Sydney Eat Street: What to do & where to eat on New Year’s Day
Whether you opt for a sleep-in or get up early for a swim after a big New Year’s Eve night out, there’s plenty of places to enjoy food with friends while soaking up the Sydney sun on the first day of 2020.
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PORTOBELLO
Circular Quay is the centre of the universe – at least for two days of the year: New Year’s Eve and for the more sensible among us, New Year’s Day for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
The family-owned and operated Portobello is just a stone’s throw from the Sydney Opera House, right on the water’s edge.
The Fuscaldo family are about to witness their 33rd Harbourside fireworks, which owner Alessandro Fuscaldo says has grown from a relatively small display then after the Sydney Olympics, a world-class spectacle.
Since opening in 1987, he’s seen Circular Quay transition from a rather rowdy area to a much more family-friendly place.
Alongside that, Portobello Caffe, which started as a small takeaway cafe transformed into a fully licenced sit-down restaurant – complete with a million-dollar view – and a premium spot for New Year’s Eve.
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Once the revellers have cleared out from the night before, Alessandro says “a new crowd comes into the city, to enjoy the views and bring in the new year on our beautiful harbour, with great food and drinks” on New Year’s Day.
Portobello is rich in family tradition and it shows through in their food. Giovanni and Lucia Fuscaldo hold the distinction of bringing the first commercial-grade fresh pasta maker to Australia in 1964.
Their menu is a mix of contemporary and traditional Italian with a plethora of Italian options including lasagne, bolognese, ravioli, fish of the day and burgers, finished off with tiramisu.
— Shop 3 East Esplanade, Circular Quay; portobellocaffe.com.au
BONDI ICEBERGS CLUB BISTRO
The first rule about Bondi Icebergs Winter Swimming Club is actually 15B: You have to compete on three of four Sundays every month for five years.
It’s a rich tradition which has been part of the fabric of the now iconic venue for the past 90 years.
Obviously, it’s not as chilly on New Year’s Day but there’s probably no better way to roar into the 20s with a morning swim, then brekkie in the club’s bistro and for the later, a cold beer along with grilled chicken, steak burger, pot of mussels, Barra, or both – surf and turf.
There’s also a seafood platter for two worth $90. It includes beer-battered flathead fillets, salt and pepper squid, half shell scallops with melted cheese, mussels in tomato, garlic and chilli fries served with tartare, cocktail and aioli sauces.
Happy New Year!
— 1 Notts Ave, Bondi Beach; icebergs.com.au
ICEBERGS DINING ROOM AND BAR
Renowned Icebergs Dining Room and Bar sits like a crown atop Bondi Beach and come New Year’s Day, the elegant setting will turn into a royal-worthy party as it hosts its 17th annual all-day soiree.
Maurice Terzini, the famous venue’s creative director, believes this longstanding tradition “started as a love affair with Sydney, wanting to showcase it to the world”.
“It started as wanting to celebrate with friends, as crossing the boundaries between restaurant, club bars and providing quality service drinks and food even if on the dance floor,” he says.
While revellers soak up the sun and sip on signature Icebergs drinks and Perrier-Jouët Champagne, Italian influenced summer canapes will be making the rounds.
There’ll be menu favourites, such as their popular crispy fish sandwich alongside oysters with lemon myrtle jelly, Ortiz anchovy and pepper crackers, San Danielle prosciutto and wasabi melon.
There’ll also be an impressive music line up with DJs including Goddollars (USA), Lunar Disco (France/AUS), Mark Brown (UK) and local fave, Sneaky Sound System. ($450pp)
— 1 Notts Ave, Bondi Beach; idrb.com
ENDEAVOUR TAP ROOMS
Without doubt, there will be hangovers of historic proportions on New Year’s Day so it would be more than appropriate to wait it out at the Endeavour – named after Australia’s most famous ship – in the Rocks and home to Endeavour Brewing Co.
There will be meat … and lots of it.
Tuck into The Brewer’s Plate (served between 11am-3pm) which includes the chef’s selection of meats from the smoker or opt for a towering burger.
Of course, it goes without saying that you’ll need to back that up with a cold tap beer.
— 39-43 Argyle St, The Rocks; endeavourtaprooms.com.au
MUST TRY
COOGEE PAVILION ROOFTOP
The Coogee Pavilion Rooftop will give you wings on New Year’s Day with the Red Bull Tropical Spritz Cocktail and for many, it will probably be a timely pick-me-up.
Downstairs though in The Pavilion, it’s more family-friendly and a top way to spend the first day of the 20s playing board games and ping-pong. Have yourself a lobster roll or wood-fired pizzas.
— 169 Dolphin St, Coogee; merivale.com/venues/coogeepavilion
THE NIELSEN
There isn’t anything more Sydney than a swim at Nielsen Park Beach (Shark Beach) before having lunch at The Nielsen or for something a bit more casual, a bacon and egg roll and coffee from their kiosk.
— Greycliffe Ave, Nielsen Park, Vaucluse; thenielsen.com.au
THE FENWICK
The Fenwick is a former tugboat shed converted into a beautiful spot to sit, relax, eat, drink and enjoy the view. It’s near the Balmain Wharf and is open on New Year’s Day for lunch.
Have some oysters and bubbles, and take in the water view that sweeps from Barangaroo to Lavender Bay with the Sydney Harbour Bridge smack in the middle.
Once you’ve enjoyed the kingfish with corn, jalapeño and tiger’s milk, take a look inside the art gallery, open seven days a week.
— Lower end of Darling St, East Balmain Wharf; thefenwick.com.au
WATSONS BAY BOUTIQUE HOTEL
Life’s a beach on New Year’s Day in Watsons Bay. It’s the perfect recovery that doesn’t start too early and not too late.
There will be a party vibe in the bay with well-known DJs, food and two hours of free-flowing Byron Bay Brewery Premium Lager and cocktails from midday until 2pm. ($169pp)
— 1 Military Rd, Watsons Bay; watsonsbayhotel.com.au
LONGUEVILLE HOTEL
Backup the night before with a good ol’ fashioned chicken schnitty at this Lane Cove institution.
Local favourite since 1929, a recent renovation with a brand new kitchen has also brought some added flare to the menu that is sure to keep it in great standing while moving into the roaring 20s.
— 80 Longueville Rd; longuevillehotel.com
IVY POOL
Come dressed in your best whites for the second annual poolside White Party.
Chill out as DJs set the mood with trance, house music and EDM. ($59pp)
— 330 George St, Sydney; merivale.com/venues/ivy/
CARGO BAR
Have a sleep in then get back among it with live music at this King St Wharf hotspot.
Swap NYE stories as you sip on the bottomless Belvedere spritzers and enjoy a seaside menu. ($60pp)
— 52-60 The Promenade, King Street Wharf, Darling Harbour; cargobar.com.au