A food-lover's guide to the NSW Central Coast

• One perfect day on the Lower Central Coast, NSW

Change has long been brewing on the Cenny Coast. With its come-hither location an easy 90 minutes' drive north of Sydney, expansive beaches and lush National Parks, this big village by the sea (as my Coasty friends call it) has long been a magnet for surfers seeking out quieter breaks and sun worshippers looking to recharge.

Today, it's also home to a swathe of epicurean experiences, from progressive diners and wine bars to world-class distilleries, excellent bakeries and nourishing cafes peddling speciality coffee and diverse plates. They're all underpinned by that easy-breezy Coast charm, meaning you won't find a single 1.5-hour dining window threatening to turn your dinner into an adrenalin sport.

This coming-of-age is in part due to a crop of entrepreneurs who, in seeking to nail the elusive work-life harmony, swapped their boots for Birkenstocks and helped breathe new energy into the once-sleepy coastal stretch. From the fishing village of Woy Woy to the grungy inner-city-evoking Long Jetty and always-humming Avoca, there are plenty of delicious gems making waves beyond the pristine beaches.

Best for dinner

Osteria Il Coccia

Osteria Il Coccia's new digs opposite Ettalong Beach seems worlds away from their Ocean View Road diner (the cowhide and deer antlers have been swapped for earthy ceramic tiles and wicker pendants) but the smoke-wreathed tasting menu remains, as does their famous house-baked sourdough with smoked butter, which poses a serious threat to the appetite. Catch Italian-born chef-owner Nicola Coccia (from Sydney's Ormeggio and Bowral's Bistro Officina) cooking a charry scotch fillet lapped by a gleaming lake of marrow jus, then curl up on the lounges with your glass of farina valpolicella – you're on coast time, after all.

49 The Esplanade, Ettalong Beach, 02 4327 8952, osteriailcoccia.com.au

Best for coffee

Lords of Pour

The Central Coast is no stranger to speciality coffee these days (shout outs to Erina's Studio Lane and Local Hero Coffee Brewers in Bateau Bay) but Lords of Pour stands out for its consistency, skilled-up baristas and street food-inspired brekkie plates. Since 2016, owner Ben Coward has been sourcing beans from institutions like Sydney's Single O and Wood and Co Coffee in Melbourne for his knockout pours. Their toasties (the mushy and truffle is a winner) can be devoured with a side of sea spray on their front verandah. Hot tip: get in early – the doors close at midday.

199a Ocean View Road, Ettalong Beach, lordsofpour.com

Best for a long lunch

The Lucky Bee

Born in NYC, The Lucky Bee calls the seaside hamlet of Hardys Bay home these days, to the delight of locals, who come in droves for their relaxed service and roll call of pan-Asian crowd pleasers, like pillow-soft scallop har gao and a Szechuan pepper and salt fried snapper. The tiki bar vibes are strong here, from the bartender shaking coconut margies under a bright spray of artificial flowers to the yachts bobbing about in emerald waters across the road. Don't miss their Sunday yum cha.

60 Araluen Drive, Hardys Bay, 02 4360 1281, theluckybee.com.au

Best bottle shop

Upstairs Wines

The warm caramel glow of this bottle shop on Ettalong's main drag will lure you in before your thirst does. Once inside, you're surrounded by outstanding small-batch, minimal intervention wines from Australia and abroad, including some interesting indigenous varietals. Wine scientist Dave Kynaston and his sommelier wife Michelle Parmentier supply the country's best wine and dine venues, but wanted a hub for locals to access the kind of drops they once had to travel to Sydney for. Tastings are available any time at their Kincumber and Ettalong shops, with longer winemaker-hosted tastings on Friday nights accompanied by cheese and nibbles.

46 Picnic Parade, Ettalong Beach, 0404 329 454, upstairswines.com.au

Best fish and chips

Woy Woy Fishermen's Wharf

Every seaside town needs a good fish and chippy and Woy Woy's iconic seaside diner doesn't disappoint. Step past the booming takeaway kiosk and recently refitted seafood shop and into a breezy room where floor-to-ceiling windows reveal ducks nosediving under bush-fringed waters. The menu covers most matters of the sea – there are fish tacos cut with a crunchy Asian slaw and a chilli and ginger sauce, hyper-fresh prawns, and a Coffs Harbour jewfish coated in a batter so light and bronzed, you might need to wear shades.

The Boulevarde, Woy Woy, 02 4341 1171, woywoyfishermenswharf.com.au

Best snack on the run

Copa queen kouign amann, Burnt Honey

Hayley Thorncraft met her wife Jo Fairall while working at Black Star Pastry in Rosebery. A bakery hop around Europe later, they returned to Hayley's home town and launched the first Burnt Honey in Copacabana (a second outlet has just opened to service the good people of Long Jetty). Ethically sourced ingredients and global inspiration underpin their outrageously good baked treats, which span pastel de nata to rotating pies and the famed Copa queen kouign amann – a sugar-crusted, gooey-centred pastry made from Pepe Saya butter and raw sugar, designed to be knocked down with their robust Italian house blend and nary a thought for your thighs.

Shop 1/224 Del Monte Place, Copacabana, burnthoneybakery.com.au

Best distillery

Distillery Botanica

Before the great Australian gin boom, Distillery Botanica was quietly creating world-class spirits out of a boutique distillery in Erina, including the famous Moore's Gin range and Mr Black coffee liqueur. It's set on 1.4 hectares of lush gardens that are currently being remodelled to house a new distillery door and gin garden, which will soon let visitors pick their own fruits, roots or leaves and then distil their own gin. They're still open for tastings in the meantime, and you can also grab a scoop of Mr Goaty gelato while you're there, which is hand-churned onsite.

25 Portsmouth Road, Erina, 02 4365 3968, distillerybotanica.com

Best deli

Salt Pig Deli

Fiona and Kev Severn are behind this Erina deli-bakery-cafe, which harnesses Kev's supply contacts from his time working at Bell's at Killcare to stock everything you need for a cracker grazing board (think excellent cured meats, hard-to-find rinds and carefully curated preserves and condiments). Kev also churns out textbook croissants, hedonistic sourdough and ciabatta, and a queue-inciting sandwich menu (go the no. 1 – a moreish squish of serrano leg ham, provolone dolce cheese and smoky tomato relish). A selection of dry goods, local ceramics and homewares are sold a few doors down at their Salt Pig Pantry.

Shop 6/220 The Entrance Road, Erina, 02 4331 9008, saltpigdeli.com

Best cellar door

Firescreek Botanical Winery

Nadia O'Connell fondly recalls handing over cases of lemon verbena wine to a "handsome chef" named Rene Redzepi during Noma Australia's Sydney pop-up in 2016 – her only regret is not swapping the bottles for a seat at the restaurant. Firescreek's foraging-for-winemaking ethos drew the famous Dane to the Holgate Winery, which employs organic farming and permaculture principles. There's not a grapevine in sight here – instead, Nadia and her husband Francis turn their garden-grown rose petals (they have 49 species on site), passionfruit, guava or mountain pepper into botanical wines that are both intriguing and delicious.

192 Wattle Tree Road, Holgate, firescreek.com.au