Located 26 kilometres south of Sydney’s CBD, Cronulla is celebrated for its laid-back surf culture, golden coastline and thriving food and drink scene.
Hop on a train from Central Station, and you’ll reach Cronulla in under an hour. The most famous suburb in the Sutherland Shire (known as “The Shire”), Cronulla is having its moment. Its long stretch of sand, Bate Bay, was just named Australia’s Best Beach, it’s dining scene is blossoming and buzzing, and more and more people are heading down south to see what the suburb is all about.
When I headed down to Cronulla, I was immediately won over by its friendly locals, buzzing cafés, excellent coffee and beautiful beachside restaurants. But to make this the ultimate local’s guide, I teamed up with my colleague (a lifelong Cronulla resident) to uncover the insider tips and hidden gems that make this guide especially worthwhile.
Read on to discover the best places to eat, drink and play at in Cronulla. I have no doubt that after reading this, you’ll be hopping on that train.
A local’s guide to Cronulla
The best cafes in Cronulla
Little’s
Whether you’re sipping a matcha dusted with cinnamon, admiring their iconic pink coffee machine, or biting into a stacked bacon and egg roll, Little’s is worth seeking out. Hidden away along the Kingsway, this cosy spot serves up a standout breakfast and brunch menu, packed with buttermilk pancakes, chia pudding and loaded bagels, alongside heartier lunch options, like steak frites and fresh nourish bowls.
Where: Shop 6, 28–32 Kingsway, Cronulla NSW 2230.
Next Door Cronulla
Next Door is literally next door to North Cronulla Beach, hence its name and its popularity. Head Chef Luke Arnull states that “We only serve what we’d love to make for our friends”, meaning the fare is fresh, innovative and cooked with care. For brunch, tuck into their chilli scrambled eggs or opt for one of the signature brunch plates, loaded with poached eggs, jalapeño corn fritters, chargrilled pita, creamy htipiti and pickles.
Next Door blurs the line between cafe, restaurant and bar, so if you can’t get enough, you can also go for dinner and drinks in the evening.
Where: 4/6 Kingsway, Cronulla NSW 2230.
Bianchini’s Elouera Beach
For the best ocean views, head to Bianchini’s, where you can see the waves crash onto the stunning Elouera Beach as you enjoy our flat white and pastry. Bianchini’s is one of Cronulla’s most aesthetic cafe though it also knows how to put on a good time, with live music on Sundays and discounted drinks (yes, they also serve booze).
Where: 80 Mitchell Rd, Cronulla NSW 2230.
Blackwood Cronulla
A sister venue to the iconic Blackwood Bondi, Blackwood Cronulla also sits just a short walk from the beach. Serving up top-tier brekky and lunch, you can’t go wrong with a tiramisu French toast and a daily greens juice (because balance is key) from Blackwood Cronulla. A warning, though: you’ll most likely be sitting next to people who just came from various running clubs.
Where: 5/33 Surf Ln, Cronulla NSW 2230.
Miss Jaffles Cafe
A past winner of the best jaffles in Australia, Miss Jaffles Cafe serves up these elite toasted sandwiches with a variety of fillings, however, their specialties include the “Miss Hangover” (bacon, egg, hashbrown, onion relish, cheese and your choice of sauce), the “Miss Mary Mac” (think mac and cheese in a jaffle) and the “Miss Biscoff”, a sweet option filled with caramilk, biscoff, ice cream and topped with strawberries. We’re drooling.
Where: 9/20 Gerrale St, Cronulla NSW 2230.
Grind
If you’re after a good coffee in Cronulla, Grind is the place to go. They’ve been selling smooth brews in Cronulla since 2002, alongside indulgent cakes and pastries from their cosy little cafe. Popular with locals and tourists alike, this little gem is a must-visit for caffeine lovers who find themselves in the Shire.
Where: 16/2 Surf Road, Cronulla Beach, NSW, Australia, 2230.
