Next Door Bar

This is a sensational space, loads and loads of room and a big open outdoor area out back. Sadly the chef had called in sick when I visited so I only had a coffee, the owner did offer to make a breakfast wrap though. But the coffee, a local blend from Belaroma, was smooth as silk. A nice dusting of chocolate on top and some tiny teddies as well. A perfect place to relax away from the crowds at the other Avalon cafes. Discover this before the rest of the summer blowins do. Usually there is a muffin and coffee special for $6, fresh made muffins by the chef. I hope he/she gets well soon as I will be back.

Check out their website for the evening events and menu. Click Here

Price for coffee $3

Rating: Vespa

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

L.A. Bar (Closed 2014)

This is the hippest and coolest place in Avalon, you can read about it through your friends in facebook. The name refers to the famous surf break off Avalon Beach - Little Avalon. When the bar first opened I think it was called Little Av.
It regularly hosts local musicians and has a private outdoor area too.
Being a bar it serves a big variety of cocktails and foodwise has some snacks.

Smalltown

Smalltown is the biggest cafe in Avalon. This newly reopened cafe is the reincarnation of Rendevouz and Cooks Larder and it is worth visiting. Good coffee #1 in Avalon with quality baristas, good food from a well equipped kitchen and friendly staff. Also they have a good number of newspapers- which I love in a cafe. The menu list is big and has all the usual favouites - I chose the banana bread with coulis and mascapone, it was a generous serve, moist with a big chuck of banana, perfecto. The coffee was a highlight, but they also do a good chai (real chai)
Cost for 2: $16.50

Rating: Vespa

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

The Mill

We walked in and the theme from Shaft was playing - yeah - funky - just like this place.

Thursday night and it was pleasantly populated, the front half-window opening onto Avalon Parade was taken, there were some vacant tables as we walked through and there was a half-full alfresco courtyard at the rear. Three serving behind the bar and the bartender was putting some arm work on some good looking cocktails.

Although brand new the decor makes you feel right at home. Historic Sydney newspapers line the walls in case you are stumped for reading material and there are two great old Avalon photos as well. Dark polished hardwood adorn the bar and the floor is polished concrete. The style is a cross between the Powerhouse museum and a Spanish bodega - it works.

There is a good selection of wines, the chilled Spanish rose was perfect and the cider (which I forgot to get the name) also hit the spot. I spotted some Peroni beer which was my next choice. There are some cute named cocktails - the L90 Expresso and the Round the Bends looked worth trying. It was not long to wait for the reasonably priced food: the House special corkscrew seasoned calamari with aoili was tender, hot and tasty, I kept saying wow this is good. The Classic Margarita pizza with tomato, fresh basil and boccochini was well made but just needed a slightly thicker crust, it was a bit crispy for my liking. Staff were friendly and efficient. They seemed to be enjoying themselves.

The Mill is a cool bar and casual dining addition to Avalon. Great!

Rating: Vespa

Cost for 2: $40 with drinks.

Cranky Fins Holidae Inn

Cool and casual - don't miss this fun new eating spot at Palm Beach. It is worth visiting just for the funky vibe, but the food and service are both outstanding.

Just opened last week it is opposite the golf course and handily placed next to the L90 bus stop. We just walked in off the street after noticing a crowd spilling out. There is a great selection of seating options from stool facing the street on the verandah, old style booths, long bench tables and smaller tables. It is family friendly and the wait staff are efficient and pleasant, even they seemed to be enjoying themselves.

We placed our order at the bar after perusing the clipboard menu and ordered some share plates: 1. Tacos - spiced fish with pico de gallo, avocado, fennel and chipotle mayo (2 for $15) 2. Crunchy school prawns with aioli and lemon ($16) 3. Char grilled lamb backstrap with charred corn, zucchini, pomegranate and yoghurt. ($28)

The order didn't take too long and the food was fresh and tasty. Loved it all. Good selection of beer, wines and cocktails. Visit this place before it gets discovered by the summer Palmie crowd.

Cost for 2: $80 with drinks. Rating: Vespa (there was even one parked out front!)

Visit their website here

Rendevous Cafe Avalon (Closed 2014)

The King is dead, long live the King. CLOSED and replaced by SMALLTOWN!

Replacing one of the iconic eating spaces in Avalon - the old Cook's Larder, we now have a new fine dining option for breakfast and lunch. It is a large relaxed eating space with concrete floors, a good view into the kitchen and half a dozen tables on the tree-lined broad side walk that is Old Barrenjoey Road. Smiling attentive staff grab our coffee order as soon as we are seated. Two experienced baristas drive the industrial strength coffee machine.

The coffee here is superb. Dare I say the best in Avalon.

Crispy bacon and two sunny side fried eggs on brioche, with special sauce tempted me - and did not disappoint.

The fresh fruit salad with vanilla bean yogurt was exemplary. A perfect breakfast, they even had the paper to read.

Cost for 2: $30 Rating: Ferrari

Waterfront Cafe

Right on the water at Church Point, it overlooks the tranquil waters of Pittwater. This cafe also functions as a general store which you walk through to get to the cafe. The dining area extends over the water and is the place to be on a fine sunny day when I was there. It was a Sunday morning and very crowded, this made the vibe a bit tense. The wait staff were busy moving people out of the reserved tables next to the railing and some of the customers were complaining about being moved. Hint: if you want a waterfront table, ring to reserve.

The coffee was good as was the pear and raspberry bread. The fruit salad was mostly watermelon and the yoghurt came in a smallish pot.

Cost for 2: $26 (coffee and snack) Rating: Falcon Mon - Thur - 6:30am - 8pm Fri - Sun - 6:30am - 10pm P:(02) 9979 6633

The sneaky grind

New funky coffee place opened in Avalon. Down Chelsea Lane, it is a bit hard to find but well worth it. First of all the coffee is superb - they use Charlie Coffee blend which I loved. The crema was perfect and they had only just started when I visited. They do the essentials ... coffee and some food. The food side is not huge, some toasties and cakes. I had an almond croissant to go with my espresso and I got crumbs everywhere. It is friendly, personal service and it has a VIBE! If you are disabled this small place has a seriously good ramp to get in. I did not think Av needed another coffee shop but this one is welcome. Rating: Red Vespa Cost for 2: $14

Bilgola Deli and Cafe

Same postcode as Avalon but different vibe. Country Australia. Think Skippy.