Every time I’m on a NSW mid North Coast trip, I make sure I find the time to have a meal at Latitude 30 situated on the Marina at Coffs Harbour.
Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the view is stunning and it’s a great place to spend a couple of hours indulging in a tasty seafood lunch with friends or loved ones. The dining room is bright and airy with large windows and views of the ocean from every table. There’s also outdoor seating for a more al fresco feel.
Latitude 30 is one of those places which has managed to achieve the fine balance of a high level of service and food, but still that coastal casual feel that the mid North Coast is renown for. Their menu features locally sourced food and blends incredible flavours to ensure every bite is tasty and memorable. They also have an extensive wine list, including half bottles and a cocktail list which includes a fresh twist on some of your old favourites.
The great thing about the Latitude 30 menu is you can either decide on a three course meal or enjoy a shared dining experience. As it was lunch time, my dining partner and I shared a few small plates and sides.
To start we began with the Ceviche which featured freshly caught Kingfish served with mandarin tigers milk, coriander, chilli, red onion, radish and mandarin pearls. I’m a lover of coriander and chilli so I was in heaven, and the mandarin pearls were fantastic pops of freshness.
We followed the Ceviche with King Prawns marinated in garlic, chilli and lemon which were grilled and served on a slice of toasted sourdough which soaked up the flavours of the dressing beautifully. Scallops made up our trio of small plates. The scallops were plumped and cooked to perfection, placed on creamy cauliflower puree with hazelnut, parmesan, pancetta and kale crumb which added tasty texture to the dish.
Sides include a variety of salads, steamed greens, hand cut chips and cauliflower mornay. I’m a sucker for a good cauliflower mornay and Latitude 30 definitely have taken this retro classic to a new level. It’s baked in a gruyere sauce and features crispy tale and toasted macadamia crumb – there’s a reason I order it every time I’m there!
If you’re not a seafood lover, don’t worry, Latitude 30 definitely caters for meat lovers with lamb shoulder and three separate steak cuts on the menu. Their menu also clearly outlines dairy free, gluten free and vegetarian options, and a separate menu for children.
There’s a reason why Latitude 30 is always one of the first places I book when I know I’m heading to the mid North Coast, I definitely believe it deserves the title of best restaurant in the area.
