Best place sto eat in Avalon Beach in 2022

Alma's Mexican restaurant Amber Waves Bakery Avalon Beach Bowling and Recreation Club Avalon Chinese Restaurant Avalon RSL - Bistro 61 Avalon Wholefoods Store Bakers Delight Bangkok Sidewalk Thai Bar Elvina Bar Beco cafe Bistro Boulevarde Bonfire Bakery Bookochino Burgers on Parade Chill Bar cafe Franks bar Han Court Chinese Restaurant Hungry Ghost Cafe La Banette Bakery Leonardos bar and deli Made in Turin Pizza Mekong Merchant Avalon Vietnamese Meltemi Pizzeria restaurant Ninja Japanese Restaurant North Bean Cafe Nourished cafe Oceana Traders Fish Shop Patterson's Pies Pizzico Italian Robin's New Nest Chicken Shop SaiBiang Thai Sandy's Sea Wave Thai Sky Thai Sneaky Grind cafe Spaghetti 75 Sunset Diner Swell cafe Wasabi Japanese Restaurant

Bangkok Sidewalk

A new swish Thai restaurant has opened just in time for the summer rush. Located in the spacious, polished concrete floored, old cafe Smalltown space on Old Barrenjoy Road.
This is a large room with plenty of space to eat-in. Lots of tables - lots of seats.
We headed there for lunch and were the first in there at 12. Served quickly and quietly we got our food pronto. A few other diners wandered in and all had food in front of them in under 10 minutes.
We went for a selection of entrees - the chicken kai satay, kai hor ban toey (chicken in pandan), corn fritters and fresh rolls.
Will return to try the rest of the menu. It's good.
No coffee in case you were wondering.
Can't get enough of Thai food so this should be a winner.
9918 4020 or 9918 4050. Open 7 days 11am till late.

Rating: Fiat 500
Cost $30 for 2

Mekong

At last, great pork Vietnamese pork buns come to Avalon!
Word is out early as there were queues here opening day. Get on the Bahn-wagon!
Located in the French quarter of Avalon (that is what I call it - it is bound to catch on).
Opposite Bistro Boulevard, the old chicken shop is no more, next to Mitre 10 and on the hippy trail from the backpackers, the decor is like downtown Hanoi. A really special renovation with funky tiles, Viet posters and on opening seated bar facing North, perfect for people watching. Some outside tables too.
But what about the food?
Had a crispy pork bun, the roll was warm and crunchy, the special spread divine and the pork ... tasted good too.
I will be back.
Probably every chance I get as I am addicted to Bahn mi.Open for breakfast coffee too. Must try the bacon and egg bun.

Lunch: Crispy Pork bun, Beef rice paper roll. Total $13
Rating: Motorised rickshaw

Sabiang Thai Restaurant

A lovely addition to the Avalon dining scene, some real upmarket competition in Asian dining.
Well located near the cross of Old Barrenjoey Rd and Avalon Pde, it features some nice spaces to eat. Upstairs, and outside are the perfect summer venues.
A wide range of traditional Thai food but some with a modern twist.
The busy kitchen is open to view. This I love.
The food is great with very generous portions, I have over ordered both times I ate here. The takeaway boxes are large.
Friendly service and the online ordering system is also great.
Cost for 2: $31
Rating: Tuk Tuk

Cafe Soto

I don't often venture over to North Avalon but as the polo was on I thought I'd take a look.
A sign advertising Bahn Mi - or pork rolls drew me off Barrenjoey Rd into the strip of Careel Bay shops.
Once inside the friendly cafe I switched to the pulled pork roll instead.
Tasty hickory favoured pork with a fresh salad inside a white roll.
Divine.
Rating: Vespa
Cost: $8

Pineapple Crush (now Pineana)

Opened for a taste on Avalon market day 2016, where they gave out free pineapple crush, this breezy and bright fresh food seller opened just in time for the Christmas holiday peak.
The best location in Avalon, much better than the old bank that was here. A great place to see and be seen. Good seats at the bar right on the street, an upstairs hidden area as well. Love the outdoor casual seats too.
A simple menu. It serves juices and fresh salad. Pick one of five salad bowl selections, all $14. I had the Buddha with peanuts, tofu, noodles, pineapple and chilli. Perfect for summer lunch.

Price for one with a juice $19.
Rating Vespa.

