Pino’s al Mare Cronulla and Puglian seafood by the beach
Matteo Margiotta’s Pino’s al Mare Cronulla is a Puglian inspired Italian restaurant set inside the old heritage church and library building on Surf Road, a short walk from the beach. Floor to ceiling windows and tall exposed beams meet terracotta tiles that came by hand from the Margiotta family’s home in Puglia, alongside sconces shipped in from Italy and olive trees that nod to summers spent on the Puglian coast.
Cristiano Patacca leads the kitchen, building a menu around daily baked focaccia, handmade pasta and a seafood focus that suits the coastal setting. Expect grilled king prawns with lemon and garlic butter, WA grilled octopus with smoked cannellini beans, and stuffed calamari in ink sauce, with Bombette Pugliesi, a pork neck involtini, nodding to the family’s Puglian roots.
The wine list tells the family story too, with bold Italian reds for Matteo’s heritage, South African wines in honour of his wife Nerina’s heritage, and Australian varietals for their adopted home. The private Wine Room holds around 1,600 bottles and can be booked for dining among them. Hands on pasta classes run here too.
Quick Bites
EAT: Mezzo pacchero alla zozzona, a rich pasta of guanciale, sausage, tomatoes and pecorino.
DRINK: Ask the team to pour a South African wine, a nod to Nerina’s heritage. Or go for prino's negroni, a classic cocktail.
PLAY: Book a pasta class, or reserve the private Wine Room for a long Italian lunch among the bottles. The beach is a short walk away for the stroll afterwards.
VIBE CHECK: Puglian coastal charm, steps from Cronulla Beach
