8 Seaside Eateries To Try In The Shire
Where views are just as delicious as the menu
Benny’s Restaurant, Gunnamatta Bay
Good company, great wine, fabulous food. Throw in a glittering expanse of watery glory and you’ve got yourself the ideal dining experience - and one that is quintessentially Australian.
As a coastal locale, the Shire enjoys more than a handful of foodie hot spots where the view is equally as delicious as the menu. Yep, if you’re looking to dine somewhere with an in-built soundtrack of waves, the scent of salt in the air and a backdrop of sandy shorelines, your search ends here. Read on to discover Scout’s pick of eight seaside eateries and waterfront restaurants in the Sutherland Shire.
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8 Waterfront Restaurants To Try In The Sutherland Shire
Pippi’s
Pippis, the waterfront eatery from the team behind The Grounds of Alexandria, brings Mediterranean inspiration to the prestigious Calico Marina with ease. It’s the perfect blend of Euro summer energy and unmistakable Shire charm - and an equally perfect meeting spot for you and your besties. Settle in under vintage-style umbrellas, sip your favourite BYO wine, and graze on pizzas, seafood and all the sun-soaked classics that make long lunches here feel like a mini holiday.
Benny’s
Nestled under the shady canopy of eucalypts sits fresh-on-the-scene Benny’s, a Mediterranean meets Australian restaurant that boasts both the finesse of fine dining and the casual homeliness and candid unfussiness of great, honest produce. The textured interiors are calming, the staff are friendly, the cocktail list is refined, and the peaceful views of Gunnamutta Bay are unmatched. Where menu picks are concerned, we highly recommend the Corn Ribs with Curry Leaf Butter, and advise against skipping on the Benny’s Donut to finish.
Sealevel
Butting up against the sand of North Cronulla Beach, it doesn’t get much closer to the seaside than Sealevel. Any seasoned Shire-sider will be familiar with Sealevel, but for those who aren’t, picture a menu with French and Italian influences that heroes seafood served in a light-and-bright space with floor to ceiling views of the ocean. Not ones to shy away from a challenge, the team behind Sealevel change the menu every two weeks - so each time brings forth a completely different culinary journey.
Summer Salt
Perched above the sand at Elouera Beach, Summer Salt has long been a Shire favourite, and its recent makeover has only dialled up the appeal. The refreshed space is bold, bright and unashamedly coastal, with every seat making the most of those ocean views. As for the food, it’s contemporary Italian, with plenty of seafood across the menu, including Chargrilled WA Octopus and Seppia Linguine.
Dining with a group? The Sea Set Banquet ($79pp) is the way to go. Think burrata, calamari fritti, casarecce pasta, Cone Bay barramundi and a limoncello tiramisù to finish.
Next Door
Casual cafe meets relaxed fine dining at Next Door, little sister to the more refined Sealevel. Being nestled beside the flagship venue, Next Door enjoys similar North Cronulla Beach views, where sea breezes are able to gently pass through their big, bi-fold doors. The menu is designed to be enjoyed however you like; share with your S.O., a group of friends, or pick your favourite main all to yourself. The choice is yours.
Bobby’s
With its rattan-filled interiors, beachfront location and easy vibe, Bobby’s practically broke social media when it landed in Cronulla in late 2023. And it’s still going strong. Designed by esteemed architecture firm Tom Mark Henry, founded by the duo behind Bangor Tavern, Kylie and Adam Miloca, and helmed by Pablo Tordesillas (ex-Otto and Tottis) and Shaun Baker (Pier, Yan Restaurant and Bills), Bobby’s had a winning formula down pat from the start. As you soak up the views, we suggest dipping into the expertly-crafted cocktail menu, which features summery standouts like the Offshore, as well as a dedicated list of margies.
Bianchini’s
Bianchini’s is a Shire staple, known for its two much-loved locations at Elouera Beach and Gymea Village. While both serve up the kind of reliable, feel-good food locals return for time and time again, it’s the Elouera Beach café that truly wins hearts with its relaxed, surf-club-inspired atmosphere and sweeping ocean views. From all-day brunch favourites to fresh lunch picks and rotating daily specials, the menu strikes the perfect balance between nostalgic and elevated. Whether you’re grabbing a post-swim coffee or settling in for a long, lazy seaside meal, Bianchini’s delivers that effortless coastal charm every time.
Cronulla RSL
Although Cronulla RSL comprises several restaurants and bars, they all have one thing in common: stellar views of the beach. The recently revamped menu and refurbishment of the venue’s most prominent areas have brought it firmly to the forefront of the Shire foodie scene, where classics like schnitzels and parmies sit alongside salmon gravlax. Best of all are their two-hour bottomless sessions start from $95pp and include a lineup of crowd-favourite cocktails and more.
Posted: November 2024