CRONULLA
12
Ham (Harry & Mario)
2
B4
Cronulla RSL
5
B4
Opah Restaurant and Cocktail Bar
7
B3
Sealevel Restaurant
B3
& SURROUNDS 2017 SYDNEY
13
Nulla Nulla
A4
There’s no denying that this glass-walled eatery has helped put Cronulla on the food map. With a focus on Mod-Aus cuisine and freshly caught seafood, Sealevel combines elevated cooking techniques with unsurpassed views of the coastline from every table. Just as good as the view is head chef Nathan Allouche’s menu. Changing every two weeks, the menu reflects the freshest ingredients of the season, with past dishes including seared North Atlantic scallops, barbecued chermoula snapper fillets or pan fried green lobster tail.
Is this the most beautiful RSL in all the land? Located on the sandy shoreline of Cronulla beach with panoramic ocean views, it very well could be. Head inside to discover a host of venues for whatever your heart desires. The Ocean View café is a go-to for a light breakfast or lunch. The sun-filled Watergrill restaurant offers deck or sunroom seating alongside refreshing fare like Sydney rock oysters, mezze plates, and spicy seafood laksa, complete with prawns, scallops, mussels, fish and Asian greens. Those looking for a drink are spoiled for choice, with five bars to visit, including the marble-accented Main Bar or the pop up pirate-themed Arr! Bar.
An original in the area’s burgeoning food scene, this beachside café has an extensive menu with a focus on locally sourced seasonal produce. Drop by for their Big Wave breakfast – made with the hungriest of surfers in mind, it lives up to its name, with sausage, bacon, eggs, hash brown, baked beans, grilled tomato and sautéed mushrooms; and don’t miss one of the cafe’s famed ‘grande’ coffees. For lunch, the menu is fresh and flavourful: try the pan-fried crispy skinned Atlantic salmon served on a Mediterranean salad, all just a short stroll from Cronulla beach.
2 Kingsway, Cronulla. T: 9523 8888
75 Cronulla St, Cronulla. T: 9544 3239
38 Gerrale St, Cronulla. T: 9523 6833
8
Summer Salt Restaurant
With incredible views along Cronulla’s famous beach, Summer Salt combines modern dining and a sophisticated beach atmosphere. The contemporary Australian menu, designed by executive chef and owner Carl Jensen, emphasises fresh produce sourced from the best local suppliers. Start with the soft shell crab with grilled pineapple, fennel and curry aioli, followed by the duck with celeriac, nashi pear and raspberry vinaigrette. For dessert, don’t miss the perfectly light pear soufflé served with cinnamon ice cream. Wash that down with one of their bespoke cocktails, like a fruity mix of Chambord, mango liqueur, vodka, fresh strawberries and passionfruit.
This family-run café makes the most of its location: just a block back from the beach, loyal locals flock here post surf or morning swim. The recently updated fit-out, with floor-toceiling windows and shelves overflowing with leafy plants, means you’ll want to stay a while. With a heavy emphasis on Greek flavours and secret family recipes passed down through generations, the dishes here are the perfect balance of comfort food and fresh ingredients – all lovingly whipped up in the kitchen by Mama Kapoulas. Start the day with Harry & Mario’s famed in-house coffee, and tuck into deconstructed gyros made with 12hour slow roasted lamb shoulder - almost as good as a plane ticket to the Mediterranean. Shop 3/17, Gerrale St, Cronulla. T: 8521 7219
15
The Portuguese Bakery
16
F5
1
This café-meets-restaurant-meets-bar is the highly anticipated second act from the Allouche family, whose first Cronulla venture, mod-Aus restaurant Sealevel, continues to draw rave reviews. Head to Next Door for a more casual experience. Here, you can sip on Will & Co coffee of a morning, tuck into a maple pork panini at lunch, or settle in for a languorous dinner accompanied by a blood orange and coconut margarita. It may be the new kid on the block, but this eatery and bar is quickly making its mark. Shop 2, 4-6 Kingsway, Cronulla. T: 9544 2267
7
Level 1, corner of Kingsway & Gerrale St, Cronulla. T: 9544 3133
9
The Nun’s Pool
3
B6
Gerrale St. Kitchen
B4
10
Sealevel
B3
Audley Dance Hall & Café
1908
A4
4
103 Ewos Pde, Cronulla. T: 9523 3395
Bianco Nero
G5
16
Hazelhurst Café
14
F5
This Gymea café with cult following is an ode to the coffee bean. Find custom blends made in conjunction with the famed Single O roasters. Don’t miss the spiced avocado and feta on sourdough for breakfast.
Set inside the grounds of Hazelhurst Regional Gallery and Arts Center, this superb, fully licensed casual dining venue is one of Sutherland Shire’s best kept secrets for breakfast, lunch or afternoon snack.
