The Dee Why Beach Shed, a well-loved spot overlooking the sand and surf, is officially coming back to life under a new operator and a new name after months of closure due to storm damage.
History Of A Local Favourite
The Northern Beaches Council confirmed the approval of a 10-year lease in a decision made this week, clearing the way for the café to reopen over summer as Gusto on the Beach, to be operated by husband-and-wife team Brendan and Lisa Cremin, alongside their daughter Emma.
The Dee Why Beach Shed had long been a community gathering spot, popular with early morning walkers and locals who valued its casual, beachside atmosphere.
It shut down following a major offshore storm surge in April, which caused ocean swells to push into the building and destroy parts of its interior. The site was originally a council storage shed before becoming a café, and holds one of the most direct beachfront positions on the Northern Beaches.
Who Is Taking It Over
The new operators are not strangers to the community. The Cremin family previously ran the café at South Curl Curl Surf Life Saving Club for five years under the same name, Gusto on the Beach, until early 2024.
They now operate Gusto on the Green at Balgowlah Golf Club, which has built a steady following over the past year. They said their goal for Dee Why is to recreate the same community-driven environment, with familiar regulars and a strong local relationship rather than a commercial focus.
Council Prepares The Site For Its Return
While the shed remained unused over winter, the council reinforced the structure to better cope with severe weather events. Upgrades included double-strength shutters, a sturdier front counter and a design built to withstand heavy waves and allow quick clean up if another storm hits.
The incoming operators said they plan to keep the look minimal and functional, with an emphasis on beach life practicality and faster service.
What Locals Can Expect
The Cremins stated that any cooked menu items will continue to be prepared offsite in their Balgowlah kitchen and transported directly to Dee Why. Their priority is to recreate a welcoming social hub, the kind of place where locals recognise each other and tourists feel naturally absorbed rather than sold to.
They indicated the goal is not simply to serve coffee, but to add back a familiar public space that many locals have been waiting months to see return.
Published 27-October-2025