Clareville Kiosk

Keep your UBD handy for this tiny weatherboard hideaway tucked in the leafy hollow behind Clareville Beach. Chef and co-owner Peter Christensen has worked with some of Britain’s finest, including John Burton-Race, and here he manages steadfastly to balance a European fine dining sophistication with a classic Aussie beach locale. This 40-seater restaurant started its life as a post office/general store, but the atmosphere is more that of an airy seaside cottage, all whirring ceiling fans and breeze-catching windows. Spend a lazy afternoon or dinner being cosseted through an artful menu that plays with texture and flavour in occasionally cheeky ways - the ‘orange’ in an outstanding autumn entree of spanner crab, is, in fact, a silky daub of golden beetroot puree. Elsewhere, ingredients such as samphire and beach bananas add briny flavour-memories of summer holidays past.

And … House-made ice-cream and coffee available for beachside takeaways.

THE LOW-DOWN
Vibe Relaxed, beach-shack pretty. 
Best bit Beautifully composed dishes. And service.
Worst bit Designated driver will miss some delicious wine choices.