In the dining room at Mimi’s, you can feel the salt from Coogee’s shoreline. Vast arched windows frame the Pacific, channeling the coast into a space that offers a distinct juxtaposition: an ambitious, produce-focused style of dining more common in a city centre than overlooking a famous Australian beach. The atmosphere is intentionally calm and elegant, a world away from the casual energy of the rest of the Coogee Pavilion it occupies. This method, which draws on a Mediterranean soul to interpret Australian seafood, creates an identity entirely its own. The kitchen’s respect for its ingredients is evident in its focus on live and premium seafood, from market-price mud crab to southern bluefin tuna. This dedication manifests in memorable dishes that have helped shape the restaurant's reputation. A bowl of pipis bathed in a broth made from smoked chicken wings, served with sourdough to soak up the buttery sauce, is one such creation. The selection often features finely crafted one-bite snacks, like a single scallop dressed with chicken skin, alongside grander statements. One of the defining rituals of a meal here has become the caviar service, presented from a dedicated cart with frozen vodka, a moment of pure indulgence that underscores the restaurant’s character. This thoughtful creation of a destination dining room, built on a foundation of exceptional ingredients and a unique coastal perspective, has not gone unnoticed. The restaurant shows that serious cookery can thrive in a relaxed setting, offering a polished outing that still feels connected to the rhythm of the ocean outside.
