The tide is changing at this Lake Macquarie eatery
There’s something about dining by the water that immediately puts you at east – and TINTA Belmont has one of the best spots in Lake Macquarie to do exactly that.
Perched on the Belmont foreshore, the restaurant looks straight across the lake, giving you a front-row seat to sailing boats, changing skies, and all the activity on the water.
Following some major changes in 2024 and some challenging times that saw the business go through many highs and lows, TINTA has come out the other side to become one of Lake Macquarie's most loved dining destinations.
From Squid's Ink to TINTA
The venue began its transformation in 2021 after fire damaged parts of the former restaurant several years earlier.
Its new name, TINTA, translates to “ink” – a subtle nod to the venue’s previous life as Squid's Ink. While the restaurant has since been given a fresh identity, the focus on warm, relaxed, and personalised service remains.
The result is a polished waterfront restaurant that still feels approachable. You can dress up for a special occasion, bring the family along for breakfast, or simply drop in for lunch and a glass of Hunter Valley wine, owner Ben Stehr explains,
With waterfront views, people want to sit and enjoy the view, right? We would arrive at TINTA on a stunning morning before lunch service, no wind around, not a cloud in the sky, and think to ourselves, we should be open.
Weekend breakfast by the lake
We visited while weekend breakfast was in full swing, with the morning light across the water making it pretty clear why TINTA opens early on Saturdays and Sundays.
The breakfast menu keeps things familiar while adding a few coastal twists. There’s smashed avocado with chilli oil and lemon, breakfast bruschetta with roast tomato and whipped labneh, and a classic bacon and egg roll.
The chilli crab scramble is the dish that caught our eye, bringing together blue swimmer crab, chilli oil, and sourdough. For something lighter, there’s a granola bowl with yoghurt, açai, and fresh fruit, while the house-made banana bread and fresh almond croissants have the sweeter side of breakfast covered.
It’s a menu that suits the setting – relaxed, unfussy, and best enjoyed without watching the clock.
Across lunch and dinner, Head Chef Jakeal Hector and the kitchen team continue the coastal theme with a menu proudly featuring local seafood and quality regional produce.
TINTA’s location puts it within easy reach of some of NSW' best ingredients, and that connection to the region carries through to the drinks list. Hunter Valley wines feature prominently, supported by a selection from other Australian wine regions.
For groups or anyone who would prefer to leave the decisions to the kitchen, TINTA also offers Chef's Banquet and Feed Me experiences.
The Chef’s Banquet brings together a selection of menu and off-menu dishes designed to share, while the Feed Me menu changes regularly depending on what the kitchen team is excited about at the time. A vegan banquet is also available.
The food may bring you to TINTA, but it’s the combination of the waterfront outlook and genuinely relaxed atmosphere that will have you hanging around.
It’s an easy choice for a sunny breakfast, a seafood lunch with friends, sunset drinks, or a special dinner by the lake. The venue also lends itself naturally to birthdays, family celebrations, romantic meals, and larger events.
Whether you’re visiting Lake Macquarie or live just around the corner, TINTA is the kind of place that reminds you how good we have it here in the Hunter region – quality local produce, Hunter Valley wine, and one very impressive view.
“We’re pretty excited to announce that the tide is changing at TINTA.”
This new approach comes just in time as the weather starts warming up. TINTA’s new chapter is set to offer a relaxed and welcoming environment where everyone can enjoy Lake Macquarie from sunrise to sunset. Whether it’s a morning coffee with a view, lunch on the lawn, or cocktails on the deck, TINTA is ready to welcome guests to experience their new chapter.
