During peak season, the main street of Cowes transforms into a bustling hub. If you don’t plan ahead, be prepared for fully booked tables and queues that can stretch down the street.
To help you navigate your first visit, here is a simple guide to eating your way around the island without the stress.
The Best Time for The Morning Coffee
The Esplanade in Cowes is awesome for a morning walk, with cafes offering ocean views. However, you might need to time it right. Between 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., popular cafes like G’Day Tiger or The Waterboy Cafe are usually flat out.
Our tip: If the main strip is full, wander up the side streets (like Thompson Avenue or Chapel Street). You may likely find great coffee with half the wait time.
Seaside Lunch Hack
If you plan on a long lunch overlooking the water at local favourites, like the Saltwater Phillip Island or Beach HQ, you must book ahead. During the summer holiday peak, walk-ins can be virtually impossible. Even for casual spots like the San Remo Fisherman’s Co-op, you should expect lines out the door.
Photo: Saltwater Phillip Island
Don’t worry if you miss out on a table. The grassy foreshore in Cowes offers the same view as the iconic restaurants. You just need to bring your own food, such as a platter.
The Penguin Parade Gap
Eat before you go. The Penguin Parade is the iconic tourist spot on Phillip Island, and you don’t want to miss it. But, don’t make the rookie mistake by waiting until the parade is over to eat. The Penguin Parade often finishes after sunset. And by the time thousands of tourists drive back to Cowes, many kitchens are closing or completely slammed.
So, have an early dinner between 5:30 p.m. or 6:00 p.m. before you head out to meet the penguins. You will beat the rush and won’t be stuck searching for food when it’s dark.
The Fast, Easy Option for Cowes Picnic: Pika Sushi
Image: Visit Bass Coast
When you have spent the day swimming at Smiths Beach or walking the Cape Woolamai trails, you don’t want a sit-down meal. Especially if you’re sandy, the kids are tired, and all you want is a fresh, fast, and easy meal.
In this situation, sushi is your best friend. Head straight to Pika Sushi Cowes near The Esplanade for a fuss-free meal.
Beat the queues
Packed restaurants can be intimidating when you’re hungry. By pre-ordering a platter or grabbing a takeaway sushi pack, you are ready to roll to your next stop. If you know when you’ll be arriving on Phillip Island, you can schedule your pickup time in advance.
Portable
Our bento boxes and sushi rolls are perfect grab-and-go options. It’s also a great way to feed the kids if they’re picky eaters.
For the perfect Phillip Island lunch, drop by Pika Sushi Cowes on 40B Thompson Avenue.
Have a Regular Sushi Platter if you’re with a group, and you can choose up to six flavours. Or, grab a few hand rolls and specialty sushi. Our store is only about 3 minutes walk from the Cowes Beach foreshore. You can take your meal to the BBQ areas at the picnic area while watching the ferries come in.
Save this simple food guide for your next Phillip Island visit. Get the best view in town with a Pika Sushi meal, and enjoy your trip!
