Tag: Whale Beach

Local Restaurant Guide – 2107

We’ve combed Avalon Beach, Bilgola Beach, Bilgola Plateau, Clareville, and Whale Beach for the best reviewed restaurants in the area where people waxed lyrical about their dining experience and what they love most about it. Here’s our list!

Read: Local Reaction Over Avalon Beach Filming Puts Spotlight on NSW Film Fee Rules

1. Bistro Boulevard

About Bistro Boulevard
4.7 Google Rating

40 Avalon Parade, Avalon Beach NSW 2107

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Haruna J
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Such a nice vibe and friendly staff!
They serve amazing batch brew and hand-drip coffee as well.
The food and desserts were super tasty!
See you soon!

Juliana A
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Had a very nice family brunch here. The latte art was spectacular (give extra happiness 😊), and the Balinese kwe tiau goreng was especially delicious. Great service and friendly atmostphere! Highly recommend 👍

Flora N
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Good food, great atmosphere and friendly staff for a Friday brunch!

2. The Clareville

About The Clareville
4.8 Google Rating

27 Delecta Ave, Clareville NSW 2107

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Jo-ann
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
5 star. We had a luncheon with friends, table for 4, end December. Such a beautiful experience on the eye, the palate & the surrounds. Delicious. I used to come here 20 years ago, same place, different hosts now. It lived up to its reputation of a gorgeous & humble place to dine. The stylish service was excellent, friendly & knowledgeable. The wine list has a simplicity of selection, yet a good selection & perfectly paired with the menu. Lovely to stroll on Clareville Beach after lunch. A treat for us to finish off the end of a year & bring in a new one.

Linda M
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
We spent a beautiful Sunday afternoon enjoying the degustation menu with wine pairing.
Absolutely outstanding! Cooper’s menu is original and exquisite.
All the staff are very knowledgeable about the menu and wines. We suspect they’re all sommeliers.
Fantastic place for a celebration or an intimate meal.
Highly recommend this wonderful little restaurant.

Dean J
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Went to the Clareville for a Saturday lunch and could not have enjoyed it more. Staff were amazing, the food was delicious and the wine was perfect. Went for a walk along the beach afterwards and head home feeling very relaxed. Can’t wait to find an excuse to do it again.

3. Alma

About Alma
4.3 Google Rating

47 Old Barrenjoey Rd, Avalon Beach NSW 2107

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Danielle M
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The most amazing, authentic Mexican food you will ever try. Staff are so lovely and friendly, always making sure you’re happy. Not to mention that the atmosphere is lively and has a traditional Mexican style. The guacamole, empanadas, barramundi tacos and birria tacos MUST be tried! We will definitely be returning soon.

Jorge U
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
It was my first time at this Mexican Restaurant. It was for my wedding anniversary and I must say that I got very impressed with the quality and tasty food. It was beyond my expectations. We had a 5 course meal tasting and the dishes were so well presented and tasty that it completed change my mind about Mexican Food in a good way. All the flavours mixed in such way that made a perfect balance. You can’t miss this amazing Alma Restaurant at Avalon Beach. I don’t have enough words to describe it. And what about the staff??? Simply unsurpassed!! Really friendly staff. The atmosphere and decoration invites to enjoy this great experience. Very well located at the heart of Avalon Beach. Opens till late. I will definitely come back again soon.

Axel
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Great place for a special occasion, food was lovely and prices were reasonable. Service was great, table was given a free desert because of a birthday. Would recommend reserving as there is limited seating options

4. SUNSET DINER

About SUNSET DINER
4.5 Google Rating

41 Old Barrenjoey Rd, Avalon Beach NSW 2107

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Michael S
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Nice place in Avalon! Food was nice flavour, and staff were friendly. Food looked good….

Sabina U
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sunset Diner was a great find. The burgers were delicious and the staff were warm and attentive. They even offered us a complimentary drink while we waited, which was a really nice touch. Would happily come back next time we’re in the area.

Kaz N
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A big shout out to the new manager, Yasmin, who really made our experience so nice. Big smiles with a ‘can do’ attitude who moved tables so we could all sit together outside. She is positive, passionate and professional. A real credit to herself and to the Sunset Diner.

5. Fernando’s Peruvian Rotisserie

About Fernando’s Peruvian Rotisserie
4.6 Google Rating

5/1 N Avalon Rd, Avalon Beach NSW 2107

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Krishna S
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Really nice place with great food. We had the chicken tacos and they were so tasty. Everything on the menu looked good too. If you’re nearby, this is definitely the place to stop and eat. We’ll be back for sure! 💯

Chica & Lavalle
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hola 👋 Fernando!!! Absolutely amazing food. Worth every penny and driving from The Hills to Avalon!!! I tried the Pan con Chorizo plus the Chimichurri sauce and Huancaina sauce delicious 😋 definitely coming back🤩Gracias Fernando!!!

Read: Careel Bay Residents Push Back as Liquor Store and Childcare Plan Sparks Outcry

Bruno S
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Everything from the coffee to the food is perfect. Delicious coffee, bacon and eggs in the morning, the best burgers and salads for lunch. A local legend. This guy is the real deal!

