Cheviot Beach

It's surprisingly tough making a crust out on the sea front. The London has only just started pouring pints again, whilst the Paris Grill has given up the ghost. However the Harold Holt Espresso Lounge, the latest incarnation of the restaurant space at the base of HM@S Lonsdale, may just have the goods to weather the sometimes harsh bay winds.

Clearly pitching himself in the same urban hip zone as the likes of the Salford Lads Club, Harold's bare plywood tables and black & white photography are a more natural fit for the polished concrete space than previous occupants. It may be the mood of the nation (although still not this electorate), but it still seems a little unexpected for such a café to be named after a Liberal politician, even a particularly charismatic and ultimately mysterious one.

The quality of the coffee (definitely top 5 in my opinion) and intriguing food here should provide a sufficient draw for the Bay Street brunch bunch to venture out on to the front, and come summer the view will as always be hard to beat. The bigger unknown however is how they'll fare with evening diners, currently being courted with share plates Thursday to Sunday.


Coffee: $3.80
Juice: $3.50 (freshly squeezed)
Eggs: $15.00 (as part of a big breakfast)
Licensed: Yes
Bookings: 9646 8242
Transactions appear as: Xiao Group Pty