Silica Restaurant

Silica is a modern Australian beachfront restaurant at 72 Manning Street, sitting directly on Kiama Surf Beach, and the outdoor terrace with grass and ocean in front makes it one of the better coastal lunch calls for dog owners on the South Coast. It leans upscale without going formal: panoramic views over the sand, fresh seafood including oysters and pan-roasted barramundi, and a solid cocktail and wine list behind it.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome on the outdoor terrace and on the grassy bank next to the venue facing Surf Beach, while indoors is service animals only. Staff are accommodating with dogs at the terrace tables, though water bowls are not guaranteed, so bring your own. Outdoor seating is in high demand, and on weekends the terrace fills quickly, so book ahead if you want a table with the dog and the view rather than taking your chances at the bar.

Worth knowing

The kitchen also runs a tasting menu for those settling in, but this is a casual-style room rather than a fine-dining stiffness, and a settled dog at a terrace table fits the tone. Lunch on a clear day is the pick for the view over dinner. Good behaviour matters here since the space between tables and the grassy bank gets shared traffic, so a dog happy to lie down through a long seafood lunch is the right fit.

Getting there and parking

The address is 72 Manning Street in central Kiama, with free street parking along Manning Street and a free public car park nearby. It is an easy walk from the town centre, and the Blowhole and lighthouse sit five to ten minutes away on foot.

Nearby with the dogs

Surf Beach is directly out front for an on-lead walk, and the Kiama Coastal Walk past the Blowholes starts close by for a longer stretch. Kiama Municipal Council lists approved off-leash areas across the LGA if your dog needs a run. For breakfast before lunch, Diggies keeps a dog-friendly outdoor setup, and Fillmores is the other central option. Staying over, Kiama Inn Hotel and more around Kiama.