The menu
Alma Avalon, what we’re cooking.
Food that’s best shared, on a menu that changes with the season.
To start
Guacamole
Corn chips, wakame
vegan, gluten free available, dairy freeVG · GFA · DF
17
Prawn tostada
Avocado, onion and cucumber salsa
gluten free, dairy free, importedGF · DFImported
22
Salmon sashimi hard shell taco
Pico de gallo, guacachile, three pieces
gluten free available, dairy free, contains nuts, australianGFA · DF · NAustralian
22
Sweet corn
Panko, cotija cheese, chipotle, four pieces
vegetarian, gluten free availableV · GFA
17
Halloumi
Agave glaze, salsa macha, three pieces
vegetarian, gluten free, contains nutsV · GF · N
19
Chicken tinga empanadas
Salsa roja, three pieces
gluten free available, dairy freeGFA · DF
22
Tacos
9 each
Barramundi, coleslaw, chipotle aioli
gluten free, dairy free, australianGF · DFAustralian
Pork belly, guacamole, pineapple salsa
gluten free, dairy freeGF · DF
Zucchini, salsa macha, avocado
vegan, gluten free, dairy free, contains nutsVG · GF · DF · N
Carne asada, avocado, onions
gluten free, dairy freeGF · DF
To share
Fish of the day al pastor
Pico de piña, avocado mousse
gluten free, dairy free, australianGF · DFAustralian
47
Agave beef short rib
Grilled cos, baby carrots, tortillas
gluten free, dairy freeGF · DF
49
Cauliflower steak
Pumpkin puree, roast pepita salsa
vegetarian, gluten freeV · GF
33
Sides
Broccolini
Sikil pak, pepitas
vegan, gluten free, dairy free, contains nutsVG · GF · DF · N
20
Shoestring fries
Paprika, chipotle aioli
vegetarian, gluten free, dairy freeV · GF · DF
11
Nashi pear salad
Goat’s cheese
vegetarian, gluten freeV · GF
19
Sweet
Churros
Dulce de leche, chocolate ice cream
vegetarian, contains nutsV · N
19
Chocolate ice cream
Add dulce de leche $2
vegetarian, gluten free, contains nutsV · GF · N
8
The bar
Mexican classics
The ones we make most, and the ones we would order first.
Classic Margarita
El Tequileño Tequila, Alma’s Triple Sec, Lime
Sharp, cold and salted. The house standard everything else is measured against
23
Tommy’s Margarita
El Tequileño Tequila, Agave, Lime
No liqueur, just agave. On the rocks, made famous at Tommy’s in San Francisco
23
Jalapeño Margarita
Jalapeño-infused El Tequileño Tequila, Alma’s Triple Sec, Lime
Green heat that builds slowly, never scorches
23
Watermelon Margarita
El Tequileño Tequila, Watermelon, Agave, Lime
The long lunch order, all summer
23
Coconut Margarita
Coconut-washed El Tequileño Tequila, Cacao Blanco, Citrus
Rounder and softer, under a cloud of coconut foam
23
Paloma
El Tequileño Tequila, Grapefruit, Fresh Lime, Soda
Long, bitter and easy. What Mexico actually drinks
23
Mezcal Tommy’s
Aguas Mansas Mezcal, Agave, Lime
The Oaxacan cousin, smoke where the sweetness was
24
Mezcalita
Aguas Mansas Mezcal, Alma’s Triple Sec, Lime
A margarita with the lights turned down
24
All margaritas available spicy on request.
Seasonal cocktails
What the bar is playing with right now. These change with the produce.
Beach, Please
Manly Spirits Vodka, Licor 43, Falernum, Rosé, Watermelon
Pale pink, barely sweet, made for a warm afternoon
contains nutsN
23
Zest I Ever Had
Ron Santiago de Cuba Rum, Mandarin, Licor 43, Green Apple
Citrus forward and lifted, finishes crisp
23
Ginger Spice
Aguas Mansas Mezcal, Ginger, Chilli, Citrus
Smoke and heat together, the most savoury drink we make
23
Classic cocktails
Classic Daiquiri
Ron Santiago de Cuba Rum, Lime, Sugar
Three ingredients, nowhere to hide
23
Espresso Martini
Manly Spirits Vodka, Coffee Liqueur, Cold Drip Coffee
Cold drip, so it stays bitter rather than sweet
dairy freeDF
23
Negroni
Manly Spirits Dry Gin, Campari, Sweet Vermouth
Stirred down, served over one big rock
25
Low & no
All of the ritual, less of the morning after.