Pilgrims Cronulla
Cronulla’s best vegetarian cafe, Pilgrims, differentiates itself by serving up tasty plant-based cuisine that will even win over the most loyal meat lovers. Sip on a chai shake or a coconut cloud matcha and tuck into one of their famous vegan burgers, the popcorn cauliflower or a dreamy acai bowl.
Where: 3 Surf Rd, Cronulla NSW 2230.
Ham
Ham is a family-run café and deli founded by brothers Harry and Mario Kapoulas, inspired by memories of lively family gatherings with grandparents, aunties and uncles around the table. That sense of tradition carries through the menu, which celebrates home-style Greek cooking with classics like spanakopita, moussaka and pastitsio. Alongside the savoury staples, the café pours ONA coffee and offers a playful drinks menu featuring inventive options like iced mango matcha and cherry iced tea.
Where: 3/17 Gerrale St, Cronulla NSW 2230.
Loaf
Loaf claims to serve the Shire’s best sambos, and we can’t argue with that. Selling absolutely stacked sandwiches packed with all the fillings you can dream of, you won’t leave Loaf disappointed (or hungry). Our favourite is the hambo, featuring ham, vintage cheddar, caramelised carrot, pickles, red cabbage and greens. They also do jaffles, chip buttys, brekky rolls and a huge selection of drinks.
Where: 89 Cronulla St, Cronulla NSW 2230.
The best restaurants in Cronulla
Homer Rogue Taverna
Homer describes itself as “inspired by the streets of Athens, rooted in tradition, made for now”: a fitting introduction to this warm, understated eatery serving modern Greek comfort food.
Expect sesame koulouri (stone-baked Greek bread) with heaps of tzatziki and taramas, organic chicken souvla, lemon potatoes, and classic Greek baklava. The interiors are effortlessly cool and unfussy, while the relaxed approach (including waitstaff dressing as they please) gives this rogue taverna an intimate, lived-in charm that feels every bit as inviting as the menu itself.
Where: 3/3 Surf Rd, Cronulla NSW 2230.
Pippi’s
Pippi’s is another Cronulla institution, loved for its standout small plates, antipasti and woodfired pizzas. It’s also BYO, making it an easy choice for a long lunch or relaxed dinner without blowing the budget, just bring your favourite bottle along. Grab a table on the deck beneath the venue’s signature white-and-orange umbrellas and take in views of the marina, where white yachts bob gently on the water as you dine.
Where: 2 Tonkin St, Cronulla NSW 2230.
Cronulla RSL
Every time I’m in Cronulla with my friend, she insists we have lunch at Cronulla RSL. Their restaurant, called Bonfield, was recently renovated and now offers chic coastal dining incorporating fresh ingredients with ocean views. Tuck into pizzas, graze on a charcuterie board or try one of their signature dishes, from beef short ribs to honey and black pepper pork belly. Their extensive menu has something to suit every taste.
Where: 38R Gerrale St, Cronulla NSW 2230.
Sealevel
Perched above Cronulla Beach with sweeping ocean views, Sealevel has been family-owned and operated by the Allouche family since opening in 1997. This Shire institution serves a modern Australian menu but has a strong focus on seafood. It’s an ideal pick for a more elevated, special-occasion dinner, while dishes sit at the higher end of the price range, the quality more than justifies it. Seafood lovers should make a beeline for the fresh snapper fillet and cold seafood platter.
Where: 2 Kingsway, Cronulla NSW 2230.
Bobby’s
Seaside, Mediterranean dining is the focus at Bobby’s which also has a spectacular beachfront view. They offer up five different Margs, from classic to coconut and Sicilian, as well as a variety of signature cocktails. Our order is the Kingfish ceviche, anchovy toast, barra burger, fried zucchini flowers and the grilled octopus – you can’t go wrong.
Where: 6R The Esplanade, Cronulla NSW 2230.
