Sydney Eat Street: What to do, where to eat this Australia Day
Whether it’s a backyard barbecue, waterfront picnic, or just a sweet treat, take some time to celebrate the Australian spirit this January 26.
Eat Street
Don't miss out on the headlines from Eat Street. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Take a tour of Sydney’s best eateries right here with The Sunday Telegraph’s Eat Street. Are you hungry for more inspiration? Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. #SydneyEatStreet
AUSTRALIA DAY IN BERRIMA VILLAGE, SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS
A day of loud music, cold beer, and temporary tattoos may suit some, but for a good old-fashion festival, head down to the Southern Highlands for an all-day Australia Day street celebration in Berrima, a charming village known for its heritage-listed buildings and quaint shops, artisan producers, and hatted restaurants that now call them home.
The festivities will feature local restaurant pop-ups, cellar door stalls, and classic cars along the cobblestone laneways.
Venues from the village will offer fun menus and entertainment, from sausage sizzles and picnic baskets to live music and Cornhole Championships.
A highlight on the food scene will be at Berrima Vault House, where Head Chef Tommy Prosser will be spit-roasting a lamb from local Redleaf Farm, a renowned producer of award-winning meats favoured by some of the country’s top chefs.
Berrima is an easy two-hourdrive from Sydney or two hours by train (Central Station to Moss Vale, then a short taxi ride to the village).
— Berrima; exploreberrima.com.au
LITTLE SHOP OF WAFFLES
More than just a dessert, this cute creation is Australiana in a cup.
But it’s more than just a sweet representation of a cuddly koala.
Wrapped in Little Shop of Waffles’ signature bubble waffle is Tim Tam gelato adorned with a dark chocolate bullet nose from NSW-based confectioners Darrell Lea, Oreo cookie ears and cradling a chewy leaf lolly, plus in keeping with the Australian spirit, a portion of the proceeds from each one sold will be donated to Friends of the Koala conservation organisation.
Irene Zalami, the co-founder/owner of Little Shop of Waffles, said, “When creating our Koala waffle, not only did we want to express a taste of Australia (with the Tim Tams) and showcase one of our icons but also to support their conservation. This limited-edition waffle is a winning trifecta, as it delivers on all three levels.”
The Koala waffle ($14.50) is available on January 26, 2023, while supplies last.
– 7 The Corso, Manly; littleshopofwaffles.com
THE CLASSIC CUPCAKE CO
It may not be on the citizenship test, but it should be, as everyone knows you must have a lamington on Australia Day.
You could pick up a generic brand from the shops or treat your family and friends with something extra-special – a limited-edition lamington cupcake from boutique bakery The Classic Cupcake Co.
The shop’s owner, Anna Eden, said: “I created this cupcake to bring together the classics: Soft Red Velvet sponge cake, topped with lashings of rich Belgian chocolate ganache and the popular coconut shavings found with your traditional Lamingtons. It’s a real combo cupcake.”
Anna has built up quite the reputation for her flavourful yet fuss-free creations, thanks partly to her grandmother’s 100-year-old recipe. That’s quite literally history in the baking. (12 cupcakes ($78). Order online for pick-up or Sydney metro delivery).
– 1/167 Ave Rd, Mosman; theccc.com.au
THE ROCKS & CIRCULAR QUAY
It’s a full day of fun, food, and entertainment around Circular Quay. The Rocks’ market will be in full swing throughout the day with more food trucks and stalls to complement the regular rotation of multicultural bites such as Portuguese tarts from Natas & Co, Turkish doughnuts from Lokma Nia, Spanish paella from La Gitana, and so much more.
The kids will love the Family Friendly Fun Zone on the MCA lawn, where there’ll be roaming buskers, a Ninja inflatable obstacle course, a DJ in the food court, and many other activities, plus it’s a great place to watch all the Harbourside action including Maritime Mayhem with daredevil jet skiers and tugboat water fountains.
At night, head over to the Opera House forecourt for an epic concert from top Aussie acts accompanied by more jet ski antics and, finally, fireworks.
– The Rocks, Sydney; therocks.com
VIC’S MEAT
Take your backyard barbie to the next level with grain-fed Scotch fillets from renowned Sydney butchers Vic’s Meat. For Australia Day, you can purchase a 1.5kg scotch fillet piece or two 300g scotch fillet steaks and get the second one free.
– Sydney Fish Market, 50-60 Bank St, Pyrmont; vicsmeat.com.au/collections/specialoffers
MANDATORY SPIRITS
Aussies are known for their practical inventions, such as the Hills hoist, electric drill, and even Google Maps, but this Australia Day, there’s another inventor of note, and that’s Thomas Angove, a winemaker in South Australia who developed “cask wine”— a corrugated cardboard box with a Polyethylene bladder.
While it may have started with less expensive wines, it’s now being used by premium wineries, thanks to Brisbane-based drinks company, Mandatory Spirit co, gin and vodka.
Lightweight and compact, the reduced transport costs of ‘Booze in a Box’ alone make it an eco-friendly beverage (one truck transporting Booze in a Box holds the same volume as seven trucks carrying glass bottles), plus it’s 100% recyclable.
In addition, the two spirits – gin and vodka – have been developed with the Aussie palette in mind. Juniper and lemon myrtle lead the modern gin along with sweet notes of orange and coriander, while the smooth vodka hints of burnt caramel. The 1.5L box retails for $84.95 and is available at BWS and Dan Murphy’s.
– mandatoryspiritsco.com.au
THE SQUIRE’S LANDING
A homage to Australia’s first brewer, James Squire, The Squire’s Landing is an appropriate place to spend the day.
