Ocean Bar and Kitchen

Ocean Bar and Kitchen is an Italian-inspired beach restaurant on the first floor of the Henley Beach Surf Life Saving Club, with broad coastal views across the beachfront. Its position on The Esplanade puts the sea at the centre of the experience, whether you are stopping in for a drink, settling in for a meal or watching the sunset from the restaurant.

The menu is designed for different stages of a visit. There are snacks available in the afternoon, a drinks list featuring local and specialty beer, wine and cocktails, and a main menu covering seafood, pasta and dishes from the grill. Sweets are also available, although the website does not list individual dishes. Rather than promoting one signature plate, Ocean presents itself as a flexible coastal dining option for a relaxed lunch, pre-dinner stop or evening meal.

The venue occupies clubrooms rebuilt in 2014 to support the Henley Beach Surf Life Saving Club, which was established in 1925. Ocean’s addition allows the club’s volunteers to concentrate on beach safety while the restaurant team operates the kitchen and bar upstairs. The venue describes its food as simple and tasty, with an emphasis on seasonal and local ingredients, and its setting as relaxed and informal rather than club-members-only: visitors do not need to belong to the surf club to dine there.

With its beachfront outlook and easy-going atmosphere, Ocean suits visitors looking for a scenic meal in Henley Beach, as well as locals wanting a drink by the water. The website also promotes function packages, making the space suitable for group occasions, while the coastal views and shared-meal focus could work well for families or a casual gathering. Bookings are available through the venue, and the restaurant welcomes tourists, locals and anyone wanting to enjoy the beach setting.