Sydney Eat Street: Where and what to eat in Avalon
Named after the mythical island home of the mighty Excalibur sword, the magical shores of this leafy suburb on the northern beaches have foodie finds worthy of King Arthur himself.
Eat Street
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SUNSET DINER
It’s like that local diner of yesteryear your grandparents would rave about. The one where their stories always begin with “when I was your age” and finish with everyone crowded into red vinyl booths laughing over a basic burger, crispy fries and a thick strawberry milkshake.
It’s fitting too, as for owner Ben Varela, it’s that family-friendly notion that led him to open this cheery place with its modern salmon-coloured 50s decor.
After years as an executive chef, commuting all around greater Sydney, heading up kitchens with his “gastro-pub” menus at such places as Bistro Moncur, The Royal Hotel in Paddington, The Four in Hand and The Collaroy Hotel, it was time to find a place closer to home.
As luck would have it, a space no more than a few blocks from his Avalon Beach home became available.
Wanting a place that would welcome visitors to this blissful suburb as well as serve the local community, he’s created a venue suited to all sorts.
At Sunset Diner you’ll see youngsters pop in after school for a classic cheeseburger, beachgoers sip cocktails at the high-top bench at the open window and friends meet up for a drink and servings of parmesan truffle fries in the beer garden out back.
For some lighter fare, there’s a range of flavour-filled salads such as the Sencha, with green tea noodles, grated carrot, edamame and avocado, or the Vitality with spinach and roast pumpkin (but those are there probably to justify the popular Key Lime Pie sundae).
Though relatively new to the scene, this fun American-inspired diner is set to lure Sydneysiders out Pittwater way.
— 41 Old Barrenjoey Rd; sunsetdiner.com.au
THE SNEAKY GRIND
Each year, millions of travellers head Down Under to experience the varied sights and surrounds of this lucky country, eventually returning home with plenty of stories and probably a bag full of souvenirs.
For James Sledmere, the memories of Sydney’s surf and sunshine lingered a bit longer and vowing to forego another winter in England he and his wife Lauren packed up the house and with surfboards in tow headed back to Australia.
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It’s here he began to develop an affinity for the cafe culture both for its impressive coffee offerings (of which he is now a fully-fledged connoisseur) as well as the downtime to sit and send a few emails or linger longer and trade the office desk for a cafe table.
At The Sneaky Grind, James has replicated that formula but also adding a menu of delicious pretentious-free fare such as their “famous” smashed avo topped with smoked salmon, a vibrant brekkie bowl plus a range of muffins and croissants.
For what James calls a “slice of irony” you can also order soft-boiled egg and soldiers. “When I go back to London I can’t get a good coffee but soft-boiled eggs and soldiers are available everywhere. Here you have both and the added bonus of being served Australian coffee by Poms.”
True to his word, he’s also set up a large communal table with a number of power points so people can plug in work while enjoying a cuppa … or three.
No wonder this place this side-alley spot has become a local favourite.
— 3/48 Old Barrenjoey Rd; facebook.com/sneakygrindespresso
ALMA
A love of travelling, a respect for history and a “passion for sharing his community” with visitors to the area is what led co-owner Jack Leary to fix up this heritage-listed location and bring Avalon a casual fine-dining restaurant with a menu that reflects his surfing adventures in Mexico.
“I wanted to do something impactful,” Jack says.
“It’s an opportunity for the community to meet up for a drink or dinner without having to drive to the city.”
Instead, people are heading to Alma for their delicious and authentic coastal Mexican food. And this isn’t some generic Aussie-adaptation of Latin American dishes; instead Jack and co-owner Tim Christensen went to the south coast of Oaxaca, Mexico to sample a vast array of the seafood centric dishes.
As luck would have it, they befriended the chef, Ricardo Lemus, at their favourite place and after months of negotiations, brought him, and slew of spices, over to Australia.
While there are some familiar dishes including the ubiquitous chips and guacamole, virtually everything else on the menu is a recognisable ingredient such as baby snapper and charred octopus but with a very defined taste.
“Authentic Mexican flavours come from three ingredients – corn, chillies and herbs,” explains Ricardo, noting that with the abundance of locally sourced fresh produce he’s been able to replicate recipes, though admits that it can be difficult to get the dried chillies he used to have in abundance.