Parrilla - Hot Coal Kitchen

Opened in March 2016 it has taken me a while to visit. I walk past often and wondered what style of restaurant it is. Wonder no more as I visited on a busy Saturday night.
It was great, do not hesitate to drop in for a meal or take away a burger, the food is first class. The atmosphere is relaxed dining, and the service is happy and family friendly, the decor is retro laminex and orange covered stools. You can eat outside or there are some tables inside.
It was a busy night but the kitchen and staff were attentive always on their toes. It was great watching the big grill in action inside.
According to wiki Parrilla eaither means a long-tailed tit (a type of bird) or a style of grill used for cooking asado (barbecue), commonly found in Latin America, particularly Mexico, Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay. It is the latter.

It specialises in meat - and the meat here is to die for.
We started with some smokey buttery garlic bread, had a lovely char.
And for main had the the Scampi and the Slow cooked rib, with sides of beans and cauliflower.
The Scampi was sweet and juicy, with lemon and garlic butter, I could have eaten ten, but there were only three (and it was not my order). It had a lovely char.
The beef rib fell apart - accompanied by a spicy sauce - this was a highlight, if you come here you must get some meat - it also had a lovely char! Love the char. Serving sizes are good, it was that big I had no room for dessert - always a shame.
They have a good selection of wines and beers - I recommend the locally brewed pale ale - Modus Operandi - all the way from Mona Vale.

NEWS UPDATE. NOW CLOSED. A closed sign and for lease went up at start of Dec 2016.  A new Thai Sai-biang has opened in this space.

Price for two with drinks= $80.
Rating: A fully speced up red Holden Monaro Ute - Yee Haw!

Made In Turin

The best pizza in Avalon - without doubt.

A new pizzeria is now opened in Avalon and thank goodness it is the real deal. This is Italy, this is Turin, yep I could even believe the pizza was Made in Turin. Clean and shiny the foyer of the shop is Turin themed - a cute Fiat clock, pictures of Turin landmarks, happy Torino residents .

Have just found out that the owners used to run the popular Vince's Pizza Bar in Avalon 20 years ago - so welcome back. The pizza that I had was the best I have tasted in a long long time. And I have been eating a lot lately.

The most important element in a good pizza is the crust, this one was Naples-thick, chewy and crispy at the same time (if that is possible). Also the topping on the pizza I ordered, the Torinese, had me wishing I had ordered two, beautifully rustic fresh ingredients, and importantly not too much cheese. The drizzled pattern of Aioli and sesame seeds was a superb touch. The 13" size was perfect for a meal for two.

Located on Old Barrenjoey Rd, handily near the bottle shop and across the road from that new video shop. Combine these three - pizza, vino and a Sophia Loren movie for a perfect night in. I will definitely be back to try out the whole menu. I placed my order and it was ready for pickup in 15 minutes. On time and with very friendly service. What more could you want. Buon appetito!

Cost for 2: $19.50

Rating: A Fiat 500, of course.

Phone for orders: 9918 4579

www.madeinturin.com.au

Pizzeria e Cucina

A fine Italian Italian restaurant. It is on the main drag in Newport Beach and is large and has a friendly feel. Lots of families with children and a few hipsters at the bar. The wait staff are always welcoming and the prices very reasonable for the large serves.

We had the garlic pizza bread - soft with a perfecto base - plenty of garlic (lucky I have the day off tomorrow). There are lots of choices for pizza or mains but we decided to go pasta tonight.

For mains Garganelle - whole egg Garganelle pasta with prosciutto, peas, potato and truffle cream. This dish was the highlight of the night - creamy and different.

Gnocchi guance di bue - potato dumplings in ox cheeks with red wine and vegetables.

For Dolci the Tiramisu is a standout.

Rating: Fiat 500 Cost for 2 with wine, main and dessert: $85

Revisted here in February 2015 with a party of 5: Had an early 5.30pm sitting as one of our party had to go out later, there were lots of families with kids here at this time, and again the wait staff were friendly and helpful. We ordered the garlic pizza bread to start, while we decided on our order.

We went for 3 pizzas and a pasta dish, this turned out to be the perfect amount. Ventre pizza was the standout, pear and pork belly, second best was the Quattro stagione (procuitto and cheese etc, and the special pizza was the calamari. We also had the gnocci gorgonza and walnut which is super creamy and tasty. Not sure I could eat this on my own but we all shared. No dessert today and the bill was $120. Perfect!

