The Best Waterfront Venues in Sydney to Check Out This Summer
Feel the ocean breeze on your skin as you settle into a lazy afternoon or balmy summer evening at these top venues with coastal views.
In Sydney, we're a lucky bunch — it's reliably balmy all year round, and we have hundreds of beachfront bars and restaurants to drink and dine in. So, enjoy another summer brunch, spritz or bowl of fresh seafood spaghetti at these beachfront venues. And, if it does rain, all these spots have undercover areas where you can still enjoy the coastal views, whatever the weather.
Recommended Reads
Sydney's Best Coastal Walks
The Most Secluded Beaches in Sydney
The Best Things to Do in Sydney (That You've Probably Never Heard Of)
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RestaurantFelons Seafood
East Esplanade, Manly
The Queensland brewery has opened a sprawling 300-seat restaurant at Manly Wharf serving seafood platters, salt and vinegar martinis and a tap pouring Australia's coldest beer.
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RestaurantFabbrica Bread Shop Coogee
214 Coogee Bay Road, Coogee
You can now enjoy this fan-favourite bread shop at its new beachside location, complete with new delights and Roman-inspired treats.
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RestaurantFat Pomelo
16 Ocean Street, Narrabeen
The northern beaches just scored a new go-to destination for hearty pan-Asian cuisine in a dining room with a citrus-inspired design.
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RestaurantMeribella
Pine Tree Lane, Terrigal
This sun-soaked Terrigal restaurant boasts spectacular oceanfront views and a Head Chef with Michelin star cred.
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CafeCASA by The Boathouse
1 Beach Road, Palm Beach
A new pop-up has come to life in the space within its existing Palm Beach homewares store.
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RestaurantBobbys Cronulla
6R The Esplanade, Cronulla
Cronulla's Mediterranean-inspired all-day diner celebrates seafood just metres from the ocean.
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RestaurantSt Siandra
Parriwi Road, Mosman
The Spit's newest waterfront venue brings the Mediterranean to you with flavourful dishes and beachfront views.
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BarNorth Bondi RSL Club
120 Ramsgate Avenue, North Bondi
Either spend a long sunny day out on the terrace or head inside to eat, drink and watch the footy with a bunch of rowdy sports lovers.
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RestaurantPromenade Bondi Beach
4 Queen Elizabeth Drive, Bondi Beach
Enjoy nostalgic cocktails, flavoursome seafood and takeaway coffee at this multi-dimensional beachside venue.
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CafeGlory Days Bondi
3 Queen Elizabeth Drive, Bondi Beach
This sibling cafe to the beloved North Sydney spot brings an all-day menu and European summer holiday energy to the Bondi Pavilion.
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PubCoogee Bay Hotel
253 Coogee Bay Road, Coogee
A beachside pub that's been a part of the community for 150 years.
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BarCurly Lewis Brewing Co
102-106 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach
Bondi's first official brewery bar comes equipped with hazy beers and classic beachside pub grub.
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RestaurantPaper Daisy
21 Cypress Crescent, Cabarita Beach
Eat double-hatted fare overlooking the Tasman Sea.
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CafePasture of Balmoral
51 The Esplanade, Mosman
A beachside cafe slinging homemade honeyed crumpets and cocktails.
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BarDiggies Cafe
1 Cliff Road, Wollongong
A Wollongong institution serving all-day brunch right on the beach.
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RestaurantSealevel
2 Kingsway, Cronulla
Let panoramic ocean views be the backdrop at your next special occasion.
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BarCronulla RSL Club
38R Gerrale Street, Cronulla
Enjoy views over South Cronulla Beach from the terrace with a cocktail in hand.
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CafeCabana Beach Kiosk
1200 Pittwater Road, Narrabeen
Head here for a beer and a burger for $20 on Thursdays.
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BarStay Grounded Cafe & Diner
1073 Pittwater Road, Collaroy
Pop in for an early morning coffee or stay late for a cocktail on weekends.
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RestaurantCafe Bondi
286 Campbell Parade, North Bondi
Find cafe classics, vegan treats and breakfast cocktails within walking distance of the beach at this new eastern suburbs spot.
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BarEstate Coogee Beach
Crowne Plaza, 242 Arden Street, Coogee
This four-in-one venue has a taco joint and a hidden karaoke room.
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RestaurantThe Pines Cronulla
1 McDonald Street, Cronulla
This Hamptons-inspired restaurant is located right by the water in Cronulla.
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RestaurantShutters
242 Arden Street, Coogee
Breathe in the salty air of Coogee Beach and tuck into an Italian feast at this lounge bar with a Miami aesthetic.
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RestaurantMimi's
130a Beach Street, Coogee
This restaurant at Coogee Pavilion serves bumps of caviar and hand-rolled pipi pasta — and has its own cocktail bar.
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RestaurantPasadena Sydney
1858 Pittwater Road, Church Point
A 1930s waterfront restaurant, bar and hotel.