Dramatic Rescue Reveals Hidden Dangers of Whale Beach

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons / Sardaka

On the evening of Thursday, 27 February 2025, Whale Beach became the scene of a complex rescue operation that highlighted the challenging and unpredictable nature of this secluded Northern Beaches location.

Read: Avalon Beach Surf Lifesavers Honoured with National Medal for Dedication to Service

Incident Location

The rescue took place on a remote rock platform approximately 700 meters south of Whale Beach’s rock pool, an area known for its rugged and potentially hazardous terrain. Situated near Rayner Road, this stretch of coastline presents unique challenges for emergency responders due to its rocky landscape and difficult access points.

Rescue Challenges

The incident underscored the specific geographical complexities of Whale Beach:

  • Steep cliff faces
  • Treacherous rock platforms
  • Limited access routes
  • Rapidly changing tide conditions

The incoming tide, expected to peak at 9:11 PM, added significant urgency to the rescue operation, demonstrating the unforgiving nature of Whale Beach’s coastal environment.

Emergency Response

Local emergency services mounted an extensive response:

  • Northern Beaches Police Area Command deployed four units
  • NSW Ambulance sent five crews, including Intensive Care and Special Operations Paramedics
  • Fire and Rescue NSW Avalon Station provided critical rescue equipment
  • Toll NSW Ambulance Rescue Helicopter was dispatched from Bankstown

Rescue Details

The operation involved two teenage boys:

  • A 15-year-old with an ankle injury was carried to the rock pool and transported by road to Westmead Hospital
  • A 14-year-old with a head and lower back injury required helicopter extraction due to the difficult terrain

The rescue was complicated by darkness and strong winds gusting up to 30 km/h, typical of Whale Beach’s exposed coastal location.

Ongoing Considerations

The incident raises important questions about safety along Whale Beach’s challenging coastline, particularly for young people navigating its rocky and potentially treacherous terrain.

Read: Avalon Residents Invited to Have Their Say on Draft Tree Management Policy

Local authorities continue to investigate the precise circumstances of the boys’ injuries, with particular attention to the unique geographical features of this specific Whale Beach location.

Published 28-February-2025

Plans for a 170-Seat Cafe on Whale Beach Blocked

Plans to redevelop a Whale Beach property into private residential units with a 170-seat cafe for the community have been disapproved.

Read: Locals Call for More Enforcement in Dog-Prohibited Areas on Careel Bay After Pelican’s Death

In January 2021, the Cassar family, who are well-known in the aviation tourism industry, received approval to demolish their old apartment block and redevelop the site as a mixed-use facility via REV2021/0034.  

Initially, the family wanted two eateries on their property. One will be located by Whale Beach Rd and the other will be at the Surf Rd entrance.

However, the planners asked the Cassars to merge both eateries into one site on the ground floor to contain the potential traffic and noise.

Whale Beach
Photo Credit: NBC/REV2021/0034

Thus, the family submitted modifications (MOD2021/0983) to the approved proposal a year later but was met with strong objections from the locals due to the size of the cafe. More than 120 submissions were filed with the Northern Beaches Local Planning Panel. 

Whale Beach
Photo Credit: NBC/REV2021/0034

“This type of development will destroy the lifestyle of those who live there. It will not simply be dreading the weekends and yet another function, it will taint their week and how they feel about the place,” one local said, pointing out that Whale Beach’s total population is only 250.

Whale Beach
Photo Credit: NBC/REV2021/0034
Whale Beach
Photo Credit: NBC/REV2021/0034

The Whale Beach Property Surf Life Saving Club, which is next door to the property, also submitted its objection, citing the following reasons.  

“We have remained neutral on the proposed development until now, as it presented no obvious consequences to our core objectives. However, with this variation, we have concerns that a further substantial restaurant or function centre for 170 patrons at Whale Beach will overwhelm the available infrastructure.

  • There is almost no public transport to the area, and none during weekends.
  • There is virtually zero access for full-sized passenger buses, especially in summer weekends
  • when the proposed venue would have peak usage.
  • There is very limited street parking.
  • Parking in the NBC beach parking area is also limited, and often unavailable during summer.
  • The proposed development caters for minimal additional parking.
  • Already all Whale Beach local roads are reduced to one lane of traffic most of the time.
  • Occasionally surf safety incidents require quick access for emergency vehicles, which would be seriously compromised by traffic congestion caused by the proposed venue.”

Despite recommended consolidation of the eateries, which the Cassar family complied with,  the Northern Beaches Local Planning Panel decided, in early August 2022, to reject the modifications as failed to demonstrate how they will “not create unacceptable traffic and safety impacts in the area.”

Read: Alfonso Cafe Shifts to Alfonso’s Wood-Fired Pizza at the Avalon Bowling Club

Anthony Cassar said that, whether the eateries were in one large ground floor area or two separate smaller areas in the building, it was always going to be a 170-seater. He insisted that they are not asking to increase the numbers of patrons but their plans for the redevelopment will make a big improvement into an eyesore.