Start at the Hillcrest Bar: A Night of Dining and Drinks in Merimbula

In Merimbula, a good night out doesn’t need to begin with a dinner reservation. Start instead with a drink, a view and a little time to settle into the evening.

At Hillcrest Merimbula, the lounge bar sets the scene. Perched above the Sapphire Coast, the reimagined motel blends retro charm with a relaxed coastal atmosphere — making it an easy first stop before heading out for dinner.

Begin with a Drink at Hillcrest

Friday and Saturday afternoons bring Cocktail Hour at the Hillcrest Lounge Bar, running from 4pm to 6pm. Guests can ease into the evening with an Americano, Negroni or Aperol Spritz, alongside local beer and wine by the glass.

For those who prefer to linger, the honesty bar is open daily until 8pm, stocked with local brews, wines and small bar snacks. There’s something particularly appealing about beginning a night here — drink in hand, the Merimbula coastline stretching out beyond the property, with nowhere to rush off to just yet.

Bar Superette; https://younggunofwine.com/venue/bar-superette/ 

Then, Follow the Flavours of Merimbula

Once the first drink is finished, it’s time to head into town.

Just a short stroll from Hillcrest, Bar Superette makes a natural next stop. The intimate neighbourhood wine bar focuses on minimal-intervention wines from Australia and beyond, paired with a rotating selection of seasonal share plates. It’s the kind of place made for lingering — whether that means another glass before dinner or settling in for the evening.

Dulcies Cottage; https://www.broadsheet.com.au/sydney/food-and-drink/article/dulcies-cottage

For something more casual, Dulcie’s Cottage brings cocktails, craft beer and burgers together in a reimagined 1925 weatherboard cottage. 

Metro Merimbula; https://aboutregional.com.au/metro-merimbula-means-good-gelato-good-food

For a dinner with a view, Metro Merimbula offers a Mediterranean-inspired menu alongside cocktails, sweets and coffee, with panoramic views across Merimbula Lake. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 11:30am until late, it makes an easy choice for a relaxed lunch, early dinner or evening out.

Bar Monti; https://www.barmonti.com/ 

For something more intimate, Bar Monti brings modern Italian dining to the heart of Merimbula. Tucked down a laneway on Merimbula Drive, the restaurant focuses on seasonal menus, fresh pasta and local and Australian produce, paired with wine and good times.

Make a Night of It

What makes a Merimbula evening memorable isn’t necessarily one destination, but the journey between them — a cocktail at Hillcrest, a glass of wine in town, dinner shared with friends and the coastal air following you home.

Hillcrest provides the perfect starting point: come for the view, stay for the drink, then head out and discover Merimbula one glass and plate at a time.