Shady Palms: Central Coast dining scene goes troppo
An Avoca restaurant that has housed two of the Coast’s most legendary dining experiences, is embarking on its next exciting chapter, as Shady Palms.
The bar and restaurant occupying the leafy two-acre homestead at 366 Avoca Drive, was a riot of colour as Rojo Rocket and then offered a contemporary slice of Italy as Bombini. Now, it’s been reimagined as Shady Palms. The restaurant is the latest Central Coast business from the team behind Mumbo Jumbos, and while there are still plenty of colourful cocktails inducing laidback island feels, Shady Palms emanates more of a vintage surf vibe than the Jamaican shack setting of its beachfront brother. As a born-and-bred Coastie, Shady Palms co-owner Justin Hyland said the site has been home to some of the Coast’s most memorable drinking and dining, and they weren’t going to let a pandemic get in the way of securing their turn at the property. 
“I grew up on the Coast and I’ve loved this location from Rojo through to Bombini. It’s such a great space and we really believed it was perfect for our next venture, regardless of the situation with COVID,” he said. Already home to a beautiful old homestead with a wraparound verandah, an upstairs bar complete with pizza oven, acres of lush gardens and palm trees galore, the team behind the aptly-named Shady Palms simply added some private al fresco pockets among the greenery and some shaded outdoor booths, making the most of the garden oasis. 
In line with the owners’ sustainability ethos, all the furniture is upcycled from the stools in the bar to the decking and tables made with timber from an old jetty. The menu has been designed to transport diners to an island paradise with fun and fresh flavours inspired by the Pacific. While the tacos, burgers and seafood might seem familiar to fans of Mumbos, there are also juicy steaks and woodfired pizzas on offer at Shady Palms. 
The tropical drinks couldn’t be more befitting of the tropical setting and, like the food, are designed to trigger relaxing holiday vibes the moment a cocktail arrives. From the everyday soundtrack, to DJs and live music on the weekends, rest assured that the palms are always pumping. Opening in time for summer, this new bar and restaurant located under Avoca’s ‘shady palms’ is the slice of paradise the Coast needs after 2020.
