The Clovelly Hotel

Known locally as the Cloey, the Clovelly Hotel sits a block back from the beach with peeks across to Gordons Bay. The floor plan runs from a TAB-heavy sports bar through an Art Deco lounge — geometric blue palette, pendant lighting — to thirteen boutique rooms upstairs. Grant Croft's kitchen leans on the Cloey Burger, a five-option steak list, fish tacos and a sticky date pudding that won't come off the menu. Monday kids' meals come free, Thursday schnitzels are $14, Sunday roast is $25.

Dogs are welcome in the upstairs beer garden and on the deck alongside the sports bar. The venue puts out water bowls and treats and installs a big screen in the garden, so a dog walk ending in AFL, Swans or NRL is entirely on the cards.