When you've been exploring Sydney's dining scene for decades, stumbling upon a genuinely exciting new restaurant feels like finding treasure. That's exactly what happened when food lovers began discovering McCarrs General Store & Restaurant, tucked away on a quiet corner where Mona Vale meets Terrey Hills.
What makes this find so special isn't just the exceptional food—though the wood-fired pizzas drizzled with local honey and perfectly prepared fresh pasta certainly don't hurt.
It's the thoughtful way McCarrs combines everything we've come to cherish about great local dining: excellent food, genuine service, and a space that welcomes everyone from solo coffee drinkers to three-generation family gatherings.
A daytime store, an evening destination
McCarrs operates as two venues in one, opening daily at 6:30am as a general store and café, then transforming into a restaurant for lunch and dinner [1][2]. The converted shipping container houses the general store, stocked with carefully chosen market produce, pantry staples, and fresh flowers—perfect for picking up dinner ingredients after your meal for inspiration at home.
The restaurant itself sits in a white-panelled farmhouse surrounded by herb and vegetable gardens, complete with fairy lights strung across an expansive courtyard and fire pits for cooler evenings. Staff consistently receive praise for being 'attentive, helpful and friendly,' creating that relaxed atmosphere where you never feel rushed [3].
'We're captivated by the natural beauty of McCarrs Creek. Having grown up in the area, it feels natural to be cooking and supporting our local community. The space has an effortless charm—tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city.'
What makes it special for discerning diners
The menu focuses on seasonal Mediterranean-inspired fare, with every element championing small producers and sustainable practices. Reviews consistently highlight 'exceptional food with a focus on seasonal, quality produce' and 'fresh baked bread that's not to be missed' [4].
Local ingredients feature prominently—so local that the team encourages nearby residents to bring in their backyard produce. Garden greens are picked fresh from the yard, and native pepper sauces and saltbush appear throughout dishes. The famous house-made bread comes from the owners' Berkelo bakery background, ensuring every meal starts with something special.
McCarrs practical details
Address: 205 Mona Vale Road, Terrey Hills (entry via McCarrs Creek Road)
Phone: (02) 8998 6575
General Store hours: Daily 6:30am-1pm
Restaurant: 11:30am-3pm lunch, 4pm-late dinner
Parking: On-site parking available
Accessibility: Ground level dining with outdoor seating options
Bookings: Available via OpenTable or phone
The cocktail menu deserves special mention, with the orange myrtle spritz offering 'a little slice of Italy with a glorious Aussie twist of lemon myrtle tea.' For dinner, options expand to include leek and ricotta ravioli in butter and sage, and grass-fed steak with native pepper sauce.
A Spanish escape in Bondi
For those seeking a different kind of culinary adventure, Iberica in Bondi offers something increasingly rare: excellent value for money. Every Saturday from noon to 3pm, their bottomless lunch serves six shared dishes plus unlimited sparkling wine, white and red wine, and sangria for $99 per person.
The terracotta-decorated venue transports diners to Spain's Balearic coast, complete with sunlit interiors and Mediterranean vibes. The feast progresses from marinated olives and bread with truffle butter through to the highlight: chorizo sausages with cider reduction and caramelised onion, followed by golden seafood paella with green salsa and charred lemon.
At $35, the cocktail upgrade adds Aperol spritzes, margaritas, and espresso martinis to the mix—still representing solid value for a three-hour dining experience with premium ingredients and unlimited drinks.
Luxury worth the journey
Sometimes a destination dining experience justifies the extra effort, and Kangaroo Island's Southern Ocean Lodge certainly fits that description. Recently named American Express Travel's 'One To Watch' ahead of The World's 50 Best Hotels 2025, this spectacular property represents the future of sustainable luxury travel.
Rebuilt after the devastating 2020 bushfires, the lodge now features 25 suites with floor-to-ceiling ocean views looking over limestone cliffs. The eco-credentials—solar power, rainwater capture, and 45,000 native plantings—set new standards while the location offers complete escape from city pressures.