There’ll be a special Australia Day menu in the Brewhouse, heaps of entertainment –
including face painting (11am-2pm) and a reptile experience (12pm-3pm) for the kids. You’ll also get a front-row seat to the day’s Harbour entertainment, where there’ll be tall ship races, regattas, the Harbour parade, an air show, a water show, and of course, the spectacular Australia Day fireworks.
(Brewhouse opens at 10am).
– Northern end of Overseas Passenger Terminal, Circular Quay W, The Rocks;
jamessquire.com.au/brewhouse
THE BUTCHER’S BLOCK
Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, dinner or drinks, The Butcher Block’s focus on organic and locally-sourced produce means that every meal is fresh from the farm and with its luxury dining setting, it also makes that meal an event.
For Australia Day, though, they’re staying grounded with a lamb rack with king prawns Surf and Turf lunch or dinner (January 26-29) or for something on the go, there are lamingtons ($5.50 each) and vegemite and cheese scrolls ($5.50 each).
– Barangaroo, Granville and Wahroonga locations; butchersblockgroupd.com.au
AUVERS DINING
What: Lunar New Year and Australia Day in one dish. The “Oui, G’day Rabbit!” is made with braised kangaroo, boiled eggs, parsnip puree, wagyu fat mushrooms, and foie gras. (January 20-29, 2023).
Contact: 4/12 Nicolle Wlk, Darling Square; Haymarket; auverscafe.com.au
CLUBS NSW
BLACKTOWN WORKERS
What: Food and beverage specials, live music from CK & the 45's, free face painting for the kids, and a $3000 raffle
Contact: 55 Campbell St, Blacktown; BlacktownWorkerslifestylegroup.com.au
CABRA BOWLS
What: Free try bowls, sausage sizzle, live entertainment, and $5 schooners (members only) (From 1pm).
Contact: 82 Longfield St, Cabramatta; cabrabowls.com.au
CABRA-VALE DIGGERS
What: Live Aussie tunes from Sweet Talk (2pm-6pm), Australia Day raffle (tickets from 12pm, draws from 1pm), BBQ platters and other special menu items from The Brasserie on the Park.
Contact: 1 Bartley St, Canley Vale; cabrabowls.com.au
CANTERBURY HURLSTONE PARK RSL
What: Live music from 11am, a $1500 meat raffle (on sale from 4pm, draw at 5pm) and an Aussie menu special – oven-baked lemon sole with roast potatoes, lemon, and herb butter.
Contact: 20-26 Canterbury Rd, Hurlstone Par; chprsl.com.au
CANTERBURY LEAGUES
What: Reptile experience for kids (11.30am-2.30pm) and special menu items that include camel burgers and 1kg chilli mussels.
Contact: 26 Bridge Rd, Belmore; canterbury.com.au
CASTLE HILL RSL
What: Live music (12.30pm-4.30pm) in the courtyard. Special lunch and dinner menu items include an Aussie burger (double Wagyu beef patties, maple bacon, crispy onion rings, fried cage-free egg, tomato chutney, baby cos lettuce, gherkins, cheese, barbecue sauce and aioli), BBQ platter and chocolate-dipped lamingtons all weekend (January 26-29). There’s also Australiana Trivia on Wednesday, January 25, 2023, 7.30pm.
Contact: 77 Castle St, Castle Hill; castlehillrsl.com.au
CLUB MARCONI
What: Live entertainment, courtyard BBQ with a sausage sizzle and steak sandwich; and $3500 Australia Day raffle (tickets on sale from 4.30pm; draw commences 5.30pm).
Contact: 121-133-Prairie Vale Rd, Bossley Park; clubmarconi.com.au
CLUB PARRAMATTA
What: Live music (12pm-4pm, Thursday, January 26). Special lunch and dinner menu items include an Aussie burger (double Wagyu beef patties, maple bacon, crispy onion rings, fried cage-free egg, tomato chutney, baby cos lettuce, gherkins, cheese, barbecue sauce and aioli), BBQ platter and chocolate-dipped lamingtons all weekend (January 26-29, 2023).
Contact: 2 Macquarie St, Parramatta; clubparramtta.com.au
CRONULLA RSL
What: Start the long weekend with an Australia Day eve raffle for Pacific Blue Gourmet Meat
Vouchers, Wish Gift cards and alcohol packs. Australia Day will be filled with fun kids’ activities, including thong throwing, pie eating and Tim Tam slam competitions (with prizes). There’s also a BBQ buffet and themed drinks (The Galah, The Lifesaver, Paddle Pop Martini)
Contact: 38R Gerrale St, Cronulla; cronullarsl.com.au
HARBORD DIGGERS
What: Face painting (11am-2pm), live local music and DJ (1pm-4pm), and special menu items
including mini pavs, sausage sambos, surf and turf and meat platter.
Contact: 88 Evans St, Freshwater; harborddiggers.com.au
PENRITH PANTHERS AUSTRALIA DAY CARNIVAL
What: The family-friendly free Australia Day Carnival will have (unlimited) carnival rides, live music, food-eating competitions, a thong-throwing competition, and a specialty cocktail menu.
Contact: The Backyard, 123 Mulgoa Rd, Penrith; Penrith.panthers.com.au
RAMSGATE RSL
What: Live entertainment, roaming performer from 1pm, $5 schooners (1pm-4pm), and a $1500 Australia Day raffle (tickets on sale from 10am, draw at 5pm).
Contact: Cnr Ramsgate Rd and Chuter Ave, Sans Souci; ramsgatersl.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.