Contact: 315 Barrenjoey Road Newport NSW 2106

Phone (02) 9986 0577

Cranzgot's Pizza Cafe - CRANZGOTS

North Avalon on a balmy autumn evening is the perfect setting for some casual dining. This Friday night at Cranzgots the place is full of happy families seated inside and out. The kitchen has about seven staff who are working like a well-oiled machine, they are really working that gas oven to the max.

We phoned our order in and were told there would be a 50 minute wait, it was ready in 40 - so well done. I only ordered a Margarita - as this is my favourite - so my review will only concentrate on this. Of course to be fair there looks to be a good range of the gourmet topping types and they looked really good (Should have ordered the Irene!.

My Pizza: Plenty of mozzarella on top - maybe too much and the pizza base needed a touch more crisping up. Generous serve - there was leftovers for the next day.

This is the place to bring your family - I recommend ordering ahead if you want to cut your wait time down and don't want the little tackers eating their arm off.

Cost for two: $18

Rating: Ford Falcon

Zubi

This hip cafe is always busy and no wonder why. Fast service, chic atmosphere and a hidden garden that on a sunny day is divine. The food is pre-prepared and heated but it is better than most can do on the spot. This day there was a funky cool jazz band. We had the procuitto brioche and banana bread, plus two coffees. Cost =$20 Rating:Vespa

Sushi Ichiri Japanese Cuisine

This restaurant is located in one of the best spots in Avalon. It has a calming vibe. It is an old cottage which include the front garden. You can sit outside in the garden, about 12 seats or inside about 20 seats. It has a simple clean modern decor.

We were welcomed into the restaurant by that usual singsong greeting of the staff and did not have a reservation but easily got a seat. There were reserved signs on about 4 tables and the place gradually filled up while we were there.

There were three waitresses serving and two chefs in the kitchen. You can see the chefs working in the kitchen and they have a good view of what is going on. The food is fresh and fast-served.

You can choose fresh sashimi, sushi, sushi rolls, katsu, teriaki, noodles and a green tea ice cream.

We had the Pork Dumpling ($7.90) and Agedashi Prawn and Eggplant ($7.90) both served steaming hot and delicious. Then came the Teriyaki salmon steak($19.90) and the servings were huge and the salmon cooked so well I could have eaten two.

Cost for two = $50

Rating = Vespa

48 Old Barrenjoey Rd

Lunch 11.30 - 2.30 Dinner 5.30 - 9.30

Wednesday to Monday Closed Tuesday

BYO

Takeaway Phone & Fax 9918 8661

Subway

No surprises here.
I guess that is why all the teenagers hang out here.
If you want a sandwich it is not a bad option.
Had a six inch vegie sub. Spicy.
Rating: Toyota Corolla
Cost: $4.95

Amber Waves Bakery

This an old fashioned cake shop, but wait there's more ... bread and coffee. If you get up early this is usually the earliest opening coffee shop in Avalon.
All the tradies line up in the morning and get a iced donut to wash it down.
It has all the traditional aussie cakes: cream buns, neinish tarts, meringues, custard tarts. It also has bread and pies.
Rating: Ford Falcon
Cost: one baguette $3

Bakers Delight Avalon

The racks never seem to be empty here and the bread is always fresh-baked daily.
There is a big variety of loafs, ham & bacon rolls, scones, scrolls, baguettes, pizza bases. I love the cape seed loaf!
Rating: Vespa
Cost: One baguette $3

La Banette - Patisserie and Boulangerie

Every village needs a good bread shop, Avalon has three but La Banette is exceptional.
It is not unusual to see a line outside. The hot baguettes fresh out of the oven simply cannot be beaten.

There is a wide range of baguettes - sourdough, olive; also other loaves - rye, fruit loaf, grain, yeast free. Croissants- almond, chocolate, plain. Petit Fours, Quiches, meringues. Also a lovely range of signature cakes.

The shop was renovated a year ago and has a rustic feel. The staff are always friendly and patient. Cash only!

Rating: Vespa
Cost: One fresh baguette = $3

Avalon Seafoods

Located on Old Barrenjoey Rd this clean fish and chipper is open everyday.
They have a grilled or fried menu (why is the fried always cheaper?) and they do oysters, scallops, calamari and fresh fish.
As you'd expect things don't take long and its a short walk to the beach to eat with a view.

I had some grilled fish and chips, slice of lemon ...delicious.

Cost $9
Rating: Toyota Corolla