Seek More Sunset Sessions at these 5 Venues

As the Spring sun sets in the pink sky, there is no better way to unwind than with a cocktail at your favourite restaurant or bar.

Sunset sessions are the perfect end to a working week or to finish a lazy weekend spent at the beach with friends; here are five venues where sunset sessions are as spectacular as the food and drinks offering:

Nestled just metres from the Gold Coast shoreline, find the ultimate seaside restaurant and bar at La Playa Beach and Eats on Cavill Avenue in Surfers Paradise. Meaning ‘the beach’ in Spanish, La Playa embodies the feeling of a salty Summer vacation all year round with a relaxed atmosphere that comes alive as the sun goes down…get ready to play.

 

Inspired by a fusion of Modern Australian and Mediterranean influences, stroll up from the sand to watch the sky turn pink with a Sunset Aperol Spritz in hand to graze on plates of char-grilled prawns, chilli and lemon; for the main opt for barramundi, Romesco, heirloom salsa, sautéed greens, cauliflower purée, fresh herbs and almond flakes, while pasta lovers enjoy fettuccine with chicken, creamy basil pesto, sun-dried tomato and Parmesan.

The Bay Bistro & Bar on Quail Street in St Helens is an absolute waterfront venue offering delicious meals, quality accommodation and a stunning deck overlooking Georges Bay. Located inside the Panorama Hotel, this venue specialises in local produce, wines and spirits with a focus on seafood such as lobster, oysters and fish; whether you're here on holidays, work, an event or for world-class mountain biking, it's the perfect location for your next trip to Tassie's East Coast.

 

Bask in the warm glow of sunset as you graze on salt and pepper squid with leafy greens, tartar sauce and a lemon wedge, before sharing a seafood platter for two with half a lobster, oysters, prawns, beer-battered fish, salt and pepper squid, fresh fruit, chips, salad, lemon, tartar and seafood sauce; carnivores opt for crispy pork belly, served with mashed potato, steamed vegetables and apple sauce. 

Ahoy, come aboard Noosa Cruiser Restaurant for a luxurious sunset cruise and three-course meal while surveying the stunningly beautiful Noosa waterways. Whether you are a local or a visitor soaking up a Sunshine Coast holiday, the best way to see Noosa is by river on this boat, purpose-built for cruising in relaxed, yet refined surroundings.

 

Choose from a lunch or unforgettable sunset cruise – perhaps have your wedding reception on board – and enjoy sumptuous food cooked fresh by the Chef, dishing up courses like sashimi-grade wild-caught tuna tartare, on a bed of avocado cream with fresh fennel, beetroot coulis and finger lime pearls. For the main, think choices of slow-cooked lamb shank on a smooth truffle purée, with herbed green sauce, black garlic caramelised paste and rosemary oil.

For those who are yet to tick travelling around South America off of their bucket list, get a taste for it first at Neruda's Brunswick on Breese Street, a café sharing the flair of this vibrant continent. Surrounding all who visit in a lively vibe, Neruda's is filled with large murals, bookshelves overflowing with novels as well as music and artefacts emanating a cheery ambience, where practising your Spanish is more than welcome.

 

For a sunset session with a Latin twist start with a Chilean Pisco Sour cocktail and graze on prawn and cheese empanadas in housemade pastry or wrap your mouth around an Italiano hot dog with tomato, mashed avocado and mayonnaise; for the main, think thinly sliced pan-fried steak, served with chips, caramelised onion and fried eggs, or fresh seafood ceviche, cured in citrus juices and spices. 

Savour the vista and toast the moment when sun-kissed waves shimmer like Champagne at Walsh Bay Crabhouse on Towns Place in Millers Point. Part of the Harry’s Dining Group which has been serving world-renowned mud crab to Sydneysiders for the last half century, this glass-fronted restaurant exudes style with white-clothed tables, trailing greenery, banquette and booth seating ideal for lingering over a seafood feast with someone special.

 

Dive right in with a starter of scallops on the half shell with XO sauce, vermicelli, ginger and shallots, then cast your net over mains such as world-renowned mud crab dishes like Harry’s Singapore chilli crab, with sides of steamed rice and steamed buns; perhaps authentic Peking duck entices served with pancakes or slow-cooked caramelised crispy pork belly with market vegetables and rice.