From lush little wine courtyards to Mezcal-infused cocktail dens, beachside burger joints to Irish pubs, Scarborough has loads of top spots guaranteed to bring you back to life after a day lazing around at the beach.
Here are the best Scarbrough restaurants and bars to hit up right now, with a few extras from the surrounding hood of Doubleview too that are too good to miss.
Betty's Burgers
Hailing from Noosa, Betty’s Burgers is a beachy burger shack with a focus on serving wholesome burgers, made fresh for each order. And let us assure you, they're some of the juiciest, tastiest burgers going around, so we're oh so glad to see them land in Scarbs just in time for summer.
Bodega
Scarbs has scored a charming little wine bar from the same legends behind Il Locale. As you'd expect, the food and drink offering leans on the team's Mediterranean heritage, with a changing list of share plates straight outta Southern Europe. Think: grilled octopus, patatas bravos, hummus, burrata and fattouche salad. All perfect for nibbling on over a glass of something good from the classic-leaning wine list. These guys just get it.
SKØL
Set up in the back courtyard of Drift Cafe, SKØL means “cheers” in Norse, so it should come as no surprise that it is Scandi inspired all the way, from the menu to the clean-cut minimalist decor and welcoming laid back vibes. The menu favours natural wines and house-crafted brews along with charcuterie boards and share plates, plus, let's not forget their signature shell cocktails.
El Grotto
You really can’t go wrong with a place that serves up Mexican street food by the beach alongside a cocktail list that's heavy on the tequila and mezcal. Throw in some live music and regular deals like $8 fried chicken, $5 schooners and $10 cocktails and you have yourself a deal, hombre.
Il Locale
Scarborough joint Il Locale has your next pizza night covered, with plenty of saucy thin crust goodness from either the Pizze Rosse (pizza with red sauce) or Pizze Bianche (pizza with cream sauce) menu to get stuck into. We're pretty obsessed with their Quattro Formaggi pizza, filled with juicy gorgonzola, mozzarella, ricotta and parmigiano.
The Peach Pit
Sitting pretty on the Scarborough Esplanade, The Peach Pit should definitely be your regular Sunday session hot spot. We can’t get enough of the ivy green walls, the uber-cute booths, the murals and the pops of neon around the place. Not to mention the arcade games, stunning bar and epic Pit Stop Burgers. Whether you’re after a big feed or just a couple of drinks by the beach, you’ll want to get yourself to The Peach Pit immediately if not sooner.
The Corner Dairy
An absolute Doubleview gem, The Corner Dairy serves up a stellar list of Aussie natural wines and craft beers in a casual “come as you are” setting. In the kitchen, Chef James Cole Bowen (formerly at Le Rebelle) impresses with a string of decadent bites like the creamy wagin duck liver parfait spread thick over toasted brioche with a dollop of house made black garlic onion jam or their beef tartare toast topped with coal oil mayo and cured egg yolk. You really can't go wrong here.
General Public Co
This little community hub has quickly become iconic in the Scarborough area and is perfect for anything from a morning coffee run to celebrating a family birthday or just grabbing a pizza and beer with mates. With 15 different delicious sourdough pizzas to pick from, choosing what to eat is going to be the hardest decision you make.
Pizzaca Pizzeria And Bar
Opening up just down the road from the family's much-loved cafe, Pizzaca Pizzeria And Bar delivers big on Italian goodness in a relaxed, contemporary setting perfect for a mid-week dinner date. On the menu, you'll find epic wood-fired pizzas and delish pastas, plus a selection of fresh seafood, mains and yummy Mediterranean share plates perfect for grazing on over a bottle of wine or a spritz (or three).
Scarborough Beach Bar
Brought to us by the same crew as Market Grounds and The Peach Pit, Scarborough Beach Bar is where you want to head for laid-back drinks with your posse. The coastal pub serves everything from salads and burgers to sangas and pizzas, including banh mi bowls, kingfish crudo and a decadent seafood platter.
The Galway Hooker
An Irish pub right by the beach, The Galway Hooker is the place to go for a hearty pub meal and a pint of Guinness. There's chicken parmi, bangers and mash with Irish pork sausages and classic curry chips that really should find their way onto everyone's table. For the ultimate pub experience, head to one of their quiz nights or live music gigs. Keep up to date on their Facebook page to catch the latest events.
St Brigid Bar
Located in Doubleview, St Brigid Bar has been brought to us by the legends behind Mechanics Institute, Flipside, Mrs Brown Bar, Propeller and Guildhall. Venture out and grab a "long mac topped up", their refined take on the classic espresso martini, or one of the signature bubble cocktails and throw on a serve of crispy roast potatoes—you'll see why the locals are lining up for it.
The Lookout
The Lookout is a legendary beachside club and bar, perfect for partying or chilling. Enjoy the relaxed and scenic setting right on the ocean with delicious food, cool tunes and a vibey atmosphere. Dress it up or dress it down and head on in for some food and a drink right on the beach while you soak up the live DJ entertainment. All you need to do is let the good times roll.
Need more ideas? Here are the best restaurants in Perth to tick off your list.
Image credit: El Grotto