As soon as you enter Marrah, the new eatery at the Coogee Bay Hotel, every preconceived notion you have about dining at a seaside restaurant will be washed away. There’s hardly any nautical blue and white designs at this place but you will likely gawk at the gorgeous seascape mural and the enthralling arched ceiling that mimics the waves of the ocean.
Earthy tones, deep jades and forest hues with a burst of orange dominate Marrah’s colour palette to reflect land and sea. The result is a dining paradise that looks relaxing, intimate and tantalising to the sight.
The creative ambience at Marrah is matched by the food, which has been carefully planned out by Chef Nathan Tillott. To complement the 140-year-old hotel’s beachside setting, the restaurant serves fresh, unique and locally produced seafood dishes.
Among the standouts from the menu are the char-grilled Fremantle octopus, roast scallops with pumpkin puree, Queensland snapper crab with angel-hair pasta and the buttered lobster. The bar’s wine and cocktail list includes a showcase of the best Australian wines next to the European drinks and the exciting cocktail concoctions.
This November, Marrah will also be bringing in a restored French rotisserie to cook heaps of meat, including whole fish.
Coogee’s new culinary marvel at the oldest beachfront landmark is an upgrade of the Beach Bar.
“Marrah” comes from the Aboriginal term for “fish” and was so named to honor the Gadigal and Bidjigal coastal dwellers that fished their food on the Coogee coast.
To view the Mediterranean-inspired menu or make a booking, visit Marrah’s online site. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
“The recently created Marrah has provided a sensational dining experience. The ambience,service and food were fabulous. The feel was very Mediterranean with an array of fresh produce from field and ocean beautifully presented on the plate. The flavours blended deliciously and the array of choice on the menu was perfect. The staff were very attentive and seamlessly looked after our needs. The cocktails were innovative and all wine varietals were featured on a comprehensive wine list. Marrah excels in every way!”
Simmone Lindstrom
“A first, but definitely not last, time at Marrah for dinner last night. On a rainy, cold evening, Marrah was warm and inviting. This is a much welcomed upmarket, dining experience in Coogee with an extensive wine selection, delicious food (the swordfish was so sublime I forgot to take photos for this review) and the ambience was divine. The service was excellent and we loved the decor reminiscent of Riley Street Garage and the Centennial. Perfect for date night but also medium and large groups. Something for everyone and provides a great alternative to the Coogee Pavilion. Will definitely be back as would love to see what it’s like for lunch.”
Linda Robson
“Stunning decor, truly amazing service, and the food was GREAT. The burrata with olive jam was especially yum. Perfectly cooked swordfish too, well accompanied by the crunchy green salad. Oysters and negroni also a stand out!”
Sarah O
