Guidebook for Ruse
Food Scene
The uninterrupted view over Whale Beach is breathtaking, and diners can admire it from the restaurant, terrace, or garden. Feast on the Fruits de Mer tiered seafood platter featuring the freshest local tiger prawns, oysters, marron, kingfish, and ocean trout. Or, when it’s on the menu, order the black linguini with New Zealand whitebait and chilli.
Just 50 minutes from Sydney, Jonah’s was built in 1929 by Constance Vidal as a roadhouse for the ladies and gents who would set off in their motorcars for weekend excursions. Today, it’s ever as fashionable, whether you’re sipping Champagne with oysters on the terrace or dining in the opulent restaurant.
Jonah’s Whale Beach
The uninterrupted view over Whale Beach is breathtaking, and diners can admire it from the restaurant, terrace, or garden. Feast on the Fruits de Mer tiered seafood platter featuring the freshest local tiger prawns, oysters, marron, kingfish, and ocean trout. Or, when it’s on the menu, order the black linguini with New Zealand whitebait and chilli.
Just 50 minutes from Sydney, Jonah’s was built in 1929 by Constance Vidal as a roadhouse for the ladies and gents who would set off in their motorcars for weekend excursions. Today, it’s ever as fashionable, whether you’re sipping Champagne with oysters on the terrace or dining in the opulent restaurant.
In a heritage beach house perched over one of Sydney’s most secluded surf beaches, Pilu is a Sardinian restaurant with breezy Hamptons style. Chef Giovanni and his partner Marilyn are the backbone of their wonderful staff. If I could, I would eat here every day.
I’ve never not ordered the suckling pig. You get a cross-section of the whole pig, from hind legs to belly, and it’s covered in rock salt to make that nice crackling skin. The dish is beautifully presented, too, with salsa verde, baby herbs, and romesco sauce. You’ll be dreaming about it for months.
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Pilu at Freshwater
Moore RoadIn a heritage beach house perched over one of Sydney’s most secluded surf beaches, Pilu is a Sardinian restaurant with breezy Hamptons style. Chef Giovanni and his partner Marilyn are the backbone of their wonderful staff. If I could, I would eat here every day.
I’ve never not ordered the suckling pig. You get a cross-section of the whole pig, from hind legs to belly, and it’s covered in rock salt to make that nice crackling skin. The dish is beautifully presented, too, with salsa verde, baby herbs, and romesco sauce. You’ll be dreaming about it for months.
Great pizza and Manly harbour views make this open-air, wood-finished hotspot a Sydney icon. There’s nothing better than croquettes, antipasto, and cocktails on the over-water deck on a warm summer night—unless you’re opposed to crowds, which this place can pull. After a couple of drinks, you won’t notice the fact that you can’t hear your own voice.
You can’t go wrong with any of their wood-fired pizzas, but the margherita and meatball are hits. My coffee addiction goes late into the evening, so I’d pair my pizza with an espresso martini and match the buzz of the crowd. Hugos’ version is sweet but balanced. It’s a little too easy to drink.
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Hugos
1 E EsplanadeGreat pizza and Manly harbour views make this open-air, wood-finished hotspot a Sydney icon. There’s nothing better than croquettes, antipasto, and cocktails on the over-water deck on a warm summer night—unless you’re opposed to crowds, which this place can pull. After a couple of drinks, you won’t notice the fact that you can’t hear your own voice.
You can’t go wrong with any of their wood-fired pizzas, but the margherita and meatball are hits. My coffee addiction goes late into the evening, so I’d pair my pizza with an espresso martini and match the buzz of the crowd. Hugos’ version is sweet but balanced. It’s a little too easy to drink.
Designed for families and catch-ups with friends, this Merivale-owned multistorey venue invites you to relax by the sea. Various eclectic spaces—pay attention to the museum-like stairwell—offer different types of cuisine, from pizza and raw seafood to tapas that you can share on the rooftop with spectacular vistas of Coogee Beach.
Complete with pétanque—similar to indoor bowls—a giant magnetic scrabble board on the wall, ping-pong tables, foosball, a bookshelf, and an in-house theatrette, the nautical-themed downstairs has kid entertainment covered. If the rugrats need to get outside, Coogee Beach is also very family-friendly.
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Coogee Pavilion
169 Dolphin StDesigned for families and catch-ups with friends, this Merivale-owned multistorey venue invites you to relax by the sea. Various eclectic spaces—pay attention to the museum-like stairwell—offer different types of cuisine, from pizza and raw seafood to tapas that you can share on the rooftop with spectacular vistas of Coogee Beach.
