Sydney Eat Street: Where to get a great meal as restrictions ease
As Sydney’s food scene slowly comes back to life, it’s clear both chefs and diners are excited at the thought of once again being able to sit down to enjoy a restaurant experience. Here’s our guide to what restaurants and cafes are open for business.
Eat Street
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As coronavirus restrictions ease across the state and we can think about dining out once again, make sure you make the most of where to go for a delicious night out.
Take a look at Sydney’s best eateries with The Sunday Telegraph’s Eat Street. Are you hungry for more inspiration? Follow us on Instagram. #SydneyEatStreet
THE GANTRY
With the promise of restaurants opening up to some semblance of normalcy, eager diners have been peering out the window for the first time, wondering where to go first for dinner.
Take that as a clue, and head down to Pier One for a set four-course meal at hatted-restaurant, The Gantry, where award-winning head chef Thomas Gorringe has created a menu featuring a selection of his favourite dishes.
“It’s a nice reason to get out for the evening and get a taste of The Gantry and when things settle down, return for the full dining experience,” he says.
A passionate champion of Australian ingredients, he’s scoured the region for premium products from producers committed to sustainable practices such as likes of Hunter Valley-based Little Hill Farm for their pasture-raised chicken.
Served roasted and adorned with a swirled crown of emerald green celeriac it’s an excellent example of his use of market-fresh produce.
“It’s such a pretty vegetable right now,” he says.
Also on the menu, are grilled Skull Island prawns, sourced from the warm waters of the Northern Territory. Because strict fishing practices oversee the catch, they grow bigger, and thus loaded with more juicy meat.
A highlight for Gorringe is the braised beef cheek. It’s the epitome of melt-in-your-mouth tender, and he says “is just the perfect winter warmer”.
Also, for a hint of The Gantry’s exceptional service, you’ll be looked after by a Sanitiser Sommelier who’ll bring a cocktail trolley to your table, but rather mixing something to drink, on it is a selection of hospital grade and WHO-approved hand sanitisers produced by local
distilleries.
Originally developed to meet the needs of the nation’s shortage they offer a uniquely Australian touch to hygiene with aromatics, spices and botanicals reflective of the area.
A popular choice is the native finger lime, cassia and raspberry version from Rosebery’s Archie Rose Distilling Co or for something a bit bolder, a rum-based one from Surry Hills-based Brix Distillers.
So when you’re ready to return, keep in mind that truffle season is coming up and Gorringe has been known to work some serious magic with the culinary world’s black gold.
– Pier One Sydney Harbour; 11 Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay; thegantry.com.au
PINO’S VINO E CUCINA
Rome wasn’t built in one day, nor was Matteo Margiotta’s welcoming Italian restaurant nestled in a beautiful leafy area of inner-west suburb of Alexandria.
It took a year to renovate the place to match his vision of an eatery, which he named after his father and wanted to resemble his childhood home in Rome.
He did most of the work himself but as is true to the bonds that bind a family, practically every member at some point came from Italy and helped out.
“I’m away from home so, with Pino’s, I brought my home here,” says Matteo.
The crowning glory is the towering front door; it’s an exact replica of the one back in Rome complete with a brass-engraved doorknob. Judging by the cheery chatter inside – even with the 10-person limit in place, it seems his vision is a success.
“It’s like going to a good friend’s house for a special dinner – they’re giving you their best food, their best wine and service – but it’s in a comfortable and familiar setting,” he says.
Its rich dark woods and brick walls adorned with his great grandmother’s copper pots help make this a cosy destination.
The menu reflects an emphasis on home-cooking albeit in a more upscaled version; think big bowls of housemade pasta with premium ingredients such as the market-fresh calamari or porcini-loaded lasagne.
Despite its popularity, Matteo opted to keep Pino’s closed for the first months of isolation. Having family in Italy meant that he became aware of COVID-19’s risks early on so opted to err on the side of caution and closed up for the first month or so.
“[I] just can’t put anyone’s health in jeopardy. Staff is family, and like family, they’re rejoicing being back together.”