Supporting quality Australian producers
- McCarrs champions small local producers and sustainable practices
- Iberica showcases authentic Spanish flavours at accessible prices
- Southern Ocean Lodge demonstrates world-class Australian hospitality
- Olivetta represents emerging Australian luxury food brands
- All venues focus on quality ingredients over trendy gimmicks
The liquid gold changing Australian kitchens
For home cooks who appreciate quality ingredients, the launch of Olivetta marks an exciting development in Australian luxury food. As the country's first dedicated luxury olive oil brand, Olivetta sources small-batch, cold-pressed oils from Greece, South Africa, and Australia.
Beyond classic blends, the range includes bold infusions like basil, lime, and chilli—plus an intriguing white chocolate variant that founder Karl Schuster suggests drizzling over vanilla ice cream. At $28 for 250ml, it's positioned as a special occasion ingredient rather than everyday cooking oil.
The flagship store at Sydney's new Fish Market promises expert-led tastings and a sensory exploration of olive oil varieties—perfect for food enthusiasts wanting to expand their culinary horizons.
Health-conscious cooking at home
Speaking of home cooking, the growing awareness around food safety has many reconsidering their kitchen equipment. Traditional non-stick air fryer coatings have raised concerns about chemical shedding, leading health-conscious cooks toward glass alternatives.
Did you know?
Did you know?
Glass air fryers allow you to monitor cooking progress visually, reducing the guesswork that often leads to overcooked meals—particularly helpful for seniors who prefer precision in their cooking.
The Grafton Home Goods 6.5L glass air fryer from Temple & Webster, priced at $119.99 with a 4.8-star rating, offers a healthier alternative with clear visibility of cooking progress. The digital touch screen and rapid heating make it user-friendly, while the easy-clean glass bowl eliminates concerns about coating degradation over time.
Popular recipes for this appliance include chicken rissoles, salmon fillets, and Vietnamese-style spring roll salad—all dishes that benefit from the precise temperature control (40°C to 200°C) and visual monitoring that glass provides.
Finding gems in familiar places
What these discoveries share is the reminder that great food experiences often hide in unexpected places. McCarrs proves that exceptional dining can emerge on quiet suburban corners, while Iberica demonstrates that value and quality aren't mutually exclusive. The Southern Ocean Lodge shows how tragedy can inspire renewal, and products like Olivetta olive oil remind us that Australian producers continue pushing quality boundaries.
For those who've spent years exploring Australia's food scene, these finds offer something precious: the thrill of genuine discovery, regardless of how well-travelled your palate might be. Sometimes the best adventures happen closest to home—you just need to know where to look.
What hidden culinary gems have you discovered in your neighbourhood recently? We'd love to hear about your latest food finds and whether any of these destinations have made it onto your must-visit list.
Primary Source
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/...ey-Australia-summer-eats-family-friendly.html
MCCARRS
Cited text: Open daily, serving great coffee, drinks, seasonal cakes and pastries, house-made bread and sandwiches, frozen meals, plus carefully-selected market p...
Excerpt: McCarrs operates as two venues in one, opening daily at 6:30am as a general store and café, then transforming into a restaurant for lunch and dinner
McCarrs Restaurant—Terrey Hills, AU-NSW | OpenTable
Cited text: Born by Berkelo bakery, 2015.
Excerpt: McCarrs operates as two venues in one, opening daily at 6:30am as a general store and café, then transforming into a restaurant for lunch and dinner
https://www.opentable.com.au/r/mccarrs-house-terrey-hills
McCarrs Restaurant—Terrey Hills, AU-NSW | OpenTable
Cited text: Tucked away in leafy Terrey Hills it is always a pleasure to visit this farm-to-table restaurant where the food is lovingly crafted, the atmosphere re...
Excerpt: Staff consistently receive praise for being 'attentive, helpful and friendly,' creating that relaxed atmosphere where you never feel rushed
https://www.opentable.com.au/r/mccarrs-house-terrey-hills
McCarrs Restaurant—Terrey Hills, AU-NSW | OpenTable
Cited text: The food is exceptional with a focus on seasonal, quality produce. The fresh baked bread is also not to be missed.
Excerpt: Reviews consistently highlight 'exceptional food with a focus on seasonal, quality produce' and 'fresh baked bread that's not to be missed'
https://www.opentable.com.au/r/mccarrs-house-terrey-hills
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