The Collaroy in Sydney’s Northern Beaches is itself not a new venue having been around since the 1920s, but the beachside institution may as well be considering its suave revamp courtesy of new owners, Merivale. Closed since August last year for renovations, the pub has emerged as a relaxed dining spot with an emphasis on the casual.

Merivale’s Justin and Bettina Hemmes partnered with Kelvin Ho of Akin Creative and stylist Amanda Talbot for The Collaroy’s new look. Awash with blues and greens, and overflowing with artwork by Australian artist Craig Parnaby, the space is reminiscent of its sister venue Coogee Pavilion and has (like the Eastern suburbs favourite) been inspired by its coastal location. Similarly so is the menu, which was crafted by executive chef Jordan Toft. He defines the offerings as “simple and elegant for a community that loves the sun, surf and sand.”

For breakfast, the kiosk will provide 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. Lunchtime will introduce health-driven bowls and salads, like the ‘ocean trout bowl’ with hot smoked ocean trout, shaved Brussel sprouts, boiled egg, sprouted grains and apple cider, and the meatball bowl with spice pork meatballs, rice noodles, holy basil, cucumber, fermented chilli, pickled carrot and daikon.

Evening welcomes snacks to accompany the lengthy beverage options. Nibbles like ham croquettes with spicy aioli will sit alongside heartier home-style dishes that will change daily. Lamb and eggplant moussaka and Sunday roasts included.

Upstairs will be home to an open kitchen and two bars. The restaurant will focus on seafood, from the light Australian prawns with cocktail sauce to a 500g snapper with roasted garlic, thyme and lemon zest, grilled spatchcock with rustic potatoes and wild oregano for mains. As a beachside location, the venue also has an array of casual bites on the menu, from burgers to wood-fired pizza courtesy of Vinnie’s Pizza’s Vincenzo Biondini.

Of course, what’s a pub without an ample drinks list. Both cocktail and wine list are somewhat nautical-themed, with a focus on the white and the rosé, alongside delicate drinks intended to be sipped by the sea.

The Collaroy
1064 Pittwater Road, Collaroy
merivale.com/venues/thecollaroy