Mother’s Day on the Central Coast 2026
Mother’s Day falls on Sunday, 10 May 2026. If you call the Coast home, or you’re looking for something a little different this year, the NSW Central Coast has plenty to offer. Most venues are under 90 minutes from Sydney, and the range of options is broader than most people expect – from waterfront lunches and high tea to alpaca brunches.
Popular venues fill up fast, so if something here catches your eye, book sooner rather than later.
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Mother’s Day Dining on the NSW Central Coast
Saddles Mount White
Saddles sits about 45 minutes north of Sydney at Mount White, and it makes a strong case for skipping the city altogether on Mother’s Day. Voted one of the most beautiful restaurants in the world by Condé Nast Traveller, the main restaurant serves a long lunch on Sunday 10 May overlooking a glassy lake, with paddock-to-plate Australian produce at the centre of the menu.
If a formal sit-down isn’t what you’re after, the Saddles Barn runs a one-day Mother’s Day market from 8am to 2pm on the same day. Local makers include seasonal blooms from The Flannel Collective, jewellery from Broken Bay Pearl and gelato from Spoon Bay Gelato, alongside coffee, Saddles pastries and a casual BBQ menu – confit lamb wraps, wagyu steak sandwiches and similar.
When: Sunday 10 May 2026, Barn from 8am
Where: Saddles Mount White, Mount White l Main restaurant bookings | Saddles Barn
Bells at Killcare
One of the Central Coast’s most celebrated dining rooms, Bells at Killcare has three options on Sunday 10 May – so you can match the timing to what suits mum best.
Brunch runs from 8am to 10.30am with house-made pastries, Meredith yoghurt with rhubarb and strawberry compote, and a choice of main including house-cured trout with salmon roe and hollandaise, brioche French toast with raspberries and mascarpone, or a classic big breakfast. Juice, tea and coffee included.
Lunch is a long, four-course affair from noon to 4pm. Shared entrees include potato gnocchi with parmesan fonduta, marinated calamari and black mussels, and wagyu beef supplì. Mains centre on Queensland grouper, grilled grass-fed beef fillet or chicken cooked over coals, all served with roast autumn vegetables. Dessert is either an Amedei chocolate fondant with coffee custard or poached meringue with slow-cooked spiced apples. The kids can explore the gardens while mum settles in.
Dinner runs from 5.30pm with à la carte or chef’s tasting menu options.
When: Sunday 10 May 2026 Where: Bells at Killcare, Killcare
Cost: Brunch $65pp | Lunch $160pp, kids (5-13) $75pp | Dinner à la carte l Book Bells at Killcare
Avoca Beach House
Two menu options for Mother’s Day lunch with ocean views and the sound of waves in the background.
The three-course menu at $99pp starts with house-made focaccia, followed by a choice of entree – oysters, salt and pepper calamari, tuna crudo, burrata and zucchini puff tart or pork belly bites. Mains include prawn linguine, grilled swordfish, duck breast with cherry Kirsch and duck fat galette, barramundi with hazelnut romesco, or steak frites. Dessert choices include Baileys brûlée, fig and date pudding and a coconut and strawberry lamington.
The share menu at $145pp centres on a cold seafood platter of fresh prawns, oysters and tuna crudo, white wine mussels with sourdough, and a whole rainbow trout each with sriracha butter sauce. Dessert is shared – pumpkin spice panna cotta, banoffee tartlet and NY style cheesecake with caramel popcorn.
A kids menu is available. Optional sides include duck fat potatoes and seasonal greens.
When: Sunday 10 May 2026
Where: Avoca Beach House, 3/85 Avoca Dr, Avoca Beach
Cost: $99pp or $145pp share menu l Book Avoca Beach House
Kefi, Koolewong
A Greek-inspired shared feast on the water at Brisbane Water, designed for a long relaxed afternoon. The menu starts with tzatziki and Kefi pita, spanakopita spiral with lemon labneh, and fried Hawkesbury River squid with black garlic aioli. Mains are shared – roasted saddle of lamb with spinach, feta and pinenuts, chicken with feta and sun-dried tomatoes, Kefi’s Greek salad with creamy feta and saltbush, and lemon roasted herb potatoes. Dessert is galaktoboureko – a custard-filled semolina pastry with honey syrup.
