The Allouche family say their new eatery at North Cronulla “blurs the lines between cafe, restaurant and bar”.
Next Door opened in Perryman Square this week alongside their long-established Sea Level restaurant.
The family took back the premises, which previously housed Alley Break cafe, when the lease expired in July.
Extensive renovations have been carried out.
Where there used to be outdoor tables and umbrellas, there is now a covered dining area, with folding doors that can be closed when the weather is unkind.
Next Door will operate as a cafe from 7am to 3pm each day, and on Friday, Saturday and Sunday will open till late as a wine bar.
“We have had a very good start,” said head chef Luke Arnull, who has stepped up after 10 years as a chef at Sea Level.
“It’s got a good family feel – a lot of friends are working here,” he said.
Mr Arnull said the cafe’s all-day menu provided an “edgy breakfast” and had “a Mediterranean feel”.
“Instead of having breakfast and lunch, with a line between them, we accommodate with a bit of both,” he said.
Mr Arnull said they were catering for changing lifestyles.
“People are getting up earlier and their days are different,” he said.
“They may feel like something more substantial around 10 or 11 o’clock, instead of 12.
“I have found from working in cafes, around 11 o’clock, you are not accommodating your customers.”
Mr Arnull said the location next to the beach and surf was something special at night.
“The place opens up and you get that night funk feeling,” he said.
Mr Arnull did not see Next Door being competition for Sea Level.
“Next Door is a quick meal and catch up with your friends,” he said.
