Set against the backdrop of 16ft sailing skiffs at Belmont 16s Sailing Club, Martha emerges as the latest culinary gem set to make waves along the east shores of Lake Macquarie this Summer.

Officially opening its doors on Thursday 30th November, the superbly designed 120-seat venue features a restaurant, bar area, and outdoor terrace that unveils breathtaking water views across the lake.

Situated within the newly redeveloped Belmont 16s Sailing Club, Martha leads the charge in the Club’s revitalisation, revealing upgraded sailing, entertainment, and dining facilities following an impressive $20 million transformation and rebrand.

Newly appointed Martha chef, Tyler Rolfe is serving a Mediterranean-inspired menu that is centred around the restaurant’s state of the art European Mibrasa ovens - a unique culinary method that imparts subtle, smoky flavours from cooking over high temperatures and hot coals.

Entree highlights include; Cast iron cooked halloumi with pickled cumquat and honey drizzle; Chargrilled split prawns with Pukara Estate lemon and dill olive oil; and Coal roast cooled beet carpaccio with pistachio tarator, goats feta, cranberry and toasted buckwheat.

Main highlights include; Market fish with charred asparagus, heirloom tomato and piccata; La Brasa marinated chicken with freekeh and pomegranate salad; Charcoal roast Riverina lamb rack with heirloom tomatoes, mint quinoa tabouleh and labneh; and a Great Southern Pinnacle Black Angus pasture-fed scotch steak; alongside desserts such as S’mores with toasted house-made marshmallow, belgian chocolate with honey cinnamon crackers.

The vibrant drinks list proudly showcases a mix of classic cocktails and a playful array of signature creations named 'Martha & Friends.' This collection of seven cocktails, features distinctive names like Mabel, Josephine, Madge, Elanor and Rose.

A notable gem on the cocktail menu is the aptly named Martha—a carefully crafted blend incorporating locally sourced Earp gin, dolin rouge, chambord, and lemon juice. Reflecting Martha’s commitment to supporting local distilleries.

The wine list heroes producers from the Hunter Valley alongside a selection of Australian and European varieties, perfectly complementing Martha’s menu.

Designed by Sydney-based architecture and design studio Atlis, Martha’s stylish yet casual interior pays homage to its lakeside setting with dawn pastel tones, sandy beige, and sage green, accented by timber elements. The pièce de résistance is Martha’s striking cocktail bar adorned in pink tiles, featuring a live tree, creating a stylish focal point and fostering a connection to nature.

Bathed in natural light, Martha’s lofty space draws inspiration from the Club’s century-old heritage, featuring a striking pitched roof with open-plan dining that seamlessly connects the restaurant to the stunning outdoor terrace, offering sweeping views across Lake Macquarie.

Food and Beverage Manager Joel Simmons says: “Martha is set to be an incredible new dining destination on Lake Macquarie for locals and visitors to the region. Our front and back of house team are a bunch of seasoned hospitality professionals that are passionate about great service, food, and drinks, and we are all very excited to welcome our first guests to the venue.”

Martha is open for lunch and dinner Thursday to Sunday 12pm-3pm & 5pm-10pm.

Martha Restaurant - Belmont 16s Sailing Club, The Parade Belmont, NSW 2280

Website - www.marthadrinkanddine.com.au

Instagram - @marthadrinkanddine