Doyle's on the Beach

LOCATION
Doyle's on the Beach is located right on the foreshores of Watsons Bay, overlooking the magnificent panorama of Sydney Harbour. Accessible by Doyles boat from Circular Quay

PROFILED BY DEGROOTS MEDIA
It’s not often you come across a restaurant which has survived the ages. Having been open for 123 years, Doyle’s on the Beach has been turning fish and chips into a delectable seafood affair for tourists and locals for as long as anyone can remember. Today, the beach weathered two-storey venue is still run by the Doyle family and has become an Australian icon. Although Doyle’s hasn’t changed its cottage style charm, they have extended it so, in fine weather, it can seat up to 400 guests. The restaurant is brightened up with ocean-blue table clothes and the walls are adorned with pictures of what your fish would have looked like before it was served up on your plate with a side of crispy chips.

Set on picturesque Watsons Bay, the location is second to none when it comes to the view. Not only does it boast a frontal panorama of the city and glimpses of the harbour bridge, if you were any closer to the water, you’d be swimming. With the restaurant resembling an old boatshed, you would half expect to see a man in an all-in-one striped swimsuit striding out of a beach hut, be-flippered and slap-sticked. It goes to show that something as seemingly simple as a restaurant serving wonderfully fresh seafood on the beach can stand the test of time. Fit for any occasion, the menu sports a range of choices from brimming seafood platters for two to plates of fish and chips for the kids. Choose between your favourite fish, giant barbecued tiger prawns or a lobster fresh from the tank. For the non-seafood eaters, there is a grain fed tenderloin. Don’t be surprised when you receive the bill however – Doyle’s is unashamedly renowned for serving the most expensive fish and chips in Sydney.

Annabel Wise

DETAILS
Sit on the terrace with the beach a stone's throw away and enjoy the buzz of the happy crowd in holiday mood. Turn your attention away from the mesmerizing view long enough to scan the menu and select from oysters from the Manning and Hawkesbury rivers, whiting and bream from the coastal rivers, and crabs, lobsters, mussels, prawns, snapper, jewfish, barramundi and pearl perch from wherever the best produce is available.

OTHER DOYLE RESTAURANTS
Once you've experienced the pleasures of the original Doyle's restaurant, you'll want to try the other three locations:-

Doyles Fishermans Wharf, Take Away/Bistro Watsons Bay
Fabulous views of Watson Bay and the city skyline, dine al fresco or inside on generous helpings of affordable seafood. (Reservations not available)
Watsons Bay Wharf, Sydney (02) 9337 6214

Doyles Bistro at the Fish Markets
In the heart of the Sydney Fish Markets at Pyrmont, with relaxing views over Blackwattle Bay, this is the best value seafood in town, everything cooked fresh and at market prices.
Gipps Street, Pyrmont (02) 9552 4339

Tip:
Arrive in style with Water Taxis