For something extra special, freshly shucked Sydney oysters with pickled cucumber mignonette and Greek caviar are available to add on. Flowers from Flower Girl Lane can be pre-purchased at booking and will be waiting at the table.
When: Sunday 10 May 2026, 12pm to 3pm Where: Kefi, Koolewong |
Cost: $89pp Book Kefi | View Menu
Motel Mezza, Wyong
A Middle Eastern banquet lunch with no Sunday surcharge. The spread starts with hummus, orange and ginger labneh dip and fresh Lebanese bread, followed by lamb kofta meatballs with minted labneh and chickpea falafel with garlic tahini, pickles and fresh herbs.
Mains are shared – char-grilled Black Angus beef skewers with caramelised onion BBQ sauce, shish taouk chicken thigh with Middle Eastern spices and fragrant rice, and a fattoush salad bowl finished with pomegranate molasses. Dessert is a house-made sticky date pudding with butterscotch sauce and vanilla ice cream. A vegan banquet and gluten-free alternatives are also available. Kids menu for 12 and under.
When: Sunday 10 May 2026, from 11:30am Where: Motel Mezza, 98 Pacific Highway, Wyong
Cost: $75pp l Book or view the full menu
Lago Cucina, Budgewoi
One of the Coast’s newer waterfront venues, Lago Cucina sits on the edge of Budgewoi Lake with a relaxed Italian dining room that works well for a long lunch. The Mother’s Day menu is three courses and covers the kind of Italian cooking that doesn’t need much explanation – good produce, clean flavours, nothing overdone.
Entrees include handmade burrata, beef carpaccio, and king prawns. Mains cover house-made ricotta and lemon ravioli with sage butter and crispy prosciutto, roast John Dory with confit tomatoes and white wine beurre blanc, and chargrilled beef tenderloin with truffle mash and Barolo reduction. Shared sides of Lago salad and rosemary roast potatoes. Dessert choices are a warm chocolate fondant, rose panna cotta with raspberry coulis, or a classic tiramisù.
When: Sunday 10 May 2026 Where: Lago Cucina, Budgewoi Lake
Cost: Please confirm directly with the venue l Book Lago Cucina
High Tea on the NSW Central Coast
High tea is one of the most popular Mother’s Day choices, and the Central Coast has three solid options across different price points.
Meribella, Terrigal
Located on the first floor of Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific with ocean views, Meribella is one of the Central Coast’s best-known high tea venues. T
he menu starts with a savoury selection before moving through two tiers of sweets, finishing with signature lemon-scented scones with blackberry jam and vanilla chantilly cream. Teas are supplied by local artisan Teaspoon Co – handcrafted organic loose-leaf, free from additives. Alternatively, choose a glass of sparkling or one of three cocktails made exclusively for the high tea, including the signature Pink Lotus – gin, lychee liqueur, cranberry juice, lime and orange bitters.
A kids high tea is also available, with savoury favourites including a triple cheese toasty and chicken slider, plus a sweet selection of cookies, chocolate tart, cake pop and strawberry marshmallow skewer.
Note: a 10% Sunday surcharge applies.
When: Sunday 10 May 2026, daily from 12:30pm to 2:30pm
Where: Meribella, Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific, Pine Tree Lane, Terrigal
Cost: Adults from $90 l View High Tea Menu | View Beverage Menu
Mercure Kooindah Waters
Set among the golf course gardens at Karinya’s Restaurant and Wine Bar, this is a traditional high tea with a relaxed, nature-filled setting. The menu covers scones with jam and fresh cream, petit fours, macarons, mini cupcakes and mini cakes, alongside savouries including mini quiches, arancini balls, finger sandwiches with ham, cheese and tomato, brioche buns with silverside, and mini wraps with chicken and avocado. Tea and coffee included. Live music on the day.
