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Soulmate Newtown opens Splash, a poolside cafe slinging old-school favourites

A family-friendly venue with all the killer pythons, chip butties and fish sangas pocket money can buy.

Bianca Hrovat
Bianca Hrovat

The old-school salad sanga at Splash in Petersham.
The old-school salad sanga at Splash in Petersham.Supplied

The team behind renowned Newtown eatery Soulmate have opened poolside cafe Splash, in Petersham, just in time for summer.

The 40-seat venue is housed within the Fanny Durack Aquatic Centre at Petersham Park, where it will serve a nostalgia-inspired menu available to both swimmers and park-goers.

Fried fish sandwiches by the pool at Splash.
1 / 6Fried fish sandwiches by the pool at Splash.Supplied
The history of neighbouring Petersham Park has influenced the menu at Splash, with the Don Bradman burger.
2 / 6The history of neighbouring Petersham Park has influenced the menu at Splash, with the Don Bradman burger.
Soulmate’s best-selling cold-brew maple and cinnamon coffee will be available at Splash.
3 / 6Soulmate’s best-selling cold-brew maple and cinnamon coffee will be available at Splash.
Splash is a family-friendly cafe, with plenty of grab-and-go options.
4 / 6Splash is a family-friendly cafe, with plenty of grab-and-go options.
Fish and chips at Splash.
5 / 6Fish and chips at Splash.
Preparing chip butties at Splash.
6 / 6Preparing chip butties at Splash.

That means splice milkshakes packed with pineapple and plant-based ice cream; fried fish sandwiches with pickled beetroot and old-school sliced cheese; and all the killer pythons your pocket money can buy.

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There’s also old-school salad sangas and an Angus beef Bradman burger – a nod to cricket legend Donald Bradman’s first century, scored at Petersham Park in 1926 when he was just 18 years old.

For aspiring batters hitting the oval, or picnic-goers who’ve found a shady spot beneath one of the large, leafy trees, both the food and a collection of picnic rugs are available to take away.

The charcoal chicken gravy roll with curry gravy, peppers and chives.
The charcoal chicken gravy roll with curry gravy, peppers and chives.Supplied

And if you forgot your hat? No worries. Keeping with the theme (and the strong cafe merchandising seen at Soulmate), there will also be customised legionnaires hats for sale (you know, the caps with the stylish neck-covering flap at the back).

“It’s a completely different vibe from the typical Inner West cafe experience,” says Michael Ico, who co-owns Splash alongside Harry Paton, Daniel Harrison and head chef Mitch Jones.

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“Splash feels like an oasis, away from the hustle and bustle. It gives people one more reason to visit the park, beyond meeting friends for a cricket match or a swim.”

Single O coffee on hand for park-goers.
Single O coffee on hand for park-goers.Supplied

Elements of the team’s first venture Soulmate – which consistently ranks among Sydney’s the top cafes – will appear at Splash, like the bestselling Single O oat milk cold-brew with maple and cinnamon, and the beloved banana bread.

But this time, the entire family is catered to with the addition of high chairs, kids menus, and grab-and-go snacks for little ones. Dogs are also welcome at outdoor, park-side seating.

“Most of the food, from the sausage rolls to the chip butties, will be made in-house,” Ico says.

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“And we’ll have heaps of healthy options too, like brekkie bowls and green smoothies, because we’re trying to cater to residents who use the park frequently.”

Ico – a local himself – says the launch menu features options between $7 and $26.

Splash opens 6.30am-3pm every day (kitchen open from 7am).

2A Station St, Petersham, splashpetersham.com

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Bianca HrovatBianca HrovatBianca is Good Food's Sydney-based reporter.

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Original URL: https://www.theage.com.au/goodfood/sydney-eating-out/soulmate-newtown-opens-splash-a-poolside-cafe-slinging-old-school-favourites-20231127-p5en4z.html