Restaurant
COYA
567 Pacific Hwy, St Leonards NSW 2065, Australia
Find COYA
567 Pacific Hwy, St Leonards NSW 2065, Australia
Directions ↗*Opening hours may differ during holidays.
Book NowAbout COYA
Tucked along Pacific Highway, COYA delivers an intimate multi-course degustation marrying Middle Eastern spices with French haute-cuisine technique. Chef Ashraf and his partner Kit run the dining room with personal warmth, with the chef stepping out to introduce individual dishes tableside. Diners note the plant-based and pescetarian menus hold their own against traditional tasting flights—delivering punchy, savoury depth across plates like crispy eggplant with tamarind and avocado, or potato mille-feuille spiked with chili emulsion. Drinks lean just as inventive, with tables lingering over house cocktails like the Turkish Delight Martini before the final sweet course lands.
- Tableside Chef Hospitality: Chef Ashraf visits dining tables in person throughout the evening to introduce courses and share the culinary ideas behind each plate.
- Artful Plant-Based Menus: Dedicated six- and ten-course plant-based and pescetarian degustation options showcase layered spices, savoury umami, and intricate plating.
What's On at COYA
Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.
No events or specials listed right now.
Why Diners Choose Coya
Discover why diners choose Coya for intimate chef-led degustations, inventive plant-based menus, and memorable celebrations.
Artistic Multi-Course Degustation
Guests experience thoughtfully curated tasting menus blending Middle Eastern flavours with modern techniques, presented like works of art.
Every dish was thoughtfully crafted and presented in small, delicate portions — almost like edible art.
Jay Personal Tableside Storytelling by the Chef
The owner-chef personally delivers dishes and shares the stories behind every creation directly in the intimate dining room.
The Chef personally visited each table throughout the evening, checking in with guests and sharing stories behind the menu.
Will Hamdan Masterful Plant-Based Degustation
Coya crafts multi-course plant-based degustations that deliver remarkable culinary technique and rich savoury balance without compromise.
Vegan fine dining often falls flat on flavor, balance or technique, but not at Coya.
Sarah L Thoughtful Dietary Adaptability
The kitchen and front-of-house team adapt effortlessly to guest dietary preferences while maintaining inventive flavor combinations.
The staff & chef at COYA were incredibly understanding and flexible, crafting delicious vegan dishes that left us supremely impressed by their creativity and flavours.
Peter Kossen Ideal Setting for Special Celebrations
An inviting, boutique setting combined with warm hosts makes milestone events and gatherings feel truly celebratory.
There were 5 girls in our group, and every single one of us was over the moon with the experience. Perfect for celebrations, date nights, or any special occasion.
Ploy Fondooz Shared Hospitality for Group Occasions
Guests gathering for group dinners receive exceptional attentiveness alongside visually stunning, vibrant tasting courses.
I went with friends to celebrate a special occasion. COYA exceeded our expectation with their exceptional service and tastefully crafted courses.
Su Cooley
Most popular items
Artistic fusion creations from COYA's seasonal tasting menus
Sweet Harissa King Prawns
Our favourites were the sweet harissa king prawns, lemon za’atar chicken, and strawberry marquise.
Belinda Potato Mille Feuille
The potato mille feuille was what we had been looking forward to. It was technically perfect and the chili emulsion had a great kick that blended well with the sweetness of the tamarind sauce it was served upon.
Sarah L Fatteh
Would especially recommend the fatteh...very light and crispy with melt in your mouth eggplant. ..we couldn't get enough.
Danielle Sciortino Banana Flowers Fish and Chips
Everything was very well thought out, from the hummous garden, to the "fish and chips" the fish was made with banana flowers, to the daikon raddish dish was just full of flavour bursts in each bite.
Izzy Sheikh
Beyond the menu
Thoughtful personal touches and hospitality moments that elevate dining at COYA
Tableside Dish Introductions by the Chef
The chef personally visits dining tables to serve courses, walk guests through each creation, and share the culinary stories behind the menu.
Warm Personal Welcome and Venue Tour
The owner and host welcome arriving guests with genuine care, including offering a personalized walk-through tour of the dining space.
Dedicated Vegan Degustation Craftsmanship
The kitchen crafts dedicated six-course vegan degustation menus with nuanced umami depth, tailored specifically so dietary preferences never feel like a compromise.
Surprise Celebration Desserts
Celebratory occasions are acknowledged with tailored touches, such as a surprise birthday dessert candle accompanied by dessert wine.
Before you head over
Practical recommendations to get the most out of your dining experience at COYA.
Opt for the Degustation Experience
Book the multi-course degustation rather than à la carte mains to experience the kitchen's full technique and curated flavour balance.
Consider the Plant-Based Tasting Menu
Even if you are not vegan, explore the dedicated plant-based degustation courses, which feature complex savoury and umami-rich techniques.
Reserve Tables in Advance for Celebrations
Because the intimate room is operated personally by the chef and host with limited tables, secure reservations in advance for celebrations and special occasions.
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