Sydney Eat Street: 10 places to try in Darlington
IT MAY be a small, inner-city suburb but Darlington packs a big punch when it comes to food.
Eat Street
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It may be a small, inner-city suburb but Darlington packs a big punch when it comes to food.
Take a tour of the area’s best eateries right here with The Sunday Telegraph’s Eat Street.
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TRIPOD
“COFFEE. Community. Food.” That’s the tag line on Tripod logo and it’s an ethos that has kept this cafe a neighbourhood haven for nearly two decades.
Co-owner James Rebbeck has endeavoured to stay true to the original place, which he bought from his previous employer 10 years ago.
He’s not only kept the bones of the building, but also menu staples such as their famous pesto scrambled eggs as well as the same coffee blend they’ve been using since day one.
Any given morning, Tripod will be swarming with students and commuters dashing in for a cuppa and a homemade muffin; mums meeting up for a chat and some muesli; or any number of local groups that munch on Brekky Rolls during their regular meetings.
It’s a reflection of Darlington’s eclectic community and one that James is eager to share with anyone that visits.
— 262 Abercrombie St
BUON GUSTO
THERE’S an air of romance with Italian food, but after 40 years of business as usual this Italian restaurant had lost its allure — until Nick Pandousis took it over two years ago and gave it some love and attention.
He gave the fit-out a complete overhaul then upgraded the menu from mundane to magnificent.
Gone was the generic spaghetti, replaced instead by head chef Vince Ieraci’s mouth-watering housemade gnocchi with burnt butter, sage and prosciutto ham.
“We make about 12kg of gnocchi a week here,” Vince says, adding that by keeping it in-house he can ensure its smooth texture.
The grilled octopus with fennel, rocket and a crown of sliced red capsicum are also a must. That’s Amore.
— 368 Abercrombie St
NEW BRITANNIA
PIZZA, in all its many forms, is their specialty — from the Tony Pepperoni to the Pumpkin Pie pizza made with shaved pumpkin, roasted vegetables and rosemary oil.
It’s a far cry from the New Britannia’s origins as a working class rough and tumble pub, though at its core, it’s still a local spot, only now the exposed Edison light bulbs and candlelit tables elicit a warm and welcoming environment where patrons sit at dark wooden tables, chatting over a large selection of Aussie beers and organic wines.
There’s also pasta, burgers and salads on the menu, $10 pizzas for students, rotating specials for locals, and even trivia night on Tuesday. Your local hangout couldn’t get much better than this.
— 103 Cleveland St
KINDRED RESTAURANT
HOME cooking got literal for Kindred owner-chef Matthew Pollock and his wife Lina when they purchased a shabby Irish restaurant in a heritage-listed building.
Opting to live above it while they set about breathing life back into the place, they created a space that carries the essence of a country cottage with the warmth and familiarity of a friend’s living room.
Like Kindred itself, there is no pretentiousness in Matthew’s cooking. As would befit a farm, ingredients are seasonal, sausages are made by hand, vegetables are pickled for relishes and the sourdough bread is baked daily.
The pinnacle of Kindred’s menu though is his handmade pasta. — Rigatoni, lasagne, bucatini and of course, a house favourite, the papardelle lamb ragu.
Finish that off with some of his tasty gelato and you’ll be about ready for a nap. Just not upstairs.
— 137 Cleveland St
BEIRUT FALAFEL
TO THE layman who associates falafels with lunch, the notion of a breakfast version may seem a bit curious, but Omar Hazim, owner of Beirut Falafel, is set to change that with his brekkie manoush — herb-laden Lebanese flatbreads topped with fried eggs, cheese and any other breakfast fixings.
While bacon and egg rolls take top billing on morning menus, Omar sees the manoush as something different to try.
“It’s good to have a variety in the area. No one wants the same thing to eat every day.”
Omar only recently relocated his shop from North Sydney after being nudged out by train line construction.
And even though he’s only been there since August, he notes that both local residents and businesses have made him feel welcome in Darlington’s own little foodie hub.
— 254 Abercrombie St
MUST TRY
BOATLOAD OF SUSHI
A QUICK pick for lunchtime is the tender yakitori skewers, but if you’re looking to throw down the anchor and stay a bit longer, order the large Funamori.
Always a conversation starter, this miniature model boat holds 12 pieces of assorted sushi and 15 pieces of sashimi.
— Jap’s Table, 245 Abercrombie St
HEALTHY SELECTION OF SALADS
SERVING up scrumptious Italian food to hungry students for over 33 years, the fold behind this have opened up a sister spot across City Rd.
With a bigger kitchen, they have a larger menu that ranges from simple sandwiches to Asian stir-frys and of course, their famous pastas.
— Ralph’s Cafe on the Boardwalk, corner of Darlington Rd and Codrington St, Sydney Uni
CROSTINIS
THE choice is yours when it comes to topping the slices of toasted ciabatta bread. Part of their all-day breakfast menu, there is a selection of three smoked salmon, cream cheese, capers and dill; bocconcini, tomatoes and basil; or blue cheese sliced pear, walnuts and ooey gooey yummy honey.
— The Shortlist, 258 Abercrombie St
BIG BREKKY
THE most important meal of the day is also the most delicious, particularly if it’s a big brekky with generous servings of sausages, bacon, mushrooms, toast and poached eggs.
Add a coffee and a seat in the courtyard to make for a perfect morning.
— Cafe Ella, 274 Abercrombie St
FOOD AND FRIDAY TUNES
ONE of Sydney’s favourite food trucks, Agape Organic, rolls up to Seymour Centre Courtyard’s free session on Friday evenings to serve up delicious street foods to fans of the live music scene.
From fish tacos to loaded hot chips, Agape has built a reputation for using the finest organic fare and the results are delicious. With a bar on site as well, it’s an ideal way to enjoy those warm summer nights before the series ends on March 23rd.
— Agape Organic, Seymour Centre Courtyard, corner of City Rd and Cleveland St