Even as storm clouds roll in across the bay, Stokehouse’s sand-adjacent casual venue remains as sunny as its smiling, informal staff. It helps that every bottle on the list is priced at a wallet-friendly $79, and the menu is packed with well- executed crowd-pleasers.

Bite-sized chunks of fried halloumi are offset by discs of grilled celeriac and fresh fig, and scorched squid comes flicked with tangy seaweed sauce. Supple tagliatelle benefits from a deeply meaty ragu made with braised duck and enoki mushroom.

And a retro lemon meringue sundae comes with the requisite (maraschino) cherry on top. From the long timber bar to the Aperol-orange umbrellas to the ultra-wide ocean views, the energy is relaxed in a way that’s only natural this close to the bay.

Good Food reviews are booked anonymously and paid independently. A restaurant can’t pay for a review or inclusion in the Good Food Guide.