“In Mexico, the chillies aren’t there for heat but for flavour and each region has its own special variety.”
Although some people come in expecting some variant of the Tex-Mex cuisine with burritos, cheese, guacamole and salsa, Jack and his crew are slowly winning them over, starting with their impressive selection of tequila based cocktails and dishes such as the delicious Tikin Xic snapper, a whole baby snapper with banana leaf, achiote paste, guacachile, pickled red onions and oregano or the salmon tiradito – salmon sashimi, wonton wrapper, diced red onion, adobe sauce, black sesame seeds, jalapeño and lime dressing.
While you’re waiting for your mains, why not try a favourite snack in Oaxaca, fried crickets with flaked garlic, dehydrated chillies and lime. Okay, so maybe take it one step at a time.
— 47 Old Barrenjoey Rd; almaavalon.com.au
HUNGRY GHOST
It’s barely a hole in the wall, there are no tables inside and merely a handful of milk crates and makeshift benches for seating, but rock up anytime – be it breakfast or lunch – and get in the queue for one of their popular jaffles.
Now, these aren’t the quick ones that Nan used to make with white bread, ham and cheese rather here you’ll find some real winners.
Owner Mitch Connelly notes that it all starts with good fresh bread from the nearby bakery then quality ingredients such as the Reuben made with wagyu corned beef, Jarlsberg cheese, sauerkraut, pickles and mustard or the seemingly simple but decadent mushroom jaffle with sauteed field mushrooms, thyme and three cheeses.
For breakfast, be spoiled with the bangalow ham, free-range egg, house-made spicy tomato chutney and three cheeses.
With that much attention to an Aussie classic, just imagine what magic Mitch works with the espresso machine. Hop in the queue to find out.
— 20 Avalon Pde
MUST TRY
OCEANA TRADERS-SEAFOOD MERCHANTS
It doesn’t get more Aussie than a box of fish and chips at the beach. But here on the gorgeous beaches of Avalon, not just any fish or any batter will do, which is why the beer batter flathead and chips made in fresh clean oil has been dubbed by many, including local business owner, Ben Varela as “legitimately one of the best fish and chippers ever”.
Try them yourself and maybe a few of their epic fish tacos, seafood chowder or grilled Australian fish while you’re there.
— 31 Old Barrenjoey Rd; oceanatraders.com.au
NOURISHED WHOLEFOOD CAFE
Knowing that everything is made on site and that every effort is made with every element of their food – be it the cashew and coconut cream in the raw raspberry cheesecake or the haloumi and eggplant burger – is sustainable and locally-sourced is at the heart of this popular corner cafe. The fact that it’s all so tasty is a major bonus.
— 17 Avalon Pde; nourishedwholefoodcafe.com.au
SKY THAI
Only the best ingredients will do at this Thai restaurant. From the fish to the fresh produce, only local and Aussie products will do, but when it comes to spices, Sky Thai opts for the real thing, which means going straight to source and has them imported directly from Thailand.
It may be a subtle, but you’ll soon appreciate how the traditional ingredients affect the flavour of such dishes as the green curry, pad Thai or jungle curry.
— 21 Avalon Pde; skythai.com.au
BOOKOCCINO
For those that say the notion of curling up with a good book and hot cuppa is of a bygone era have clearly never been to this beloved bookshop. Though it’s well regarded for its eclectic range of books and visiting authors, its true lure is the personalised service and shared love of reading – all best discussed over a cup of coffee or glass of wine at their petite in-house cafe.
— 66 Old Barrenjoey Rd; bookoccino.com.au
BEACH HOUSE AVALON
Whether it’s a coffee and bacon & egg roll for breakfast, a bucket of prawns and beer over a long lunch or grilled pork cutlets and steak for dinner, food always taste better when you’re right on the beach.
— 558A Barrenjoey Rd; beachhouseavalon.com.au
ALFONSO’S
Feel like family at this jovial North Shore gem. Grab a cuppa before hitting the waves or just stop in for lunch where you’ll find brekkie faves, wraps and pizza along with good vibes and great service.
Keep an eye on their events page for their paella fiesta days filled with live music and salsa dancing.
— 43 Elvina Ave; alfonsos.com.au