SUNSET DINER — Restaurant in Sydney

For a spot of sunshine on this rainy day, check out Benjamin Varela’s Sunset Diner in Avalon. It’s just so… pink, millennial pink - you know, that trend that won’t go away. Except here it actually works against shades of peach and Art Deco-inspired curves. Just like the pink, rounded edges are everywhere, from shiny stainless-steel tables surrounded by (pink) chairs to three rows of curved pink neon uniting bar and kitchen. Separating the service areas from the long, narrow dining space is an eat-at counter created with glass bricks that themselves have a faint pink tinge.

Throw in leafy green tropical plants breaking things up and a backyard full of shaggy umbrellas, pink street-art and more living greenery, and a very well chosen font, Sunset Diner screams Miami. This city (and financial hub) of Florida has a very high concentration of well-preserved Art Deco buildings in its South Beach area.

With the popular griddle dogs and the onion rings both unavailable on the day I dined, we settled for burgers and Broccoli Bites ($8). Sounding way too healthy for a American-inspired diner snack, these well-seasoned, crunchy green balls are actually a surprising win, mostly because they’re cooked so quickly their interiors stay crisp and green.

While I stay faithful to the 'Shake Shack' vibe with a Vanilla Malt Shake ($6) that's creamy, enjoyable, and not stingy on the malt, my dining companion hits up the on-tap craft beer range (from $8) finding something light and quaffable by local guys, 4 Pines. Our food arrives quickly on a metal tray, and is presented with a warm and friendly smile.

Tightly-wrapped burgers, like the Truffle Cheese Burger ($16) combining a tasty beef patty and truffle-dusted French fries with pickles, chipotle ketchup, aioli and American mustard, are generously proportioned and pleasantly saucy. The paper-wrapping makes Sunset Diner burgers much easier to eat than I expected, even with a good amount of juicy, well-seasoned buttermilk chicken protruding from the Crispy Chicken Burger ($15). This baby is so thick I find it hard to wrap my laughing gear around the full collection of fried chook, herb and cabbage ‘slaw, pickles and lightly spicy chipotle mayo. but I give it a red-hot go, mostly because it’s pretty delicious, even if it is bested by the beef.

Watching a Newfoundland walk past my table without anybody batting an eyelid clues me in Sunset Diner is dog-friendly, making it a perfect spot to break up a family day at the beach, well if Sydney's summer sun decides...

Endless summer vibes, fresh and high quality ingredients, phenomenal service - all delivered in a very chic, 1950's-60's Miami beach aura - just peeerrrrrrfect for this part of the Beaches!

Headed up by one of Sydney's most loved chefs and with the backing of one of Merivale's finest, this dynamic duo are letting their product and service do the talking. The menu is oozing with flavour and simplicity - nothing over complicated - just the perfect little food-grab after a dip in the ocean... Unless you're like me and order one of everything 🤣

The interior decor and back yard/beer gardenesque set up lend themselves perfectly to a quintessential Sunday Session - whether that be a nice glass of bubbly along side some truffle and parmesan fries, or a refreshing glass of Brookvale Ginger beer (which they have on tap I might add) and a spread fit for a king.

I ordered the special - fried chicken, cream cheese and pickled jalepenos with bacon - and the double with an added mushroom pattie...

VEGO'S! THE MUSHROOM PATTIE ACTUALLY TASTES GOOD! GET ON IT! 👍

I was thoroughly impressed with my selection - every bite teeming with flavour, with the perfect balance of freshness and richness. I could have eaten the same about 4 times over.

Can't wait to come...

An awesome new eating, drinking and just hanging spot in Avalon!

Super funky and retro interior fit-out, plus a really nice outdoor area/beer garden complete with an epic twin flamingo mural and tropical plants.

The menu is uncomplicated but provides a good variety of options. I got “The Double” which was bloody delicious and definitely the best burger on the beaches. My wife also highly rated the fish burger and the kids absolutely demolished their cheese dog and plain “The Burger”. The truffle fries and potato gems also went down a treat, as did the Strawberry Cheesecake for dessert (I plan on making my whole way through the dessert menu!).

Sunset Diner also doubles as a bar, with a quality beer selection - both on tap and bottled, plus wine and cocktails.

The atmosphere was very inviting and I particularly liked the tunes that were being played. Note: It’s both kid/family friendly and pet friendly (the latter the back courtyard only). The staff were also super friendly and accommodating and went out of their way to make sure us and the kids were comfortable and looked after :)

Highly recommend and we’ll be...