7 Of The Best Cronulla Cafes To Try Now

The ultimate guide to the best cafes in Cronulla, the beach-chic suburb in the Sutherland Shire.

The best of Cronulla’s cafes offer a range of diverse experiences, from toes-in-the-sand ristrettos at sunrise to a long brunch that turns into lunch. There’s been a quiet shift in the Sutherland Shire locale over the past few decades and the suburb is now known for more than its perennial good looks and lifestyle.

the bustling esplanade in Cronulla filled with crowds of people — Start your day right with a walk along Cronulla Esplanade followed by breakfast.

Many young people who upped sticks to travel have returned to the Shire, finding their rhythm and adding impetus to the area by opening new bars, cafes, boutiques and restaurants (we’ve got 13 of the best restaurants listed here). Whether you’re in the mood for smashed avo on toast, eggs cooked your way, or pancakes with perfect views, here are some of the best cafes to enjoy them at in Cronulla.

1. Nun’s Pool, Cronulla

The Nun’s Pool is one of the Shire’s OGs. The beautiful sunny space remains an exciting spot to brunch or lunch decades after it first opened. The light-filled restaurant was given a facelift by local lass Sonya Kritzler, of Kritzler+LInk, who has given it a more contemporary feel. The eatery is only open for breakfast and lunch and is popular for weddings and special occasions. Get the Nuns Spicy Big Boy burger, or the chilli fried eggs with roasted chilli, charred corn and goat’s cheese. The eatery is located toward the end of the South Cronulla peninsula, away from the main hub.

Best for: Chilli fried eggs. Drool.
Address: 103 Ewos Parade, Cronulla.

2. Grind Espresso

Cronulla’s cult cafe Grind is the one most locals would take visitors to in order to show off the suburb’s specialty caffeine credentials. The latest incarnation of Richard Calabro’s award-winning cafe is the kind of place where you can down an espresso at the bar, or pause over the communal countertop near the footpath to froth over your latte art. The cafe has all the gear – AeroPresses, siphons etc. – and single O beans on rotation.

Best for: Double espressos and a croissant.
Address: 14-16/2 Surf Rd, Cronulla

a cup of coffee at Grind Espresso — Get your caffeine fix at Grind Espresso.

3. Blackwood Cronulla

Blackwood has been a hit since opening its doors in a graffiti-clad lane in 2017. Chef Rob Lechowicz spent the best part of a decade working in Michelin-starred restaurants before returning to the Sutherland Shire to open the cafe. These days, Blackwood Cronulla is considered one of Sydney’s best places for brunch. Design firm Luchetti Krelle is behind the somewhat Brutalist interiors, which have been softened with pastel hues, timber tones and moody lighting. It’s mobbed by locals and in-the-know weekenders for its coffee and dishes like truffled chilli scrambled eggs.

Best for: Truffled chilli scrambled eggs.
Address: 5/33 Surf Lane, Cronulla

Blackwood Cronulla is an atmospheric place with sheer mauve curtains and concrete floors — Blackwood Cronulla is a comfortable place to linger over breakfast or brunch.

4. Next Door

The little sister eatery to Sealevel is literally next door to the landmark seafood restaurant. Next Door is run by the next-gen members of the Allouche family who grew up waiting tables at Sealevel. and is a popular place to enjoy brunch, lunch or an early wine-down dinner. Next Door has views of local surf break, The Alley, and for that reason is popular with young surfers who converge here post-surf on Sundays to listen to live music and down cocktails. There’s no better place to get a sense of Cronulla’s laidback seaside holiday village vibe than over a plate of crumbed flathead tacos and char-grilled octopus.

Best for: Getting the gang together for a Sunday brunch that turns into a session.
Address: 2/4-6 Kingsway, Cronulla

Eggs and avocado on toast and a cup of coffee — Enjoy eggs on sourdough and specialty coffee at Next Door Cronulla.

5. Sixsmith Cronulla

Any cafe that ranks on a list of Australia’s best cheese toasties is worthy of inclusion in a round-up of Cronulla’s best cafes. Sixsmith Cafe is the little neighbourhood cafe that could. It’s where you see local Shoes surfers such as Johnno and Fez waxing lyrical about the latest Sandshoes Boardrider’s comp. Or members of the Jellybeans swimming group warming up over rounds of coffee. The pet-friendly cafe is located on the South Cronulla peninsula, away from all the crazy summer crowds and chaos. There are take-home meals in the fridge and a pantry of gourmet items to pick up for a beach picnic.

Best for: Sausage rolls and cheese toasties.
Address: 143-145 Ewos Parade, Cronulla

a plate of scones and jams in a rustic garden setting — Sixsmith Cafe in Cronulla sources much of its produce from the garden.

6. HAM

HAM is an acronym for the names of brothers and owners Harry and Mario Kapoulas. Although it’s not the new kid on the block, HAM is one of the best as testified by its enduring popularity. Trendy new apartment blocks surround the cafe where the clientele ranges from former stars of The Bachelor, and Big Brother, to past and present NRL legends. Pick up some cheeses from the cabinet, or fresh paninis. Scoop up a pastry to enjoy with coffee. All in a truly pleasurable environment. Oh, and ask for a Freddo. It’s like an espresso martini without liquor.

Best for: Frothing on a Freddo and a panini. Grab a loaf of Infinity sourdough to go.
Address: Shop 3/17 Gerrale St, Cronulla

7. Pilgrim’s Cronulla

Pilgrim’s won hearts in Cronulla from the get-go when it gave some love to a tired old Art Deco building and transformed it into an enchanting place to eat. Basically, Pilgrim’s is legendary in vegetarian circles all the way down to the South Coast thanks to the chefs who love to carve up vegetarian dishes in good-sized portions. It’s more bona fide boho than Om Shanti chic. The meat-free Mexican nights are also a must from Thursday-Saturday for both vegetarians and carnivores. Licensed for wine only.

