The Cowrie Terrigal, NSW

The Cowrie Restaurant is uniquely located high above Terrigal with stunning panoramic ocean and bay views. Providing an iconic and memorable setting for any special occasion, private dining, a casual lunch or romantic dinner. The experienced team at The Cowrie focus on your dining experience! Book ahead to secure a spot with a view and let your mind wander effortlessly while gazing out too sea.

Order one of the seafood friendly wines-by-the-glass or hunt through the main list to discover quality labels such as Felton Road, Maude and Clonakilla. There's also a delicious sounding degustation with matching wines. After 36 years The Cowrie scores points for its well prepared picturesque food, smart dcor and caring service.

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The Bar & Wine Report

Our extensive wine and beverage list carefully compiled to emphasize quality and choice for our guests. Achieving a one glass rating in The Australian Gourmet Traveller Wine List Awards, we endeavor to source those special gems that reflect the best characteristics of a grape variety or blend to a particular region.

The Team and Employment Report

Grant brings over 30 years of experience working in some of Sydneys most iconic restaurants such as Butlers, Armstrongs, The Bellevue, Bel Mondo, Metropol and Catalina to the Cowrie. His wealth of hospitality knowledge shows through in the quality of service his team provides to ensure you will always have a special dining experience.

Reviews (17)

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Johnnyz

Jan 21, 2022

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Last night was my first experience of The Cowrie, and we couldn’t be happier!! Food was simply next level, we couldn’t fault anything put in front of us, staff were all very friendly, professional and knowledgeable, service was exceptional, we had a memorable night - one we hope to repeat soon!!

Kate Haycock

Dec 28, 2021

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An absolutely stunning lunch on Sunday. Perfect service and a beautiful view from the balcony table. The complementary fresh bread, truffle butter, pickles and palate cleanser provide a luxe experience. There is a 2 or 3 course set menu to choose from with some beautiful home grown sides on offer. On Sundays they offer a complementary and bottomless wine of the month if you order an alcoholic drink. This month's wine is a Kerry Thompson rose - perfect to sip whilst enjoying that view.
We had the mushroom risotto and kingfish ceviche for entree followed by the pork loin and the sage and parmesan

Erica Ford MissErica

Dec 27, 2021

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Service was excellent and food was delicious! Cannot fault any of the dishes. We were there to celebrate our engagement and when the lovely staff found out they treated us with complimentary dessert. The view is spectacular, definitely worth a visit if you're up the coast.

Angelique Raffo

Dec 26, 2021

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Highly recommend! Fantastic menu paired with great wine and lovely service with helpful and attentive staff. I am from Sydney and definitely would make the trip again just to eat at The Cowrie!!

Judi McGuiggan

Dec 25, 2021

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We had our work Xmas lunchat the Cowrie last Friday - the food was outstanding, the views incredible, the service attentive and informative. Our waitress went above and beyond to cater to everyone's needs, and made the whole exprience unbelievable. Wow! what a way to end the year! Exceptional!!

El Tee

Dec 17, 2021

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The food is good. The service from SOME wait staff is good. We've been 3 times and the service was only good once. Firstly, they got the name of the booking wrong. The waitress we had had no idea about the menu. She also made it very awkward when we paid the bill by asking us to tip, "any amount," or nothing.
The food was GREAT! The food has always been GREAT! Definitely worth the food but not the service.
If you're paying these prices, you expect good friendly service and extensive knowledge about the menu.
Some of the wait staff are absolutely fantastic! This could be an amazing restaurant

Connor Chadwick

Nov 24, 2021

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Really standout food with fresh ingredients. Great wine list and views to dine for. Recommend the Gin & Tonic Oysters and the cut of Beef.

Tim Mclean

Nov 23, 2021

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Have been twice since the change of owner and have had an amazing experience both times. The menu is well balanced and every dish has been picture perfect and amazing flavours.
Great to see amazing food in a remarkable space.
I will be back every chance I get and exited to see what's to come.

Sue Christoffersen

Nov 20, 2021

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We celebrated our 45th wedding anniversary here, the food, the view and the staff were exceptional. Especially glad to see Michael has joined the staff, he’s the best. Highly recommended.

Blake C.

Nov 11, 2021

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Fantastic, fantastic, fantastic. From first greeting at the door the staff were wonderful. The atmosphere feels so much more welcoming and friendly. This was the first time we visited since new management and was such a breath of fresh air.
Our drinks and a little complimentary taster came out nice and quick for us to take in with our amazing views by the window. We had a few dietary requirements and the staff were more than happy enough to assist.
The food was prompt and perfectly spaced between courses. It was full of flavour and presented well, we were very happy with portion sizes and the

Babette Keane

Oct 31, 2021

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Disappointing experience today. Restaurant manager was condescending and rude. After being so excited to come back after such a long Covid shutdown we won’t ever be going back again. It wasn’t the mistakes they made it was they way we were spoken too. Shocking.

Tyler Durdin

Oct 28, 2021

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The food is lovely, there’s simply not enough of it to justify to price. Grant’s model nailed it - a generous set menu or extensive al a carte, all at reasonable prices. I suggest the new owners emulate this.

Scott Collis

Oct 23, 2021

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Never disappoints, always great service, fantastic food and wine. Have shout out to Marie who was a star for us and extremely helpful. Not going to leave it as long between visits next time.

Michelle Fraser

Oct 23, 2021

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A brilliant night of indulgence from the moment we stepped inside. The staff were welcoming and attentive, the atmosphere calm and sophisticated, and the view unmatched. The Sommelier was spot-on with his… recommendations, and executive chef, Dimitris greeted us personally with an appetiser of fresh sour dough and a divine trio of herb-infused olive oil, whipped salted butter and truffle ricotta. With our appetites delightfully whet, our entrees were served. I would have liked just a touch more goats’ cheese with my confit of baby beetroot however, it was delicious, and the plating

Joan Wildey

Oct 22, 2021

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I would thoroughly recommend The Cowrie at Terrigal. I’d have to say the food was divine, excellent staff and a view to die for.

Emmanuel A.

Jan 07, 2015

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Boy oh boy! This place is great! We booked a table for 8 on New Year's Eve. Set menu (still had a lot of choice) was great. Everyone was happy with the options. My steak was great (Wanna say best I've had but that's a big statement so I'll say best I can remember).
Service was great. Polite fast and nothing too hard. We were last out but still didn't feel rushed out. Second time here and I'll be back for sure.

Tim D.

Jan 04, 2013

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Fantastic.

We went here on Christmas Eve 2013. We'd booked ahead to ensure we got in for a special holiday meal.

The service was good. The building itself is OK, nothing special about the couple of rooms and simple tables. Parking around here is a bit of a pain.

But there are two things here that are great:
1. View. It's perched on a hillside looking down over Terrigal, up the coast to Forresters Beach, and out to sea. It's gorgeous, especially if you nab one of the tables right up at the window (which we did).
2. Food. And this is really what's important in a restaurant