Our History

DOYLES on the Beach has been a family-owned seafood restaurant in Watsons Bay since 1885, serving fresh local seafood overlooking Sydney Harbour for more than five generations and more than 140 years of history. The Doyle family has built a reputation on the quality of the seafood. Today we continue to favour traditional methods, with much of our fish line caught and carefully iced at sea before arriving at our restaurant.

THE family business began when Alice Doyle’s great grandparents settled in Watson’s Bay in the early 1800’s and sold their fresh catch from a small hut on the site of the present restaurant, Doyles on the Beach. Over time Alice expanded to offer cooked meals and established what would become one of Sydney’s most recognised and iconic seafood dining destinations.

DURING the Depression (along with a lot of other businesses), they nearly lost everything. When Alice’s late husband, Jack, returned from the war, he and Alice re-opened the dining room and gradually built what is now Doyles today. Alice’s legacy continues today more than 140 years later, with family working in the business and continuing to operate the restaurant, Garden Bar and Doyles on the Wharf Take Away, welcoming visitors from Sydney and around the world to enjoy fresh seafood and unrivalled views of Sydney Harbour.