Louie
A boozy beachside trattoria with salt in its hair and a cocktail in its hand.
The eggplant parmigiana at this Coogee local isn’t much to look at, teetering and unglamorous, but one forkful of its deeply caramelised, tomato-rich layers and the rest of the room recedes. Which is a shame, because the space deserves attention: arched windows flung open to the sea, tiled tables lined with bright cocktails and chilled reds.
The Italian-leaning menu that surrounds the parmie has its high and low tides. Tuna and kingfish crudo is bright if well-trodden and over-peppered, and thick prawn toast with yuzu mayo and XO feels out of place, but salt and vinegar Brussels sprouts with avocado dressing and an adornment of hazelnuts are a revelatory meeting of salad and indulgence, and airy mushroom arancini pulls apart with a cheesy, smoked mozzarella tug. Sure, Louie isn’t reinventing the beachside dinner, but it’s pretty damn good at it.
Must-order: The saltimbocca-style scallops dressed with chicken skin butter.
Good Food reviews are booked anonymously and paid independently. A restaurant can’t pay for a review or inclusion in the Good Food Guide.
Last visited: April 2026
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