Low · lower alcohol
Aperol(ish) Spritz
Non-alcoholic orange aperitif, Prosecco, Soda
21
Mirasol
Amaro Montenegro, Prosecco, Soda
21
No · alcohol free
Sensible Margarita
Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic Spirits, Citrus
19
Watermelon Spritz
Watermelon, Citrus, Mint, Soda
19
Beer & cider
Cold, Mexican and local. Perfect alongside tacos.
Corona4.5%
12
Modelo Especial4.4%
15
Balter Cerveza4.0%
12
Balter XPA5.0%
12
Stone & Wood Pacific Ale4.4%
13
Batlow Cloudy Apple Cider4.2%
12
Heaps Normal Quiet XPA<0.5%
10
Heaps Normal Another Lager<0.5%
10
Soft drinksSoft drinks available, just ask the team.
Can’t decide?12 drinks · from $19+
Start here. Three pours we would order ourselves, at each part of the night.
Before dinner
Bright and citrus-led, made to open the palate.
Classic Margarita
23
Beach, Please
23
Paloma
23
With food
Enough structure to hold their own against the kitchen.
Tommy’s Margarita
23
Gotas de Mar, Albariño
19
Fortaleza Blanco
21
After dinner
A slower, richer after-dinner sipper.
Espresso Martini
23
Negroni
25
El Tequileño 1959 Añejo
25
The team’s agave picks
Arette BlancoTim’s pick
Clean, peppery and easygoing, the workhorse blanco that lifts any margarita.
Código 1530 RosaDirk’s pick
Delicate floral notes, faint hints of vanilla and red fruit.
Fortaleza BlancoCaio’s pick
Stone oven and tahona made, rich and savoury, a cult sipper.
Not sure? Tell us what you like and we will point you somewhere good.
On agave8 drinks+
This is the heart of what we do. Tequila and mezcal, more than eighty of them, chosen one bottle at a time. You do not need to know any of it to enjoy it. Tell us what you like and we will point you somewhere good. If you want to find your own way, we have marked our favourites, mine included, though it is hard to go wrong.
When to sip
To begin
a crisp blanco or a paloma, something bright to open the palate before you eat.
Through the meal
a classic margarita or a reposado on the rocks, fruit and gentle spice that hold their own against the kitchen.
To finish
an añejo or an extra añejo, neat and unhurried, the way you would treat a good whisky.
When you want smoke
mezcal at room temperature, small pours, sipped not shot.
Any time
a well-made blanco never puts a foot wrong.
Start here
El Tequileño 1959 Platinum
The house pour behind our margaritas, bright and friendly.
G4 Reposado
Oak and warmth without the heat, the one that makes sense of reposado.
Aguas Mansas
A soft espadín mezcal, just enough smoke to find out if you like it.
Take your time. Ask questions. Salud.
Explore Mexico6 drinks · from $39+
Not sure where to begin? Our tasting flights take you through the styles of tequila and mezcal, from bright, citrus-driven blancos to rich extra añejos and smoky mezcals.
Tasting flights
Discover El Tequileño 1959
El Tequileño Platinum, Gran Reserva, Reposado Rare, Añejo
46
Blanco, the essence of agave
Fortaleza Blanco, G4 Blanco, Cascahuín Blanco, Tres Agaves Blanco
39
Añejo, the art of ageing
G4 Añejo, Don Julio Añejo, Herradura Añejo, Patrón Añejo
47
Espadín agave, the mezcalero’s choice
Nuestra Soledad San Baltazar Guelavila & San Luis del Río, Koch Ancestral Espadín, Ilegal Mezcal Reposado
41
Mezcal agave complexity
Koch Ancestral Espadín, Origen Raíz Cenizo, Machetazo Cupreata, Koch Tepextate
45
Rare finds
Herradura Suprema Extra Añejo, El Jolgorio Mexicano & Espadín, El Tequileño 1959 Reposado Rare
86
Four 15 mL pours, chosen by our team. Ask us which flight best suits your meal.