Call Me Mamma
Call Me Mamma is the perfect place for a big group feed, with its Italian-inspired menu, funky cocktails and feel good vibe. They also offer up a $75 shared set menu, featuring their iconic house bread and burrata, pork and fennel meatballs, crispy squid, lamb rigatoni, charcoal-grilled chicken and more. Grab an aperol or glass of bubbly and settle in for a guaranteed good time with your nearest and dearest.
Where: 138 Cronulla St, Cronulla NSW 2230.
The best bars in Cronulla
Northies
Northies is arguably one of the most iconic watering holes in the Shire, serving up good grub, cold beers and live entertainment. Whether you’re keen to watch a Sharks game or sip on an Aperol Spritz with your besties, Northies will pass the vibes check. It’s also directly opposite the beach, making it perfect for a post-swim sip.
Where: Kingsway &, 141-143 Elouera Rd, Cronulla NSW 2230.
The Blind Bear
The Blind Bear opened in 2013 and has been serving craft beers, whisky and American-style grub to the people of the Shire ever since. The dimly-lit saloon has over 100 whiskies to choose from, plus a rotation of craft beers to pair up with classic hot dogs, smash burgers and golden fried chicken. They also have a late-night menu (available from 10pm til close) to help you curb your munchies before you hit the hay.
Where: 28 Cronulla St, Cronulla NSW 2230.
Croydon Lane
Croydon Lane is Cronulla’s go-to wine bar for tapas, cocktails, great wine and laidback good times. Sitting opposite Cronulla Town Centre, the venue blends the lively social energy of a Spanish plaza with the relaxed coastal feel of Cronulla. Expert mixologists shake up a menu of signature cocktails, while the thoughtfully curated wine list is designed to pair perfectly with the tapas-style plates.
Where: Shop 8/30 Kingsway, Cronulla NSW 2230.
Zinc Bar
Grab a jug of red sangria, or a “Spicy Ass” house cocktail (which is described as a Moscow Mule with a hint of chilli) and settle down at Zinc Bar, another iconic, beachside Cronulla haunt. Drop by their happy hour, every Monday to Friday from 4pm to 6pm for $12 cocktails and $7 beers, and enjoy live music across the weekend.
Where: 1 McDonald St, Cronulla NSW 2230.
Things to do in Cronulla
Explore the award-winning Bate Bay
Bate Bay’s foreshore makes up the beaches of Cronulla, and this long, uninterrupted stretch of sand actually won the 2026 Best Beach in Australia Award. Spanning almost five kilometres, Bate Bay won for its aesthetic, its facilities, access and parking. As you stroll along the beach, you’ll see surfers dotted in the clear, turquoise water.
Grab gelato at Anita
You might know Anita from its popular Bondi, South Eveleigh or Manly stores, and their sleek Cronulla outpost is also worth a visit. Serving up rich, creamy gelato, the menu features classic favourites alongside inventive flavours like matcha with pistachio wafer and birthday cake. Grab a cone or cup to enjoy on a stroll by the beach, or settle in and savour it in-store.
Where: 2/6 Cronulla St, Cronulla NSW 2230.
Find hidden beaches
If you’ve already ticked off the award-winning Bate Bay beaches, Cronulla still has plenty of quieter coastal pockets tucked away in its more residential corners. Darook Park Beach is a local favourite, typically calm and uncrowded, with shallow waters, a bush-fringed backdrop and ideal conditions for a sheltered swim. There’s also Oak Park Beach, home to a large ocean pool that’s perfect for a refreshing dip by the sea.
Where: Darook Park Beach, 43 Darook Park Rd, Cronulla NSW 2330.
Watch a show at Brass Monkeys
Brass Monkeys is a all-rounder, acting as a resturant, bar and live music venue in the heart of Cronulla. Located very conveniently next to the train station, Brass Monkeys has a rotating program of live music, with a program prioritising jazz and rock. Snack on Middle Eastern platters and pizzas and you enjoy the show at this low-lit basement gem.
Where: 115A Cronulla St, Cronulla NSW 2230.
