Scout’s Suburb Guide To Engadine
A leafy gem at the southern end of the Shire
Ari’s
Despite being quiet and leafy, Engadine is one of the largest suburbs in Sydney. Bordering the Royal National Park and Heathcote National Park, it’s the ideal place from which to escape to nature. But, bustling and lively, its centre is also full of fantastic cafes and eateries, gorgeous parks, and even a brewery.
We’ve rounded up the top 11 things to do in Engadine to help you plan your next visit.
The top 11 things to do in Engadine
Almo
A marriage of Italian cuisine and Eastern European influence, Almo is the coming together of two upbringings and cultures with one important thing in common: a love of good food. Inspired by meals shared around the family table, the menu is primarily delicious pizza accompanied by a selection of delicious share-style starters, pasta dishes and dessert. And, good news, they’re not ashamed to add pineapple to their Hawaiian. The drinks list features beer, wine, and signature cocktails. Cin cin!
2/10 Waratah Road
Ari’s Deli
Everyone loves a good sandwich, and Ari’s makes them all day, every day. Alongside cafe classics, the specialty here is deli-style, full-to-the-brim sandwiches made on house-baked focaccia. Favourites include Mortadella, Springtime, Meatball and Prosciutto Italy, but if these don’t tickle your fancy, there are another eight options to choose from. Or, if sandwiches aren’t so much your speed, you can peruse the house-made hot meals and plates.
1067 Old Princes Highway
Cornerstone Cafe
Cosied up next door to Almo and owned by the same duo, Cornerstone Cafe is a much-loved local coffee spot. Its all-day menu features favourites like a classic B&E Roll, Chorizo Scrambled and Ricotta Hotcakes, while Steam Brothers specialty coffee keeps the caffeine flowing. Warm, welcoming and consistently good, it’s the kind of neighbourhood cafe locals return to time and time again.
3/10 Waratah Road
Aura Recovery
Engadine’s answer to total-body wellness, the beautifully designed Aura Recovery Studio is a recent addition to the local scene. Blending science-backed recovery with a calm, spa-like setting, the focus here is on helping clients feel their best through contrast therapy, cryofloat, red light therapy and Normatec compression boots. Alongside its impressive range of recovery services, Aura also offers yoga, meditation, Pilates and breathwork classes.
65 Station Street
Dose
The twin venue of Jannali’s much-loved cafe of the same name (now sadly closed) and sister venue of Oyster Bay’s George, Dose in Engadine is a community favourite. Specialty coffee and a self-described “small but mighty menu” take the lead in this cosy cafe that encourages a daily dose of goodness. Toasties, baked goodies and breaky bites go hand-in-hand with an excellent selection of coffee, plus kids’ shakes and Dose-made juices. All enjoyed in a sunny backstreet - pure perfection.
2/37-39 Cambrai Avenue
LOAF
A hands-full, whole-mouth experience, the sandwiches at LOAF need to be seen to be believed. Packed (and we mean PACKED) full of fresh ingredients, this hit, next-level sandwich joint first opened in Cronulla before landing in the leafy streets of Engadine. Founded on a love of good bread, big flavours and proper-sized portions, these are well worth wrapping your lips around. Favourites include the Schnity, Deluxe Salad and the Hambo. Choose from brown or white bread, make it a wrap or bowl if you’d rather, or choose from the team’s breakfast menu, jaffles or rolls if that’s more your vibe.
Shop 55/990 Old Princes Highway
Big Red Cafe
It’s not easy to get an almost 5-star rating on Google, but Engadine’s Big Red Cafe has done it - and for many good reasons. While the service, burgers, milkshakes and scrambled eggs are totally top-notch, the real standout here is the Bacon and Egg roll. So much so that we’d go so far as to say that they’re locally famous for it. The classic goes for under $10, which, in today’s economy, is a huge win. Or if you’re willing to splash an extra six bucks, you can level up to what they’re terming the GOAT of breakfast rolls: avo, hashbrown, bacon with sriracha sauce, aioli and egg served on a milk bun, aka the B&E 2.0.
13 Station Street
Cooper Street Reserve
It’s not just eateries that have Engadine sitting comfortably as one of the Shire’s most-visited ‘burbs. Just off the highway sits recently renovated Cooper Street Reserve - a huge, grassy park with plenty for the whole family to enjoy: a brand-new, purpose-built accessible playground, circuit pathway, Active Youth Precinct, picnic tables and BBQs, and beautiful trees and open areas for play. Oh, and even dogs are allowed, provided they’re on a leash.
1148 Old Princes Highway
Engadine Tavern
Nothing beats a good old local Tav, and Engadine’s is no different. Owned by Feros, who have brought us The Prince, The Botanical, Helm Bar and the beautiful Parc Pavilion, you can guarantee Engadine Tavern is held to the same exceptional standards. The menu features all of the classics, plus daily lunch and dinner deals, while the drinks are a blend of signature cocktails, great wines and, of course, beer on tap.
50 Station Street
Engadine Markets
Held on the second Saturday of every month from 8:00am until 1:00pm, rain, hail or shine, Engadine markets are a coming together of the community’s best in boutique design. Just a few blocks from the station, the markets are incredibly accessible and an easy stop off on the way to or from many of the fabulous aforementioned eateries.
Between Old Princes Highway and Caldarra Avenue
Slim Pickin’s Brewhouse
Last, but definitely not least, Slim Pickin’s Brewhouse. A small-scale operation, the friendly team here are passionate about creating unique-tasting beers that are on regular rotation. Cosy up in the loft booths or sit in the sun downstairs while you sip on a cold one and enjoy a burger, tex mex feast or hotdog from the in-house food truck. Dogs are welcome too!
5 Mianga Avenue