Now, with restrictions easing, Pino’s is taking bookings for a set six-course meal ($85pp) and when you arrive, next to the candle at the centre of the table is a lovely personalised menu with your name at the top – because that’s what friends do.
– 199 Lawrence St, Alexandria; pinosvinoecucina.com.au
KEPOS STREET KITCHEN
At this charming sun-drenched cafe with its whitewashed walls and lemon-yellow accents, the setting is as cheery as the owner himself as is the attentive staff mirroring his jovial demeanour.
But behind that smile is a savvy and supportive restaurateur, so when it became apparent that chaotic times were on the horizon, award-winning chef Michael Rantissis scrambled quickly to change his restaurant business as he so aptly says, “to fit the moment”.
For him, that included looking after the small producers that supply particular products.
Serving modern Israeli breakfast, lunch and dinner, Michael says “Kepos has always been a destination” thanks in part to the authentic ingredients he can source, often from the vendors’ own kitchens and gardens.
Not only does he continue to prepare foods featuring these products, such as free-range eggs from a local farmer – who at Michael’s request now grows his preferred style of tomatoes – he also sells them on-site along with a range of pantry staples.
Adjacent to the lengthy table stacked high with that stock, he has also brought in a large refrigerator filled with tubs of his famous hummus, tzatziki, sausages, dinner-packs, falafels and more.
You can also pick up one of his personal favourites, the cauliflower salad. It’s the perfect combination of spice, sweetness, salt and acidity but to Michael, one of the very first things he thinks about for that dish is related to texture; in this case is “nuts. Lots of
nuts. In this one, there are pistachios plus the pop of the pomegranate,” he says.
While some people may consider removing the lid off a takeaway container to be the limits of
their cooking skills, some prefer to engage with the kitchen.
For that, there’s a scrumptious roast chicken and an addictive eggplant moussaka with melted cheese that comes prepped and just need some time in the oven.
The cafe will be open next week for full service, but the takeaway meals are likely to stay around for a while.
After that, when you’re ready for a booking at Kepos & Co, the cafe’s sophisticated sister venue across the street and linger a bit longer over a bountiful share-menu of customer
favourites. Consider it your reward for being so patient.
– 96 Kepos St, Redfern; keposstreetkitchen.com.au
MJØLNER
By Odin’s Beard, after two months confined to your quarters, slice out some time with friends for a full-on meat-fest at this Viking-themed carvery and whisky bar.
Leave your hammer at home as a fork and knife will be your weapons of choice should you venture an assault on the 900g Rib Eye.
The roast pork belly could also be a worthy opponent or maybe take the battle to the sea and try the ocean trout.
While the actual carvery selection changes regularly, in addition to meat and fish, there’ll also be poultry and vegetarian options.
You can go with the flow and wash it down with large gulps of mead or try one of the 400-plus different whiskeys.
For those after something lighter, this Scandinavian-styled venue also boasts a chic bar which offers its own menu in addition to an extensive drinks list.
Mjølner, which by the way is the name of Thor’s hammer, will be taking bookings of up to 10 guests with a maximum of 50 people on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.
The ala carte menu is available for groups with up to seven guests, while for those with eight are more will be served the set three-course menu.
— 267 Cleveland St, Redfern; mjolner.com.au/sydney
TEQUILA MOCKINGBIRD
As Sammy and Lorrie sang: “He drinks tequila, and she talks dirty in Spanish. Him in his
sombrero, her in her purty pink jammies.”
It’s fair to say the pink jammies wouldn’t quite work at this Latin-inspired restaurant and bar but have been more than appropriate during isolation while enjoying the takeaway menu.
Fans of Tequila Mockingbird have been known to sing to the heavens about their margaritas, and while you may have to wait a tick longer to perch yourself at the bar and tuck into the set share-menu that starts with the Atlantic salmon Ceviche and Softshell Crab Tacos, they’ve got a pretty substantial list of takeaway offerings.
The menu is loaded with some classics along with their latest addition, a mouth-watering Cuban take on a ham and cheese Toastie – a sandwich packed with ham, roasted pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, mustard and salami.
To help bide the time until you can get that coveted booking, they’ve put together The Cubano Combo and added more-ish fries with Mexican seasoning along with a classic or signature Tequila Mockingbird margarita.
