New bakery and cafe Six Russell taking Sandy Bay by storm

The new Sandy Bay joint — Six Russell — already has people lining up outside its doors, and it’s only the start of what’s planned for the venue.

Bryan Teo and Kobi Ruzicka of Six Russell. Six Russell in Sandy Bay has recently opened. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The owner of popular Hobart restaurant Dier Makr has launched a hip new bakery and cafe – and it’s already taking Sandy Bay by storm.

Six Russell, located in the old Wing and Co building on Russell St, has attracted hordes of people through its big black roller door since opening last month.

Serving up a smorgasbord of sandwiches and baked goods, the eatery boasts a striking and sleek design to complement its highly appealing menu, which already seems to be striking a chord with locals.

The culinary and creative director of Six Russell, Kobi Ruzicka, who runs both Dier Makr and its companion wine bar Lucinda on Collins St, said he wanted to broaden Hobart’s culinary offering “while still having a connection to where we are”.

Six Russell in Sandy Bay has recently opened. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“For example, we might make a pastry that looks or sounds like an item from overseas [and] we can still tell you the names of the people who grew all the vegetables in our sandwiches or the fruits in our tarts,” he said.

Mr Ruzicka said he had been blown away by the public response to Six Russell.

“Considering it’s just been a soft opening, the local community has been amazing. Some people have gone a long way out of their way or to make time just to drop in and show support,” he said.

Six Russell had already been supplying pastries to cafes around Hobart before officially opening, developing a cult following in the process.

Six Russell in Sandy Bay has recently opened. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Bryan Teo, of neighbouring cafe Area2Be, is now in charge of bakery retail and coffee at Six Russell, with Single O roasters in Sydney supplying the beans.

Mr Ruzicka and Mr Teo hope to open a bistro at the venue in early February, which would initially open Wednesday to Saturday from “5pm-ish”, with the intention of eventually adding extra days and a late supper option.

“I’ve been in Hobart for more than eight years and still haven’t adjusted to not having late dining options,” Mr Ruzicka said.

“The bistro menu will definitely include some very familiar dishes while hopefully bringing some forgotten classics back into the light. We’ll still be working with amazing local farmers but will consciously widen the net when it comes to some ingredients for variety.”

Six Russell in Sandy Bay has recently opened. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Six Russell in Sandy Bay has recently opened. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Six Russell is also planning a cocktail offering to run alongside its wine list, which Mr Ruzicka said would be “scattered with back vintages we’ve been stashing away for an occasion just like this”.

Six Russell is open from 6.30am from Monday to Friday and from 7am on Saturday and Sunday.

Originally published as New bakery and cafe Six Russell taking Sandy Bay by storm