But, the city's hospitality industry is still a serious business, home to a network of talented chefs, baristas and restaurateurs who have been forced to change their operations and come up with creative ways of being viable. And despite the tough conditions 2020 has forced upon us, there are still many great places to drink and dine in Wollongong and its surrounds.

Also - as we now learn to live with the pandemic - you can feel extra virtuous every time you get out and support a local eatery. So here, in no particular order and almost certainly missing many other gems, are some places to add to your itinerary ...

Babyface has one of town's most intriguing wine lists, and an ever-shifting seasonal menu which lets produce shine. While we LOVED being able to order five-star takeaway from here during the lockdown (not to mention the sell-out Sunday bake sale), it's fab to see them back open as normal and serving a set course menu or bar snacks in their Keira Street eatery. If it's on, the Moreton Bay bug schnitzel with salt and pepper sauce is hard to go past.

Keira Street, Wollongong

A French joint, serving bistro classics like souffle, oysters, frites and Paris mash, alongside dry aged Australian beef. Debutant is the second Keira Street restaurant from Rookie chef, Daniel Sherley.

Keira Street, Wollongong

The lower Crown Street wine bar run by the team who sadly had to close Wollongong's best restaurant, Caveau, due to the COVID downturn. Visit for a cosy, sophisticated experience with interesting wines and an Asian-inspired menu.

Crown Street, Wollongong

This gorgeous little wine bar, which has been run by Maddy Sullivan and Erick Zavallos for the past six years, is about to change hands. During winter, it's been serving a delicious Italian food menu, but will revert to the tried and true cheese and charcuterie food offering which it's become known for at the start of September. Cool and understated, it's perfect for a date or girls night out.

Kembla Street, Wollongong

Without a doubt the best pizza bases in town. And while we can't thank COVID for much, it was the catalyst for P50 to start serving takeaway. Now you can get their melt-in-your-mouth margherita, or the equally good pancetta and funghi pizza to eat in the comfort of your own home. Or, if you fancy going out, book early and make sure you order a serve of the four cheese gnocchi too (it was available takeaway for a brief period but was too popular, so now you can only get it dine in).

Kembla Street, Wollongong

This laneway Italian serves much more than just pizza (we've written plenty about their famous garlic bread), but the bubbly and slightly charred bases have become a firm takeaway favourite during the COVID-19 period.

Crown Lane, Wollongong

Located in the car-yard-and-Bunnings part of Flinders Street, 2 Smoking Barrels has an industrial atmosphere that perfectly suits its big American barbecue flavours. The huge plates of smoked meats are a winner, but we can't go past their burgers which are also smoky, huge and packed with barbecue flavour. Watch for their regular sell-out specials, too.

Flinders Street, Wollongong

This outpost of the original Milton vegetarian cafe has been shut for months throughout COVID, but has announced it will reopen this week - on September 1. The veggie burgers and wraps are absolutely packed with goodness, but somehow remain so tasty that even the picky two-year-olds we know will give them a go.

Princes Highway, Corrimal

This small business powerhouse not only deserves props for its classic burgers, but also its ability to shape-shift during the COVID shutdown. Owner Lachlan Stevens has become something of a spokesperson for the struggling hospitality industry, and has often been among the first to test out new initiatives. Oh, and if burgers aren't quite your thing, the vegan popcorn cauliflower is a winner too!

Keira Street, Wollongong

Serving Allpress coffee on possibly our favourite street in all of the Illawarra - Wentworth Street - this little cafe doubles as a pre-prepared food store, meaning you can caffeinate and pick up dinner all at once. There's soups, pies, pickles, tarts and lasagnes to tempt you, as well as a pocked counter of sweet treats to go with your morning coffee. On our visit, we couldn't go past the gooey, crispy Nutella croissant bread and butter cake.

Wentworth Street, Port Kembla

Serving just what its name suggests, this popular Thirroul coffee shop is located on the main drag, heading north out of town. We think the ampersand should be followed by sweet treats, and our pick of the bunch is the giant Portuguese tarts.

Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Thirroul

The fun and funky little cafe at the front of Miller's Bake House, where Emma Miller provides daily drops of her flaky, gooey almond croissants (the best we've had) and other sweet treats. And, no matter how early in the morning it is, the Goodies crew will make your coffee with a smile and some good humour.

Crown Street, Wollongong

Even after more than a decade in operation, this place is still one of our top picks for a weekend brunch. The menu remains fresh, the service remains warm, and whether it's winter in the back room in front of the fire, or summer outside soaking up the sun Lee and Me still delivers every time.

Crown Street, Wollongong

Like Lee and Me, Diggies is a true Wollongong classic. Sitting in the long-running North Beach venue - equally great on a sunny or stormy day - feels at once new and nostalgic. Likewise, you can walk up off the beach for a feed, or head in for a special occasion lunch and not feel out of place. And for southern Illawarra residents, the company has also now opened a Kiama outpost.

Blowhole Point Road, Kiama

This is one of those places we hesitated to put on the list, for fear it will be too widely discovered and overrun. But it's too good not to share. The menu is written daily in biro in an exercise book, and the pork rolls - filled with heaps of meat, fresh salads and herbs - are second to none. Or try the Traditional Meal for food that tastes like the street food you get in Vietnam. Located at the back of Lee and Me, facing out into the Civic Plaza, An Chut Chut only opens for lunch on weekdays.

Crown Street, Wollongong

If you're craving something hot, salty, crispy and spicy, this little hole in the wall is for you. The signature dish is a huge piece of wafer thin chook, still on the bone, which is coated, fried and then rolled in your chosen level of spice. Somehow it tastes light and not at all greasy, and you can also get squid, an array of veggies, curly fries and lotus chips to add to your fried food binge.

Crown Street, Wollongong

This indoor/outdoor industrial space caters for children of the two-legged and four-legged kind, offering babycinos and puppacinos, as well as delicious adult beverages and good food in a spacious courtyard.

Molloy Street, Bulli

Pre-COVID, this sunny joint on Towradgi Road was great for providing lots of delicious snack options, plenty of highchairs and a collection of kids playthings to keep little ones entertained. And in today's strange new world it's just as good, because of the grassy courtyard - with a gate to keep wandering toddlers off the road - allows you to spread out and make a mess.

Towradgi Road, Towradgi

Again, outdoor space is the key and means this place can bill itself as both "doggo and kiddo friendly". On a nice day, there's blankets to sit on the grass, or more structured tables and chairs where you can settle in and listen to some live music.

Wentworth Street, Port Kembla

A serious foodie gem, and a coup for the Illawarra to have a little slice of Yotam Ottolenghi right at our doorstep. The former head chef of one of Ottolenghi's London restaurants, Emily Herbert, returned home to open this cafe/deli on Terralong Street earlier this year. The counter is full of meals inspired by the famed chef, author and TV presenter - like fragrant herb and vegetable laden salads and mains, as pastries that will please carnivores and vegans alike.

Terralong Street, Kiama

Just a little way outside the Illawarra's borders this Queen Street bakery is popular for a reason. Selling great breads, cakes, pastries and excellent pies and sausage rolls (we like the lamb and pinenut one best) Milkwood is just one of many eateries that make Berry worth a leisurely weekend drive.

Queen Street, Berry

Read more: What's good here? Wollongong's top takeaway choices revealed