1/44 Gymea Bay Rd, Gymea. T: 9531 4443
782 Kingsway, Gymea T: 8536 5755
Set amongst 1.4 hectares of beautifully landscaped gardens, this spectacular arts complex boasts public galleries, an arts centre, modern theatrette, original Hazelhurst cottage with artist-in-residence and a lively, buzzing café. With a regularly changing exhibition program, there is always something new and inspiring to see. The carefully curated gallery shop offers a selection of finely crafted ceramics, jewellery, glassware, textiles and more. A favourite destination for families as well as serious art connoisseurs, this high calibre gallery is well worth a visit. 782 Kingsway, Gymea. T: 8536 5700
Pilgrims
10
B4
Vegetarians of the South Coast have long heralded the siren call of this café, which has served up plant-based dishes for close to forty years. For breakfast, opt for the homemade granola served with yoghurt, mixed berries and local honey, or grab a hearty marinated tofu burger with peanut sauce for lunch. There are also Mexican-inspired plates on offer. To drink, you’ll find Single O coffee and freshly squeezed orange, apple, strawberry and banana juices, ideal for a post-surf snack.
1/15 Surf Rd, Cronulla. T: 9544 5360
4/15 Surf Road, Cronulla. T: 0403 844 533
D1
97 Gerrale St, Cronulla. T: 9523 7580
Cronulla’s rejuvenated food precinct is full of delectable options, but this day-to-night eatery and bar is a must. With interiors by design powerhouse H&E (also responsible for the look of Woollahra icon Chiswick), it has an elevated aesthetic of light timber, leather seats, and lush ferns hanging from the ceiling. Though the menu changes with the seasons, some current standouts include zucchini & corn fritters with bacon, poached eggs, avocado and relish as well as bug meat linguini or wood-fired lamb shoulder for dinner. To drink, you’ll find classic cocktails, wines on tap and plenty of Australian drops available by the bottle or glass. 19-21 Gerrale St, Cronulla. T: 9523 4111
Royal National Park Visitor Centre
D1
The second oldest national park in the world, the Royal National Park encompasses an area of more than 150 square kilometres. If you’re planning a visit, your first stop should be the Visitor Centre, where you can tap into the knowledge and expertise of local staff to make your visit nothing less than a roaring success. Here you’ll find maps, information on walking tracks, personal recommendations on things to do and a fabulous range of gifts, food and supplies for your visit. You can also purchase your NSW national parks annual pass from the Visitor Centre. 2 Lady Carrington Dr, The Royal National Park, Audley. T: 9542 0648
A4
This buzzing café is very much the heart of the Cronulla community. Coffee is taken very seriously here: enjoy an Italian espresso, a Spanish cortado or a Turkish coffee brewed by a team of experts.
2 Lady Carrington Dr, The Royal National Park, Audley. T: 9542 6222
11
Grind Espresso
Situated in the heart of Cronulla, this sophisticated restaurant is set within the splendid architecture of a former church, with interiors designed by the famed interior stylist Sibella Court.
Wind your way through the entrance to the Royal National Park and you’ll stumble upon Audley Dance Hall, a heritage-listed dance hall surrounded by native bushland, the Hacking River and a huge lawn out front for the kids to play. Upstairs is a haven for weddings and vibrant functions, while downstairs you’ll find a newly minted café, complete with a wholesome, seasonally focused menu. Try the crisp grilled haloumi and egg roll with house relish for breakfast or the orecchiette pasta with slow braised lamb shoulder ragu for lunch. Fancy a picnic near the water? Their helpful staff can arrange a beautiful hamper for you.
Few cafés can truly claim an uninterrupted beachside location, but gaze out from the balcony at The Nun’s Pool and you’ll be greeted by a stretch of pristine sand and ocean as far as the eye can see. Here, the region’s best and freshest produce takes centre stage, with dishes like sweetcorn fritters with smoked salmon for breakfast, Mediterranean-inspired braised lamb shoulder served with beetroot hummus, or chargrilled King prawns with fresh greens and zesty citrus yoghurt for lunch.
18 Gymea Bay Rd, Gymea. T: 0416 455 339
Pristine stretches of beach, bushlands, exquisite eateries, casual cafés, shopping, fun events, and so much more; immerse yourself in the local culture and discover this unexpected gem on your next escape. To find out more, visit visittheshire.com.au
Hazelhurst Regional Gallery and Arts Centre
B3
A mainstay in the community for over 15 years, this family-run business is a local favourite that’s right in touch with Mediterranean flavours. The beachside view and charming service are complemented by light mezze, ideal for sharing. Otherwise, a healthy appetite will be no challenge for Opah’s famous Greek yum cha, which features over 12 dishes that can be reordered at no extra cost (and you’re welcome to BYO wine, too). Tuck into Mediterranean dips, grilled haloumi, flash fried calamari, 16-hour spit roasted lamb and more. Drinks wise, grab a jug of red passionfruit sangria, have an espresso martini, or choose a wine from a small but carefully curated list, and sip away on the picturesque balcony.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that a Portuguese bakery is creating some of Sydney’s best Portuguese tarts (the lines out the door are testament to that fact). Made to a traditional recipe, this bakery’s custard tarts are heaven to the sweet toothed, and are also available in salted caramel or chocolate flavours. And there’s plenty more on offer here, with macarons in every colour of the rainbow, muffins, and freshly made sandwiches – think double roasted chicken with all the trimmings – served on freshly baked rolls, baked to Nanna’s own recipe.
VISIT ‘THE SHIRE’ The Sutherland Shire is a natural oasis just a short 25km from the Sydney CBD.
66 Mitchell Rd, Cronulla. T: 9523 2366
G5
Next Door
6
C2
10
Audley Dance Hall
D1