Where to eat in Coogee
Updated: 4 days ago
A local's guide to good food
Confession: I originally wrote this guide for guests staying at my home while I am away travelling. To the extent it helps others discover great cafés and restaurants in Coogee, that is a welcome bonus. For those who are new to Australia I start with a short history of how Coogee's food scene has evolved and provide an overview of Australia's unique dining out culture. If you already know all this, feel free to skip directly to my recommendations.
A short history of Coogee's food scene
I moved to Coogee at the formative age of 26. The year was 2010 and I had just bought my first home a hop, skip and a jump away from Coogee Beach. Unlike its upmarket cousins–Bronte, Tamarama and Bondi–Coogee had a mixed reputation back then.
Coogee was very much a backpacker joint. Brazilian and English backpackers dominated the scene, gathering at the beach to party, play drums or walk their slacklines. Coogee also had a rough pub scene. The police would be out in force from Friday to Sunday, patrolling the streets in front of the Coogee Bay Hotel.
The cafés and restaurants left much to be desired, as they catered primarily to the backpacker crowd. Completing the downtrodden image was the Coogee Pavilion, which sat crumbling at the north end of the beach.
The 26-year-old me, however, did not mind one bit, for it meant that I could afford to buy a home in this rustic piece of paradise! Also, there was never a dull moment to be had.
Fast forward 16 years, and the once down-to-earth beachside village that catered to backpackers has become rather posh. The change began with the renovation of the Coogee Pavilion, with the opening of InterContinental last year all but sealing Coogee's new identity as an up-market Eastern Beaches destination.
Coogee now attracts many more well-heeled locals and tourists alike. Another noticeable shift in the post-COVID era has been the influx of young Irish immigrants who have taken over from the English and Brazilians--the Coogee Bay Hotel may as well rebrand as an Irish pub.
Having said this, you will still find plenty of bare feet old timers going for their daily swims with their bellies hanging out (present company included).
As the population mix changed, the food scene evolved with it. This was very much the upside. There are a host of great cafés, restaurants and quick bites to be found in Coogee these days. Even the Coogee Bay Hotel has cleaned up its act. Add in the stunning beaches and coastal walks, and the good news for visitors is that this is not the sort of place where one gets bored nor risks starvation!
Introduction to Australia's unique café and restaurant culture
For those who are new to Australia, it's worth noting that this is a country of early risers, with a distinctive café and restaurant culture. If you already know this, skip to the next section!
Our cafés open early: in most places you can get yourself a beautiful barista made coffee as early as 6am. The downside to this is that cafés close fairly early. Most shut their doors around 3pm, after the lunch service. Only a select few do dinner service, and even then, they limit it to 3-4 days a week.
Sadly, we don't do siestas. Rather, we Aussies prefer to have an early dinner and be tucked into bed by 10:00 p.m. Nightlife never quite recovered after the COVID lockdowns.
Restaurants focus on lunch and dinner service. For dinner, most have two rounds of service; one for early diners starting between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. and another from 8:00 p.m. onwards. If opting for the first service, you will need to clear out before the next booking. Your waiter will usually let you know when they need the table back. If you want to linger on after dinner, you generally have to head to a pub or bar, noting that most shut their doors at midnight.
Midweek, kitchens are usually taking last orders by 9:00 p.m., so don't leave dining out too late–this is neither Asia nor Europe! A lot of restaurants also tend to be closed on Mondays, with most operating from Tuesdays to Sundays.
Some but not all, cafés and restaurants operate on major public holidays (e.g., Christmas or New Year's Day). Expect to pay a holiday surcharge of between 10-15% during these times.
All hospitality staff in Australia are employed under an Award system that specifies the minimum pay and benefits, including penalty rates for working on public holidays, etc. The employment conditions are good and paying a tip is not necessary. However, if someone goes above and beyond, don't let that stop you.
My favourite cafés in Coogee
Coogee with its thriving café scene, is a mecca for the brekkie and brunching types.
Most cafés in Coogee are a safe bet, offering standard café fare, at standard café prices. Things aren’t exactly cheap in Australia anymore. You should expect to spend between $15 and $30 per person for breakfast, and $5 to $7 for coffee or drinks alone.
