COYA

This little vibrant neighbourhood restaurant in Cromer on Sydney’s Northern Beaches is an absolute delight.  Chef Ashraf Saleh delivers an exquisite feast of Modern Australian and Middle Eastern cuisine.

With its open kitchen and more intimate dining space at the rear, the warm and inviting room is all about celebrating convivial dining. The tempura zucchini flowers filled with a selection of cheeses works particularly well with the saffron vinaigrette and sliced white radish. The innovatively presented king prawns, within green cabbage leaves and served with sumac and piquillo pepper puree, is the surprise of the ‘carnivore’ degustation, while the crispy-skinned Cone Bay barramundi, which comes with purple cauliflower, sweetcorn, kale and goji berries, is a thoughtful and harmonious medley of well-chosen elements. Likewise, the impossibly tender chermoula-spiced braised Rangers Valley beef cheek, with cauliflower Chantilly, demonstrates the impressive intuitive skill set in the kitchen.

This is a fusion between Middle Eastern, French and Australian cuisines. Colourful elegant, well-crafted and beautifully presented. Served in a casual, friendly small family run venue that suits most occasions. Definitely worth a detour.