No strangers to Sydney’s vibrant dining scene, we’re thrilled to circle back and bring your attention to these venues for spring! The season sees an exciting eat list, from modern Italian eateries and outdoor venues to spend the (now longer!) days to offbeat bars perfect for a lively night out. Let’s dive in –
1. Quadro Social
This Windsor Road joint is a wonderful blend of authentic and contemporary, with an offbeat subway-tiled dining room and a takeout window (because pizza on the go is non-negotiable, obvi). There’s sweet focaccia fruit bread to go with your morning coffee, all-day pies from zucchini pesto on a charcoal base to potato and crispy porchetta, and balsamic glazed pork cutlet for a heartier dinner option.
If the menu sounds impressive, that might be because this social hub of a venue is the brainchild of celebrity chef Josh Sama and hatted chef Avik Kanjilal.
Location: Shop 37 373/383 Windsor Rd, Baulkham Hills NSW 2153
Opening hours: Sundays to Tuesdays 8:30am – 3:30pm, Wednesdays to Saturdays 8:30am – 3:30pm and 5:30 – 9:30pm
2. New Yamanishi
All the jazzy fun and flavours of ’80s and ’90s Japanese izakayas play out at Iwao Yaminishi’s second foray into restaurants — meet New Yamanishi.
If you miss the now-defunct Spanish Sakaba’s scrumptious oxtail ramen, seek out its reappearance here for a hearty lunch. It now comes with new twists along with curry and snacks to boot. In the evening, classic izakaya dishes like yakitori, sashimi, and house pickles sprawl the menu alongside familiar favourites like the power-packed spicy tuna tacos. Pouring a range of highballs, boozy slushies, and select Aussie wines, this is one to add to your dinner and drinks shortlist.
Location: 98 Falcon St, Crows Nest NSW 2065
Opening hours: Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays 5:30 – 10pm, Saturdays and Sundays 11:30am – 2pm and 5:30 – 10pm. Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
3. Martina Rose Bay
This fairly new entry into Rose Bay’s directory is a breezy stunner, dishing out charming all-day fare. Martina’s the perfect cheery spot to bookmark if you’re making your way out to linger by the water.
Start with a morning coffee and build up an appetite for mid-day pizzas then come dinnertime, a casual date night over veal scallopini and Roman pinsa — a delightful way to have pizza dough. Don’t forget those bites in between, like an ingenious cacio uova e pepe!
Location: 51-55 O’Sullivan Rd, Rose Bay NSW 2029
Opening hours: Mondays to Fridays 5 – 9pm, Saturdays and Sundays 11:45am – 3pm and 5 – 9pm
4. Bat & Ball Hotel
Located adjacent to the Sydney Cricket Ground – hence the name -, the vintage charm of this pub remains long after its recent refurbishments. Now under the helm of five friends who have cut their teeth in hospo, it’s no wonder there’s so much to love about the good old-school bones and funky fit outs at Bat & Ball.
To start, it’s always happy hour in here. So pick your poison between a Negroni or Espresso Martin at $16 a pop. On food, expect smart and refined pub grub like the quinoa-coated chicken schnitty, a solid Porterhouse steak and beautiful pasta plates.
Location: 495 Cleveland St Sydney, 2016
Opening hours: Tuesdays to Thursdays 3pm – midnight, Fridays 3pm – 2am, Saturdays 12pm – 2am and Sundays 12 – 10pm.
5. Bad Hombres
Mexican-inspired featuring 100% plant-based ingredients, Bad Hombres is the epitome of feel-good fun food. The menu’s designed for sharing so grab your mates (or in this case, hombres) for a healthyish night out over mushroom asada skewers, hearts of palm ceviche and jackfruit tinga tacos washed down with mezcal cocktails.
The casual yet intimate vibe is great for those looking for a spot to wind down over curated 80s music and grub you can dig into with your hands. Their first joint was in Surry Hills for a while but the move to central Darlinghurst means this will be an easy swing for those of you in the city.
Location: 231 Oxford St, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010
Opening hours: Mondays to Saturdays, 5:30pm till late
6. Teddy’s
Perched above Warren View Hotel, this family-run neighbourhood bar offers a relaxed warmth that comes with its velvet seats, leather couches and a cosy fireplace for cold nights. We love that the venue centers around support for local producers, featuring Australian distilleries, small batch wine producers and craft breweries on its drinks list.
To go with the sunset views in the evenings, the signature Golden Hour with Archie Rose botanical vodka is a must-have. No matter your bevvy of choice, don’t skip out on the flavourful classics to share, such as charred octopus and sausage rolls.
Location: Level 1/2 Stanmore Rd, Enmore NSW 2042
Opening hours: Wednesdays to Saturdays 5pm – midnight. Closed Sundays to Tuesdays.
7. Ennui
Housed in a 178-year-old sandstone building just a little away from the Capitol Theatre, this brand new Haymarket locale affords quiet, romantic ambience for pre- or post-show dining. Beautiful fresh produce sourced locally leads the menu, marked by French technique, Aussie flavours and influences from Thailand, Japan and China.
Pronounced on-wee, come for the sublime namesake duck – painstakingly hand-salted, cured, blanched, glazed and dry-aged, then smoked, roasted and fried to perfection. There’s also a childhood-inspired family recipe fried chicken wings that absolutely smashes. Drinks are in no way second to the great food here; order the cocktails for a fine surprise.
Location: 461 Pitt St, Haymarket NSW 2000
Opening hours: Tuesdays to Fridays 12 –11pm, Saturdays 5 –11pm, Closed Sundays and Mondays.
JDA Hotels Picks
One of Sydney’s leading hospo groups to thank for food and pub culture and incredibly wide opening hours, here are three JDA Hotel venues we’re spotlighting for the season:
8. The General Gordon Hotel
For the attitude and eclectic vibe of the Inner West, The General Gordon delivers and steps it up with a high-end feel from decor to menu. The Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern style fare is what to come for, but there’s plenty of pub classics to go around. The team recommends a smoked chicken and pea risotto that’s all the colour of spring, plus a glass of wine to finish!
Location: 20 Swain St, Sydenham NSW 2044
Opening hours: Daily 10am – 3am, except Sundays 10am – midnight
9. The Peakhurst
Three-tiered amphitheatre-style beer garden, four bars, several dining spaces, a children’s playroom, sports bar, and a drive-thru bottle shop. If you’re out for a versatile venue, consider The Peakhurst your next destination. This one fits the bill whether it’s a group of mates, a family gathering or a lunch date. There’s something on the menu for everyone, and the light and bright grilled prawn tacos are one to order. On Thursday nights, the Burger & Beer promo is a delicious $25 deal.
Location: 705 Forest Rd, Peakhurst NSW 2210
Opening hours: Mondays to Thursday 10am – 3am, Fridays and Saturdays 10am – 4am and Sundays 10am – midnight
10. Union Place Hotel
Head south to Jannali for a stellar brunch spot at Union Place Hotel. The outdoor seating with umbrellas overhead, white patio chairs and textbook blue tiles offer wonderful beaming vibes for good weather dining. Dip into an antipasto platter to share, and pick from a selection of hearty pizzas and pasta dishes. The Mandarin 75 cocktail featuring gin, prosecco, honey, lemon and mandarin is the perfect drink under the sun.
Location: 34 Railway Cres, Jannali NSW 2226
Opening hours: Daily 10am – 12am, except Sundays 10am – 10pm
Venues are listed in no particular order.
