I’d never thought about doing the Bay Run until the Regatta Club opened. The new casual diner has just dropped anchor at the former UTS Haberfield Rowing Club in the southern end of the 7km shoreline circuit.

Now it all sounds so much more appealing. A morning jog (or walk, perhaps) followed by a leisurely long lunch of fish and chips and a bottle of chardonnay on the deck – it’s a resolution I could commit to once or even twice a week.

Whether they’re celebrating a new personal best or bailing early for a beer, there are plenty of runners and cyclists “taking a break” in the Regatta dining room.

Honey timbers and woven pendant shades create a breezy coastal ambience, while floor-to-ceiling glass windows make sure every sage green seat has a view across Iron Cove.

Air out properly on the outdoor deck where picnic tables and umbrellas create one of the inner west’s most beautiful dining spots.

A venue like this could easily coast along on its water views, but not Regatta. The venue has relaunched under the management of the Dedes Waterfront Group (Sala, Flying Fish, Deckhouse), and owner Con Dedes knows a thing or two about the kind of foods people like to eat by the water.

It’s suddenly clear why everyone is running in this direction. It’s the lobster and prawn roll – a buttery brioche slipper, filled with butterhead lettuce and sweet, firm crustacean flesh tossed with celery and herbs in a light, lemony mayo.

Or maybe it’s the hot chips. Here, the crisp golden fingers are beautifully seasoned and there’s enough of them that you don’t have to get protective of your pile.

Most people come here in groups and the menu reflects that with a wide selection of share platters and snacks.

Pasta is said to be a great carbohydrate source for refuelling after exercise. And even if you didn’t actually run here, you’re still well within your rights to order the strozzapreti (long, hand-rolled cavatelli), which is tossed in a vibrant pistachio pesto with globules of fresh stracciatella resting on top. For the ultimate Como vibes, add on a limoncello spritz, splashed with prosecco and soda.

There’s a Little Rowers menu for the kids, including cheesy pasta and fried calamari, and dogs are also welcome to sun themselves on the deck.

The dessert menu is classic and exactly what you would expect to find at a club. Perhaps a little dated but still delicious, there’s sticky date pudding with vanilla ice cream, and self-saucing chocolate fondant. We opt for the bougatsa special, a Greek custard pie wrapped in flaky filo pastry and showered with cinnamon. Like everything on the menu, it’s generously portioned and we struggle to fit it all in. We’ll just have to keep up the training.