If, like me, you prefer your eating-out experience to be a tad elevated, you'll have to get a little more picky. Here are three cafés that I find go the extra mile when it comes to food in Coogee:
Little Kitchen:
Since first opening in Coogee in 2014, Little Kitchen has grown to become a much loved addition to Coogee village for all the right reasons–the food is delicious and the serving size, generous.
I'd go so far as to say that it is the best café food you will find in Coogee. It may have something to do with the owner working in the kitchen, but the food here has never missed a beat.
As for the coffee they serve, well, let's just say it packs a punch. They also have an array of fresh pastries on offer every morning, so it is a wonderful place to stop by to pick-up a takeaway coffee and pastry, before heading off to see the sunrise.
There are a few long-time staffers on duty most days so service is also very friendly. Little Kitchen has limited outdoor seating which gets excellent sun over summer. Indoor seating is good to but it can feel a little noisy when full. There are no ocean views here but again, it’s the sort of place you go for the food.
If you are staying at my place, you just need to roll out of bed for this one. Located on Arden Street Little Kitchen is a minute's walk from the south end of Coogee Beach.
Morning Glory
Morning Glory has two main virtues: a large variety of food and a fabulous location. They also cater very well to vegetarians and vegans. It is hard to beat for travellers and locals alike. If I have friends visiting from afar, this is where I suggest we meet so they can have breakfast with a view!
Located on the North end of Coogee Beach, Morning Glory is just up the road from the Coogee Pavilion. Grab one of their outdoor tables with sweeping views of Coogee Beach and–as the young ones say–love your life.
The Lion and Buffalo
The Lion and Buffalo is not strictly in Coogee, but South Coogee on Malabar Road. I've added it to the list as their food is step above the average café fare. The coffee and cakes on offer are also excellent and the décor, quirky. For some reason there are a lot of suggestive-looking ripped bunnies around …
I'd suggest adding this café to your itinerary when doing the Coogee to Maroubra coastal walk. It is about 20- to 30-minute walk from Coogee. Stop here for breakfast en route to Maroubra or for coffee and cake on the way back–you would have earned it too!
'Cheap and cheerful' eats in Coogee
One of the things I seek out during my holidays is cheap and cheerful places to dine (especially for lunch) that keep the hunger at bay without draining the wallet! Admittedly, 'cheap' is a bit hard to come by in Australia these days. In Coogee, this amounts to spending between $10 and 20 per person on a meal.
My recommended go-to places in and around Coogee village for typical cheap eats are:
Fish and Chips: If you want an iconic beachside meal, you can't go past a good old-fashioned fish and chips. There are several places to get fish and chips in Coogee but the most convenient is at the kiosk on the beach, Chish and Fips. The standard fish is hoki, with options to upgrade. They also do a nice Greek salad and pretty decent fish burgers. If you are looking for a more premium version, try Coogee Pavilion's fish and chips, but that will set you back ~$30. Hot tip: Get a takeaway, walk up to the hill on the north end of the beach, and have a lovely picnic (with the rest of the community) at sunset.
Bánh Mì: Xcel Rolls has been a feature of Coogee since well before my time. They're hard to miss as there is often a long line here during lunch. You can get bánh mì (Vietnamese sandwiches made in crispy bread roll with choice of protein, pickles and salads), rice paper rolls, spring rolls and a few other deep-fried delights from here for a great price. I personally love their bánh mì, as they don't skimp on the filling including your choice of protein. These start at $10.
Pizza - Johnny Gio's is the newest pizza establishment in Coogee and has become our firm favourite. They have a great choice of Italian-style pizzas at reasonable prices. If you don't want to fork out between $20–$30 for pizza and prefer the American version, try Domino's across the road. I quite like their spicy vegetarian pizza on a thin and crispy base. They always seem to have deals going, which makes it even more affordable.
Burgers - Little L is my burger joint of choice. They also have good chips. I like their spicy chicken burger. Another good option is Betty's Burgers, which is on Arden Street just opposite the main bus stand.
Salads - Fish Bowl has been my go-to place for salads with plenty of delicious options on offer and a choice of bases so you can make it as substantial or light as you like. They have become a bit stingy with their salmon portions recently so I have been swapping their salmon OG Bowl for the salmon poke bowl from Get Sashimi instead.
Best places for lunch and dinner in Coogee
If it is a more substantial or somewhat special meal you are after, Coogee will not disappoint. Here are my recommended places to dine.
