Where to find Sydney’s best crepes
08 Feb 2023
08 Feb 2023
Sydney’s beachside ‘burb Coogee isn’t all just soft sandy stretches and stunning coastal walks…
It comes with beachy eateries, plenty of drinks, live music and good vibes flowing late into the night. Buzzing with life and activities, this thriving hotspot is as much of an attraction for party goers as it is for sun-seekers, families and cafe-hoppers. Here’s a list of some of the best places to eat and drink when you’re soaking up the sun in Coogee.
Little Jack Horner
Modern Australian
Image credit Little Jack Horner
A cosy spot off the sandy shores of Coogee Beach, Little Jack Horner is all comfortable beach-bar vibes. With live music on weekend nights, this wooden-floored, plant-hanging resto stays up late to serve crowd-pleasing “grub and grog” (as they call it).
You’ll find shared mezze plates of marinated olives, hummus and Turkish garlic bread alongside a selection of burgers, including everyone’s favourite the Southern fried chicken burger.
Taco and pizza options abound too, with a kids menu that comes with a soft drink and ice cream, making it great for family days out, though there are also plenty of drinks and cocktails for those only young at heart.
Dish Cult’s top pick: Tempura soft shell crab tacos ($28.90)
Coogee Pavilion
Mediterranean, Pizza, Burgers
Image credit Coogee Pavilion
Affectionately known as The Pav, this much-loved venue is split over multiple floors, each serving its own purpose. The ground floor is a great space for casual and lively get-togethers over fish and chips, while the middle floor is home to seafood fine diner Mimi’s. Upstairs there are a set of bars with fab sea views and breezy balconies.
Get into holiday mode on the ground floor. Decked out in bright and airy coastal colours, you’ll find crumbed fish burgers, chicken schnittys, beer-battered fish and chips and squink ink pasta.
There are heaps of pizzas for sharing, a raw bar with a daily sashimi platter and plenty of tasty salads for those getting into a healthy Coogee vibe. Don’t miss the Gaytime ‘dome’, butterscotch ice cream coated in milk chocolate and biscuit crumbs, you know, to balance the salad!
Dish Cult’s top pick: Gaytime ‘dome’ ($15)
Coogee’s Sugarcane has Southeast Asian fusion food covered. For the adventurous, there’s a “Trust Me” menu where the chef picks your dishes, but if you don’t have the stomach (or budget) for that, there’s plenty on the main menu to tempt you.
Go for the Aromatic fish baba curry cooked with market fish, tangy and refreshingly light Green papaya salad, or Crispy chicken in blood plum sauce served with rice.
Plates are generously portioned, intensely flavoured, and generally food-coma level of satisfying. Couple that with an elegantly styled interior and killer seaside views, and Sugarcane is a Coogee must-try.
Dish Cult’s top pick: Fish baba curry ($28)
Laid-back vibes and good food, beachside Barzura has it all. The multipurpose restaurant, bar and event space combo serves up eclectic modern Australian dishes with open air-dining for the full wind-in-your-hair and sea breeze experience. While it might be at the more expensive end of the price spectrum, it’s well worth it for the ambience and fun you’ll have eating here with mates.
Menus here change regularly as they feature seasonal produce. Expect the unexpected though, and amidst a menu of ricotta ravioli and pork ribs in a six hour sauce, and local black mussels with tomato, chilli and basil, you’ll also find Nasi goreng with chicken, bacon and a fried egg that can lay claim to being a Barzura classic.
The options are varied and you’ll find a truly eclectic mix of Asian-Australian dishes, as well as loads of brekkie choices like Shakshuka baked eggs and hotcakes with honeycomb butter, making this the perfect all-day dining destination.
Dish Cult’s top pick: Nasi goreng ($29)
Mimi’s, if you remember a few entries ago, is part of the Coogee Pavilion, but it might also be the best coastal fine dining experience you can have this side of Sydney.
Once you get over the initial shock that comes with fine dining prices, you’ll be in for a spectacular showcase of skill matched with fresh produce. The elegant, white-walled space with domed windows perfectly frames spectacular Coogee Beach just outside.
The menu is driven by the seasons, but expect beautifully executed meat and seafood dishes any time of year. Highlights include the handpicked spanner crab with chives and salted brioche, smoky BBQ pork belly rib with burnt tomatillo mole and Margra lamb cutlets with warm olives and rosemary.
Dish Cult’s top pick: BBQ pork belly rib, burnt tomatillo mole, lime ($56)
Heading to another Sydney suburb and want to know what’s good? Check out our guides to Pyrmont, Chatswood and Potts Point
