The new River Moruya menu will use local seafood. Photo: Peter Jones-Best.

The River Moruya has been sold, marking a new chapter for the long-running restaurant.

Peter Compton owned and ran the beloved institution for 18 years. Now, a new team is taking the reins and promising to reinvigorate the iconic South Coast restaurant.

Restaurateur Peter Jones-Best spent his early years in Moruya before heading to Sydney and pursuing a career in hospitality. He returned to the South Coast with chef Todd Milne to head up the team at the newly renovated Punt House at Batemans Bay in 2024.

They were looking to buy something local when a friend told them The River was for sale.

“It was too good an opportunity to pass up! It’s an iconic restaurant. I’ve eaten here a number of times over the years,”

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