Sydney Eat Street: City’s best new bars and restaurants
Now that more people are heading back to the city centre, they can enjoy any number of fabulous new bars, restaurants and cafes. See the list of up and coming hot spots.
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With all the new cafes, and restaurants and bars finally able to open their doors, it’s been impossible to choose one over the other, so we’ll let you choose this week.
Take a tour of Sydney’s best eateries with The Sunday Telegraph’s Eat Street. Are you hungry for more inspiration? Follow us on Instagram or Twitter. #SydneyEatStreet
Tsukiyo
Like most new businesses with a novel offering, Tsukiyo, an Australian-influenced Japanese street food shopfront lured its fair share of curious customers with their cute fish-shaped stuffed waffles (taiyaki).
After opening at the end of June, they were even paid a visit by award-winning chef Chase Kojima, a mainstay on Sydney’s dining scene, who has garnered praise for his fine-dining dishes at hatted-restaurant Sokyo; his premium, hand-selected sashimi at Darling Square takeaway joint Simulation Senpai; and his seven-course ramen omakase menu at the 20-seat pink-neon-lit Chatswood restaurant, Senpai Ramen.
It’s fair to say Chase is somewhat of a master of Japanese cuisine.
But, when it comes to taiyaki, he defers to the experts and heads to Tsukiyo, the latest venture from the talents behind Devon and Hakatamon Ramen.
“Growing up in San Francisco, there was a tiny taiyaki place we’d go to,” Chase says.
“The way Tsukiyo makes theirs – lightly crispy on the outside but still moist inside – takes me back to my childhood. It’s the texture. It’s a real game-changer.”
The menu is relatively straightforward and easily customisable.
On the sweet side, there’s a choice of red bean, vanilla bean custard, or chestnut filling, with the option to take it up a notch to parfait status by adding your choice of gelato (matcha, vanilla bean, or strawberry) and toppings.
There’s even a vegan offering. Chase, however, has especially high praise for the savoury option, particularly the taiyaki with red bean and locally produced Pepe Saya Butter.
“They (Tsukiyo) are not afraid to try something different. Something fun. It’s quite brave. And brilliant,” he says.
In addition to the taiyaki, they also have Takoyaki, a sort of wheat-flour-based ball that can be filled with mince or meat chunks and then brushed with sauce. Keep your eyes on Instagram, as a regular rotation of special flavours is planned.
(Open Monday-Sunday, 12pm-9pm).
—17-19 Little Hay St, Haymarket; Instagram: @tsukiyo_street_food
Luna Lu
Location, location, location. That may be true for real estate, but for busy professionals Lisa and Greg Wroth, it’s the location, food, and service they’re after.
“We love dining out. Our workdays can be long and unpredictable, so it’s a nice way to wind down and spend time together, rather than standing in the kitchen,” Lisa says.
“We have our favourites but try to go to at least one new place a week. There are so many choices now that things have opened up.
“One recent standout for us was Luna Lu in The Rocks. Having worked from home for so long, we sometimes forget how beautiful Sydney and Luna Lu fit in just right.”
Luna Lu opened in mid-May, and with its outdoor dining area along Campbell’s Cove, during VIVID, it was the go-to destination to catch the projection on The Sails while enjoying cocktails (particularly the Yuzoni, Luna Lu’s take on a classic Negroni but with a yuzu twist) and sharing plates of contemporary Asian dishes.
Start with an entree of swordfish bao, black truffle duck spring rolls, green bamboo, and prawn dim sims before moving on to larger plates of sweet & sour chicken, Luna duck, XO pipis, and premium steaks.
Leave room for dessert or choose the dessert cocktail, Hello Luna – Karu Morita Chipotle Vodka, chocolate malt tres leches, matcha, and Aztec chocolate bitters served over crushed ice. As Lisa says: “Location, service, and food. Luna Lu has hit the trifecta.”
— Ground Level, Bays 4&5, 7-27 Circular Quay West, Campbells Cove, The Rocks; lunalu.com.au
25 Martin Place
Not one, not two, but eight new restaurants and bars have opened at the newly renovated MLC Centre, now known as 25 Martin Place.
Finally, after four long years, the Theatre Royal and Harry Seidler structure are being given the precinct they deserve.
While new venues are still being added, the first restaurants to open including AALIA, a Middle Eastern restaurant with an inspired menu from Executive Chef Paul Farag (Fish Butchery, Nour), and Botswana Butchery, a plush yet relaxed restaurant championing Australian and New Zealand meats, produce and wine, have already developed a cult following.
Rebecca Brown, an executive assistant from Balmain, says: “I’m obsessed with great cocktails and city vibes and cannot recommend enough the new 25 Martin Place Precinct. I had the best time after work on a Thursday evening. It really felt like the city was back.
“Cabana Bar serves the best Negroni’s and more cocktails and dinner at Asian Fusion restaurant, east meets west, White & Wongs.”
Also, with the Theatre Royal reopening, many restaurants and bars are offering pre-theatre menus. Welcome back, Sydney.
— 25 Martin Pl, Sydney;25martinplace.com.au
Tombik
At long last, the office towers of Barangaroo are once again becoming a hub of activity, as are the many restaurants and cafes serving the area.
As existing venues welcome the return of their regular customers, others have entered the precinct, keen to earn a loyal following, be it for morning coffee, working lunches or dinner till late. Joining that line-up is Turkish restaurant Tombik.
While they may be new to Barangaroo, their sister restaurant, Anason, has been a stalwart of The Street of Barangaroo from the start.
Account executive Claudia Lehman says, “I have been loving the recently opened Tombik in Barangaroo – an amazing location for CBD workers, and there’s always a buzz. Also, how could you beat a healthy kebab? The best mid-week pick-up of all”.
— 100 Barangaroo Ave, Barangaroo; tombik.com.au
WHAT’S FRESH
North Bondi Kepos
This winter pop-up is a standout collaboration between Matt Moran’s North Bondi Fish and gregarious, award-winning chef Michael Rantissi’s Kepos Street Kitchen.
Dubbed NBK for the season, it serves up Middle Eastern Flavours for breakfast and lunch, and it’s a great place to check out the beach while staying warm.
Bondi local Sophia Shannon says: “NBK has definitely been my favourite new spot this winter – nothing beats a great pop-up, and these guys do it so well. As always, they have an incredible roster of live music and DJs, plus a showstopper cocktail list. I’d suggest ordering the figorita (a Middle Eastern take on a margherita).”
— 120 Ramsgate Ave, North Bondi; northbondikepos.com.au
Winter warmers to celebrate the season
Everyone is happy to see the sun peeking through the clouds, but winter’s not all bad. Bid farewell to the colder days with one last hurrah of warming fare.
Sniffing out Sydney’s best truffle desserts
Save the best for last. As truffle season comes to a close, be sure to indulge in some sweet treats featuring the annual earthy gem.