Miguel Maestre reveals favourite spots to eat, exercise near Elanora Heights home

He’s a chef by trade so when it comes to choosing restaurants for a night out with his wife, Migeul Maestre has some top picks around Sydney and the northern beaches suburbs near his home.

Food is always better when eaten with loved ones. Just asked celebrity chef and co-host of The Living Room Miguel Maestre, whose new cookbook, Feast, features dishes made to be shared. Top of his guest list? Wife Sascha and their two children of course.

Early riser or Saturday sleep-in?

There’s no sleeping in in my house. My kids, Morgan is 7 and Claudia is 9 … so nah, I haven’t had a sleep-in in 10 years!

Chef Miguel Maestre reveals his favourite local haunts. Picture: Supplied

Best place to go with the kids?

We always go to the beach, we love Bilgola and the kiddies corner in Palm Beach. Freshwater is also great and so are the bike tracks at Terrey Hills and the Mona Vale skate park. We love going for walks to the lighthouse at Palm Beach too – it’s so important to keep the kids busy and active.

Favourite park?

The Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park has lots of great walking tracks. It’s full on, you go down to the beach, and the walk back up is great exercise for the kids. We love seeing all the wildlife in there too.

Local coffee haunt?

21 Grams in Dee Why. Their coffee is very good.

Best spot for date night?

I love to take my wife to beautiful restaurants. We go to the Cottage Point Inn, where you can get a seaplane to drop you off right at the door. We love Hugos in Manly because it has an outside sitting area, amazing atmosphere and a great view. Frenchies in Elanora is a very romantic restaurant. It’s a place we go to quite often.

We love Ormeggio at The Spit, it’s great for a date, we have been there many times. Jonah’s is very nice for a romantic breakfast and Bert’s in Newport is also beautiful, we love the decor and the incredible service.

Bert's in Newport is one of Miguel’s favourite date night location. Picture: Supplied

Favourite takeaway?

My local in Elanora is called Top Shot, it’s a hole-in-the-wall with great coffee. I also love Deli 55 at Elanora shops, they do a really nice Italian panini with a Spanish jamon and provolone which they’ll slice to order.

Where and when do you exercise?

Up and down the Elanora hills, and every day!

Best hidden treasure in NSW?

A place called Mr Lim in Orange – it is the funnest place in the world. Everyone should spend a Saturday night there – incredible Korean food and karaoke!

Also, there’s a hole-in-the-wall place right near Paddy’s Markets in Chinatown that makes emperor puffs, amazing little pancakes filled with custard. For $5 you get a whole container, so cheap and delicious.

And the Upper Crust pie shop in Collaroy has a queue outside every single day. Best sausage rolls in the northern beaches!

Favourite place to holiday in NSW?

We love Orange, it’s a lovely place to visit and we have family there.

Feast, by Miguel Maestre, published by Pan Macmillan Australia, is out now