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Restaurant

Van Expresso Bar

Unit 3/272 Clovelly Rd, Coogee NSW 2034, Australia

Recommended by 54 people

Updated

Find Van Expresso Bar

Unit 3/272 Clovelly Rd, Coogee NSW 2034, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 2 8054 5287
HoursMonday: Closed Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 4:00 – 10:00 PM Thursday: 4:00 – 10:00 PM Friday: 4:00 – 10:00 PM Saturday: 4:00 – 10:00 PM Sunday: 4:00 – 10:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Van Expresso Bar

Van Expresso Bar delivers polished Southeast Asian fusion plates and cellar-grade bottles to a relaxed Clovelly sidewalk. What reads by day as a humble espresso bar shifts by evening into serious sharing territory—delivering fragrant John Dory curry, savory handmade dumplings, and freshly shucked oysters right to footpath tables. Regulars lean on the proprietor to talk through the cellar racks, uncorking vintage Australian and European finds matched directly to the meal. Dinner runs smoothly through crispy spicy eggplant and ends simply with warm banana fritters and burnt honeycomb.

  • Cellar-Guided Wine Pours: Proprietor Vlad walks tables through the bottle racks to pull curated Australian and European vintages suited to the meal.
  • Southeast Asian Sharing Plates: A sharing lineup anchored by signature John Dory curry, savory dumplings, oysters, and crispy spicy eggplant.
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What's On at Van Expresso Bar

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Guests Choose Van Expresso Bar

Suburban warmth meets fine Asian-fusion dining and curated cellar discoveries in Clovelly.

  • Fine-Dining Caliber Asian Fusion

    Guests enjoy refined Asian-fusion dishes like John Dory curry, savory handmade dumplings, and fresh oysters executed with precision.

    Asian fusion at its best. My favourites are the John Dory curry and the spicy eggplant.

    Brandon Paterson

  • Flavor-Forward Shared Plates

    The menu balances southeast Asian culinary depth with generous sharing portions and signature dessert creations like pandan crêpes.

    Asian fusion food with great quality products. The service is really good and the tables outside very pleasant in the evening.

    Geoffrey

  • Proprietor-Led Wine Discovery

    Diners receive dedicated beverage guidance directly from the proprietor, unlocking vintage Australian and European bottles beyond standard lists.

    The wine list is special and the owner passionate about the selection!

    James Arvanitakis

  • Personalized Cellar Recommendations

    Patrons enjoy a distinctive cellar exploration where personal recommendations pair rare vintages directly to their dinner.

    First of all, there’s the legendary Vlad ... a warm character with incredible wine knowledge, always ready to share his expertise and help you discover something special!

    Gilles V.

  • Atmospheric Setting for Date Nights

    The intimate dining room and thoughtful pacing create a relaxed, romantic venue for couples seeking quality without city bustle.

    We had an awesome date night at Van. Food was amazing! Our waitress was excellent. The cocktails were delicious.

    Rebecca Gough

  • Walkable Suburban Destination

    Local residents enjoy top-tier dining and warm neighborhood hospitality right within walking distance on Clovelly Road.

    Wow! How lucky to be a local hand have this level of food, customer service and overall wonderful atmosphere at a walking distance.

    Olivia Marques

Signature Asian-fusion dishes praised for exceptional flavor and technique

  • John Dory curry

    My favourites are the John Dory curry and the spicy eggplant.

    Brandon Paterson

  • Dumplings

    The dumplings were amazing: could just eat those!

    James Arvanitakis

  • Oysters

    the oysters are a must !!

    Marisa Galiazzo

  • Prawn toast

    You must try the prawn toast.... what a great taste

    Derek Burrell

Other favorites

Handcrafted cocktails and sweet finishes to complete your meal

  • Pandan crêpes

    the pandan crêpes were amazing.

    Geoffrey

  • Margarita

    The margarita is one of the best I’ve had.

    Brandon Paterson

  • Banana fritters

    Nice and crunchy on the outside, smooth on the inside with burnt honeycomb.

    Brandon Paterson

  • Black rice pudding

    the black rice pudding and the banana fritters are a dream.

    Jet Kelly

Beyond the menu

Memorable hospitality and personalized hosting details at Van Expresso Bar

  • Proprietor Table visits & Cellar Browsing

    The proprietor regularly visits tables to discuss bottle choices and invites guests to browse cellar racks directly for Australian vintage gems.

  • Warm Hospitality Welcomes & Digestifs

    Arrivals and meals are punctuated with thoughtful hospitality touches like celebratory bubbles or house-poured limoncello shots.

  • Tailored Private Daytime Sittings

    The venue arranges bespoke daytime openings for private lunch groups with attentive custom hosting.

  • Suburban Footpath Dining with Fine-Dining Flair

    Suburban pavement tables offer an alfresco setting paired with a full fine-dining menu and expansive cellar list.

Before you head over

Practical dining advice to make the most of your visit to Van Expresso Bar

  • Book Ahead for Peak Evenings

    Van Expresso Bar fills quickly as an intimate neighborhood gem; reserve in advance to secure an evening table rather than relying on walk-in seating.

  • Ask for Cellar Recommendations

    Take advantage of owner Vlad's cellar knowledge by asking to view the wine rack or consult at your table to pair vintage Australian and European bottles.

  • Order Generously for Sharing

    Dishes are prepared for communal sharing, so order across sections like the John Dory curry, dumplings, and oysters, while letting staff know about any allergy needs.

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