Coogee Pavilion
When I first moved to Coogee in 2010, Coogee Pavilion was a rundown old building that was longing to return to its glorious past. I remember walking into the ground floor once to find a dingy bar in the middle of a wide-open space, covered with faded carpet sticky from decades of spilt beer, with a smell to match! In spite of the prime location, the owners did not know what to do with this monstrous but iconic relic – that is, until Justin Hemmes got his hand on it (for cheap, too!).
Justin Hemmes is a bit of legend around the Australian restaurant scene. His unique contribution has been acquiring tired, struggling pubs from all around Australia and injecting new life into them through décor, delicious food and drinks (and pokies).
He transformed the Coogee Pavilion, starting by turning the ground floor into discrete yet open dining and bar areas offering a variety of high-quality food. The interior décor is best described as chic-industrial, with bare concrete walls, exposed piping, and soft lighting. It's very New York and, in fact, reminds me of the iconic Eataly restaurant there (without the grocery store).
The main casual dining area on the ground floor offers delicious Napoli-style woodfired pizza (what we usually go for), salads, sandwiches, pasta, fish and chips, and other seafood and meat dishes. While it may sound like standard pub fair, the food is beautifully prepared using fresh, high-quality ingredients. I've never been disappointed.
The only complaint I have is with the acoustics–the ground floor gets loud. Noisy bar patrons may have something to do with it but the bigger issue is the bare concrete walls, which turn the space into a ginormous echo chamber. If dining here during peak times (Fridays and weekends), you must strain to hear any conversation and shout to be heard. I would not recommend going during these times.
Go on a weekday for lunch instead, and if you can, try to get a seat on the tables along the French windows that look out onto the ocean. It is hard to beat the location. It is also hard to get one of the tables, as folks who work from home love to use the space as their office. The Coogee Pavilion opens early for coffee (or the mid morning larger) but don't do breakfast.
Mimi's is high end dining. We went there to celebrate my birthday the year it opened. The décor, ambience and service is second to none; on account of the view of the ocean from the magnificent period windows, it is the most beautiful restaurant I have ever visited. Sadly, the food was bland and unremarkable, and did not measure up to the eye-watering price tag. I have not been back and cannot recommend it for the food.
The rich and famous still make a beeline for Mimi's–you can see them waltzing in and out in their designer gear most weekends. Going by the ratings on Google, they don't share my opinion of the food either, but since when has money bought taste …
My snide remarks aside, if you don't mind simple flavours and want to be spoilt with a touch of luxury, don't let me stop you. There are some rich-people gimmicks to indulge in as well, such as the roving caviar carts offering caviar shots for a pretty penny.
After our experience, we are a bit loathe to try the tapas bar, Una Mas …
The one other place I can recommend at Coogee Pavillion is their rooftop bar. It is a fabulous place to grab an afternoon drink, as it offers stunning views across Coogee beach. You can also order pizza and a selection of bar food here. Just bear one thing in mind: Unless you in your early 20s, it's best avoid it on weekend nights when it turns into a bona fide night club for the young and beautiful.
Sugarcane
Sugarcane is a Surry Hills establishment that opened up shop in Coogee in 2016 and became an instant hit. They are located on the south end of Coogee Beach in a large, sprawling space that no one prior to them had managed to make work.
Sugarcane specialises in Southeast Asian fusion food. The flavours are fresh, aromatic and authentic. If you like Thai, Malaysian and Indonesian food, you will like Sugarcane's interpretation.
The menu has changed somewhat from those early days, which I personally find disappointing as some of the original dishes were simply incredible! The prices have also risen steadily with its popularity. It’s the sort of place you go to for that special dinner, which you must of course do at least once while on holiday.
3. Chat Thai
My all-time favourite restaurant in Coogee is Chat Thai. This is not in the immediate vicinity of Coogee village, but about a 15-minute walk away on Carrington Road. There is no other reason to head that way except to go to this restaurant (or get a car wash). But if you like authentic Thai flavours at a reasonable price, this is the place to dine at. You will find us here every month getting our Thai fix.
The first Chat Thai opened its doors in Darlinghurst, Sydney in 1989 and was an instant hit with the local Thai community. Founded by Amy Chanta, it was amongst the first restaurant's to introduce authentic Isaan and Bangkok street flavours to Australia. Although it has now grown to become a chain, the food remains very good and, critically, affordable.
