Wheeler's Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar — Restaurant in Pambula

Iconic South Coast Seafood Restaurant Heads Into New Era as Jacqui Foley Hands Over Reins Pambula, South Coast NSW - After nearly 12 years at the helm, Jacqui Foley has sold Wheelers Seafood Restaurant and Oyster Bar, an iconic South Coast establishment. The restaurant, located at 162 Arthur Kaine Drive in Pambula, is now under the ownership of the new owner and chef, Nirajan Kuinkel, effective from July 2025. Foley, who purchased the business in December 2013, expressed that it was time for a change of pace, particularly after realising how much of her life had been dedicated to the demanding work of running a restaurant. She had been looking to sell for a few years, officially putting the business on the market six months prior. The new owner, Nirajan Kuinkel, comes with a strong culinary background, having most recently served as the executive chef for Novotel Canberra and also worked in various Sydney venues. Foley describes him as "the smiliest man" she's met and believes he has the necessary drive to succeed. Kuinkel plans to largely maintain the restaurant's existing operations, with "a few little tweaks" and the promise of "delicious new menu items." Foley reflected on her journey, admitting she initially had little hospitality experience and was unaware of the business's scale, often working seven days a week. She fondly recalled time spent with her father at the restaurant before his passing, emphasising the personal significance of her ownership. Wheelers Seafood Restaurant has a rich history, founded by the Pitt Warn family and later run by Hugh and Debbie Wheeler from 1982, who added a fresh seafood shop and tours. Upon announcing her departure, Foley received an outpouring of appreciation from locals and visitors. Her final week, culminating in her last day on June 30, saw many people booking in to say farewell, with a special send-off in the Oyster Bar. Now, Foley looks forward to a more relaxed pace of life, with plans to enjoy the local coastline, opting for a beach towel and a book at Mitchies Jetty over an overseas holiday. Wheelers Seafood Restaurant and Oyster Bar's opening hours are: Restaurant Bookings (Lunch): Thursday to Saturday, 12 pm - 2 pm Restaurant Bookings (Dinner): Wednesday to Saturday, 5:45 pm - 8 pm Long Sunday Lunch: 12 pm - 3 pm Take Away, Café & Oyster Sales: 10 am - 6 pm every day (Coffee until 5:30 pm daily) Further details and booking information can be found on...

Food blogger and local google reviewer Entree - octopus look it was nice in taste but was over cooked slightly rubbery. Reason for 3 star for this entree is learning that this place is a well presented seafood restaurant it did not deliver on the octopus i had better from the area not going to name it read reviews to find it.

Main - seafood platter I asked for oysters natural but I was told there was none due to weather. That’s fine but then makes you think how old are the cooked oysters. And I was correct I know my oysters well. One tasted nice Another had a foul taste when oysters do not taste the same freshness something is not going on well. With all do respect being known for oysters and having a oyster farm… I don’t wish to comment more because I know what’s going on.

Lobster fresh nice , bugs the best fresh taste nice , prawns no questions hands down tasty clean fresh prawns.

Then we move on to the fried stuff Scallops fresh nice tasty… The fish thou no good how can you not perfect fish and chips. The batter was to oily and dark soggy the taste yes time for a oil change that’s what it taste like you can taste that the deep fryer needs a oil change to get that perfect golden fry fish look and clean taste. Unfortunately disappointed fish in the inside was nice but the batter killed a perfect fish.

Desert - very nice perfect constructed enjoyed it

Look overall 3.5 star for my experience that day could be a hiccup and i did keep switching between 3-4 star but can’t give that 4 star the oysters was a letdown we came for them and they didn’t deliver.

Give it a try. I recommend calling up thou making sure if they have fresh natural oysters before going sitting down and then being told there’s none. Would of been nice to know at the door considering people come to taste oysters for your...

A Perfect Venue for a Perfect Day

Wheelers Restaurant hosted our beautiful wedding reception, and we couldn’t be more grateful for the incredible experience they provided. After interviewing countless venues across the South Coast, it was clear from the moment we met with Jacqui that this was the right place for us. She made us feel comfortable and truly listened to what we wanted. Jacqui asked all the right questions, offered flexibility with meals and beverage packages, and was accommodating with our preparation arrangements.

The lead-up to the big day was made stress-free thanks to seamless communication and thoughtful planning. On the day itself, the entire team executed everything flawlessly. The staff were clearly well-trained and committed to providing our guests with an exceptional experience. We’ve received so many compliments since the wedding, with guests raving about the delicious food, the flowing drinks, the warm atmosphere, and the friendly, professional service.

A special thank you goes to Dani, the manager, who went above and beyond to ensure everything ran smoothly. From the perfect timing of meals and drinks to making sure our older guests were looked after with tea and coffee, Dani’s attention to detail did not go unnoticed.

Wheelers made our special day truly unforgettable. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the entire team—especially Jacqui and Dani—for their outstanding work. If you’re looking for a venue that blends professionalism, warmth, and exceptional quality, we highly recommend...