Best for: Bliss Burger for breakfast or brunch.
Address: 97 Gerrale St, Cronulla

Whales breaching, fires crackling and slow-cooked feasts that make the cold so cosy, one might wish it lasted longer. Winter is no time to stay at home in NSW.

When the mercury drops, winter in NSW comes into its own. Beaches are quieter, the air is crisper and hearty food tastes even better when there’s ice on the windows.

Winter here isn’t for hiding away. It’s for long walks, deep baths, deeper reds and the kind of fireside lounging that feels simultaneously indulgent and entirely deserved after a day of exploring. From whale-watching up north to moodily lit bushwalks and pastry pilgrimages, we’ve mapped out your new favourite season.

a beach winter in nsw — From coastal walks to tasty delights, winter in NSW is a time to get out and about.

The Tweed

In winter, the NSW north coast has a front-row seat to one of nature’s greatest migrations. From May to November, humpbacks cruise past the Tweed coast between Antarctica and the Great Barrier Reef. Spot them from the Cabarita Beach headland or get up closer with a boat cruise.

Inland, find the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre , which is home to a rotating cast of big-name exhibitions (including Monet).

Later, grab a table at Bistro Livi , where the modern Spanish menu features whipped salt cod on toast and spanner crab with curry butter and spelt flatbread. Stick around to poke through the artist studios and indie boutiques of M|Arts Precinct .

visitors at Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre — Browse the art. (Image: Destination NSW)

The next day, jump aboard the Indigenous Lunch Cruise with Tweed Escapes. You’ll cruise upriver listening to yarns from local Indigenous guides, stop at the Minjungbal Aboriginal Cultural Museum and tuck into lemon myrtle-crusted snapper.

Next, drive out to Farm & Co to pull apart some juicy smoked lamb shoulder with green olive tapenade while gazing out over the macadamia fields and avocado groves of this working farm.

End the day at Mantra on Salt Beach where you’ll enjoy beach access, a heated rock spa and a lagoon pool.

dining room at Bistro Livi — Taste modern Spanish at Bistro Livi.

Blue Mountains

The cold season is hands down the best time to visit the Blue Mountains. Temperatures are perfect – sunny enough for hikes, and crisp enough at night for snuggling up.

For a trip that equally soothes and stirs, start with a meditative meander through the national park’s eucalypts and Australian wildflowers. Brave the steepest passenger railway in the world, Scenic Railway , then hop the Skyway aerial cable car for unrivalled Three Sisters views.

Thaw out at the Japanese Bath House in South Bowenfels. Soak in steamy outdoor onsens filled with natural mineral water and mountain views, wander the rose and zen gardens, or sip hot drinks in the tea house.

group leader at Blue Mountains Stargazing — Rug up for Blue Mountains Stargazing. (Image: Destination NSW)

Afterwards, head to Ates in Blackheath, where everything revolves around a 150-year-old ironbark-fuelled oven – like the wood-roasted duck with nectarines and Szechuan spice. Or visit Tempus Katoomba , which leans experimental and sustainable, serving up dishes like braised fennel with cumin, spiced yogurt and Aleppo pepper.

Rug up and head into the night with Blue Mountains Stargazing . Sessions are guided by astrophysicists, helping you understand what you’re looking at as you look into deep space.

Wrap it all up at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains – MGallery Collection . There’s a whiskey bar in the basement (and crackling fires that make a dram taste even better), indoor and outdoor pools and a day spa. Kids will love the mirror maze and ice rink, too.

dishes laid out on table at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains — End the day with delicious meals at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains. (Image: Destination NSW)

Southern Highlands

Good food and wine by the fire, experienced between sifting through second-hand treasures, is a winter vibe in Bowral.

Start with a lap around Dirty Janes , an antique and vintage market. Recover from your shopping frenzy at Bendooley Book Barn , where floor-to-ceiling shelves and a roaring fire set the tone for an afternoon of red wine or hot coffee.

When it’s time to eat, head to Hickory’s Restaurant & Bar , Peppers Craigieburn Bowral’s onsite restaurant. Try the crispy pork belly with Granny Smith crisps and apple gel, or ocean trout with wakame, lemon gel and pickled radish.

couple looking through Dirty Janes in bowral — Wander the antiques at Dirty Janes. (Image: Destination NSW)

Another option, Onesta Cucina , does Italian with flair. For something more casual (with cocktails), Flour Bar swings between brunch and dinner, with an onsite bakery, over 400 wines and a hidden deli in the old bank vault.

Later, clamber Mt Gibraltar , where trails wind through eucalypt forest to views over Bowral and Mittagong.

Stay at Peppers Craigieburn Bowral , a century-old estate with open fires, elegant lounges and a nine-hole golf course.

woman and her dog winter in nsw at Peppers Craigieburn Bowral — Stay cosy at Peppers Craigieburn Bowral.

Penrith

Shake off winter inertia with an adrenaline boost out in Penrith. Kick things off with a kayak paddle on the Nepean River with Horizon Line, or head to Cables Wake Park , where cold-weather wetsuits take the edge off a wipeout.

For something a bit more cruisy, opt for the Nepean Belle Paddlewheeler for slow-floating views and a hot cuppa.

kayakers on the nepean river in penrith — Head out on the Nepean River. (Image: Destination NSW)

Refuel at Marcel Bar & Bistro , where reimagined European comfort food – like seafood risotto in bisque with little neck clams and Moreton Bay bugs – is king. Then check in at the Pullman Sydney Penrith , the area’s first international five-star hotel, to enjoy your well-earned rest.

Start planning your NSW winter getaway at all.com.

7 of the best cafes in Cronulla to start your day right