Bookings essential with minimum 48 hours notice. Full pre-payment required. Gift vouchers also available.
When: Sunday 10 May 2026, 11:30am or 1pm
Where: Karinya’s Restaurant, Mercure Kooindah Waters, 40 Kooindah Boulevard, Wyong
Cost: From $60 adults, $30 children (3-12) l Phone: 02 4355 5777 | Email to book
Pullman Magenta Shores
A classic high tea at Barretts Restaurant with a glass of sparkling wine on arrival and live music from Diamond Strings.
The menu covers profiteroles, macaroons, vanilla slice and custard-filled fruit tarts on the sweet side, alongside finger sandwiches – cucumber with herb aioli, coronation chicken, and smoked salmon with dill cream cheese blini. House-made blueberry scones with fresh whipped cream, strawberry jam and a caramelised onion and feta tart round things out. Gluten free options available. A lucky door prize on the day. This one sells out – book early.
Accor Plus members receive a discounted rate.
When: Sunday 10 May 2026, 12:30pm to 3:30pm
Where: Barretts Restaurant, Pullman Magenta Shores Resort
Cost: $80 adults, $35 children (under 12). l Book Pullman Magenta Shores High Tea
Mother’s Day Breakfast and Brunch
Brunch with Alpacas – Iris Lodge, Jilliby
A Mother’s Day brunch in an unhurried, hosted setting with alpacas. You’ll feed the animals, then settle in for bacon and egg rolls, yoghurt, fruit platters, cereals and coffee.
A good pick if mum prefers a relaxed morning over a long formal lunch, or if you have younger kids in tow.
When: Sunday 10 May 2026
Where: Iris Lodge Alpacas, Jilliby Cost: $70 adults, $60 children (2-12)
Creative Classes for Mums on the Central Coast
Mum and Me Art Class – Upstairs Wines x Miss May’s Paint Station
A joint painting session for mums and kids aged 5 and up. You’ll work through a guided painting together and head home with something to hang on the wall – part activity, part gift. A good option if you want to do something on the Friday before Mother’s Day rather than the Sunday.
When: Friday 8 May 2026
Where: Upstairs Wines, 389 Avoca Drive, Green Point
Cookie Decorating Workshop – Distillery Botanica
A two-hour cookie decorating session in a styled setting at Distillery Botanica, with a welcome drink on arrival. Sweet Chloe Bakery guides you through decorating using moulds, textures and fondant techniques – you take your cookies home at the end. The space is styled by Style Design Celebrate. Optional upgrades include a high tea add-on ($50) and a Mother’s Day photo session with Wilde Collaborative Photography ($120). Limited spots – book early.
When: Saturday 9 May 2026, 1pm (2 hours)
Where: 25 Portsmouth Road, Erina Cost: $100pp l Book Cookie Decorating Workshop
Cocktail Making Class – Distillery Botanica
A 90-minute hands-on cocktail class in the Distillery Botanica garden on Mother’s Day itself. You’ll make two cocktails – one floral and botanical, one light and refreshing – with a welcome drink on arrival and step-by-step guidance throughout. You’ll leave knowing how to recreate both at home.
When: Sunday 10 May 2026, 1:30pm (90 minutes)
Where: 25 Portsmouth Road, Erina Cost: $85pp l Book Cocktail Making Class
Planning Your Mother’s Day on the Central Coast
Most venues on this page require bookings and several will sell out before the day. If something here has caught your eye, book sooner rather than later.
The Central Coast is an easy drive from Sydney – allow around 90 minutes from the city depending on where you’re headed. If you’re making a weekend of it, we have guides to accommodation on the Central Coast and things to do on the Central Coast to help you plan the rest of your trip.
