Eat Street: Where to eat in Sydney’s north, American Express Delicious Month Out 2024

The dining out scene has officially moved outside of Sydney’s CBD with one unexpected area showing off its newest offerings. Here are the gems uncovered by Eat Street’s Jenifer Jagielski.

Sydney’s stellar culinary scene extend well beyond the CBD and throughout May, American Express delicious Month Out has some enticing offers to lure diners north of the city.

Manly

Chart a course to Manly for a foodie expedition that celebrates the essence of this beachside suburb. For those arriving via ferry, the first port of call is Queen Chow along Manly Wharf.

Its stunning view of Sydney Harbour is matched only by the more-ish Cantonese-inspired dishes such as honey king prawns, roast duck, and dim sum platters, which taste all that much better when you book in for a weekday lunch and receive 25% off the total bill if you prefer an evening of cocktails, wine, and share-plates of chargrilled dishes, Banco, an intimate bar-restaurant with a set dinner menu ($75pp), available from 4.30pm.

Other promotions in Manly include a free detox shot board with a Monday morning booking at Ruby Lane Wholefoods, a six-course Asian-inspired brunch on Saturdays with two hours of bottomless spritzers and live music ($95pp with the two session times available, 12pm and 2.30pm), and a free detox shot board with a Monday morning booking at Ruby Lane Wholefoods.

Ruby Lane: book in for a weekday lunch and receive 25% off the total bill.

SoCal

No need to fork over a fortune for airfare when the relaxed surf and sand vibes of Southern California can be found north of Sydney at SoCal Neutral Bay Head Chef Joel Doyle says, “For AMEX Delicious Month Out, we wanted to showcase what we’re renowned for – tacos and good times – and with our Bottomless Fiesta you get to sample the best of our menu alongside an indulgent two-hours of free-flowing drinks”.

SoCal Neutral Bay’s rooftop patio. Picture: Yasmin Mund

Starting with a cocktail on arrival, guests can expect a DIY taco platter of beef barbacoa and crispy pork belly with a selection of salsas & tortillas, which Doyle says is “always a fun favourite”.

Additionally, there’s a serve of SoCal guacamole with corn chips and four cheese empanadas with avo verd. “It’s a great way to kick off an afternoon fiesta!” ($89pp, Saturday and Sunday, 12pm-3.30pm).

1 Young St, Neutral Bay; socalsydney.com.au

SoCal is $89pp, Saturday and Sunday, 12pm-3.30pm. Picture: Jenifer Jagielski

Me-Gal

As if the sweeping view of Sydney Harbour weren't enough, fine-dining restaurant Me-Gal - the Cammeraigal word for ‘tears’; – also has an enviable location within the grounds of Taronga Wildlife Retreat, overlooking the zoo’s sanctuary.

Me-Gal at Taronga Zoo’s stunning views. Picture: Steven Woodburn

Reflecting its natural setting, the menu focuses on locally sourced seasonal ingredients.

Enjoy the serene setting and enticing menu of their bottomless brunch and receive a 20% discount every Friday in May. Savour dishes such as Butterflied Chicken, Geraldton Wax, chestnut, and pickled muntries or beetroot risotto, golden beets, wasabi, Meredith Dairy goats cheese while sipping See Saw Prosecco (Orange, NSW) and marvelling at the expansive view. (Reservations required).

2A Bradleys Head Rd, Mosman; megal-mosman.com.au

Me-Gal stunning oysters. Picture: Anna Kucera

Petermen

Waste not, want not is an ethos celebrated chef and author Josh Niland has taken to heart, becoming a globally recognised champion of sustainable practices. When

Josh and his wife Julie opened their first restaurant, St Peter’s in Paddington, in 2016, he showed the world that with care and creativity, every bit of the fish, particularly those typically discarded pieces, can be transformed into something delectable.

Petermen’s classic interior

Seven years later, Josh and Julie crossed the Harbour to open two-hatted restaurant, Petermen in St Leonards and in conjunction with American Express delicious Month Out, you can experience his culinary magic with a two-course lunch menu of an entree and main plus a hand-picked crab tart on arrival for $90pp.

(Available Fridays and Saturdays in May. Reservations required). This is one of those not-to-be-missed moments. 66 Chandos St, St Leonards; petermen.com.au

Petermen has a two-course lunch menu of an entree and main plus a hand-picked crab tart on arrival for $90pp.

Chiosco by Ormeggio

From the deck of hatted Italian restaurant Ormeggio at The Spit, guests are treated to a picturesque view of d’Albora Marina dotted with more pristine yachts and sailboats and along the jetty, a chic yet casual eatery with marine blue and white palette, sun-bleached furniture, and large cafe umbrellas.

Chiosco by Ormeggio’s grilled split king prawns. Picture: Jenifer Jagielski

This little slice of the Mediterranean, the younger sibling to Ormeggio, is the work of chef/owners Alessandro Pavoni and his wife Anna; it’s inspired by the chioscos (Italian for kiosk) of an Italian seaside village but with a touch more refined seafood-centric menu.

At Chiosco by Ormeggio, seats are going quickly, so book soon.

However, on Thursday, May 30, 2024, as part of American Express delicious Month Out, the tastes of Turin (inland Italy) will take centrestage with a four-course share menu dinner along with a narrative of how the region’s produce and culture influence Italian cuisine ($79pp).

Seats are going quickly, so book soon. For those unable to attend, there’s always the $10 Aperol Spritz at Ormeggio at The Spit’s cocktail bar or outdoor terrazzo, Wednesday to Friday, 5.30pm-6:30pm.

The Jetty, d’Albora Marina, Spit Rd, Mosman; chiosco.com.au

For details, visit www.delicious.com.au/delicious-month-out

Originally published as Eat Street: Where to eat in Sydney’s north, American Express Delicious Month Out 2024