If it were up to me, I'd give them a medal for this. My pet peeve in the Sydney food scene is watching chefs appropriate street food that evolved to feed the masses cheaply and make it into a thing for the rich and famous. Everything from tacos, pad Thai, and dumplings to dosas and tapas has suffered this fate.
You can walk to Chat Thai from Coogee village via Dolphin Street. It's lovely walk through a quiet, tree-lined residential area with a community garden and a park with the coolest flying fox.
My go-to dishes are pad Thai, tamarind prawn, mince chicken with Thai basil and chilli, chu chee prawn curry, Penang fish curry, red duck curry, green chicken curry, morning glory (water spinach). It's all pretty good, actually. Chat Thai is BYO for wine (though not beer–you can buy Tsingtao directly from them).
Other Coogee cafés and restaurants loved by locals:
There are a few other places that are loved by the Coogee community that you may want to try out:
Bazura: Owned by a lovely couple, Rob and Marie, who have been part of the fabric of Coogee for a very long time. They also run the local yoga school that is located above the café. This is where I met my friends and community in Coogee all those years ago, so it has a very special place in my heart. Bazura is where we still gather for catch-ups. It is in a prime location with fabulous views and an eclectic menu. Their chef is Indonesian, so our go-to order tends to be their nasi goreng (which can be made vegetarian or vegan). I also like their shakshuka eggs. There are some items that hark back to a European summer, such as a pot of mussels and Aperol spritz. They also open for dinner.
Louie: A newish French restaurant located a short distance from Little Kitchen. The menu is actually a mix of Italian and French classics. I like what they have done with the outdoor seating area which has a Parisian-style canopy–very chic. My friends enjoyed dinner here and even recommend it for vegetarians. The prices are a bit steep for my liking, so I have not given them a go yet. Their set menu however looks reasonably priced, but is for groups of eight or more. If you are celebrating something, maybe give this a go.
Osteria: Located opposite the Coogee cricket oval, this is an Italian restaurant with a modern twist. This is a favourite among friends that I somehow have never managed to get to. Expect mid-range pricing.
La Spiaggia is a family-owned classic Italian joint that has been serving up delicious pizzas and pastas to Coogee-siders for many years. They have a lovely outdoor seating, perfect for summer days and casual dining. One of my friend's swears by their woodfired pizzas.
Rick Stein's at Coogee Beach is a brand spanking new restaurant on the scene, opening within the newly minted InterContinental Coogee. I have been a big fan of Rick Stein's travel and cooking shows for many years so am looking forward to dining at his restaurant. The pricing is the only thing that has been putting me off ($60 for fish and chips or the fish pie!) but I have been told that all ingredients are top notch so … I'd say keep this for a special occasion.
Food districts in and around Sydney
If you are having an extended holiday in Sydney, I recommend trying out the different 'food districts' around the city. It's easy enough to reach these places on public transportation.
Bondi: One of the must-do activities when staying in Coogee is walking the Coogee to Bondi coastal walk, followed by brunch, lunch or dinner at Bondi. It's a 6km undulating walk so you will work up an appetite! There are plenty of delightful cafés and restaurants to choose from in Bondi, but for some reason I always end up at Speedos Café. I rarely go to Bondi for dinner as I find the area to be quite dead. The kitchen also tends to shut fairly early here so would recommend getting there by 6-7pm. If wanting to dine at famous institutions like Bills, book ahead.
The Spot: Head to The Spot when you want a movie night. Located around the intersection of St.Pauls Street and Perouse Road, The Spot refers to the collection of cafés, bars and restaurants clustered around the historic Ritz Cinema. It is within walking distance from Coogee (albeit uphill) or a five-minute bus ride. There are lots of OK restaurants to choose from; Indian, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, Thai and Vietnamese. What I always hold out for is dessert at Kürtősh, a bakery/café that is one of my favourite places for sweet treats in Sydney. This is also one of few cafés in Sydney that are open after 3pm, which means you can get barista made coffee in the evening as well. They offer a wide variety of cakes, which you can order by the gram! Prices can add up quickly so take care of your wallets here.
