When A Long Lunch With Your Crew Is Well Overdue, Here’s Where To Head
From bottomless to brand new venues
Giro Osteria, Cronulla
There are lots of fun ways to catch up with your besties, but if you ask us, nothing quite measures up to a lazy, long lunch that stretches well into the hours after the sun goes down - and even further if you’re truly game.
Thankfully, the Shire feels almost purpose-built for such an affair, with more venues serving delicious platters and specialist cocktails than you can shake a stick at. So, if a catch up with the girls or your crew is well overdue, here’s where to head for a long lunch in the Sutherland Shire.
Fior
A long lunch that ends with an aperitivo hour is just the ticket. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, the Shire’s new kid on the block, Fior, throws open its doors to welcome guests (a.k.a. you and your besties) for lunch. Fior’s menu features all the hallmarks of a slightly fancy gathering with the girls, including burrata, generous plates of pasta and gelato, all presented in the prettiest of ways. Book at 2:00pm and stay ‘til aperitivo hour begins at 4:00pm, where you’ll be able to get another round of Fior Spritz’s for just $12.
Summer Salt
This beachside favourite, Summer Salt, is back with a bold new look, perfect for a long lunch by the sea. Think sleek blue accents, a modern coastal aesthetic, and front-row ocean views that set the scene for a leisurely day. The Italian-inspired menu puts local seafood in the spotlight, and don’t miss out on the Sunnyboy cocktail — it’s a playful throwback you’ll want to sip all afternoon.
Alphabet St
Famous for their modern Asian bites and unique cocktail list (hello, Apple Martini), Alphabet St is already a firm favourite amongst girlfriends of the Shire. Their rosé-toned, comic book chic interiors make for a perfect pairing with their equally colourful menu, which features the likes of Hiramasa Kingfish Sashimi, Roti, Miang Prawns, and Coconut Chicken Salad - all of which are designed to be shared.
Pino’s
Channelling the charm and lifestyle of Italy's renowned region of Puglia, Pino’s al Mare is the perfect choice for a long, leisurely lunch. Whitewashed walls, terracotta hues, and marble details create a setting where you can slow down, sip and savour for hours on end. For the ultimate Italian experience, start with a Lemon Spritz, share a handful of entrees and mains and be sure to end with a serving (or two) of their incredible Tiramisu!
Benny’s
Benny’s is home to sleek, coastal-inspired interiors with stunning views over Gunnamatta Bay. With a relaxed yet sophisticated vibe, it's the ultimate spot to kick back with friends, spritz in hand. The menu, whipped up by hatted chef RJ Lines, adds a fresh Australian-Mediterranean twist to Cronulla’s foodie scene. Scout tip: Book a late lunch and catch the sun setting over the bay — trust us, it's the perfect way to wrap up your day!
Cony’s
This self-described ‘fun and feminine’ space was founded upon owner Cony’s love of cooking and passion for great South American-style food. For an easy-breezy option, we highly recommend the bottomless brunch, held every Saturday and Sunday at 12:30pm and 2:30pm. For $99pp, you’ll be granted some of the best menu picks as well as unlimited margs, Aperol spritzes, tap beer and, of course, sangria.
Bobbys
Promising to impart an experience akin to an afternoon on the European coastline, Bobbys is shaping up to be one of the Shire’s hottest new venues. Designed by renowned architecture firm Tom Mark Henry, the interiors are totally Instagrammable, with splashes of terracotta, stone and marble. Combined with coastal breezes and a modern European menu designed to share, this is the perfect spot to plonk down for a long afternoon.
Jensens
Light, bright and open, Kareela’s Jensens has a long-standing history of serving great food and drinks to great friends and family. Old-school cooking techniques are brought to life in a contemporary menu, while their resident mixologist is constantly adding his cocktail creations to the ever-changing drinks list. To get the full experience, we recommend you and your besties try the set menu, which includes their famous fried gnocchi and some seriously tempting dessert options. Scout tip: request a plush booth for your crew when booking!
Hurricane’s
Draped in a palette of neutrals and full of Euro-inspired chalky curves and sculptural shapes, the interiors alone are a conversation starter for your next long lunch. Despite being a fresh face in Cronulla's dining landscape, Hurricane's has been dishing out top-notch fare across Australia (and now globally) for nearly two decades. Their Cronulla spot introduces a twist with locally sourced seafood, complementing their signature selection of premium meats and fresh produce. It's the perfect setting for an indulgent, laid-back lunch experience.
Giro Osteria
The experience at Giro Osteria is typical of the culture its dishes are derived from: true, authentic Italian designed to be shared amongst friends and family, with lots of good drinks thrown in for good measure. Like their sister venue, Alphabet St, Giro Osteria is also home to the coveted Apple Martini, plus a slew of other delicious cocktails to sip on before - or while - you chow down on the freshest antipasto and pasta.
Jack Gray
Jack Gray is where morning coffee meets early evening wine - and isn’t that what long lunches are all about? Their mag-worthy, neutral-toned space is an idyllic backdrop to an afternoon of beautifully-plated dishes and refreshing sips. On Fridays and Saturdays, you and your crew can settle in for a little longer as they extend into their dinner service.
Sealevel
A long lunch seaside is hard to beat, and with Sealevel’s floor-to-ceiling glass windows, the experience is truly hard to beat. Priding themselves on sourcing the finest and freshest seafood, their Seafood Platters are the perfect pick for a real treat-yourself moment. Bonus points: Sealevel is BYO, so pack your favourite sip and settle in for a long afternoon.
Bianchinis Cronulla
Tucked away on Surf Lane, this chic eatery blends indoor and outdoor seating with an open kitchen and bar, creating a trendy inner-city laneway vibe just a stone's throw from South Cronulla Beach. The menu features share-style plates and fresh seafood, but the real standout is their new bottomless offering — for just $65pp, you can indulge in endless Aperol Spritzes, Classic Margaritas, Caprioskas, Rosé, Prosecco, or Coronas. It’s the perfect way to elevate your next long lunch, if you ask us!
C.C. Babcoq
The stylish C.C. Babcoq projects seriously cool vibes which is the only energy you need for a long lunch. Offering a flavourful share-style menu and an equally fun drinks selection (think Yuzu Spritz and Juicy Water Melon Sour), it's the perfect spot to relax and indulge. If you and your besties are the types to get straight into long and overdue conversations, perhaps consider the set menu, to which you can add a drinks package - or make it bottomless.