Forresters Beach Has A New Retro American Diner

Forresters Beach on the Central Coast has a new restaurant and it might one of the most unique offerings of our region.

From the outside looking in, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Matt’s Diner in Forresters Beach is nothing more than a run-of-the-mill bacon and egg stop for tradies. After all, the rather plain outside is always illuminated with plenty of high vis.

But step inside and you step into another world. Or at least another country. A remarkable colour explosion, with scarlet leather booths set inside hot pink walls that are punctuated with retro posters. The theme is firmly set on retro American diner.

The owners, Matt Larkins and Matthew Meyers, (yep, two Matt’s) initially had the idea to open a Californian beach shack-style bar and eatery. All palm trees, rattan furniture, tacos and margaritas, played out to Donavon Frankenreiter on repeat.

“Every year we go to the States for a trip and on our last we arrived in Los Angeles exhausted after a horrible flight. We went into this really classic American diner and we had so much fun,” says Matt L. “It just clicked to us that this is what we should open on the Coast.”

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Forresters Beach American Diner

Transforming into Sandra Dee and re-enacting a scene from Grease in Forrester’s Beach might not have broken into your conscious recently, and understandably so, but once you visit, that is all you can think about.

The pin-up girl figure at the entrance, the old-school movie posters, a retro jukebox and arcade game, and the playlist of classic American rock and roll from the 1950s. Each detail has been planned by the two Matts to ensure the experience is authentic.

In fact, the duo even shipped most of the furnishing straight over from the States.

It is all very Pink Ladies. (Rizzo for life).

“We just wanted to create a space that made people smile,” says Matt L, who previously worked as a store designer across the Coast. “I think we all needed that after 2020.”

Let’s be real though, the tradies aren’t arriving each day as they fancy a sing-song John Travolta transformation. They visit for one reason and one reason only:  because the burgers are absolutely next-level.

Matt uses ground mince from a local butcher to Forresters Beach and creates the burgers on site each day. Add in pickles, cheese, a healthy lashing of mustard and a bouncy burger bun created by a local baker, and well, you’re in for a treat.

There’s also hot dogs, onion rings, thick smoothie shakes and everything in between, but it’s the burgers that are the star of the show.

And since opening just before Christmas in Forresters Beach, found opposite Drift Home and Living, Matt’s Diner hasn’t just been a favourite with the tradies, but with all. By their own admission, they’re blown away by how busy it’s been every day.

“This is our second Matt’s Diner. We also have one up in Lake Munmorah. But in Forrester’s, it just exploded instantly,” Matt says.

New Restaurant on the Central Coast

To test how authentic Matt’s Diner is, we pulled in the help of our Boston-born-and-bred photographer Matthew Bradley to give his honest opinion on how it fares when it comes to décor, atmosphere and the menu.

His verdict? “They’ve nailed it,” says Matthew. “If I was served that burger at home, I’d be impressed.”

You heard it here first, an American diner that gets a seal of approval from a RL American and, it seems, by the rest of the region. If you visit, why not tag us in at @coastiesmag on Instagram and Facebook.

The Details

Name: Matt’s Diner

Address: 970 The Entrance Rd, Forresters Beach NSW 2260

Website: https://www.facebook.com/MattsDinerforriesbeach

Originally published on February 21 2020.