried sage and a whisper of burnt butter, while a 250gm wagyu rump arrives with roasted Kipfler potatoes, Dutch carrot and a glossy red wine jus. Comfort comes by the spoonful: pillowy potato gnocchi in dill butter with sage, shaved almond and parmesan, and wagyu ragu linguini, its brisket slow-cooked to a tender cling. For centre-stage theatrics, a heaving seafood platter brings lobster mornay, Spring Creek barramundi and more, flanked by crisp chips, duck fat potatoes and a garden salad.

Welcoming and unpretentious, it is the sort of place made for easy gatherings and hearty appetites. Book a table, bring good company, and let the surf meet the turf with a smile and a flourish.