Sydney Eat Street: Outdoor foodie options for the whole family
Gather the crew and head outdoors for some great meals around Sydney which the whole family will enjoy.
Food
Don't miss out on the headlines from Food. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Take a tour of Sydney’s best eateries right here with The Sunday Telegraph’s Eat Street. Are you hungry for more inspiration? Follow us on Instagram or Twitter. #SydneyEatStreet
THE ROCKS
It’s easy to get to, has busted the perception of a tourist-only destination, and now resembles some of the most fashionable outdoor, street-side food and drink precincts in the world.
The Rocks has rejuvenated itself during the Covid pandemic and with the traffic limitations on George St now accommodating outdoor tables, it has created a 100 per cent increase in seating.
Alongside historic pubs, respected Sydney proprietors have applied a refined flare to a number of heritage-listed buildings, opening modern bars and restaurants that rival some of the city’s renowned venues.
But it’s not all drinks and dinner, as The Rock’s Square has tables where you can sit and enjoy takeaway food from local eateries and weekend market stalls while enjoying musicians and other entertainers.
Plus, throughout January, Butter — a cult favourite for burgers, fried chicken, ramen, bottomless champagne brunch and pumping hip-hop tunes — has paired with plant-based meat producer, Impossible, and opened a limited-run pop-up outlet, Butter X Impossible.
Executive chef and co-owner Julian Cincotta (Nomad, Rockpool Dining) has created a meat-free menu with juicy “beef” patties to create faves such as a classic cheeseburger, made with cheese, pickles, onion, tomato sauce, American mustard, and Butter’s secret sauce on a sesame seed bun, an Aussie burger with beetroot and pineapple, and even and unbelievably tasty take on their popular katsu sandwich.
Fear not, they’ll still have their warm cinnamon doughnuts and their bottomless champagne option, plus Moët Hennessy cocktails from the adjoining Butter Bar.
Adding to The Rocks vibrant array of entertainment, pink-haired pastry chef, Anna Polyviou will headline the Sweet Summer Street Party on Fridays from 5pm-10pm, where along with DJ’s and roaming performers, she’ll he holding demos featuring some of her delightful sweet creations.
On Friday, January 21, hang out a little longer, and pull-up a beanbag to catch a flick at the Laneway Cinema.
Royal Botanic Garden Sydney and Domain
It’s the ultimate garden party and once again the view of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge from the lawns of the Royal Botanic Garden shows just how spoiled we truly are.
The Garden Social runs until February 14, is family-friendly with a variety of food, drinks, live entertainment, and a pop-up Fever Tree gin bar. Garden Social is from 5pm-10pm every Thursday and Friday, 11am-10pm every Saturday, and 11am-8pm every Sunday.
It’s recommended that you bring blankets or chairs so you can listen to a line-up of jazz, classical, and contemporary music in comfort.
Admission is free but as it’s a licensed venue, BYO drinks and food are not permitted.
For more of a daytime excursion with your own crew, consider a picnic pack from one of The Royal Botanic Garden’s eateries.
Terrace on the Domain’s Italian fare has a hamper for two with all your antipasto favourites; cured meats, pulled chicken wrap, roasted veggies, cheese and a stunning orange and polenta cake with almond mascarpone, plus you can upgrade your hamper to include two Aperol spritz cocktails.
Within the gate of the gardens, Farm Cove has three different family packs starting at $29. It’s available for collection Saturday and Sunday and needs to be ordered 24 hours in advance.
Botanic House, The Garden’s signature restaurant, has a hamper with a variety of favourites from celebrity chef and restaurateur Luke Nguyen. Not quite your average picnic fare, Nguyen’s selection includes items such as mushroom, cabbage & corn spring rolls, palm sugar toasted coconut and cashew nut bao, slow-cooked spiced Wagyu beef brisket cabbage salad, and lychee pudding, with optional add-ons such a Pimm’s cocktails, prosecco, dumplings, as well as a kid-sized meal with juice or soft drink.
SYDNEY VEGAN MARKET
The folks behind the Sydney Vegan Market are keen to plant the seed of a good idea about how to spend a fun day out at Sydney Olympic Park once a month.
