Five Islands Hotel Wollongong Review: Menu, Restaurant & Photos

Planning a stay or a meal in Wollongong? This guide covers everything you need to know about Five Islands Hotel in Cringila — from its bistro menu and restaurant hours to room prices, contact details, and why regulars call it “The Gong’s Best Sports Bar.” We’ve pulled together verified facts from the hotel’s official site, Booking.com, Kayak, TripAdvisor, and Uber Eats so you can book with confidence.

Last checked: 2026-06-27

Address: 87-93 Five Islands Rd, Cringila NSW 2502 · Phone: (02) 4201 0668 · Operating Hours: Monday–Saturday 10am–4am

Five Islands Hotel Menu: Pub Classics, Pizzas, and Lunch Specials

According to the official Five Islands Hotel dining page, the bistro runs a “new menu” built around fresh ingredients, with pizzas, schnitzels, steaks, salads, and dedicated kids’ dishes. The Visit NSW listing adds that the menu uses local ingredients and coastal flavours, giving the food a regional identity that fits the hotel’s name.

A September 2022 reviewer on TripAdvisor described the venue as bright and clean, with efficient staff and a generous prawn pizza “cooked to perfection.” The same reviewer noted the menu felt “a little limited” but praised the steaks and salads. A more recent March 2025 review on the same platform said the reviewer ate at the bistro two nights in a row and that the food “both nights was excellent” with big servings — advising others to “come hungry.”

The hotel’s Uber Eats listing — rated 4.7 out of 5 based on 58 customer ratings — shows pizzas, burgers, and Italian-style dishes available for delivery in Wollongong, with typical windows from 12:00–15:00 and 17:00–20:45. The Instagram account has promoted “$12 lunch specials,” which points to a value-driven daytime offering.

Five Islands Hotel Restaurant: Dining Atmosphere, Hours, and Late-Night Options

Booking.com confirms the hotel has one on-site restaurant, labelled simply as “Restaurant #1.” Kayak notes that this is paired with two bars or lounges, and that bistro reviews consistently mention a positive atmosphere and good value for money.

Bistro hours from the official site are split sessions Monday to Friday, with all-day dining on Saturday and Sunday. On Fridays the dinner session runs until 22:00, and on Saturdays the kitchen stays open from 12:00 until 22:00. Sunday and public holidays see all-day service from 12:00 to 21:00.

Late-night food seekers should note that the main bar operates until 4:00 AM Monday to Saturday, but the bistro kitchen closes well before that. The Kayak listing describes the on-site restaurant as “delicious and good value,” and Expedia adds that the casual setting satisfies guests staying in the hotel’s rooms.

“The staff are very friendly and helpful. Great cocktails at a good price. A family-friendly and safe atmosphere even in the main bar.”

— March 2025 TripAdvisor review of Bistro Five Islands Hotel

Five Islands Hotel Photos: What the Venue Looks Like

Images of the hotel are available through multiple channels. The official website shows the bistro interior, bar area, and accommodation rooms. TripAdvisor hosts user-uploaded photos of the sports bar, the dining room with booth seating, and exterior shots of the building at 87–93 Five Islands Road.

Booking.com and Kayak both run image galleries of the guest rooms and common areas. Instagram features promotional shots of lunch specials, drink trays, and bar ambience. If you are looking for a visual sense of the sports bar setup — large screens, booth seating, and a lively atmosphere — the TripAdvisor gallery is the most useful starting point.

The general impression from photos across platforms: the venue is modern and clean, with a contemporary pub fit-out that leans towards comfort rather than high design.

Five Islands Hotel Wollongong: Location, Contact Details, and Getting There

Five Islands Hotel sits at 87–93 Five Islands Road in Cringila, a suburb approximately 10 minutes by car from Wollongong CBD. The address is confirmed by the Visit NSW tourism listing, TripAdvisor, and Uber Eats.

Kayak notes that the hotel is about 2.4 miles from the centre of Primbee, with Port Kembla Golf Club as the closest landmark. Free on-site parking is available, which is a practical advantage for diners and overnight guests arriving by car.

The phone number — (02) 4201 0668 — is listed consistently across the official site and booking platforms. The bar operates from 10:00 AM to 4:00 AM Monday through Saturday, with the bistro kitchen following the split hours outlined above.

Pros and Cons of Five Islands Hotel

Strengths

• Extended bar hours until 4 AM Monday–Saturday, rare for the area.
• Strong value pricing: $10 kids’ meals with ice cream, advertised $12 lunch specials.
• Free parking and free Wi-Fi, confirmed by Kayak and Booking.com.
• Family-friendly atmosphere with a children’s playground, noted by Expedia.
• Consistently positive food reviews on TripAdvisor, Uber Eats (4.7/5), and Kayak.

Weaknesses

• Bistro menu described as “a little limited” in a 2022 TripAdvisor review.
• Bistro kitchen closes before the bar — no late-night food after 22:00 (Fri/Sat) or 21:00 (Sun–Thu).
• Only one on-site restaurant, which means no dining variety for multi-night guests.
• Check-out at 10:00 is earlier than many hotels; late risers may find it tight.

Who Is Five Islands Hotel Best For?

• Sports fans: Self-billed as “The Gong’s Best Sports Bar,” the venue shows live sport across two bar areas with multiple screens.
• Nightlife seekers: Bar service runs until 4 AM Monday–Saturday, making it one of the later-close options in the Cringila/Wollongong area.
• Budget travelers: Nightly room rates range from $63 to $97 AUD (Kayak vs TripAdvisor), with free parking and affordable bistro meals.
• Late-night diners (partial): The bistro serves until 22:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, but not into the late bar hours.

Pricing at Five Islands Hotel

Nightly accommodation rates across Kayak and TripAdvisor range from approximately $63 to $97 AUD, positioning the hotel in the budget to mid-range band for Wollongong accommodation. The bistro’s $10 kids’ meals with free ice cream and advertised $12 lunch specials on Instagram indicate a deliberate value positioning.

Kayak reviews note that guests describe the restaurant food as “good value for money,” and the Uber Eats rating of 4.7 out of 5 (58 ratings) reinforces a positive price-to-quality perception for delivery customers.

Alternatives to Five Islands Hotel in Wollongong

If Five Islands Hotel doesn’t suit your needs, here are two nearby alternatives with different strengths:

The Novotel and Mercure are better suited for business travellers or couples wanting a central location and a quieter atmosphere. Five Islands Hotel wins for budget, sports viewing, and late-night bar access.

Related reading: Golden Barley Hotel Guide: Pub Menu, Reviews, and Events · Burkes Hotel Yarrawonga: Menu, Reviews, Phone & More

Frequently Asked Questions