Inner west food hotspots: Edo Matcha, The Pelican, Ogni open in Newtown, Marrickville, Surry Hills

It is already known for its trendy cafes and thriving restaurant scene, by Sydney’s inner west has seen a boom in exciting new businesses opening their doors. See what’s on offer.

Ogni restaurant

From Nostalgia to authentic matcha and “borderline Sacrilegious” Pan-Asian Cuisine, an inner-city community is stepping up its food game with multiple new eateries that have tongues wagging.

EDO MATCHA

Edo Matcha serves authentic Matcha and loose leaf tea

Located in the heart of Newton, Edo Matcha has brought authentic Japanese culture – drawing on nostalgic moments shared between owner Taka Kanekowith, and his grandparents, in their hometown of Tokoname City, Japan, to give patrons the ultimate experience.

Opening their doors in November, Mr Kanekowith and his partner Holly Boyall specialise in organic matcha from two regions – Kyoto and Kumamoto – and organic loose-leaf tea, as well as selling authentic tea pots from Tokoname City.

Edo Matcha

Taka Kanekowith and Holly Boyall

Inspired by memories from his childhood in Japan, Mr Kanekowith wants to bring his culture to the inner west: while instilling health-conscious habits to the community.

“I love the Inner West, people here are curious of different cultures and happy to embrace our culture and try tea from Japan,” he said.

“Our most popular product is definitely Matcha, They are very familiar with Japanese culture and I enjoy spreading the culture to the community.”

Starting off at the Marrickville markets twice a month Mr Kanekowith and his partner expanded the business, securing a 20-year-old building between a vintage shop and Turkish stalwart Pasha’s.

You can find Edo Matcha on Kings St, Newtown, open Monday-Friday.

The Pelican

After leaving his daughters soccer game to search for coffee and juice, owner Oleh Sokolovsky stumbled across an abandon store that he thought could be a “great kiosk” to which he turned from derelict building to a local favourite due to its retro fit out, fresh juices and delicious Brekkie (hot) dog.

The Pelican, located in Marrickville, invokes an old school milk bar, with affordable prices to match, which has customers coming in droves.

“We opened two days before Christmas and people came out of the woodworks, I don’t want to say we were inundated - but we were really busy,” Mr Sokolovsky said.

“Everywhere now is bottled juices and expensive coffees, I wanted something that was fresh, affordable and not over doing its self.”

The pelican cafe Inner West

Inner west cafe the Pelican

Mr Sokolovsky, who is the former owner of Illi Hill cafe, and current owner of vintage furniture store, Juliet’s Balcony in Dulwich Hill, was able to spot the opportunity for a good store when he noticed the abandon store on a halftime soccer coffee run

“I was watching my daughter play soccer and I went to get a coffee and a juice and when I saw this building I wrote to the building manager saying it would be a good a nice kiosk,” he said.

You can find The Pelican on Illawarra Rd, open seven days a week.

Ogni

The brainchild of two former MasterChef contestants Sarah Tiong and Rashedul Hasan, Ogni looks to bring childhood memories of food from south East Asia with “unapologetic flavours”.

With the name Ogni meaning “fire” in Bengali – and in homage to Mr Hasan’s family – its no wonder the Pan Asian cuisine embodies the culture of both masterchef alums with the hope that their restaurant will help them feel the warmth of their food.

Ogni restaurant

Sarah Tiong and Rashedul Hasan

“The main ethos is that we wanted to bring our childhood memories and our stories of South East Asia, Thailand and Vietnam,” Mr Hasan said.

“We come from MasterChef background so we wanted to present something unapologetic with our flavour.”

located in Surry Hills, the pair wanted a place that that had diversity towards its cuisine and people.

“We wanted somewhere that didn’t have a mould to just one type of food and multiple diners,” he said.

“We found that in Surry Hills and one thing that made me happy was someone left a review saying it was a brilliant addition to the neighbourhood.”

With doors opening six weeks ago, you can find Ogni on Devonshire St, Surry Hills from Tuesday to Thursday.