Valentina Merimbula

The interior is great and view is fantastic. Sadly the platitudes end there. Neither of the mains that we ordered (fish and flank steak) were particularly great. Grilled octopus was good and had to be the pick of the lot for us. Service was average - not sure the last time I had to ask twice for my glass of water to be refilled at a place positioned as fine dining. The server could benefit from being a bit more cheerful

With another excellent oyster lease view of Merimbula, the (now-hatted) Valentina Merimbula is exactly what a regional fine diner should be. Set upstairs in a tiny brick arcade the dining room is surprisingly well kitted out. There is a white Pueblo-style adobo island bench with inset ice buckets, and wall shelves holding a variety of well-lit sculptures including curved women and nicely crafted crabs. Over the window tables billowing neutral-toned fabric cuts down glare and creates intimacy.Wrapped in matching bottle green aprons, the floor team are professional without losing that warm regional hospitality. Switching out wagyu for Narooma swordfish on the longer tasting menu ($120/each) is done without fuss, and they’re undeniably chuffed when we coo over black garlic butter and local (well Bermagui-based) Honorbread. The wine list is bespoke and well chosen, with the 2022 Little Frances Gruner Veltliner ($90)—made with mere hours of skin contact—performing well across all courses.As you should in this region, the menu kicks off with local oysters dressed with ginger and lime. Small snacks, including sardines, scallops and wagyu bresaola, play second fiddle to excellent anchovy toast, where a salt-cured fillet is married with a pickled one and served with ricotta and pickled eschallots on toasted bread. Steamed clams with chilli, garlic and white wine give you a wonderful connection to the briny waterfront view. The freshly caught swordfish ($52) comes with mussels done right eaten not very far from where we saw them growing wild. A pretty pink pyramid of raspberry sorbet encased in Champagne zabaglione is nested in apple and sorrel granita. It’s followed by moist frills of Tête de Moine with quince paste and house-made bark. I can’t wait to dine here again on my next Sapphire Coast sojourn.

Polished friendly service, fantastic food and great wine. Looks like a special occasion type restaurant but the prices are super reasonable for what you get. Definitely worth a stop by if your in the area. Well done guys

Our first visit to Valentina and we were seated at a lovely table by the window. It was a touch warm but once the window was opened, air flow improved.The drinks were great - amazing cocktails.We decided to do the tasting platter but we both had to do it (costing us $240). The food itself was high quality (fresh seafood) and the dessert was lovely. My fiance didn't think the wagu steak was that good.Overall a great restaurant, pricey but good quality.

What a great find! Boxing Day dinner was delicious and the service was top notch.The waiter made it very clear that the menu catered to smaller plates/sharing and we ordered accordingly. Perfect portions, opportunity to try multiple dishes and each one was great (with the exception of the lackluster bread and butter, but that was an unnecessary choice anyway!) We had fried artichokes, king fish sashimi, salad, asparagus with the most delicious bernaise sauce, flank steak and the spaghetti with garlic and crab. Wish I’d have tried the scallops as they looked incredible!The view was amazing - and we were lucky to be there through sunset.If we ever return to Merimbula, this place will be first on our list for a booking.

Great food, great space, great location and great staff. Nothing to fault about this place!! Always come here when I’m in Merimbula and you should too. Love it.