Lu Mare Brings Authentic Italian Flavours to Wollongong Harbour
So, there’s something new and delicious happening in Wollongong — and if you’re a fan of good Italian food, you’ll want to hear this. A brand-new eatery called Lu Mare has just opened its doors right by the harbour, and it’s already turning heads.
Now, if the names K.Malu and Casa Lu sound familiar, that’s because the same powerhouse duo — Keana Lufe and Maria Luciani — are behind those beloved spots too. They already run one of Wollongong’s most talked-about fine dining experiences and a buzzing sandwich shop, but instead of slowing down, they’ve decided to take on a third venture. And honestly, it might be their most charming yet.
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Lu Mare is tucked inside the Anchorage Hotel, overlooking Belmore Basin, and it’s flooded with natural light — the kind of place where you could sit for hours, sipping wine and watching the boats bob in the distance. Maria, who runs front of house, says the idea for the restaurant came up almost playfully during a chat with the hotel’s owner over dinner. But as soon as she saw the space, she said, “Wow – let’s do it.” And that was that.
The menu here is pure Italian — and not in a trendy, deconstructed way. Keana, who leads the kitchen, is going back to her roots, cooking the kind of food she’s loved since she first picked up a pan. Dishes represent a mix of regions from all over Italy. There’s northern-style polenta with a pork sausage ragu, a seafood pentolaccia that’s straight out of Sicily, and even spaghettoni tossed with pipis, chilli, and bottarga — that’s Sardinian fish roe, by the way — which is already the most popular dish on the menu.
It’s not about reinventing Italian cuisine here — it’s about honouring it. As Keana puts it, K.Malu is their fusion playground, but Lu Mare is about staying as authentic as possible. And they’ve even adjusted the wine list at K.Malu to highlight the contrast.
But here’s the real charm: it’s casual. They want you to roll in after a beach swim, sandy feet and all. Thongs? Totally fine. It’s that kind of relaxed, Sunday-lunch-with-family vibe. It feels welcoming, not pretentious.
Photos from Maria’s hometown decorate the walls, and there’s an outdoor courtyard in the works. A new Italian chef is joining soon too, to help the team keep things running smoothly while they continue to give love to K.Malu , which they still call “their baby.”
So whether you’re craving a comforting bowl of pasta or just want a sunny spot by the water to enjoy a long, lazy lunch, Lu Mare sounds like exactly where you want to be right now.
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