Cronulla is fast becoming a foodies destination with top class restaurants and great little cafes with character. The beachside locale offers chefs the freshest ingredients from the ocean and inspiration from the beautiful surrounds. Unique waterside venues include a transformed surf club and a café inspired by nuns with daring habits. With more than 90 cafes, bars and restaurants there is a venue to suit all occasions, tastes and budgets.

Beachside Dining in Cronulla

Special Occasions

Not that every meal can't be a special occasion but for those extra special lunches and dinners here are a few of Cronullas top restaurants with spectacular views, cuisine and architecture.

Summer Salt - This beautiful restaurant is located in the old Eloura Surf Life Saving Club right ON the beach. The stylish modern interior is only outdone by the stunning views which you can see clearly through the floor to ceiling windows that look out onto the sparkling waters below. The menu is updated seasonally and offers contemporary Australian meals enhanced with Asian Flavours.

Zimzala – Another “literally on the beach” restaurant that’s perfect for brekky, lunch or dinner. Zimzala is situated on the Esplanade at South Cronulla and all of the tables have suburb views of the ocean. Seafood is their specialty with mouth watering dishes such as crispy skin ocean trout on prawn, chive & crème fraiche mash, pan seared market fish on fregola and Zimzala’s famous deep fried fish & chips with house-made tartare sauce.

Sealevel Restaurant and Bar - Sealevel is situated on the Esplanade at Cronulla Beach, literally metres from North Cronulla beach. It has been recently refurbished with full length sliding glass doors that open up so you can dine in luxury and feel the fresh sea air. Sealevel uses the finest and freshest produce to create an eclectic menu of seafood and Modern Australian dishes with Italian and French influences.

Simones on the Park – Looking over Cronulla park, next to the infamous ice creamery sits Simone’s on the Park, a modern fine dining Italian restaurant. Named after Marie Simone, the former independent representative of Cronulla, the restaurant has a relaxed ambiance, like you’re eating at a friends place. The outdoor deck is decidedly casual with a menu that can deliver fast and affordable quality food, great for lazy Sunday afternoons.

The Nuns Pool - Inspired by nuns who dared to bathe in the adjacent natural swimming pool at Shelly Beach. Enjoy fresh figs and ricotta for breakfast at this contemporary and chic café, plus the best coffee from barista champion Paul Bassett. Perfect for special brekkys and lunches.

The Old Library - As the name suggests this restaurant sits in place of the old library, on Surf Rd Cronulla, which prior to being a library was a Methodist church. The venue is magnificent, refurbished to perfection with old charms and modern touches. The modern Italian menu is equally as impressive and the wait staff are seasoned professionals. It's a quirky resaurant with an air of sophistication, you have to dine their to experience it's unique character.

Something Unique

Stonefish Tapas and Wine Bar - Conveniently located in Cronulla mall, Stonefish specialises in international Tapas and has a wonderful selection of complementary wines, perfect for sharing with family and friends.

Brass Monkey – Enjoy mezze and tapas dishes, ideal for sharing whilst enjoying an eclectic mix of live acts from jazz to folk and pop to classical! The Brass Monkey always has great up and coming artists performing at their intimate location so make sure you check out their line up.

Opahs - A Greek Taverna overlooking picturesque Cronulla Park and South Cronulla Beach serving traditional cuisine from the Mediterranean. Try their amazing Lamb and Roast Potato dish, or their all you can eat Greek Yum Cha.

Amodus café – Cronulla's latest cafe concept combining a warm, contemporary ambience with amazing home-style cooking and aromatic coffee. Amodus is a comfy and relaxed indoor and alfresco cafe open for Breakfast, lunch and high tea daily.

Hog’s Breath Café - Overlooking the beach, this is the place for unique ‘hog-spitality’ and the best ribs and steaks around.

Inc Café Bar Restaurant – A truly unique dining experience, this great café and restaurant transforms from a buzzing café in the daytime to a restaurant with loads of character and atmosphere by night.

Audley Room and the Weir Café – Dine in the Royal National Park set amidst native bushland, with views over the Hacking River. The recently refurbished Audley visitor information centre now boasts a great little café with a lot of character. Upstairs is the Audley room which serves high tea on weekends and is also available for private functions.

Café Culture

True Brew – Offering a sensational range of teas from teacraft including 'heal' a refreshing blend of lemongrass and ginger and best in class coffee.

Surfeit - Surfeit, in Surf street, prepares wholesome and innovative meals daily, dine in or pick up a ‘surfeit picnic hamper’ and indulge for the day at the beach.

Grind - One of the most popular coffee spots in Sydney, a popular stop for early risers - cyclists, runners and surfers - and a stone’s throw from the beach.

Ham - This cafe and deli owned by Harry and Mario, uses the freshest and finest ingredients which is why their coffee, pastries, salads and sandwiches taste so good. It has a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere with buckets of style and charm. You feel like you could be sitting in Paddington, or Surry Hills, but the beach is right next door.

Nulla Nulla - Choose from an extensive menu that transforms this local favourite from a relaxed brunch-time venue to a buzzy café come bar at night. Nulla Nulla is open most times and days of the year so you can grab a meal ,or a coffee anytime.

Kafenio - Stepping into Kafenio is an experience for all of the senses. The atmosphere is full of life as you wake-up to freshly roasted coffee from an award winning barista, or be revitalised with one of their squeezed organic juices. Their breakfasts are delicious as well.

Bass and Flinders - Located at the Northern end of Cronulla mall this cafe is a little gem. Enjoy delicious breakfasts made with the finest ingredients and mouth watering lunches.

Family Friendly Dining

Frangipani Gelato Bar - cool down with one of their to-die-for creations including the celebrated  ‘Snickers’ flavour, to be enjoyed by kids, big and small.

Mango Jam at Northies Hotel - an icon in Cronulla, this hotel is a great place to bring the family, with special discounted kid’s menus Tuesday to Friday before 7.30pm and on the weekends for lunch.

Hog’s Breath Café - overlooking the beach, this is the place for unique ‘hog-spitality’ and the best ribs and steaks around.

Picnic at Audley - Enjoy a picnic in one of the many peaceful, shady areas at Audley, the gateway to the National Park. Facilities include; new energy efficient barbeques, new picnic shelters and tables, bicycle racks, recycle stations, and eco friendly restrooms. Boats and bikes can also be hired from the historic Audley Boatshed.

Last but not least you can’t go past delicious fish and chippies in South Cronulla park as the sun sets over the ocean... ahh bliss.