Kingsford: Situated right next to UNSW, Kingsford hosts a large number of international students from all over Asia. It is no surprise therefore that the local food scene is decidedly Asian, with restaurants offering authentic regional cuisines from right across China, Indonesia and Malaysia. Thanks to the large student population, the servings sizes are huge and prices, affordable. It makes for a cheap and cheerful night out with friends with food and ambience that makes you feel like you are miles away from Australia – on a holiday in Bali, KL, Hong Kong or indeed Beijing! All restaurants are clustered on Anzac Parade between Barker Street and Rainbow Street. The easiest way to transit from Coogee is to get an uber to Kingsford. It will take about 10 minutes. If driving, there is plenty of free parking in and around Kingsford off Anzac Parade.
Surry Hills: Famous across Sydney for its diverse food scene, Surry Hills offers everything from Indian street food to Japanese fine dining. I recommend walking along Cleveland and Crown Street and seeing what takes your fancy. Vegans and vegetarians will also find plenty of options here, including fine dining. For those who love theatre, would suggest combining dining out with a show at the Belvoir Street Theatre. You can reach Surry Hills via bus from Coogee or light rail from Randwick and Sydney City.
Newtown, Enmore and Glebe : Newtown is the soulful, slightly hippy and slightly grungy end of Sydney. King Street is the main thoroughfare, lined with a never-ending array of restaurants, cafés and pubs, as well as an eclectic collection of shops. Vegans and vegetarians will be spoilt for choice here. Darren and I regularly go to Newtown, but it is for one thing and one thing only – the best goddamn chicken burger in the whole wide world! Nobody seems to know about this place either as it is always quiet when we go. But if you like spicy, crispy, deep fried, juicy chicken burgers, head to Fat Belly Jack's and order their Nashville Chicken burger! Choose your heat level and be warned, don't go above medium! There are two other soulful suburbs to explore within walking distance–Enmore and Glebe. Both offer plenty of options to wine and dine. Book in to see a show at the infamous Enmore Theatre and make an evening of it. There are direct buses to and from Coogee to Newtown, which take about 45 minutes. You can also take the train from Central.
Sydney City and Surrounds: Sydney City is a foodies paradise that rivals international cities like New York, London or Paris--and in fact may even beat them. Head to one of the food districts where you will be spoilt for choice. These include Barangaroo, Angel Place, Bridge Lane, and Haymarket or China Town. Surrounding suburbs offer great dining options as well. Head to Paddington, Woollahra, Rose Bay, Darlinghurst, Balmain, Kings Cross or Potts Point if interested to get a sense of where locals hang out over the weekends. Hot Tip: It may be tempting to dine along Darling Harbour, The Rocks and Circular Quay but most places here are classic tourist traps. Look up the reviews before deciding where to dine!
Parramatta and Greater Sydney: If you want a taste of multicultural Australia, you need to head West. First on the list should be Parramatta, which was ranked as the 7th best places to eat in the world by Conde Nast Traveller. Admittedly, it's been a while since I last ventured into Parramatta but I hear the Indian food scene along Church Street and nearby Harris Park is worth visiting. Parramatta is home to a large number of first generation Indian migrants who have exacting standards when it comes to Indian food – Unless the food is top notch, Indian restaurants don't tend to survive here. You can very easily visit Parramatta via ferry or train from the city. For authentic Middle Eastern cuisine I'd recommend a trip to Bankstown and for authentic Vietnamese, I'd suggest Cabramatta. Both of these are in Southwest Sydney. They too are migrant communities (in fact most of Australia is a migrant community) and are wonderful places to visit to get a sense of the richness of people, culture and cuisine that makes up modern day Australia. Cabramatta and Bankstown can be reached via train from the city. It takes approximately an hour.
Eat and be merry
As much as I tend to whinge about prices, cafés and restaurants are notoriously difficult businesses to run and profit from. The people who take up the challenge and go the extra mile to create a special experience for their diners deserve all the support they can get; their presence alone brings so much life to the local community.
This is also the reason why I started the 'where to eat' segment as there are so many great places I have encountered in day-to-day living and travels that I feel deserve more recognition than they get. To that end, all the venues mentioned above are personal recommendations rather than paid endorsements.
If your income allows for it, I say, eat and be merry! You will be doing yourself and everyone around you a big favour.
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Written by Reeta Dhar. Cover Art by Darren Pryce
Based on living in Coogee for 16 years!
Written and Illustrated at the historic Lanificio Cazzola in Schio, Italy
First published by Vitalis Magazine in September 2026
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