New openings, later nights and beachside markets. Spring has officially sprung.
Spring has officially entered the chat, and Cronulla is wasting no time making the most of it. Warmer days, longer afternoons and a wave of new places to eat, drink and check out are giving us plenty of reasons to head beachside. With the new Special Entertainment Precinct promising later nights and CronullaFest returning this month, September is looking pretty stacked. Here’s what to have on your radar.
What’s New, On And Worth Knowing In Cronulla This September
Cronulla’s Special Entertainment Precinct
Cronulla’s night-time scene is getting a shake-up this September. From September 4th, the town centre will become NSW’s first beachside Special Entertainment Precinct as part of a 12-month trial led by Sutherland Shire Council. The aim is to make it easier for local venues to trade later and host more live music, dining and entertainment. Indoor venues can trade until midnight on weekdays and as late as 2:00am on Saturday and Sunday mornings, while outdoor areas can stay open until 11:00pm. In short? More scope for Cronulla to come alive after dark, with the trial set to shape what the suburb’s night-time scene could look like long term.
CronullaFest
One of Cronulla’s biggest weekends of spring is making its return. CronullaFest takes over Cronulla Park and Cronulla Street from Friday 25th to Sunday 27th September, with amusement rides, market stalls, food vendors and live entertainment across the three days. Friday night gets things started with rides and food trucks before the full festival kicks into gear for the weekend. If there’s ever a weekend to keep the plans local, this is it.
Meadow Music Room
Long lunches that turn into cocktails and records spinning into the night? Meadow Music Room has the spring brief pretty well covered. From the team behind Bobby’s, the venue pairs French-inspired food and elevated cocktails with a carefully curated vinyl-led music program, shifting effortlessly from daytime dining to lively evenings. Our order? The baked Vodka Pasta, an Adam’s Apple cocktail and nowhere else to be. Inside Scoop: If bottomless is more your speed, word on the street is Meadow has one of the Shire’s best.
Isora
For something a little more under-the-radar, make your way to North Cronulla. Isora serves up a modern Japanese-inspired menu with an Asian fusion edge, with tuna, hiramasa kingfish, dumplings and XO crab rolls among the standouts. The drinks list is just as considered, with BYO available across all services except Friday and Saturday evenings, or opt for one of their signature cocktails like the Lagoon Dream and Sunburnt Mango.
Chechos
Cronulla has gotten a whole lot more colourful thanks to Chechos. The Mexican spot has brought signature guac, corn ribs, $10 tacos, Mexican-style pork ribs and fried chicken to town, alongside a cocktail menu that doesn’t exactly play it safe. The 2.3L cocktail handbags are made for sharing and almost guaranteed to steal the table.
El Jannah
If you somehow missed one of August’s biggest arrivals, here’s your reminder. El Jannah has officially opened in the former Notaras site, meaning its famous charcoal chicken and garlic sauce no longer require a trip out of the Shire. Burgers, wraps, crispy fried chicken, salads and sides round out the menu, but we all know what you’re really here for.
NOA And Little NOA
The new openings aren’t slowing down. Chef Nelly Robinson is bringing NOA to the Cronulla coastline this September, alongside its more laidback sibling, Little NOA. Set by the beach with a warm, Tulum-inspired aesthetic, expect natural textures, earthy tones and spaces made for long lunches into sunset drinks. NOA will lean into experience-led dining and seasonal produce, while Little NOA keeps things casual with burgers, snacks and cocktails. Two new venues, one very good reason to keep an eye on Cronulla.
Get Sashimi
The Shire has been waiting for this one. Get Sashimi has already earned a loyal following in Bondi, and now it’s bringing the hype south. Taking over the former Cold Rock spot, expect fresh sashimi, sushi, poke bowls, gunkan and hand rolls. With dine-in and takeaway both on the cards, we have a feeling Cronulla will be all over this one.
Retro
Pizza and tequila? We’ll take it. Retro brings together Neapolitan-style pizzas, pastas and Mexican-inspired share plates, all crafted by an ex-Chiswick chef, with more than 100 tequilas behind the bar. Come the weekend, DJs turn things up with a fun, old-school energy made for cocktails, bottomless sessions and late nights. Grab a table, order a few things for the middle and settle in.
