Merivale’s new Northern Beaches pub, The Collaroy, is now open. With sweeping views of the ocean and sand literally at its doorstep, The Collaroy is a vibrant beachside destination for those who love to be by the shore.
The Collaroy celebrates everything the area is renowned for – sun-loving days, laid-back living and close-knit community spirit. Relaxed and fuss-free, it offers a variety of casual dining experiences for locals to meet, eat and grab a drink at the ocean’s edge, a place where they can pop in after a swim and stay the whole day.
The design team – Justin and Bettina Hemmes, Kelvin Ho of Akin Creative and stylist Amanda Talbot – took great inspiration from the venue’s spectacular view, with beautiful greens and blues used throughout to connect to the sea. The figurative and nostalgic artwork of Australian artist Craig Parnaby is also brought to life, featured on menus and painted on walls and the venue’s exterior.
Executive Chef Jordan Toft has also been inspired by the coastal location, describing his food as “simple and elegant for a community that loves the sun, surf and sand”. The end result is a diverse beachside menu, with options suited to any occasion.
The Collaroy’s ground floor has an evolving offering throughout the day. For breakfast, the kiosk serves coffee, juice and house made pastries, alongside banana bread with honeycomb butter and powdered sugar, bacon and egg rolls and mortadella and buffalo mozzarella melts with fresh focaccia.
Health-driven bowls and salads with rustic combinations are served for lunch, like the ‘ocean trout bowl’ with hot smoked ocean trout, shaved brussel sprouts, boiled egg, sprouted grains and apple cider, ‘meatball bowl’ with spice pork meatballs, rice noodles, holy basil, cucumber, fermented chilli, pickled carrot and daikon, and ‘green bowl’ with zucchini noodles, avocado, poached egg, charred broccolini, avocado oil dressing and seasoned pepitas.
As day turns into evening, the ground floor offers snacks to accompany a glass of wine in hand, like freshly sliced prosciutto and gnocco fritto, ham croquettes with spicy aioli, and anchovy toasts with pickled shallot. At night, it is time for generous home-style dinners that will change daily. Think lamb and eggplant moussaka on Monday, pork and fennel sausages with roasted pumpkin and green garlic on Tuesday, or a coastal take on the Sunday roast.
Upstairs, guests find an open kitchen and two bars to choose from. At the restaurant, they can enjoy shared seafood to start, such as Australian prawns with cocktail sauce and lemon, kingfish ceviche tostada, charred baby octopus, and Tarama fish dip with bagel chips and witlof. For mains, there is whole 500g snapper with roasted garlic, thyme and lemon zest, grilled spatchcock with rustic potatoes and wild oregano, charred lamb rump with eggplant caponata, and Riverina rib eye with BBQ onions, cress and mustard jus – all served alongside fresh and vibrant sides. For those that want to take it easy, burgers, snacks and salads are available on the bar menu, providing the perfect accompaniment to the gun-barrel view of Collaroy Beach.
Vinnie’s Pizza, the authentic wood-fired creations by pizza maestro, Vincenzo Biondini can be enjoyed throughout the day and night. With a focus on using only the freshest produce, skilfully hand-kneaded dough and lovingly prepared ingredients, Biondini’s pizzas burst with authentic Italian flavour. Think the ‘Valtellina’ with San Marzano, bresaola, wild rocket and fresh bocconcini, ‘Gamberi’ with San Marzano, fior di latte, prawns and fresh chilli’ and ‘Patate, Pancetta, Taleggio’ with San Marzano, roasted potatoes, pancetta, taleggio chese and rosemary.
The wine list is classic with a focus on fresh, crisp white and rosé, while the drinks menu is a perfect representation of drinks to be drunk by the sea, created by the best and brightest bartenders from The Newport, Papi Chulo and Coogee Pavilion.
The Collaroy is Merivale’s second Northern Beaches venue, following the launch of The Newport in March 2016. Free Transport to The Collaroy from The Newport is available every Friday and Saturday night with a bus departing at 10:15pm and 11:15pm.
The Collaroy is a proud supporter of local community groups and initiatives including Sargood Foundation, Collaroy Cougars, Long Reef Boardriders, Collaroy SLSC & Ikaika Outrigger Club.
The Collaroy
1064 Pittwater Road, Collaroy
02 9114 7361
Today: 7:30 am – 12:00 am
Mon-Thu: 7:30 am – 12:00 am
Fri, Sat: 7:30 am – 3:00 am
Sun: 7:30 am – 11:00 pm
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