Fairy Meadow is continuing to emerge as the region’s next foodie hub with African fusion eatery Wild Moose Cafe moving into the suburb.
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The restaurant will shut its North Wollongong premises at the end of the month, in favour of new digs inside the Charles Hotel.
Wild Moose co-owner Wouther Debbes and business partner Ken Mill officially launched the new-look bistro last weekend with a blend of African cuisine, steaks, pizza and pasta.
Mr Debbes, who had been running his Flinders Street cafe since 2009, said the move was risky but he was confident Fairy Meadow was set to boom.
‘‘I think it’s going to be the next Keiraville or Gwynneville, it’s really going to grow,’’ he said.
‘‘I live in Balgownie and I’ve seen this area starting to change; we knew we wanted to be a part of that.’’
The suburb has turned over a new leaf in recent months, welcoming several restaurants and businesses.
The new Ambience shopping precinct is home to a state-of-the-art Coles supermarket, a sushi restaurant and Al Aseem, a popular Lebanese eatery.
Small bar Two Doors Up opened in June, also hoping to capitalise on the suburb’s changing face.
Mr Debbes believes the flurry of new businesses is a sign of more to come.
‘‘We’ve seen a lot of apartments going up and a lot of student accommodation,’’ he said.
‘‘We wanted to have a bigger premises and to be in an area where there is competition; the more options there are for people to dine, the more people will visit.’’
The eatery will open for breakfast in October, in the hope of attracting a host of different diners.
‘‘The bistro has got a great dining room and a huge outdoor area out the front,’’ Mr Debbes said.
‘‘There’s plenty of parking, a big beer garden and we’re hoping to have live music coming into summer; it’s going to be a really nice place for families.’’
The owners have also given the space adjoining the bistro a facelift, turning it into a function room.
The bistro’s refurbishment comes after the hotel plunged $500,000 into upgrading its accommodation to provide housing for students.
The historic hotel’s 11 rooms were gutted, making way for 16 private rooms with a communal kitchen, common room, computer room and universal free Wi-Fi.
The bistro is currently open Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner.