Vegan NSW Markets manager and Sydney Vegan Market co-ordinator Jones says: “Alongside up to 100 committed vegan stalls, we program a slew of entertainment and activities for our visitors to enjoy, from free yoga to the entertainment all day long, so grab your foodie delights, have a browse through gorgeous products, then find a spot under a tree on Cathy Freeman Park and spend the day surrounded by vegan heaven.
“SVM is your ultimate destination for all things plant based, cruelty-free and vegan. From fresh food to homewares and coffee to fashion, whether you’re selling, buying, or browsing, we have you covered.
“We have designed our event to embody and capture an experience unlike any other and have created a go-to event for all ages that highlights the wonders of cruelty-free living, celebrates the strength of community, and offers up a damn good day, every single month. If it’s delicious food you’re after, then look no further.”
The markets are on the third Sunday of the month at Sydney Olympic Park between 9am-4pm.
They encourage people to be ‘Waste Warriors’ by bringing your own cups, containers, cutlery, straws, and bags.
Some vegan specialties include traditional Greek souvlaki done the vegan way by the truly talented team at I Should Be Souvlaki; sweet treats from Mylk & Bun; shawarma from The Vegan Wog; and an array of artisan products.
— Cathy Freeman Park, Sydney Olympic Park; sydneyveganmarket.com
OUTDOOR MARKETS
After spending two difficult years in and out of Covid-19 lockdowns, there is no better way – or safer way – than the markets to get back out for some fun in the sun.
Sydney has plenty of options too.
Watsons Bay Summer Markets (January 30): Getting there is half the fun as it’s located right off the Watsons Bay Ferry stop in Robertson Park. Among the 180 stalls, the majority of which are small local businesses, you’ll find a wide assortment of artisanal products, spirits from local distilleries, homeware, and an plenty of places to eat and drink (yes, even takeaway cocktails). There is also live music and heaps of activities for kids.
Le Marché: While that long-awaited European vacation will have to wait a little longer, French national Solveig Coulon has made sure you can at least get a taste of France when you visit Le Marché at Laurelbank Cottage in Willoughby. Held the second and fourth Sunday of the month, Solveig say that the market “aims to recreate an authentic French market somewhere in the French countryside, where our customers come along and have a chat with our French foodies and artisans.
The Shire Summer Markets in Miranda: Includes 200 stalls featuring the best local artisan products giving customers, vendors, and the community the opportunity to reconnect after spending so much time apart. Your furry friends are also welcome, and they even have a special selection of products just for them. There’s heaps of entertainment including rides, music, and plaster crafts; lots of activities that the whole family can enjoy.
Narraweena’s World Food Markets: For an evening outing with international food, this is a must.
If you’re after a bit of an excursion, catch the train to Moss Vale and time it so you’re there for the Showground Markets where you’ll find makers, growers, and artisan from the Southern Highlands. There are so many markets throughout NSW, there’s bound to be one near you, but if you’re open for suggestions
Destination NSW has put together a list of highlights.
WHAT’S FRESH
LE DINÉR EN BLANC
The secret is out. Le Dinér en Blanc (White Dinner) has returned to Sydney but where it’ll be held is anyone’s guess.
For this epicurean event, guests are kept in the dark as to its location, and it’s not until participants, dressed in an elegant white ensemble, are instructed on the day (February 22) to meet at a designated spot from which they’ll be led to their destination which in the past has included the Sydney Opera House forecourt, Bondi Beach, and Centennial Park.
Le Dinér en Blanc has been running for more than 30 years around the globe and its objective of meeting up with friends, sipping wine and champagne while sharing a gourmet meal at one of the city’s iconic destinations has never been more relevant.
After a couple years of isolation, this grand event is an ideal occasion to reconnect with family and friends. And while the gathering may look formal from a distance, it’s really quite quaint as guests must also bring a table, chairs, a white tablecloth, a picnic (ideally gourmet), and wine.
More Coverage
Originally published as Sydney Eat Street: Outdoor foodie options for the whole family
‘Idiots’: Free school lunch pledge lashed
Steven Miles has been grilled over his latest pledge to fund free school lunches – with Karl Stefanovic asking if he thought Queenslanders were “idiots”.
Disgusting find at popular pizza chain
Many have come forward to vow ‘never’ to eat at the popular chain again.