A Quiet Alternative to Cronulla Cafes (About 15 Minutes Away)
Cronulla’s cafe scene is genuinely good — that’s not in question. But on a Saturday morning, “genuinely good” usually also means a 20-minute wait, a packed esplanade, and nowhere to park within three streets of wherever you’re headed. If that sounds familiar, Como Marina Bay Cafe is about 13km away — roughly a 15-minute drive — and it’s a different kind of morning entirely.
Same Shire, Completely Different Pace
This isn’t a pitch to skip Cronulla altogether. It’s for the mornings when you want the Shire’s water-views-and-good-coffee combination without the beach crowd that comes with it. Swap the esplanade for a marina — you’re still by the water, just watching boats come in off Como Marina instead of jostling for a beachfront table. Parking is easy, and you won’t be queuing behind a dozen people who had the same idea you did.
Who This Actually Suits
If you’re a Cronulla local who’s done the rounds of the usual spots and wants somewhere different without a long drive, this is an easy addition to the rotation. If you’re visiting the Shire for the day and Cronulla’s beach cafes are booked out or overcrowded, it’s a short detour that still fits into a day built around the coast. And if you’re bringing a group on a weekend — the kind of booking that’s hard to land at a popular Cronulla spot on short notice — a quieter, less-contested table is often just easier to come by here.
What to Order
The menu is properly all-day, which matters if you’re arriving mid-morning rather than at opening:
- Breakfast bruschetta — confited tomato, zesty avocado-lime swirl, and a poached egg on charcoal bread, for something a bit more composed than a standard brekkie plate
- Eggs Benny on charcoal sourdough — wilted spinach and hollandaise, a solid choice if you want a proper sit-down breakfast
- Prawn saganaki or a slow-cooked lamb shank — once you’re past breakfast hours and want a genuine lunch
- Steak sandwich on Turkish bread — simple, reliable, good if you’re not after anything elaborate
- Coffee, matcha, chai, or a house smoothie — the coffee menu runs deep enough that “just a coffee” tends to turn into staying a while
Making the Trip
Como Marina Bay Cafe is at 2A Cremona Rd, Como NSW 2226, open 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM, seven days. The drive from Cronulla takes you inland and across to the Georges River side of the Shire — a genuine change of scenery, not just a different street. Weekday mornings tend to be quietest if you want the full slow-breakfast experience; weekends pick up, though nowhere near Cronulla’s level, so a call ahead on 02 9528 6316 is worth it for bigger groups.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Como Marina Bay Cafe from Cronulla? About 13km, roughly a 15-minute drive without heavy traffic.
Is it worth the drive from Cronulla just for breakfast? If you’re after a waterfront setting without the queues and parking stress of a Cronulla weekend, yes — it’s a genuine change of scenery rather than just a different suburb with the same crowd.
Is there parking near the cafe? Yes, parking near the cafe on Cremona Rd is straightforward, unlike much of central Cronulla on a weekend.
Do I need a booking? Smaller groups can usually walk in. For larger groups, especially on weekends, call ahead.
Como Marina Bay Cafe 2A Cremona Rd, Como NSW 2226 Open 7:30 AM – 3:00 PM, 7 days View Our Menus | Make a Reservation