Sydney has bars in laneways, on rooftops and in barbershops. Now it finally has one on the city's prized Domain urban green. The question is, why did it take so long?

Terrace on the Domain has opened opposite the Art Gallery of NSW – and is equal parts bar and restaurant. A first for the Domain, punters can finally sip on a negroni at an outdoor bar while tucking into pizza.

The Italian theme pushes through the venue, the menu bulging with spring-pea risotto, black spaghetti with spanner crab and a fregola and zucchini-rich Mediterranean bowl.

With freshly opened sister restaurant Botanic House down the road nabbing Luke Nguyen, Terrace on the Domain is set to add its own high-profile executive chef to its team.

The word on Sydney's eat streets is a leading female chef is in the sights of the Trippas White-owned restaurant.