This offer is only available for takeaway Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday, 12pm to 3pm but at $30, it’s well worth a quick trip to Paddington.
– 6 Heeley St, Paddington; tequila-mockingbird.com.au
EAU DE VIE
Come Monday, when venues are finally able to welcome more than ten guests, there’ll be plenty of places blasting music and pouring beers, but if you have some real catching up to do, veer away from party-central and slink your way through the shadows to this rather clandestine speak-easy.
Find your way to through the maze to an intimate space where cocktails quite literally reign supreme with both drinks and mixologist having won countless prestigious awards.
There is a bar menu, mainly with items intended to be shared and to compliment the virtual novella of a cocktail list. For those completely enamoured with their drink selection, consider booking in for one of their Masterclasses where they just might spill some secrets.
— 229 Darlinghurst Rd, Darlinghurst; eaudevie.com.au
NSW DISTILLERS AND BREWERS’ HAND SANITISERS
Back in March when dunny rolls were on par with gold bullions, an equally elusive item was any sort of hand sanitiser. And like a knock-off drink at the end of a really long week, some of Sydney’s finest distillers came to the rescue, but rather than whipping up classic cocktails, they took a page from the World Health Organisation and following the WHO’s guidelines began producing hand sanitisers for healthcare providers.
If that has taught us anything, it’s to make sure you have loads of germ-fighting liquid on hand, and even better, head online to pick up some from local producers such as the native finger lime, cassia, and raspberry-scented one from the award-winning, Rosebery-based distillery, Archie Rose or perhaps a whiff of juniper in Northern Beaches’ gin distillery, Manly Spirts Co.’s concoction in 125ml, 5L, and 20L containers, as well a 100ml size, free with the purchase of a bottle of gin.
Those who prefer rum may be interested in Surry Hills’ Brix Distillers’ version which you can sample for free with a rum purchase and for those missing pub night, community-minded Newtown brewers, Young Henrys has a 250ml one made from distilled beer.
There are heaps more places all around Australia that have altered their production to accommodate the shortage so hop online and start shopping.
NORTH BONDI FISH
We may have missed out on the tail-end of summer, but one of this surfside suburb’s other main attractions, North Bondi Fish is back open and ready to welcome you with some of the fan-favourite classics.
Of course, no trip to the beach is complete without their crisp yet tender fish and chips, but they’ve added the popular fish tacos with cabbage and a coconut and lemongrass fish curry.
For those not quite into a cooked meal, Tiger Prawns are on the menu as well as an impressive mixed-sashimi plate. And not time on the deck is complete without one of their refreshing cocktails, particularly the passionfruit margarita with dragonfruit.
From Monday, June 1 up to 50 people can take a seat, otherwise there’s some great takeaway options including the NBF Family Pack for four ($155) and available for pick-up Wednesday-Friday, 5.30pm-8pm; Saturday, 12pm-8pm; and Sunday, 12pm-3pm.
— 120 Ramsgate Ave. North Bondi; northbondifish.com.au
SHOALHAVEN’S VIRTUAL WINE TASTING SERIES
Fair to say, the first half of 2020 has been less than stellar for a number of NSW regions including the southern coastal area of Shoalhaven.
While you may be itching to get out of town and check out its food and beverage scene, till time permits, you can always visit one of the region’s renowned wineries with a series of virtual tours and tastings.
A highlight will be a session with Cupitt Winery (cupitt.com.au) which initially started as a vineyard but has since been brewing craft beers and added a fromagerie where family matriarch, Rosie Cupitt makes her award-winning cheese.
The wineries will change weekly and participants are encouraged to pre-purchase the wines from stockist or direct from the wineries.
— For the full list of tastings visit, shoalhaven.com
ALIBI BAR & KITCHEN + OVOLO HOTEL
After staring at the same walls for two months, a change of scenery and a night out could do you good, but for fans of Alibi Bar & Kitchen’s exceptional plant-based food and drinks, a night in may be more to your liking.
With Ovolo Woolloomooloo’s Restaurant in Room offer, you and a guest can enjoy a five-course meal in one of the designer hotel’s private rooms.
