Skip the supermarket queues and shop local at these restaurants and pubs now serving gourmet groceries and essential supplies.

Heading to our favourite restaurants and pubs might be a distant memory. However, Sydneysiders are a resilient bunch. In fact, venues across the city have pivoted to now act as pop-up marketplaces for gourmet groceries. Wondering where you should next time you’re low on canned goods, fresh produce and even toilet paper? Read more below.

Bar M, Rushcutters Bay

The iconic Bar M (formerly known as Bar Machiavelli) has been serving up delicious Italian cuisine to Sydneysiders for years, renowned for its rotating selection of antipasti and signature house-made pasta dishes. But now, you won’t be swinging by to score a bowl of pappardelle or gnocchi with a glass of Italian wine. Instead, the venue has transformed into a pop-up grocer, stocked with essentials and home-cooked meals. Here you’ll find tins of gourmet peeled tomatoes, pasta, a selection of cheese and charcuterie from their deli fridge as well as a selection of wines and spirits. Oh, and toilet paper (of course).

Find Bar M at 10 Neild Avenue, Rushcutters Bay. Open daily from 9am to 9pm. 

Fratelli Fresh

The team from Fratelli Fresh have transformed their restaurant offering into the Fratelli Fresh Grocer. The team has just launched a new online store, delivering ready-made meals, pasta sauces, fresh, dry and tinned grocery items plus essentials like hand soap, alcohol and toilet paper to Sydneysiders. Get your hands on chef-made meal packs including their family roast dinner, burger pack and even a pizza and salad pack. Plus, they’ve also launched a range of DIY cocktail kits, so you can mix a perfect G&T, Negroni or Aperol Spritz from home.

Fratelli Fresh is delivering 6 days per week between 2pm and 8pm (Monday to Saturday), with delivery for orders made before 5pm. To check if your suburb is within the delivery area, click here. Plus, you can also pick-up orders from Darling Harbour Fratelli Fresh Mon to Sat between 2-4pm. 

Three Blue Ducks, Bronte

This beachside stalwart has been serving the locals of Sydney for years. And in light of the challenging conditions facing hospitality businesses in 2020, Three Blue Ducks has pivoted their service to offer essential fruit and veggie boxes, packed with fresh produce as well as the option to add on extras such as organic farm eggs, loaves of sourdough from Iggy’s, milk and so much more. The boxes are available for pick-up Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 8-11am from the Bronte outpost (with delivery available Tuesdays and Fridays from 11am to 3pm). To find out more and order your box, click here.

Nel, Surry Hills

Surry Hills’ fine diner nel might no longer be able to welcome diners through their doors, but the team is pivoting to accommodate new social distancing restrictions. Say hello to the ‘nel Food Box’, a weekly food delivery box curated by the restaurant’s head chef Nelly Robinson. Inside, you’ll find these boxes packed with fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, seafood and more direct from local farmers and producers. Plus there are even easy-to-follow tips and recipes created by Nelly packed inside. There’s a bunch of box varieties available, including the Pantry Staples ($45) all the way up to Vegetarian ($80) and even the Meat/Seafood + Veggie Box ($130).

Order the nel. Food Box online here, with delivery taking place weekly on Tuesday and Thursday.

Single O, Surry Hills

Whether you’re looking for a delicious takeaway feed or need to stock up on the essentials, Single O’s Corner Store is the place to head. The cafe has transformed into a takeaway and corner store, serving up delicious ready-made meals (vac-packed to keep for 10 days in your fridge or even up to 3 months in your freeze) and pantry staples. Grab everything from wattleseed and coffee spiced brisket ($37/kg) to anise myrtle and chipotle pulled pork ($15) as well as loaves of bread, pepe saya salted butter, avocado, free-range eggs and more.

Find Single O at 60-64 Reservoir Street, Surry Hills. Orders can be made at the cafe or via the Bopple app (use code OTOGO to score 15% off your first order!)

The Tudor Hotel, Redfern

Heading the pub might not be on the cards for a while, but here’s a great way to show your support for this Redfern local. The Tudor Hotel has transformed into a convenience store, stocked with everything from fresh food to pantry staples, toilet paper as well as beer, wines, spirits and more. To browse their full range of stock, click here.

Find The Tudor Hotel at 90 Pitt Street Redfern, open 10am til late daily. 

The Royal, Leichhardt

Bringing together the best of your local butcher, bakery and grocer in one, The Royal has transformed from a watering hole into a gourmet grocer overnight. The team is offering a selection of essential supplies at affordable prices, helping you avoid the crowds at your local supermarket. To explore their full range of stock, click here. 

Find The Royal at 156 Norton Street, Leichhardt. Open daily from 10am till late.