A note on our wine25 wines · from $16+
Wine should feel generous, relaxed and made to share. A good glass can capture the character of the land, elevate the meal in front of you, and lift the mood of the table it lands on. Our list has been shaped by people who genuinely love wine, with Austin bringing a real point of view, and Cal from Clarity Cru and Greg from Joval guiding us toward bottles we would never have found on our own. It is designed to sit beside the coastal Mexican food we serve. Bright whites, textural styles, crisp rosé and juicy reds, each picked to match everything from fresh ceviche and tacos to grilled meats and smoky spice. A considered list with something for every mood and table. Ask the team if you’d like a recommendation. We are always happy to help you find the right glass or bottle. Welcome to Alma Avalon, and salud. Tim Christensen Founding Director Alma Group
Pairing guide○ Seafood and ceviche · △ Rich and grilled · ◇ Vegetables and cheese
White
Poured to 150 or 250 mL, or by the bottle. Everything open is worth a taste first, just ask.
2024 Moments of Clarity, RieslingEden Valley, SA ○
150 mL 16250 mL 26Bottle 732024 Frogmore Creek, RieslingCoal River, TAS ○
–not poured by the 150 mL–not poured by the 250 mLBottle 932024 Gotas de Mar, AlbariñoRías Baixas, ESP ○
150 mL 19250 mL 31Bottle 862024 Catalina Sounds ‘Sound of White’, Sauvignon BlancMarlborough, NZ ○ ◇
150 mL 17250 mL 27Bottle 772024 i Lauri ‘AVALOS’, PecorinoAbruzzo, ITA ○
–not poured by the 150 mL–not poured by the 250 mLBottle 812023 Shut The Gate ‘For Freedom’, GewürztraminerClare Valley, SA ◇
–not poured by the 150 mL–not poured by the 250 mLBottle 762023 Greystone, Pinot GrisWaipara, NZ ◇
150 mL 18250 mL 29Bottle 832022 Stéphane Brocard Mâcon-Villages, ChardonnayBurgundy, FRA ○ ◇
150 mL 26250 mL 41Bottle 1112024 Ingram Road, ChardonnayYarra Valley, VIC ◇
150 mL 16250 mL 26Bottle 732023 Kendall Jackson ‘Vintner’s Reserve’, ChardonnayNapa Valley, USA △
–not poured by the 150 mL–not poured by the 250 mLBottle 106
Bubbles
NV Serenello Prosecco, GleraVeneto, ITA ○
150 mL 16–not poured by the 250 mLBottle 76NV Taittinger Brut Réserve, Chardonnay Pinot Noir Pinot MeunierChampagne, FRA ○
150 mL 28–not poured by the 250 mLBottle 161NV Taittinger Brut Réserve 375 mLChampagne, FRA ○
–not poured by the 150 mL–not poured by the 250 mLBottle 95
Rosé
2024 R. Paulazzo Rosé, Pinot NoirRiverina, NSW ○
150 mL 16250 mL 26Bottle 732024 La Belle ‘Colette’ Rosé, Shiraz Grenache Mourvèdre CinsaultProvence, FRA ○ ◇
150 mL 18250 mL 29Bottle 83
Red
Nothing here is heavy for the sake of it. Ask for the Pinot lightly chilled.
2025 El Desperado, Pinot NoirAdelaide Hills, SA △
150 mL 16250 mL 26Bottle 732024 Domaine Thomson ‘Explorer’, Pinot NoirCentral Otago, NZ △
–not poured by the 150 mL–not poured by the 250 mLBottle 892023 Helen’s Hill ‘The Smuggler’, Pinot NoirYarra Valley, VIC △
–not poured by the 150 mL–not poured by the 250 mLBottle 1262022 Capa Single Vineyard, TempranilloCastilla La Mancha, ESP △
150 mL 16250 mL 26Bottle 732022 Villa Albergotti Chianti Superiore, SangioveseTuscany, ITA △
150 mL 18250 mL 29Bottle 832023 Teusner ‘Avatar’, Grenache Shiraz MataroBarossa Valley, SA △
–not poured by the 150 mL–not poured by the 250 mLBottle 962022 BenMarco ‘Valle de Uco’, MalbecMendoza, ARG △
150 mL 21250 mL 33Bottle 932017 Geoff Merrill ‘Jacko’s’, ShirazMcLaren Vale, SA △
–not poured by the 150 mL–not poured by the 250 mLBottle 892023 Teusner ‘Wark Family’, ShirazBarossa Valley, SA △
150 mL 17250 mL 27Bottle 772021 Cannonball, Cabernet SauvignonSonoma Valley, USA △
–not poured by the 150 mL–not poured by the 250 mLBottle 106
TequilaThe highlands51 drinks · from $12+
Prices shown are for 30 mL. Every agave is also available as a 15 mL half pour. Blanco is unaged and bright with green agave. Reposado rests in oak for a softer, spiced edge. Añejo ages longer again for caramel and vanilla. Start light and work up.
