Five waterside venues open for summer
As Australia heats up, a number of new venues have landed in beachside suburbs ready for the summer crowds. From the hyper-luxurious to the local and casual, Hospitality takes a look what’s on offer.
Hotel Sorrento rooftop bar
The Mornington Peninsula has welcomed a new rooftop location with expansive sea views over Port Phillip Bay. Designed by Six Degrees Architects and Jack Merlo Landscape Architecture, Hotel Sorrento takes inspiration from the golden age of Saint-Tropez – think luxe sandstone tiles, dark timber, and sun-drenched space with a retractable roof.
The venue will feature live DJs, a curated local wine list, and refreshing cocktails. Hotel Sorrento’s Executive Chef Beth Candy developed a menu of snacks and share plates with a focus on local produce. Highlights include oysters with fresh lemon; spiced kingfish crudo on cassava crackers; a lobster brioche roll with pickled cucumber and watercress; and classic pizzas.
“We’re proud to introduce guests to our rooftop, a unique open-air, versatile space that has been designed for year-round comfort, allowing guests to take in some of the best views the Peninsula has to offer. We feel like an offering like the rooftop is what has been missing from the Peninsula, so we’re excited to be bringing it to Sorrento locals and visitors alike,” says Myles Pitt, Director at Hotel Sorrento.
The Ducks at Hotel Brunswick
Three Blue Ducks has arrived in Mullumbimbi, a stone’s throw from Brunswick Heads Main Beach. Owners Darren Robertson and Andy Allen and Regional Head Chef Sam are teaming up with Hotel Brunswick Head Chef Loki Lynch and Group General Manager of Food Ben Turner.
“We’ve created dishes that we love to eat, with a focus on bold, coastal flavours,” said Robertson. “From fresh seafood to prawn toast, pickled octopus and pizzas from our new wood-fired oven, everything is designed to pair perfectly with a marg or a cold beer in the pub’s renowned beer garden.”
Expect Australian lobster rolls, prawn toast with nam jim, and pub classics. The drink menu offers 30 wines, including 17 by the glass, along with a range of classic cocktails.
The Ducks at Hotel Brunswick joins Three Blue Ducks’ venues in Byron, Rosebery, Melbourne, Bellingen, and Nimbo.
Photography by Kitty Gould.
Fat Pomelo
The team behind Chubby Cheeks (Paddington) and Armchair Collective (Mona Vale) have opened Fat Pomelo in Sydney’s beachside suburb of Narrabean.
Owners Songpol and Lyn Manoonpong have brought Executive Chef James Sombupeng (Chubby Cheeks) and Chef Julian Luczyc-Wyhowski (ex-Mimi’s) on board to develop a bright and bold menu. Highlights include wagyu beef cheek rendang; crispy skin master stock bannockburn chook with signature satay sauce; and a pomelo salad with pork, prawn, pomelo, mint, and herbs.
“We noticed that the Northern Beaches lack options where locals and foodies can sit down and enjoy a meal in a beautiful space without having to travel outside of the area. We wanted to create a space that offers not just great food, but an elevated dining experience that’s accessible to friends and family of all ages,” says Songpol.
Solaré
Set to open early 2025, Solaré is a venue with the unique twist: it’s not just harbourside – it’s floating on the water. The 150ft superyacht will offer a premium dining experience over three levels, catering to Sydney’s luxury-seeking water lovers.
“Solaré is a lifestyle-led concept inspired by European travels. I wanted to recreate that carefree feeling of relaxation and escapism, usually experienced only on holidays, and transport guests to their very own Mediterranean escape, right here on Australian shores,” said Founder Scott Robertson.
The dining room is led by Executive Chef Pablo Tordesillas (Ex- Executive Chef Ortiga, Brisbane, ex-Head Chef Totti’s Bondi). His indulgent menu features a caviar section; reginette with Balmain bug and crustacean butter; bluefin tuna crudo with pink grapefruit, fennel pollen, and olive; and swordfish with white beans, anchovy, and oregano.
There are also three cocktail bars embracing European aperitivo culture, and a wine list curated by Ed Loveday (Ex-Co-Owner ACME).
La Cabra
The Mexican eatery has opened its ninth Victorian venue on Main Street, moments from Mordialloc Beach. Set in a heritage-listed building, La Cabra Mordialloc boasts the only rooftop venue in the area.
The flagship restaurant marks a return to the roots for Co-Founders Sherinder Kohli, Derrick Chandra and Joshua Smith, who were born, raised and met in the area.
“Not only does this venue showcase the best of what we do, but it also gives us the chance to share our love for Mexican food in a place where the idea for La Cabra started and shaped who we are today,” says Smith.
The venue will feature La Cabra’s signature aesthetic and crowd-favourite menu items, including stuffed jalapenos with Mexican cheese and herbs, and an array of tacos including adobo barbeque beef, and fried snapper with creamed corn varieties.
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