June 2026
Winter has officially arrived, and Sydney is leaning into the season with a calendar full of comfort food, cultural celebrations and events worth braving the cooler evenings for. This month sees neighbourhood festivals take over entire streets, beloved restaurants serving up limited-edition winter menus, and some of the city’s biggest cultural institutions unveiling experiences designed to spark conversation. Whether you’re chasing lasagne on a Sunday night, planning your Pride Month social calendar or simply looking for an excuse to order dessert first, here’s what to eat, drink and see this June.
Leichhardt Celebrates Food, Music and Community with Taste the Music
Sydney’s Little Italy is turning up the volume this June as the inaugural Taste the Music festival takes over Leichhardt for two days of live entertainment, street-side dining and community celebration. Running across 19 and 20 June, the free festival invites visitors to explore Norton Street and beyond through the suburb’s defining pillars: food, music and culture.
The weekend kicks off with $7 Aperol Spritz specials, fresh cannoli, outdoor DJ sets and live jazz performances, while iconic local venues including La Botte D’Oro, Moretti Ristorante and Capriccio Osteria bring the streets to life. On Saturday, the festivities continue with coffee and biscotti breakfasts, live performances from emerging musicians, circus acts and the Australian premiere of Broadway musical Tootsie at Teatro. Find out more here.
Sydney’s Best Waterfront Restaurants Are Offering Up to 50% Off This Month
If you’ve had your eye on one of Sydney’s waterfront dining destinations, June might be the time to finally book that table. SRG Hospitality has announced the return of its annual dining promotion, offering up to 50 per cent off menus across eleven of its venues from 1 June.
Joining the promotion for the first time are waterfront Greek restaurant Akti and contemporary British restaurant The James, alongside favourites including The Fenwick, Ripples Chowder Bay, Noi and Ormeggio. Menus showcase some of each venue’s standout dishes, from scallop crudo and handmade ravioli to lobster Arnold Bennett and slow-cooked pork collar. It’s a rare opportunity to experience some of Sydney’s most sought-after dining rooms at a fraction of the usual price, and bookings are expected to move quickly. Find out more here.
Messina Has Just Launched a Biscoff Cookie Pie for Winter
Winter and comfort food go hand in hand, and Messina has delivered exactly that with the launch of its newest bake-at-home Cookie Pie. Available from 29 May across all stores, the limited-edition creation features a buttery cookie shell filled with Biscoff crumb-infused dulce de leche before being topped with even more Biscoff crumble.
The launch coincides with the return of Messina’s much-loved Super Specials Month, which runs from 2 to 27 June. Throughout the month, all stores will feature ten rotating special flavours, with two new creations unveiled daily across social media. For those who treat Messina specials like a competitive sport, consider this your warning to clear some freezer space. Find out more here.
Mardi Gras Is Bringing the Party Back for Pride Month
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is extending the celebrations well beyond festival season with a packed Pride Month program designed to bring the community together throughout June. From après-ski-inspired dance parties to trivia nights celebrating LGBTQIA+ history, this year’s line-up offers something for every type of Mardi Gras fan.
Highlights include APRÈS GRAS at The Beresford, where drag performances, DJ sets and special appearances from Marcia Hines and Brendan Maclean promise a winter party with serious energy. Winter Violet returns to City Recital Hall with three stages and a special DJ set from Ladyhawke, while Mardi Gras Trivia Night heads to Paddington on the anniversary of the first Mardi Gras in 1978. As Sydney edges closer to the festival’s landmark 50th anniversary in 2028, these events feel less like fundraisers and more like a celebration of the community that built it.
Chiswick Is Hosting a Six-Week Lasagne Series with Some of Sydney’s Best Chefs
Lasagne is getting the spotlight it deserves this winter thanks to Chiswick’s new Sunday night Lasagne Series. Running from 14 June to 19 July, the six-week event brings together chefs from across the Solotel family, alongside Matt Moran, for a rotating menu of one-night-only lasagne creations.
Matt Moran launches the series with a Braised Beef Cheek Lasagne before chefs including North Bondi Fish’s David Coumont and Aria’s Tom Gorringe present their own interpretations in the weeks that follow. Expect everything from rich ragùs to lighter seasonal combinations, all served as part of a $55 set menu that includes focaccia, salad and tiramisu. It feels tailor-made for Sydney’s cooler evenings, offering the sort of comforting Sunday dinner most of us wish we had growing up. Find out more here.
Carriageworks Is Hosting Two of Sydney’s Most Thought-Provoking Cultural Events
For those looking beyond the dining scene, Carriageworks has two major events worth adding to the calendar. First up is the Incognito Art Show, Australia’s largest anonymous art exhibition, arriving from 24 June to 5 July. Every artwork is sold at the same price, with artists remaining anonymous until after purchase, creating a rare opportunity for emerging and established creatives to sit side by side.
Looking ahead to August, the Festival of Dangerous Ideas has also unveiled its 2026 program. Returning on 22 and 23 August, the festival brings together leading thinkers, artists and commentators for a series of talks, performances and interactive experiences designed to challenge perspectives and spark debate. If your ideal winter weekend includes as much intellectual stimulation as it does eating and drinking, both events deserve a place on your radar.