El Pandillo
Felipe Camarena’s highland distillery in Arandas. Hand built tahona, bright mineral agave.
ArteNOM 157940.7%
20
G4 Blanco40%Staff pick
18
G4 Reposado40%Staff pick
21
G4 Añejo40%Staff pick
33
Terralta Blanco40%
19
Pasote Blanco40%
24
Arette de Jalisco
Made at El Llano in Tequila town. Peppery, clean, the workhorse blanco.
Arette Blanco40%Staff pick
13
Arette Reposado40%Staff pick
15
Arette Suave Artesanal Blanco38%Staff pick
23
Grupo Tequilero
A small Jalisco house working with organic agave. Unusually delicate.
Alquimia Blanco40%
22
Jorge Salles Cuervo y Sucesores
El Tequileño, the house pour behind our margaritas.
El Tequileño 1959 Platinum40%
16
El Tequileño 1959 Gran Reserva Reposado40%Staff pick
17
El Tequileño 1959 Añejo40%
25
El Tequileño 1959 Reposado Rare40%
49
Hacienda Capellanía
Calle 23, made by a French biochemist. Precise and very clean.
Calle 23 Blanco40%
13
Calle 23 Reposado40%
15
Varo Destilería
Código, rested briefly in Napa cabernet barrels for its blush.
Código 1530 Rosa Blanco35%Staff pick
23
Tequila Cascahuín
Third generation lowland house in El Arenal. Cooked agave and soft spice.
Cascahuín Blanco38%Staff pick
15
Cascahuín Plata48%
25
Cascahuín Tahona Blanco42%
25
Cascahuín Extra Añejo43%
50
Hacienda Herradura
Made at San José del Refugio since 1870. The lowland classic, rich, baked and earthy.
Herradura Plata40%
15
Herradura Reposado40%
17
Herradura Añejo40%
19
Herradura Ultra40%
25
Herradura Suprema Extra Añejo40%
80
Tequila Tapatío
El Tesoro and Tapatío, both tahona crushed, both benchmarks.
El Tesoro Blanco40%
22
El Tesoro Reposado40%
23
El Tesoro Añejo40%Staff pick
25
Tapatío Blanco40%
20
Tapatío Reposado40%Staff pick
22
Tequila Los Abuelos
Fortaleza, the Sauza family’s return to old methods. Stone oven and tahona, a cult sipper.
Fortaleza Blanco40%Staff pick
21
Fortaleza Reposado40%Staff pick
24
Fortaleza Añejo40%Staff pick
29
Los Alambiques
Ocho, single estate, a different field every year.
Ocho Plata40%
21
Ocho Reposado40%
22
Ocho Añejo40%
23
Ocho Extra Añejo40%
32
Patrón Spirits México
Familiar and consistent, always a safe answer.
Patrón Silver40%
13
Patrón Reposado40%
15
Patrón Añejo40%
17
Patrón El Cielo40%Staff pick
28
Diageo México
Don Julio, the bottle that made sipping tequila normal.
Don Julio Blanco38%
20
Don Julio Reposado38%
22
Don Julio Añejo38%
25
Don Julio 194238%Staff pick
38
Other houses
Good bottles that do not sit neatly under a family above.
Siete Leguas Blanco40%
21
Tromba Blanco40%Staff pick
15
Leyenda del Milagro Blanco40%
15
Tres Agaves40%
14
Batanga Reposado40%
12
MezcalEspadín & ensemble37 drinks · from $12+
Prices shown are for 30 mL, served at room temperature and sipped not shot. Every agave is also available as a 15 mL half pour. The village under each name is where it was made, and it matters more than the brand.
Espadín
The workhorse of mezcal and close cousin of the Blue Weber. Roasted agave on the nose, a bright herbaceous palate.
