Try something new this June with our curated guide of the best things to do at restaurants, bars & playgrounds across our city!
The cold weather has settled in and we know one sure-fire way of warming up – eating of course! Spend this month eating the best new menus to drop across Sydney, sipping cocktails in Happy Hour, warming up at home with the newest menus on Providoor, getting a taste of truffle season and so much more.
Try Matteo Downtown’s New Menu, CBD
We were lucky enough to get the first taste of Matteo Downtown’s new menu and boy were we impressed. From Beef Carpaccio, Filet Al Pepe, Cotoletta Milanese and Vodka Rigatoni let your taste buds be delighted by Italian flavours and incredible produce. All the pasta is hand-made daily and the pizza is a traditional style from Naples and Rome. The space has a buzzy atmosphere, perfect for group celebrations. We suggest dining on the set menus to try their most popular dishes. Discover the full menu and book here.
Week-Long After Dark Experience, Various Solotel venues (Tuesday 21st – Sunday 26th June)
The hospitality heavyweights from Solotel are marking the winter solstice with a star-studded line-up over six days. From Kings Cross to Surry Hills and Newtown to Parramatta, Solotel venues will exhibit tailored programming that embodies their origin ‘burb. From live bands at Waywards to deep techno at Kings Cross Hotel, slam poetry and comedy at The Erko to an art show at Paddo Inn and queer parties at The Darlo – all genres are covered to reflect the diversity of our favourite Sydney suburbs. Find out more here.
Relax, Play & Learn at Sydney’s Newest Festival, Wynsideout (Wednesday 29th – Thursday 30 June)
Keep their eyes peeled for a new immersive festival of food, fun and games which is popping up in the CBD this month! Taking place over two days between 8am-6pm, WYNSIDEOUT will feature a colourful playground of pop-up dining, team challenges and outdoor collaboration spaces, set against the backdrop of Wynyard Park. The festival will consist of four zones including the Play Zone, Relax Zone, Collaboration Zone and Eat Zone, inviting visitors and CBD commuters to come down and experience the park in a whole new way. Find out more here.
Try Bartolo’s New Menu, Surry Hills
This Surry Hills institution has launched a new menu as Head Chef Liam Driscoll joins the kitchen. With several awards under this apron from Big Poppa’s in Darlinghurst, it’s no surprise the menu has already received incredible feedback from the community, including our team here at Eat Drink Play. A serving of Gnocco Fritto with anchovy butter and Scarmozza & Pecorino in Carroza with romesco sauce are the perfect bite-size starters. The Tuna Crudo with black rice vinegar, mandarin agrumato and shallots is a more refined addition to the menu, while the Pappardelle with Wagyu beef shin ragu is hearty and should be served with a side of housemade focaccia to mop up the juices. Discover the new menu and book your table online here.
Enjoy Some Unadulterated Entertainment at Hijinx Hotel, Alexandria
Funlab is back with whatever the play version of Willy Wonka’s Wonderland is! A leisure-tainment paradise of nostalgia where guests ‘play, not stay’ featuring a faux hotel lobby, a lift, three cocktail bars and 15 quick-play challenge rooms. Housed on the set of a sophisticated New York hotel facade, each of the 15 challenge rooms are themed around a plethora of 80s and 90s cult classic movies and board games. Find out more here.
Taste Your Way Through The French Bistro Menu at The Strand, Darlinghurst
The Strand has remerged on William Street with a luxe interior renovation and a delectable French bistro menu – take it from us. Pull up a seat near the fireplace and keep warm with humble steak frites and duck leg pie, executed by Head Chef Alex Kavanagh. With a list of caviar on the menu and the finest French champagne, this is now a place to impress. Find out more and book here.
Visit Maydonaz For Happy Hour, CBD
Sydney CBD’s new plant-predominant venue has launched an irresistible Happy Hour every Monday – Friday between 4pm and 6pm. Get a taste of the delicious Aegean Turkish Coast-inspired menu with complimentary stone-baked bread and dips alongside a selection of $12 signature cocktails and $7 house wines, beers and spirits. Signature cocktails include the Spice Market Negroni, Turkish Coffee, Date Martini and more. Find out more about this new venue and book here.
Keep Warm With Curry Night at The Woollahra Hotel
Curry season has officially settled in! There’s no better way to warm up than with a bowl of curry. Luckily, Woollahra Hotel has launched Curry Night from 5pm every Thursday so you don’t have to do the hard work. Chef Jordan Muhamad who was recently responsible for the menu refresh has brought back Curry Night, drawing from his oriental cooking expertise honed at the likes of Spice Temple and Chin Chin. The selection of curries includes Thai Green Chicken, Beef Massaman, Hiramasa Kingfish & Prawn and Pumpkin Tofu, all served with steamed rice and a house beverage. No bookings required but arriving early is encouraged. Find out more here.
Take Fish Butchery Home With Providoor
Josh Niland has launched Fish Butchery on Providoor which means this Sydney staple it’s now available across Sydney’s East, Sydney and Canberra Metro, the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong, Newcastle and MCS South West Border. The menu includes all of Niland’s fan favourites including double-decker tuna burgers with smoked Murray cod bacon, fresh fish tacos, fish pie, Fish Butchery’s salmon Wellington and a prawn dumpling feast for two. Delivery is available from Thursday through to Sunday. Order online here.
Head To The Metro Markets on Smidmore St, Marrickville
Marrickville Metro is kicking off its brand new market series on Saturday, 11th of June. Marrickville’s favourite unique art and design store Hypmotive has partnered with fresh-food providores Panetta Mercato to curate an unmissable event every month. Expect a range of uniquely designed crafts from the best emerging and established local artists, designers and makers from the Inner West and beyond. There will be everything including unique art prints, homewares, handmade jewellery, and vintage fashion – plus you’ll be super close to Marrickville Metro if you work up an appetite! The event is free and you can find out more here.
Dig Into Decadent Truffles at Nomad’s Truffle Brunch Series, Surry Hills
Nomad has announced a spectacular brunch series to showcase our favourite little black delicacies. From the 12th of June at 10am – 12pm and continuing across the next four Sundays, guests can taste their way through a limited edition truffle menu including three-cheese manoush, ham hock hash brown, wood-roasted Bruny Island Saint, Pecan Cookie & Olive Oil Ice Cream Sandwich and more served with 2g of Manjimup, WA Black Truffle. There’s also a special drinks menu available including the Nomad Bloody Mary, Seasonal Bellini and Champagne Mimosa. Find out more and book here.
Make Giuls Surry Hills’ Popular Vodka Pasta Recipe
Vodka Pasta sure is having a moment in Sydney and we’re here for it. After catching icon Hayley Bieber hyping the dish on her Youtube channel supporting female business owners, Giulia Treuner and Esmeralda Perez (the duo behind Giuls in Surry Hills) were inspired to incorporate this delicious crowd-pleaser into their men, and they have just shared the recipe. Find out more here.
Good Food & Wine Show (Friday 24 – Sunday 26 June)
With the promise of over 600 wines and 60 types of cheese, you can lock us in for the Good Food & Wine Show 2022. This is a unique experience to meet the makers of some of your favourite products and celebrity chefs, learn something new at masterclasses and live cooking demos and take home a bunch of goodies including wines, cheeses and condiments. Whether you are a born and bred foodie or are simply looking for some fresh home-cooking inspiration, mark your calendars and get your tastebuds ready for a great day out. Find out more and get tickets here.
We will continue to add to our guide throughout June. Have something you think our readers would love? Email us newsletter@eatdrinkplay.com