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CafeThe Boatshed La Perouse
1609 Anzac Parade, La Perouse
Go for a dip then down oysters a plenty at this beachside cafe in La Perouse.
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RestaurantBathers' Pavilion
4 The Esplanade, Mosman
Balmoral's historic beachside spot has scored a makeover and a terrace champagne bar.
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RestaurantBondi Trattoria
34 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach
Bondi's long-running, all-day Italian diner.
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CafeSunflower Lounge
37A Spofforth Street, Mosman
A sunny Mosman cafe doing great coffee and croque monsieurs.
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CafeThe Boathouse Hotel Patonga
8 Patonga Drive, Patonga
Here, you can enjoy vibrant fare — from breakfast through dinner — and frozen watermelon margaritas right on the water.
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RestaurantCorretto Dee Why
Shop 1/24 The Strand, Dee Why
An all-day diner located a stone's throw from the beach in northern Sydney.
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RestaurantSunset Sabi
28 Pittwater Road, Manly
Watch the sun go down with some killer sushi rolls at one of the best places to eat Japanese food in Sydney.
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CafeThe Boathouse Shelly Beach
1 Marine Parade, Manly
The north shore's favourite restaurant venue group has a delightful accessible-only-by-foot spot at Shelly Beach.
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BarWatsons Bay Boutique Hotel
1 Military Road, Watsons Bay
Stripy umbrellas, schoolyard benches and tres cute Breton-striped waitstaff add to the beachside charm.
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BarNorth Bondi Fish
120 Ramsgate Avenue, North Bondi
North Bondi Italian's old home takes on a casual vibe and a fresh, coast-inspired menu.
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BarSake Restaurant and Bar Manly
Level One, Manly Wharf, West Esplanade, Manly
A breezy indoor-outdoor Japanese restaurant in Sydney with views out over Manly Cove.
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RestaurantNeptunes
87 The Grand Parade, Brighton-Le-Sands
Brighton Le Sands' stalwart all-day eatery has had a multimillion-dollar revamp.
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RestaurantEl Camino Cantina Manly
Manly Wharf Rooftop, West Esplanade, Manly
A colourful rooftop Tex-Mex joint in Manly with giant cocktails and a cactus garden.
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BarManly Wharf Hotel
East Esplanade, Manly
Enjoy a pint on the water's edge in this old and faithful Manly pub.
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BarIcebergs Dining Room and Bar
1 Notts Avenue, Bondi Beach
Waterside food and views worth a million bucks.
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BarThe Collaroy
1064 Pittwater Road, Collaroy
The northern beaches boozer was acquired by Merivale and reopened all shiny and new.
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CafeThe Boathouse Balmoral
2 The Esplanade, Balmoral Beach, Balmoral
Feel how a billionaire feels when they eat their breakfast.
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CafePilu Baretto
Moore Road, Freshwater
Finish your beach experience off with negronis, spritzers, oysters and salumi.
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RestaurantSean's
270 Campbell Parade, North Bondi
Still the master of the basics, Sean's is one for the bucket list.
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BarManly Wine
8-13 South Steyne, Manly
Head to the beach without hitting the sand in this chic beach house by the sea.
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BarHotel Ravesis
118 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach
The Campbell Parade mainstay has had a flamingo-pink makeover.
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Bar
Coogee Pavilion Rooftop
169 Dolphin St, Coogee
Life's a beach at the imaginative Coogee Pavilion's beachfront rooftop bar.
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RestaurantChiosco by Ormeggio
The Jetty, D'Albora Marina, The Spit, Upper Spit Road, Mosman
First-rate Italian food on a jetty. What moor could you want?
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BarNarrabeen Sands Hotel
1260 Pittwater Road, Narrabeen
Pub food and live music right on the beach.
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BarNorthies Cronulla Hotel
Cnr Kingsway And Elouera, Cronulla
Cronulla's beloved party pub and daytime dining spot.
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RestaurantPilu at Freshwater
Moore Road, Freshwater
A two-hatted, waterside affair on the northern beaches.
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CafeRollers Bakehouse
19 Rialto Lane, Manly
A pastel pink beachside bakehouse with some of Sydney's best croissants.
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RestaurantBarrenjoey House
1108 Barrenjoey Road, Palm Beach
The heritage-listed restaurant and guesthouse has been taken over by The Boathouse Group.
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RestaurantSunset Diner
41 Old Barrenjoey Road, Avalon Beach
A millennial pink, Miami-inspired 'shake shack' on the northern beaches.
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BarBeach Burrito Bondi
252 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach
A bucketful of icy Coronas? $10 frozen margaritas? Beachside location? Consider our arms twisted.
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CafeBecker & Co
162 Avoca Drive, Avoca Beach
A worthwhile pit stop for brunch and coffee in Avoca Beach.
You can find Abbott’s Bakery products at all major supermarkets — and discover more tasty Sandwich recipes at Abbotts.com/recipes.
Top image: Steven Woodburn