Aguas Mansas45%
Santiago Matatlán
12
El Jolgorio47.8%
San Luis del Río
31
Mezcal Verde42%
Tlacolula
14
Nuestra Soledad47%Staff pick
San Luis del Río
17
Nuestra Soledad47%
Santiago Matatlán
16
Nuestra Soledad47%
La Compañía, Ejutla
17
Nuestra Soledad47%
San Baltazar Guelavila
17
Siete Misterios Doba Yej44%
San Dionisio Ocotepec
15
Koch El Mezcal Ancestral47.12%
Sola de Vega
19
San Cosme Mezcal40%
Santiago Matatlán
14
Origen Raíz Chacaleño48%
Durango
23
Alipus Mezcal42%Staff pick
San Juan del Río
16
Alipus Mezcal48%
San Baltazar Guelavila
14
Ilegal Mezcal Reposado40%
Tlacolula
20
Quiquiriqui45%Staff pick
Santiago Matatlán
15
Del Maguey VIDA42%Staff pick
San Luis del Río
17
Del Maguey Minero46%
Santa Catarina Minas
27
Ensemble
Several agave species in one batch, the way mezcal used to be. No two taste the same.
Aprendiz45%
Espadín & Tepextate, San Juan del Río
25
Bruxo No.446%Staff pick
Espadín, Cuishe & Barril, San Juan del Río
18
Cenizo
High elevation agave from Durango, dominated by tropical fruit.
Lágrimas de Dolores47%
Durango
21
Origen Raíz48%Staff pick
Durango
20
Madrecuishe
Tall, cylindrical and floral with a mineral edge. Mother of the cuishe agave.
El Jolgorio48%Staff pick
Santiago Matatlán
34
Origen Raíz48%
Santiago Matatlán
28
Mexicano
Up to 25 years to mature. Green and grassy, through to orange zest and terracotta.
El Jolgorio47%Staff pick
La Compañía, Ejutla
39
Koch El Mezcal46.98%
Río de Ejutla
19
Tepextate
Overarching minerality, reflecting the volcanic earth it grows on.
El Jolgorio48%
San Luis del Río
52
Koch El Mezcal46.3%
Santa María Zoquitlán
19
Arroqueño
The genetic mother of espadín. Fruity, herbaceous and smoky.
El Jolgorio55%Staff pick
Miahuatlán
36
El Jolgorio52%
Miahuatlán
55
Koch El Mezcal47.13%
Río de Ejutla
19
Other mezcal
Assorted and singular. Try a few together, and ask to see the bottle.
El Jolgorio47%Staff pick
Cuishe, Santa María Zoquitlán
33
El Jolgorio52%Staff pick
Tobasiche, La Compañía, Ejutla
50
El Jolgorio50.2%
Tobasiche, El Palmar
48
El Jolgorio50.3%
Jabalí, Santa María Zoquitlán
59
El Jolgorio50.3%
Sierrudo, Santiago Matatlán
44
El Jolgorio48%Staff pick
Espadín Pechuga, Santiago Matatlán
54
Mezcal Machetazo45%
Cupreata, Guerrero
15
Plenty of tequila and mezcal behind the bar. Ask what’s good.
A surcharge of 10% applies on weekends and 15% on public holidays. Wine vintages may be subject to change.
- Dietary
- VvegetarianVGveganGFgluten freeGFAgluten free availableDFdairy free
- Allergens
- Ncontains nuts
- Origin
- AaustralianIimported
Dietaries catered with notice. Dishes may contain traces of allergens. Please advise your server of any allergies.
Our masa is made fresh in-house, and the kitchen handles nuts and shellfish.
A surcharge of 10% applies on weekends and 15% on public holidays.
Happy hour
Walk-in
Wed–Thu · 5–6pm · Fri–Sun · 4–6pm
Early drinks, a few snacks and afternoons that roll into dinner.
Wine selection may change with availability.
Bottomless lunch
$99pp
Sat & Sun · 12–4pm
Bottomless margaritas with guacamole, a shared starter and tacos.
This is an example menu. Dishes may change depending on seasonal availability.
Taco Night
$5 tacos
Every Wednesday · all night
$5 tacos and $12 margaritas all night long, every Wednesday at Alma Avalon.
Coming up
Avalon Market Day
Walk-ins welcome
Sat 28 Nov · from 9am
Stalls along the village footpaths from 9am, DJs in three laneways from 2pm and rides in Dunbar Park. We're open from 12pm, right on Old Barrenjoey Road.
Groups
Bring the whole table.
Set menus for the table, private spaces and catering. Got a group of twenty or more? Get in touch and we’ll put together a bespoke package with you.
Trust our chef
For the whole table.
Grazing
A lighter spread to start and share.
49 pp
Feasting
The full table feast, chosen by the kitchen.
79 pp
Agave pairing
A flight or matched pours.
45 pp
Hungry yet?
Book ahead, or drop in: the bar and terrace take walk-ins from 5pm if there’s room.