The Boathouse Balmoral Beach

Landscaper Andrew Goldsmith and interior designer Pip Robb couldn't have chosen a more idyllic spot than the old Balmoral boatshed to recreate the success of their breezy Boathouse at Palm Beach. It's the same queue-and-take-a-number system, the same seaside, beach-house space brightened up with barrels of fresh fruit and baskets of flowers, and the same irrepressible sense of being on summer holidays. And yes, the piled-high burger and fish and chips, served here in a bamboo steamer, are still the big orders - and rightly so. Breakfast runs from caramelised French toast with green apple and vanilla ice-cream to green eggs with ham - two perfect poachies with grilled leg ham and a goodly splodge of pesto on sourdough. Everything is beautifully styled, whether it's a Sam's Paddock steak sandwich or a fresh, pretty salad of seared kingfish with grilled watermelon. If there are cute little flourless orange cakes sitting on the counter, grab one, fast.