Sitting under the jacaranda tree outside Dulcie’s Cottage is a delightful way to spend the afternoon. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
In 1925 Arthur and Dulcie Goodsill built a weatherboard cottage on Merimbula’s Main Street and planted a jacaranda tree out front.
Arthur worked as a curer in the local bacon factory and Dulcie kept the home fires burning: cooking, cleaning and caring for the family of 10.
More than 100 years later, this weatherboard cottage is a thriving local bar that honours the people that made this house a home. Dulcie’s Cottage is the result and it’s one of the most charming venues I’ve ever encountered.
The walls are covered in memorabilia, from family photos to flying ceramic ducks, taxidermy, bric-a-brac and other local history.
The interior of the cottage boasts a large bar, where bartenders shake, stir and pour cocktails. The fireplace blazes in winter and indoor seats are jealously guarded on cold nights.
The outdoor seats are lovely when the sun filters through the branches of the jacaranda. And nestled to one side is a caravan which pumps out burgers for the crowds.
Merimbula oysters are, of course, on the menu at Dulcies. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
There’s a QR code for food at the table, and drinks at the bar. The list of signature drinks (which change seasonally) is worth perusing. Dulcie’s Delight is a gin-based cocktail with white chocolate and strawberry. Arthur’s Apple Pie is made with Kraken spiced rum, Jack Daniels fire, apple and cinnamon – a proper winter warmer. There are also four non-alcoholic mocktails.
The fridges are stacked with tinnies from South Coast craft breweries like Frog Hollow Brewing Co and Narooma’s Breakwall Brewing Co.
Local wines like the cult favourite Sonnyboy from local garagistes Aristotelis ke Anthoula are also available.
While the burger van is tiny, they pump out impressive numbers of incredible burgers. The fried chicken – with sriracha mayo and asian slaw – is an iconic favourite, as is the standard Dulcie’s burger, which comes complete with house-made bread and butter pickle.
The burgers at Dulcie’s are excellent. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
On my most recent visit I had the fish burger, made with pan-fried ling, daikon pickle and a seaweed mayo. Next time I would order it without the slice of cheese (which was easily removed anyway) but the rest of the burger was epic. Juicy fish, crisp, sweet, white onion and just enough mayo to drip over your side of fries.
You can also get sriracha buffalo chicken wings with blue cheese
They also serve local oysters – of course they do, this is Merimbula! – by the half dozen with lemon and a umami-driven nuoc cham dressing.
There’s a strong live music program happening each week, with a mix of local and touring acts.
I don’t usually take photos of the loos in a venue, but it’s worth it at Dulcies. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
I don’t always write about the toilets at a venue, but the loos at Dulcies are wallpapered with vintage newspapers (always nice to have something to read).
And, in the ladies at least, guests have taken to adding their own lipsticked kiss onto the walls.
There’s not a single inch of this venue that doesn’t have something vintage and charming to see.
The walls of Dulcie’s Cottage are filled with bric-a-brac and photos from the Goodsill family’s history. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
I don’t think Dulcie would ever have imagined what her cottage would become, but surely she’d be happy to see so much love and passion being put into the place she called home.
Dulcie’s Cottage is at 60 Main Street, Merimbula. It is open from midday to midnight Monday to Saturday and from midday to 10 pm on Sundays. Follow Dulcie’s Cottage on Instagram.
Original Article published by Lucy Ridge on Region Canberra.