Head chef Jordan Brogan has prepared a menu that includes Albi favourites including the kimchi dumplings, spicy udon, activated charcoal ravioli, and apple crumble for dessert.
For a real sweet treat though, book an overnight stay in a chic loft room, or elegant suite.
“As Australia eases out of the current economic and health crisis, Ovolo has implemented a number of unique food and drink offerings,” group director, food and beverage Ovolo Hotels, Vince Lombino, says.
“The Restaurant in Room dinner combines responsible social distancing and the restaurant experience in the confines of a designer hotel room – think the ultimate in private dining.” Bookings are available Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights; five-course meal for two ($130), with matching beverages for two ($220); overnight stay available for an additional charge).
— 6 Cowper Rd, Woolloomooloo; alibibar.com.au
CHARGRILL CHARLIE’S
Chargrill Charlie’s, the chicken-centric family-run business is once again doing what families do best, and that’s helping eat other out in tough times.
In the past two months, that family has grown beyond its chicken shops with the launch of Local Flavours, an initiative that supports local businesses by providing a platform to sell their products.
It began with Modern Israeli restaurant, Kepos Street Kitchen’s popular dishes which included their wagyu kofta, falafels and meatballs but has since expanded to include sweet treats and a variety of Asian-inspired meals.
You can now pick-up a tub of pink-mohawk pastry chef Anna Polyviou’s triple chocolate chip cookie dough to make your own fresh from the oven cookies.
And if there is anything positive to emerge from the chaos of COVID-19, it’s the unique, novel and unquestionably ideal collaboration of Ho Jiak’s Junda Khoo and Lotus’ head chef Sam Young, who together have delivered such dishes as Ho Jiak’s beef rendang and chicken satays, as well as their laksa chicken curry and san choy bow.
The list of options continues to grow, and like any family, there’s sure to be some surprises on the horizon.
THE ROCKS – THE FINE FOOD STORE’S TUCKSHOP
With many of Sydney’s iconic attractions still shuttered and devoid of crowds, now is a great time to get out there and revisit areas usually packed with tourists.
Admit it, when was the last time you actually strolled through The Rocks and really took a look around Sydney’s oldest neighbourhood? While you’re there, stop in on some of the local eateries welcoming you back.
Aslan Coffee Roasters, the St Peters-based roasters is still offering takeaway coffees for $3.50, the perfect partner for some of their other brekkie bites.
The Fine Food Store’s Tuckshop is a great place to linger, space permitting of course, for some upgraded cafe classics with their suggested wine and beer pairings.
Order a chicken burger and a glass of McLaren Clare Valley rosé, or grab a bottle of Italian pinot grigio and beef rendang for home.
To share the love, a number of places in The Rocks are also participating in the #PlateItForward initiative, donating a meal to Sydney Street Level Mission charity for every takeaway or delivery meal that is sold through May 31, 2020.
FLOUR DRUM
You won’t need a written invitation to this casual neighbourhood eatery, as the sentiment is scrawled in chalk right up there on the wall: “We face these time together and will survive with patience, kindness and respect.”
Fortunately, for Flour Drum’s loyal following, their patience has been rewarded with the popular buttermilk banoffee pancake stack with grilled bananas, dulce de leche, whipped cream, mascarpone and toasted house-made Anzac biscuit being the first dish back on the eat-in menu, followed closely by its savoury cousin, the Big Drum Breakfast.
“We want to thank our locals, the government and our landlord for their tremendous support through this challenging times,” Flour Drum owner, Christopher Heaps, says.
He says while more of the eat-in dishes will progressively return as dining restrictions ease they will also “continue to provide our new affordable grab and go takeaway range for those who want and need to stay home for longer”.
Thankfully, that includes a new addition to the menu – packets of their delicious, and nostalgic, Kingston Kisses.
— 531 King St, Sydney; flourdrum.com.au
ROSETTI’S
Over the past two decades, generations of families have made this modern Italian restaurant their destination for all sorts of festive occasions, but this year, it’s Rosetti’s turn to pop the cork on the champagne as celebrate its 20th birthday.