Complete with pétanque—similar to indoor bowls—a giant magnetic scrabble board on the wall, ping-pong tables, foosball, a bookshelf, and an in-house theatrette, the nautical-themed downstairs has kid entertainment covered. If the rugrats need to get outside, Coogee Beach is also very family-friendly.
I’m a fan of any business with a conscience, and the surfers behind this restaurant in Bronte Beach are champions of their community, the organic, and the biodynamic. The menu often boasts products from the kitchen garden out back—which also tends chickens and beehives—plus other local and ethical suppliers. I love the crispy squid salad.
If you’re coming for breakfast or lunch on the weekend, arrive early as there can be a long wait. You’re close to the Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk, so why not get up for sunrise and take an early stroll on the way?
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Three Blue Ducks
143 Macpherson StI’m a fan of any business with a conscience, and the surfers behind this restaurant in Bronte Beach are champions of their community, the organic, and the biodynamic. The menu often boasts products from the kitchen garden out back—which also tends chickens and beehives—plus other local and ethical suppliers. I love the crispy squid salad.
If you’re coming for breakfast or lunch on the weekend, arrive early as there can be a long wait. You’re close to the Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk, so why not get up for sunrise and take an early stroll on the way?
This lively spot on the Bondi Beach boardwalk is everything the weary traveller needs to kick-start their Sydney adventure. Great drinks and food—including plenty of vegan and gluten-free options courtesy of the health-conscious chef, Tom—in a spot that’s part Mexican fiesta, part beachy backyard, complete with coloured lights and weathered chairs.
There’s a real community vibe, and the ‘What’s On’ list reflects that. From Wednesday night jazz sessions to Sunday chill-out tunes with staff dishing out travelling tacos—canapés that waiters walk around with—plus surf films and special events, there’s always something cool happening here.
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The Bucket List
1 Queen Elizabeth DrThis lively spot on the Bondi Beach boardwalk is everything the weary traveller needs to kick-start their Sydney adventure. Great drinks and food—including plenty of vegan and gluten-free options courtesy of the health-conscious chef, Tom—in a spot that’s part Mexican fiesta, part beachy backyard, complete with coloured lights and weathered chairs.
There’s a real community vibe, and the ‘What’s On’ list reflects that. From Wednesday night jazz sessions to Sunday chill-out tunes with staff dishing out travelling tacos—canapés that waiters walk around with—plus surf films and special events, there’s always something cool happening here.
On the locals’ side of Bondi, this seafood-centric dining spot exemplifies beachside chic with giant paper lanterns swaying in the sea breeze. It’s an ideal vantage point for lunch, dinner, or anything in between. Start with the school prawns and king crab sliders followed by the whole fish of the day—which can easily feed three—and watermelon margaritas.
In addition to the watermelon margaritas, the sangria and lychee mojito pitchers are daydream-inducing as well as a good deal. If you prefer your booze frozen, consider a spiked popsicle or ‘frose’—frozen rosé—before you return to the beach.
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North Bondi Fish
120 Ramsgate AveOn the locals’ side of Bondi, this seafood-centric dining spot exemplifies beachside chic with giant paper lanterns swaying in the sea breeze. It’s an ideal vantage point for lunch, dinner, or anything in between. Start with the school prawns and king crab sliders followed by the whole fish of the day—which can easily feed three—and watermelon margaritas.
In addition to the watermelon margaritas, the sangria and lychee mojito pitchers are daydream-inducing as well as a good deal. If you prefer your booze frozen, consider a spiked popsicle or ‘frose’—frozen rosé—before you return to the beach.
A funky space with friendly bench seating that transitions nicely from lunch cafe to evening restaurant. The seasonal, produce-driven menu offers seafood and wine boards—charcuterie platters—as well as creative daily specials and, of course, an all-star wine list. With a location so close to Manly Beach, it’s a no-brainer for a casual night out.
The reasonably priced group banquet menus, from $30 to $55 per person, make life much easier if you’re coming with a large group. Pick your theme and price point, and book ahead.
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Manly Wine
13 S SteyneA funky space with friendly bench seating that transitions nicely from lunch cafe to evening restaurant. The seasonal, produce-driven menu offers seafood and wine boards—charcuterie platters—as well as creative daily specials and, of course, an all-star wine list. With a location so close to Manly Beach, it’s a no-brainer for a casual night out.
The reasonably priced group banquet menus, from $30 to $55 per person, make life much easier if you’re coming with a large group. Pick your theme and price point, and book ahead.
