The Illawarra's culinary landscape experienced a vibrant and flavourful year in 2025, marked by prestigious awards, heartfelt farewells, and exciting new arrivals. From the resurgence of traditional pizza to the reign of Korean fried chicken, the region's food stories reflected both deep-rooted traditions and innovative trends.
The Reign of Pizza and the Quest for the Perfect Chicken
Traditional Italian-style pizza made a significant comeback across the Illawarra, with several pizzerias leading the charge. Esteemed venues like Il Bene in Fairy Meadow's Frat Club, Ciro's in Thirroul, and Da Orlando in Wollongong City were consistently highlighted as must-visit destinations for pizza lovers seeking authentic craftsmanship.
In another popular category, the debate over the region's best chicken shop was settled by public vote. The contest, which saw a resurgence in charcoal chicken popularity, resulted in a clear winner. The top shop secured almost double the votes of its nearest competitor, cementing its place in the hearts of Illawarra residents.
Award Wins, Family Legacies, and New Ventures
November 2025 brought prestigious recognition for Restaurant Santino in Wollongong. It stood alone as the only restaurant in the area to receive a chef's hat in the Good Food Guide. Co-owner Kevin Duarte celebrated the award, pledging to continue the venue's welcoming atmosphere of "handshakes, high fives and hugs."
The year also saw the end of an era with the closure of a beloved local institution. Eddy and Sandra's Takeaway Cafe in Unanderra served its final hot chips in August 2025, concluding a 25-year partnership that began when the couple met over a serving of fries. The Princes Highway shopfront, however, was quickly revitalised by Gongster's Fried Chicken, bringing the popular Korean-style fried chicken trend to the suburb.
Celebrity chef Mark La Brooy, co-founder of Three Blue Ducks, brought his expertise closer to home by opening Barney's pizza shop in Woonona. The menu features his passion for wild game meats, including a standout pizza topped with wild boar sausage.
Sweet Success, Healthy Bowls, and Expanding Pastas
The Illawarra's love for Portuguese tarts was so potent it supported a business built on that single product. A dedicated baker in Shellharbour thrived by perfecting the delicacy, with Royal Bakery in Wollongong also praised for adhering to the original Portuguese recipe.
In Wollongong's CBD, Ultrabowl opened in one of the city's smallest shopfronts. Founded by the team behind Roy's Restobar, the bright blue-and-white venue focused on providing healthy, affordable super bowls for city workers.
Further north, the well-loved Pasta Buoy from Huskisson expanded with a new outpost in Corrimal, serendipitously taking over the Railway Street premises previously occupied by another pasta shop, Happy Boy.
The region's rich history of migration and food was also explored, highlighting how one Thai family was instrumental in introducing Thai cuisine to the Illawarra. This look back even uncovered what might have been the region's first Chinese takeaway, operating on the edge of Lake Illawarra 166 years ago.