The Return of Roast Dinner Season Has Arrived
There are few meals more synonymous with winter than a proper roast dinner. As temperatures drop across Sydney, pubs, bistros and restaurants are rolling out slow-roasted meats, crispy potatoes, Yorkshire puddings and rich gravies designed for long lunches and even longer afternoons.
Whether you’re after a traditional Sunday roast, a modern take on the classic or simply somewhere cosy to spend a chilly afternoon, now is the perfect time to revisit one of the season’s great dining rituals. Check out our guide to Sydney’s best roast dinners for all the spots worth booking this winter. Find our full guide here.
North Bondi Fish Disco Yum Cha
Available every Saturday and Sunday from 6th June–1st August.
Inspired by Bondi’s coastal lifestyle and the golden era of 70s disco, the weekend series combines Disco DJs and ocean views with Asian-influenced seafood dishes, laidback share-style dining and signature cocktails. Guests are invited to choose from a $65pp or $89pp set Yum Cha menu, with optional add-ons. $15 Aperol Spritz specials will be served, plus bottomless offerings including wine, beer and prosecco ($30pp) or a specially crafted cocktail package ($60pp). Further info and bookings HERE
May 2026
As autumn settles in, Sydney and Melbourne lean into a more considered pace, one where dining becomes a little more immersive, and events feel worth planning around. This month is all about one-off collaborations, thoughtful reopenings and experiences that reward those willing to book ahead. From cross-cultural chef residencies to waterfront markets and long lunches that turn into dinners, here’s what to eat, sip, and see this May.
Ibushi x Morena Bring a Nikkei-Inspired Dining Collaboration to Sydney
For two nights only, Ibushi at Prefecture 48 is joining forces with Latin American fine diner Morena for a collaboration that explores the intersection of Japanese and Latin flavours. Landing mid-May, the four-course menu draws on the bold, citrus-led notes of Nikkei cuisine, layered with Ibushi’s signature fire-driven approach. Expect dishes that feel both technical and expressive, from Southern Rock lobster with acevichado sauce and aji amarillo to tuna belly paired with Yarra Valley caviar and banana prawns. It’s a rare chance to experience two distinct culinary perspectives coming together for something entirely new, and one that’s likely to book out quickly.
The Boathouse Balmoral Reopens With a Southeast Asian-Inspired Refresh
One of Sydney’s most iconic beachside venues is stepping into a new era this May, as The Boathouse Balmoral unveils a refreshed space and reimagined menu. Following a two-week refurbishment, the venue returns with an elevated coastal aesthetic and a Southeast Asian-influenced offering led by Head Chef Ty Bellingham. While the relaxed, sandy-foot charm remains, the menu leans into bolder territory, think spanner crab omelettes, chilli jam-laced bacon and egg rolls, and an ice bar showcasing fresh seafood at its peak. Come evening, the space shifts into a more refined dining experience, with share-style dishes designed to reflect both technical precision and the laid-back Balmoral energy.
Step Inside Casa della Nonni: A Bippi Museum Experience
Step inside a slice of Southern Italy this month as Bippi takes over LaManna Supermarket with “Casa della Nonni”, a nostalgic, fully immersive in-store activation celebrating the launch of its new Italian Pretzels (Taralli). Running for six weeks from May 18th, the experience invites guests to wander through a retro Italian home, complete with vintage interiors, curated displays and cultural storytelling that brings traditional snacking rituals to life. Expect tastings, interactive moments, and weekend events, all designed to blend heritage, food and a little bit of Nonna-style magic. Find out more info here.
Barangaroo Artisan Market Returns for a Mother’s Day Weekend Takeover
Just in time for Mother’s Day, Barangaroo Artisan Market is back, transforming the waterfront into a vibrant hub of local makers, food and live entertainment. With over 70 stallholders, the market offers everything from handcrafted jewellery and ceramics to native Australian pantry staples and sustainably made homewares. Beyond the shopping, the atmosphere leans festive, with roving performers, live music and plenty of interactive moments for families. Whether you’re hunting for a thoughtful gift or simply looking for an easy weekend plan by the harbour, this is one to lock in.
The King’s Cross Restaurant Loved by Bowie, Richards and Sydney’s Late-Night Scene Turns 40
In a city obsessed with the new, Caffe Roma has spent four decades proving the staying power of consistency. This May, the Kings Cross institution celebrates its 40th anniversary, marking a milestone few Sydney restaurants ever reach. Since opening in 1986, the Italian stalwart has quietly become one of the city’s most recognisable dining rooms, not through reinvention, but through its unwavering commitment to traditional hospitality, generous Italian cooking and a distinctly low-key charm. Founded by the Tozzi family and inspired by their upbringing on the Italian Riviera, the restaurant has long attracted a loyal following that spans locals, late-night regulars, and an impressive roster of celebrity diners, from David Bowie and Keith Richards to Naomi Campbell and Baz Luhrmann. While much of Sydney’s dining scene has shifted around it, Caffe Roma has remained intentionally familiar, with signature dishes like gnocchi al pesto, penne amatriciana, and house-made tiramisù continuing to define the menu decades later.
