Sydney Eat Street: Best foodie finds in Chowder Bay, Mosman
There are plenty of treasures to be found along the Bondi to Manly trail, but for food, you’ll find that Chowder Bay in Mosman is good place to land.
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RIPPLES CHOWDER BAY
A waterfront view is an easy drawing card for any restaurant and fortunately for Sydneysiders, there is no shortage of such eateries so to keep customers from ticking it off their culinary list and moving on to the next destination there needs to be a lot more to the dining experience.
Ripples Chowder Bay is one such place. Here you’ll find that perfect formula of location and delicious dishes as well as service that’s as welcoming as the gentle beach down below.
While the menu has the requisite items you’d expect from a restaurant along the harbour – fish & chips, king prawns and oysters – these yummy staples contend with the likes of chicken liver pâté, cornichons, spiced pineapple chutney and toasted focaccia, or grilled spatchcock, kipfler potatoes, kale and red wine jus.
If you want to stay with the seafood theme though, try their salmon with roasted beetroot or the whole market fish with tomatoes, capers and lemon. And once you’re finished with the light and airy pavlova, you can finally take your eyes off the delicious food and go back to enjoying the view.
— Building 7C, Chowder Bay Rd, Mosman; rippleschowderbay.com.au
EAST COAST LOUNGE
It’s hard to imagine anyone passing up this delightful cafe with a refined decor that embraces the blue and white decor of The Hamptons Sisters, but co-owner Jennifer Barrett reveals how almost everyday people come in and remark how they’ve walked the Bondi to Manly trail and never noticed this charming place.
“That’s because they’re usually looking out over the harbour instead,” she says.
Once you step into this east coast oasis, those plans of a long walk may just fade into the sparkling blue waters in the distance as you sit back in one of the deep and embracing lounges with a mid-morning mimosa or take a table and enjoy a meal.
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They serve both breakfast and lunch with each mealtime offering both hearty and light such as a Big Brekky or fruit and yoghurt topped muesli in the morning to a loaded ploughman’s board or smoked salmon for lunch.
This historic space, once part of a submarine depot during World War II, also offers boutique homeware items that complement the decor.
Pick up one of their bespoke candles as a gentle reminder that next time you may want to avert your eyes from the water, look inland and take a break for a cuppa or linger longer over a long lunch.
If you’re not in the mood to trek back up to the parking or just prefer to enjoy a tipple the water taxis that come street to the wharf are an ideal way to travel.
— 7B Chowder Bay Rd, Mosman; eastcoastlounge.com.au
DRIFT CAFE
You can build up quite an appetite traversing the steep steps and hills along the coastal walk so make one of your planned stops at the casually chic Drift Cafe.
What started eight years ago as a quick stop with a basic menu has morphed into a spot for creative and hearty fare as well as fruit smoothies and their own blend of coffee from Two Penny Roasters.
Chef Julian Constance has a created a menu which features generously sized steak sandwiches and fried chicken burgers as well as restaurant worthy pasta with crabmeat and pistachios.
With such quality offerings, Julian has built up a loyal following with customers regularly coming in and giving him free reign to make them whatever he wants.
“People will come back to your place for a certain amount of trust,” Julian says.
For some, that means trusting that there’ll also ways be a cold blended berry drink waiting to replenish their hard earned thirst.
— 2 Chowder Bay Rd, Mosman; driftchowderbay.com.au
MIDDLE HEAD MARKET
As if you need just one more reason to head down to the beach, Mosman has a new market filled with farm fresh produce, specialty producers and heaps of takeaway food prepared on the spot.
Those familiar with the Marrickville, Bondi and Kings Cross markets will recognise many of the quality vendors that have made these weekly events such reliable destinations for their weekly fruit and vegetable selection as well as artisan foods including A B Cheese’s premium brie and handmade sausages.
Held every Wednesday from 8am-2pm through to December 22, then picking up again mid-January after the holidays.
— 1110 Middle Head Rd, Mosman; organicmarkets.com.au
DRIFT CAFE KIOSK
Rather than walk up the stairs to Chowder Bay Rd for a snack and a cuppa, the folk behind Drift Cafe have brought a selection of their sandwiches, housemade pastries, cold drinks and coffee down to the beach at Clifton Gardens.
Setting up shop in a small kiosk, the convenience of good food and great coffee means there truly is no reason to leave this calm and secluded beach.
— Clifton Gardens
GUNNERS’ BARRACKS
Surrounded by bushland with a stellar view across the water this historic defence site has been transformed into an elegant restaurant suited to a long lunch, high tea or a place to host a special event.
Weddings are particular popular here, not only for the lovely location but impressive dishes as well.
— Suakin Dr, Georges Heights, Mosman; gunnersbarracks.com.au
BURNT ORANGE
The wraparound balcony with an expansive view of Sydney Harbour is worth a visit on its own but add to that head chef Guillaume Dubois’ with his Michelin-star restaurant background along with pastry chef Chris Ranzenbacher and you’ll soon consider Burnt Orange to be your culinary happy place.
Open for breakfast and lunch, the menu here is modern Australian or for something special, book in for High Tea.
The stunning location and stellar food also make it a popular option for special events, including weddings.
— 1109 Middle Head Rd, Mosman; burntorange.com.au
FRENCHY’S CAFE
There’s a little bit of France amid the lush bushland at Headland Park at what was once a soldiers’ club that dates back to the 1920s.
Now however, Alena and Pierre Rayrolles have brought their experience running brasseries in Saint-Germain-en-Laye and turned this heritage listed space into a charming outdoor cafe with a French-inspired menu.
Drop in for breakfast and order the classic Croque Madame, a ham and Gruyere sourdough toastie topped with a fried egg or for something sweeter, the lemon and sugar crepes.
Lunch brings out other “classics” such as French onion soup, duck confit and housemade quiches.
For those really looking to enjoy the natural surrounds, Frenchy’s also offers picnic hampers you can pre-order online.
— 3 Read Pl, Middle Head, Mosman; frenchyscafe.com.au
SERGEANTS’ MESS
Everything about this glamorous event venue is designed to deliver an exceptional experience.
Its sophisticated interior, premium dining, and stunning Harbour view have everything you would need to make for a magical day.
— Chowder Bay Rd, Mosman; sergeantsmess.com.au