Once more MEdia Dragons 🐉 are spoilt at Coogee by V and R 🍷🙏 - in our place
What a Bronze-Age Bohemian woman looked like.
Another amazing Merivale venue which really has something for everyone! The downstairs section is very family friendly and offers lots of amazing food options. Their pizza is amazing and although I'm yet to try, their seafood platter looks stunning. Whether visiting for cocktails or coffee, Coogee seems to have it all!
After our pizza lunch, we headed upstairs to the 18+ rooftop which has a relaxed but glamorous beachy vibe. There are several bars serving up delicious drinks, including their frose which is one of the best I've tried. It can be hard to get a seat outside, however when you do there is a lovely view of Coogee beach and it's just a great place to have a drink. They also serve mediterranean tapas in case you get hungry.
Take a seat at the bar and choose from a list of Euro-inspired cocktails, or order the superbly refreshing house Spritz, made with Gonzalez Byass Vermouth and pet nat. Be sure to take the venue’s name as instruction – una mas translates as “one more”.
Justin Hemmes won't reveal how much money he spent on Merivale's new fitout for Coogee Pavilion's middle level, but judging by the amount of marble, it's a lot.
The kind of moolah that might buy a collection of small Greek islands, most of Liechtenstein or a bedsit in Woollahra.
Certainly, some of those costs are absorbed by the dish prices at Mimi's, Coogee Pav's flagship fine-diner, where salt-baked mud crab can weigh in at $180 a kilo, and a caviar trolley laps linen-clothed tables.
If you are only eat one thing: Catalan coca ($12).
If you only drink one thing: House spritz ($16).
What was intended to be the smaller, more casual little sister to Merivale's grandest dining room, inadvertently stole the show when they opened in tandem in early 2020. Together with cocktail bar Will's, Una Más shares the same entrance and amenities as Mimi's (including Sydney's most glamorous bathrooms). But where Mimi's mirrors the successful template of Merivale fine-diners (Fred's, Bert's, Hotel Centennial), Una Más has a personality and atmosphere all of her own. Polished yet natural, Una Más captures the breezy spirit of its beachfront locale, complemented by a selection of equally breezy Mediterranean small plates. A succinct menu is bolstered by daily specials, ensuring there's always something new to explore, alongside familiar favourites (the octopus with fermented habanero is essential ordering). Add to that natural-leaning wines and spectacular beachfront views and Una Más easily takes the crown for cool, casual dining in the harbour city.
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Known locally as 'The Pav', Coogee Pavilion offers a welcome retreat from the hustle and bustle of downtown Sydney. Perched between Dunningham Reserve and the white sands of Coogee beach, the three-storey complex is home to a plethora of drinking and dining options; from the high-end Mimi's to the light and airy ground floor food hall and one of the coolest rooftops in the city.
Part of the luxe Merivale group, the venue is open seven days a week from dawn 'til late, offering healthy brunch plates, light lunches and hearty mains. Menu highlights include grilled fresh octopus, Grainge beef rump served with shoestring fries and vibrant poke bowls. For those looking to grab and go, there is also Vinnie's pizza, serving slices fresh from the oven, which can be enjoyed in the main dining room or down by the shoreline.
Perfect for sunny Saturdays spent with friends and family, on the ground floor visitors will find a florist, gaming arcade, ice cream machine and colourful juice bar. The rooftop, however, is an adults-only area, boasting four separate bars and live DJs throughout the week. Welcoming sandy-toed beach-goers and glamorous bottomless brunches alike, this uber cool space is not to be missed.