Colombo Social Hosts a One-Night-Only Takeover with Sav Perera
For one night only, Colombo Social is handing over the kitchen to MasterChef Australia finalist Sav Perera for a menu that dives deep into Sri Lankan flavours. The shared-style offering is both personal and precise, drawing on Perera’s heritage and the influence of her mother’s cooking, while embracing the seasonal shift into autumn. Expect bold, spice-driven dishes, from hopper batter crumpets with caramelised onion sambal to coconut dhal and blackened fish layered with citrus and heat. It’s an intimate, flavour-packed evening that speaks to storytelling through food, and one that’s best experienced with a group.
Where’s Nick Enters a New Era with a Noma-Trained Head Chef
Inner West favourite Where’s Nick is stepping into a new chapter this season, welcoming Head Chef Nick Kavenagh to lead the kitchen alongside Sam Gilmore. Fresh from a stint at Noma, with experience spanning Core by Clare Smyth and Vue de Monde, Kavenagh brings serious culinary pedigree, but the direction here is anything but formal. The menu is evolving into something more refined and produce-driven, with subtle ferments and thoughtful techniques woven into snackable plates and generous share dishes designed to sit seamlessly alongside the bar’s ever-rotating wine list. It’s a natural progression for owner Bridget Raffal’s cult Marrickville spot, where the food is stepping up without losing the laid-back, wine-first energy that’s made it a local institution.
& Kenza Tazi Takes Over the Kitchen
This May, Where’s Nick continues its next chapter with a month-long residency from chef and author Kenza Tazi. Known for her Mediterranean-inspired cooking and cookbook Love and Harissa, Tazi brings a flavour-led approach that leans into bold spices, seasonal produce, and dishes designed to be shared. Expect plates like cobia crudo with green harissa, rhubarb, and rosewater, alongside lamb croquettes with date ketchup, both capturing her balance of brightness and depth. The menu will evolve across the month, giving regulars a reason to return, while pairing seamlessly with the bar’s ever-changing wine list.
Get Tickets For Australia’s Biggest Outback Music Festival
For those craving a music experience that feels more like an adventure, the 2026 Mundi Mundi Bash is shaping up to be one of the year’s most in-demand events. Set against the cinematic backdrop of the Mundi Mundi Plains just outside Broken Hill, Australia’s largest outback music festival has already sold 95 per cent of tickets ahead of its August 20th–22nd return. What began just four years ago has quickly evolved into a bucket-list event, drawing close to 15,000 campers, caravanners and music lovers for three days of live performances and distinctly Australian experiences. This year’s line-up spans generations, with The Teskey Brothers, John Butler, Jessica Mauboy and Boy & Bear among the headline acts. Beyond the music, expect camel rides, comedy, outdoor film screenings and a new pre-festival event, LIGHTFEST, bringing drone shows and activations to Broken Hill in the lead-up week.
Fenty Beauty Markette Pop-Up
To celebrate its expansion into Myer stores nationwide, Fenty Beauty is bringing its most immersive consumer experience yet to the heart of the CBD from May 14th-17th. Landing on Pitt Street Mall for four days only, the Fenty Beauty Markette transforms the shopping precinct into a highly visual pop-up designed to give fans a hands-on moment with the brand’s best-selling lip products. Alongside complimentary Gloss Bomb Deluxe samples with purchase, visitors can have their Gloss Bomb engraved on site and enter to win a prize pack featuring products from Fenty Beauty, Fenty Skin and Fenty Fragrance, valued at over $400.
Worth The Drive
The Henry Lawson Festival Returns This June Long Weekend
If you’re looking to trade city plans for a regional escape, the Henry Lawson Festival of Arts in Grenfell is worth mapping out now. Returning across the June long weekend, the festival blends literature, art and community into a program that feels both nostalgic and distinctly Australian. Set in the poet’s birthplace, the event invites visitors to slow down and experience country hospitality at its best, think heritage streets, local markets, creative showcases and wide-open landscapes. Whether you’re drawn by the cultural program or simply the excuse for a scenic road trip, it’s the kind of weekend that offers a reset, with plenty to explore along the way.
A Hunter Valley Wellness Retreat Opens A Brand New Restaurant
A Hunter Valley wellness retreat has quietly opened one of the region’s most interesting new lunch spots this winter. From May 18th, Elysia Wellness Retreat is opening Fusion Restaurant to the public for the very first time, previously reserved exclusively for retreat guests, it’s now welcoming walk-ins, locals and Hunter Valley visitors for lunch. Set against sweeping valley views, the menu champions seasonal wholefoods, protein-rich dishes and fresh herbs picked straight from Elysia’s own garden, with a balanced approach endorsed by the retreat’s on-site naturopath. Think crisp kataifi wrapped lamb puttanesca, baked Russet potato gnocchi and an avocado and dark chocolate mousse, nourishing without being restrictive, and exactly the kind of long lunch this part of the world was made for. Find out more here.