While menu items such as the 350g-bacon-wrapped-eye fillet and woodfired pizzas are a big draw, it’s co-owner Robert Martignago’s commitment to the local community that has helped garner him quite the following.
Even during the dormant two-month period of COVID-19 social isolation, when many places were paring down their offerings, he continued to offer the full-menu for takeaway and delivery so that everyone can still get exactly what they want (plus an extra 15% for takeaway).
Now that dine-in restrictions are beginning ease, Rosetti’s has even more cause for celebration.
— Shop 27/1024 The Horsley Dr, Wetherill Park; rosettis.com.au
ENDEAVOUR BREWING CO
Forcing a brewer into ISO an either be a complete kerfuffle or something less than a mess, fortunately at Endeavour Brewing Co, cooler heads prevailed, and the end result is the Quaran-tinnies.
While pubs are still in the no-go zone, you can still enjoy their exceptional beers at home, including the limited-edition special blends of the #StayHome Pale Ale and Lock In Lager.
A case of cans (24 x 375ml) is $79.00 and available at selected Dan Murphy’s and BWS or online, endeavourbeer.com/limited-release.
GREEN MOUSTACHE
Bottomless brunches are back! And while you may not be able to bring everyone together just yet, that catch-up with the crew over kingfish sashimi, salt & pepper squid, handmade gnocchi, and two hours of unlimited rose, prosecco and pale ale is just on the horizon.
In the interim, you can still get the gang over to your place and share one of Green Moustache’s wine, cheese, and charcuterie boxes or sit in on a wine tasting with their Facebook Live “Meet the Winemaker” sessions.
— Level 10, 100 Miller Street, North Sydney; greenmoustache.com.au
FARMGATE TO PLATE
Like any good farmer, you make good with what you have, and for Nathan Creary, butcher and co-owner of Farmgate to Plate, the past two months left with him with an abundance of time and product.
A staunch advocate for local Aussie farmers and sustainable practices, to him that also meant using up what was available.
“We’ve got time now, let’s put something together,” Nathan says.
With the help of a chef, they did just that – making bone broth for chicken noodle soup or using premium off-cuts in pies. Now, in addition to their award-winning sausages and burgers,
Farmgate to Plate was also able to expand their Chef@Home range, pre-prepared meals that support local suppliers and kitchen staff. Nathan sums it up nicely: “It’s just about everyone working together.”
— 12/4-6 Wandella Rd, Miranda; 182 Burraneer Bay Rd, Burraneer; farmgatetoplate.net.au
BRADES BURGERS
Instagram is loaded with pics of loaded burgers, but with social distancing, it’s pretty hard to hold one together and a take a selfie at the same time, and that’s even if you can find a good burger still stacked high with all the fixings.
For that, Brades Burgers, the Parramatta burger joint known for such concoctions as the Triple Truffle – triple smashed beef patties, butter lettuce, pickles, confit bourbon & onion relish, Swiss cheese and white truffle aioli or the Double Kernel Sanders with double southern-fried chicken breasts, corn slaw, streaky-bacon, American cheddar and chipotle aioli came up with Brades DIY@Home Kits.
With these kits, you simply choose your favourite burger, and all the ingredients are packed up and delivered for you to prepared at home.
You’ll surely want to add heaps more sauce so get an extra jar of that plus some sides, and of course, beer and cider.
— 277 Church St, Parramatta; bradesau.com.au
CAVALLINO RISTORANTE PIZZERIA
There are plenty of tales to be told after two months in isolation and sharing them over a bottle of wine, in front of a fireplace at an authentic Italian restaurant is a great place to start.
At Cavallino, they have their own tales as well, though theirs are laid out on the menu in a new dining series called “Italian Stories”.
At each evening’s sittings, the ala carte menu will share the unique background behind such dishes as the deconstructed pumpkin lasagne with fontina fondue.
This is also a great opportunity to experience their newest addition and the first in Australasia, the Nardini bar, an homage to the oldest grappa distillery brand in the world.
— Corner of McCarrs Creek Rd & Yulong Ave, Terrey Hills; cavallino.com.au