Waterfront Dining by Boat #2
What could be more special than arriving at your favourite waterfront restaurant by boat – your own cruiser, yacht or privately chartered vessel?
The dining scene on the Central Coast is going from strength to strength and the region is particularly blessed with restaurants that boast beautiful water views and cuisine to suit all tastes. And don’t forget that Palm Beach and all that Pittwater offers are only a short boat trip across Broken Bay – set off in your own boat, take the ferry or talk to our good friends at Zephyr Charters for a customised group cruise, restaurant transfers and lots more (call 0450 96 5656, see zephyrcharters.com.au).
It’s not just the views we love – here are two of the best fabulous eateries where you can sail right up to the deck.
THE BOATHOUSE HOTEL PATONGA
As well as arriving on your own boat, if you’re coming from the Northern Beaches you can take the ferry from Palm Beach to Patonga – a scenic 30-minute trip. Patonga, which means ‘oyster’ in the local Guring-gai language, is a peaceful coastal community surrounded by the Hawkesbury River and Broken Bay.
The Boathouse Hotel has become a major drawcard since opening in 2018 and in 2020 the adjoining Patonga Cottage opened for guest accommodation. The contemporary, beachy style of the restaurant (hotel) – a former pub – is similar in look and feel to other venues in the Boathouse Group and there’s still a takeaway fish and chip shop. There are plenty of outdoor tables with umbrellas but, because you can’t book, it’s advisable to turn up early for a good lunch spot.
Lunch and dinner menus offer a range of Mod-Oz dishes, including share plates, pizza, pasta, seafood and fish of the day. Servings are generous, so beware of over-ordering! You can choose from a wide selection of wines, beers, ciders and cocktails, and happy hour runs every day from 4pm to 6pm.
The hotel is open for lunch and dinner 11am to 8pm daily and the takeaway menu is available from 7am to 3pm daily.
Walk-in only: 02 4379 111; see theboathousehotelpatonga.com.au
PASADENA SYDNEY, CHURCH POINT
Set in a prime waterfront location at picturesque Church Point on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Pasadena Sydney is well and truly open for business again. It has taken owners Paul and Sheridan Peterkin some years to bring the property, which has been through a few incarnations since its inception as the Pasadena Roadhouse in 1935, back to its former glory.
Today it operates as a restaurant, entertainment venue and boutique hotel with 14 guest rooms. Pasadena Sydney also hosts private parties, corporate events and weddings – call the events team for details. The restaurant serves ‘fresh, modern seaside cuisine’, including tempting small plates such as arancini with aioli, crab toast with crème fraiche and burrata with pea guacamole.
Mains include very reasonably priced pizzas as well as classic dishes such as eye fillet, roast pork belly and fish of the day.
The restaurant is open for lunch Wednesday to Sunday; dinner Thursday to Sunday; and breakfast Saturday and Sunday from 8.30am. Pasadena Sydney is also a great spot to spend a Friday night or weekend afternoon listening to live music while enjoying a cocktail or a refreshing cold beer – check the website to see what’s on.
Bookings 02 8998 7810; see pasadenasydney.com
