Bondi might be the star in Sydney’s beach repertoire but there’s a stretch of sand that (we think) is just as striking and won’t make you cringe from the crowds.
Located between the ultra-hip cliffside hangout of Gordons Bay and the easy-going chill of Maroubra, Coogee Beach hits that sweet spot of down-to-earth locals and up-market and interesting venues.
Now that’s summer’s on its way and in the spirit of shining more of a light on our home town of Sydney, here’s our foodie guide to dining your way around Coogee – from one side of the beach to the other.
Barzura
62 Carr Street, Coogee Beach, NSW
+61 2 9665 5546
Almost as iconic as the beach itself, no self-respecting Coogee dweller completes an early soft sand run without a almond latte and a bircher from Barzura. This place is a hit with locals and tourists alike meaning there’s often a short wait on the weekend. The trade-off? Those unsurpassed views across the golden sand and Pacific Ocean to keep you occupied while you hunt for a table.
Coogee Pavilion
169 Dolphin Street, Coogee Beach, Sydney, NSW
+61 2 92403000
It seems there’s not much that multi-million dollar Merivale Group can conjure up that doesn’t turn into spun gold and the renovation of Coogee Pavilion is no exception. Two years ago the former Beach Palace underwent a transformation of truly mind-blowing proportions, shedding the creepy poker machines and blaring TV sets for a multi-storey fun-house that caters to every set of the Coogee community.
There’s the more family-friendly ping-pong tables and wood-fired pizzas on the ground floor and a over 18 only haven upstairs, boasting a curious decor of specimen cabinets, birds of paradise murals and ultimate views at sundown.
Sugarcane
Shop 1, 56 Carr Street, Coogee Beach, Sydney, NSW
+61 2 92811788
It’s not hard to find an asian fusion restaurant in Sydney but when it comes to Sugarcane is the thought that really counts. This isn’t just about crowd-pleasing flavours and a price point to match (although admittedly that is part of the appeal), chef and owner Milan Strbac creates dishes that reach well beyond the traditional.
Celebrating its beachside neighbourhood, Strbac set his sights firmly set on seafood and it’s a bonafide crime to visit and not devour the scallop ceviche with lime and chilli. Come here on a Friday night, hide away amongst the hanging gardens and pretend you’re in Phuket for a few hours.
Love Poke
55 Dudley Street, Coogee Beach, Sydney, NSW
+61 2 9664 8643
Sticking to seafood for a minute, let’s all take a minute digest the fact that Coogee is home to its very own eatery dedicated wholly and completely to the wonder that is poke (pronounced p-oh-kay). If you’re not familiar with this piece of traditional Hawaiian heaven, it’s raw fresh salmon cut into cubes, splashed with soy sauce, a dash of salt, and layered with sesame oil and spring onions.
To put it simply, it’s basically Summer in a bowl and so it makes sense that it’s the go-to craving of Coogee locals. Just never thought we’d see and entire restaurant dedicated to it… but this is then again, this is the beach that the Virgin Mary selected for a spot of sight-seeing so stranger things have happened.
Little Jack Horner
270-274 Coogee Bay Road, Coogee, Sydney, NSW
+61 2 9665 5160
It feels like Little Back Horner has always been nestled into the the corner of Coogee Bay Road and Arden Street, when in reality it’s only been about a year but that’s exactly how owners BJ and Brooke McHatton planned it all along. Decked out in colourful Florida Keys-style shutters, palms, Balinese wood and clean white tiling, it’s as though they’ve tapped into every Coogee-ians interior fantasy and brought it to life.
But it’s not all style over substance, many hungry beachgoing bellies have revelled in Little Jack’s ethos of being ‘a bar that serves food’, ending a hard week with a serving of the legendary wagyu beef sliders and a uninterrupted views over the ocean. There’s little wonder it’s normally packed on Friday nights.