At this beachfront Japanese street-food restaurant and rooftop in Manly, you’ll undoubtedly want grilled meat, like pork or prawns, from the robata grill, which you can wash down with cheeky cocktails named Billy Idol or Purple Rain—yes, I’m a child of the ’80s. The former is frozen and the latter is served with skewered marshmallows.
A Sunday Session, with local and international DJs, is a great way to finish your weekend off right.
With salt in the air and the sea in your periphery, this is an awesome place to hang out with mates.
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Daniel San
55 N SteyneAt this beachfront Japanese street-food restaurant and rooftop in Manly, you’ll undoubtedly want grilled meat, like pork or prawns, from the robata grill, which you can wash down with cheeky cocktails named Billy Idol or Purple Rain—yes, I’m a child of the ’80s. The former is frozen and the latter is served with skewered marshmallows.
A Sunday Session, with local and international DJs, is a great way to finish your weekend off right.
With salt in the air and the sea in your periphery, this is an awesome place to hang out with mates.
Balmoral’s sheltered waters and a picture-perfect outlook of the Manly and Watsons Bay ‘Heads’—the gateway to the Sydney Harbour where the ocean flows in and out—make this contemporary Australian eatery a local favourite. Well, that and excellent prawns, escabeche, and fish of the day. The set menus and degustations aren’t cheap, but you get what you pay for.
If you’re on a budget, opt for the more moderately priced menu at the cafe next door. Come on a weekday or early on the weekend and enjoy a leisurely breakfast followed by a quiet walk on the beach.
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The Bathers' Pavilion Restaurant
4 The EsplanadeBalmoral’s sheltered waters and a picture-perfect outlook of the Manly and Watsons Bay ‘Heads’—the gateway to the Sydney Harbour where the ocean flows in and out—make this contemporary Australian eatery a local favourite. Well, that and excellent prawns, escabeche, and fish of the day. The set menus and degustations aren’t cheap, but you get what you pay for.
If you’re on a budget, opt for the more moderately priced menu at the cafe next door. Come on a weekday or early on the weekend and enjoy a leisurely breakfast followed by a quiet walk on the beach.
The first place to take guests for a meal in Bondi is Icebergs: a multilevel icon overlooking the famous beach and seawater swimming pool that’s so part of Sydney’s history. It’s part of my history too—I celebrated my twenty-first birthday here when the place was a decrepit old building! Now it’s revamped with terrific food to match the setting.
Before dinner, start with a boutique beer or mojito on the balcony and watch surfers ride into the sunset. I like the buildup of relaxing with friends with a drink before sitting down at the table. Plus, seeing Bondi light up at night feels a bit like Christmas.
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Icebergs Dining Room and Bar
1 Notts AveThe first place to take guests for a meal in Bondi is Icebergs: a multilevel icon overlooking the famous beach and seawater swimming pool that’s so part of Sydney’s history. It’s part of my history too—I celebrated my twenty-first birthday here when the place was a decrepit old building! Now it’s revamped with terrific food to match the setting.
Before dinner, start with a boutique beer or mojito on the balcony and watch surfers ride into the sunset. I like the buildup of relaxing with friends with a drink before sitting down at the table. Plus, seeing Bondi light up at night feels a bit like Christmas.
On the harbour side of Palm Beach, facing the Pittwater inlet, this breakfast and lunch cafe has a strong nautical vibe, complete with crab traps and a striped awning. The glassware is even stamped with an anchor—and so is the foam in your cappuccino, imprinted in chocolate. Sit on the wooden deck and savour that bacon and egg roll as the seaplanes fly in.
A quick walk up to the Barrenjoey Lighthouse, built out of local sandstone in 1881, is a fun way to start your day and to work off your breakfast. The shorter but steeper Smugglers Track is named after the customs officers who built the trail in 1850. The panorama of Palm Beach from the top is stunning.
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The Boathouse Palm Beach
On the harbour side of Palm Beach, facing the Pittwater inlet, this breakfast and lunch cafe has a strong nautical vibe, complete with crab traps and a striped awning. The glassware is even stamped with an anchor—and so is the foam in your cappuccino, imprinted in chocolate. Sit on the wooden deck and savour that bacon and egg roll as the seaplanes fly in.
A quick walk up to the Barrenjoey Lighthouse, built out of local sandstone in 1881, is a fun way to start your day and to work off your breakfast. The shorter but steeper Smugglers Track is named after the customs officers who built the trail in 1850. The panorama of Palm Beach from the top is stunning.