Some of the producers at EAT Festival, Merimbula. Photos: David Rogers Photography.
Get ready for four days of mouthwatering food, great company and unforgettable coastal experiences. EAT Festival returns to Merimbula in March with a celebration of local flavour, culture and community.
From pristine waterways and award-winning produce, to the chefs, growers and makers who take so much pride and care in what they serve up, EAT Festival brings the finest of the Sapphire Coast together in one vibrant long weekend that coincides with public holidays in the ACT and Victoria.
The festival’s main event is held on 8 March (Sunday), at the Fishpen, overlooking the oyster leases on the shores of Merimbula Lake. From 10 am to 2 pm visitors can sample a diverse range of dishes where local ingredients take centre stage, crafted by some of the coast’s most loved food businesses.
Returning crowd favourites include Dulcie’s Cottage, Kitty’s Bar and Merimbula Wharf.
This year they will be joined by Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council’s offering of Marindja. It showcases exceptional native flavours and Indigenous food culture. Also new to the festival are Eden’s Nauti Buoy Seafood and Fig Cafe and Bar, along with Luna Bakes and Doughies Donuts, two Sapphire Coast women championing desserts.
Axl’s Lemonade at EAT Festival 2025.
Over the three days leading up to the main event, the festival’s partners will immerse visitors in the tastes and stories of the region. Experiences include Captain Sponge’s EAT-themed Magical Oyster Tour on Pambula Lake, hands-on oyster shucking at Broadwater Shucking School, a Nine Circles Distillery Farmers Market and a hinterland cellar door experience.
For this special collaboration, North of Eden Distillery, Frogs Hollow Brewing Co and Nancy’s Deli will come together to create an afternoon of fun and flavour, deep in the rolling hills of the Bega Valley. Closer to the coast, Sapphire Coast Tap House will host a craft beer showcase, while Drift Tathra pays tribute to one of the coast’s most iconic producers with a Bega Cheesy Pizza Night.
The festival truly is the Sapphire Coast distilled into four memorable days of food, flavour and connection.
Visitors from across the country are invited to plan a long weekend escape, while locals will be encouraged to “tag a mate from interstate” as part of the festival’s marketing campaign, with delicious prizes up for grabs.
One prize is the chance to jump aboard the famous Magical Oyster Tour on Pambula Lake. Helmed by the illustrious Captain Scotty, the prize will see four people cruising the pristine waters of Pambula River, learn about oyster farming and sample the freshest Sydney rock oysters, straight from the lake’s water. The tour, which starts at 10 am on 7 March, is valued at more than $350.
Enjoy mouthwatering food and great company at EAT Festival.
Adding even more diversity, the festival is collaborating with two other Sapphire Coast events.
Ephemeral and Pambula wetlands will bring a splash of creativity and community spirit with interactive arts and craft experiences inspired by the natural beauty of the region.
Also coming on board are the crew from Fungi Feastival who will be providing mushroom tastings, mushroom education, and more. There will be a “display only” “Beef Wellington” (with a sign, “for safety no samples”) because they have organised for one of the authors of the mushroom murder trial-based books to speak at Tathra Hotel. The book is titled Recipe for Murder.
EAT Festival has been running for 14 years and is well established in foodie calendars. The first one sold out within 1.5 hours, surprising the committee members with the demand for a festival that showcased and celebrated the region’s produce.
EAT Festival attracts visitors from Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne, and around 5000 people attended last year’s main event.
Sunday’s main event is free with no bookings needed. All dishes are capped at $15, making it a fun, accessible and family-friendly day out.
Partner events run from 5 to 7 March at various locations across the Sapphire Coast. Events are ticketed and numbers are limited. For bookings and more information visit the festival website.
