Oceans Dining & Drinks

While Merivale loudly popped the proverbial Champagne on its new rooftop venue, a rival contender quietly did the same at the southern end of Coogee Beach. The ‘other’ Coogee rooftop took over the tired space in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, and offered Sydneysiders magnificent views and seafood fare – with elbowroom to boot. On a sunny day the terrace calls for an Oyster Tasting Plate ($12) and McLaren Vale Sparkling ($7.50/$34). Inside would have you thinking it’s summer all year round with its green and gold colour palette screaming pina coladas. Of course, the cocktail menu is more sophisticated than that: the Coconut Margarita ($17) does the trick, and the Summer Dream ($17) with vodka, lychee liqueur, basil and raspberry goes down oh-so-easy. Carb-up with the zesty Balsamic Mushroom Pizza ($18) or turn it down with the Tuna and Prawn Salad ($35), which is generous and as fresh as the breeze. The Crispy Pork Belly Bites ($21) sound better than they taste, lacking in flavour and sauce, sadly. As a whole, the place is more hit than miss – worth taking a walk south side. It’s also worth thumbing through the nearby beach library – a local Council initiative to shout about. There are good things happening in Coogee if you have the time to look beyond the pines…

Oceans Dining and Drinks
Corner Arden & Carr Street, Coogee
Ph: (02) 9315 9178 oceansbar.com.au
Bar, Bar Food, Mediterranean $$$