From Friday, May 15th venues in NSW can offer limited dine-in service. So, where should you visit?
It’s been something all foodies have been craving for weeks. In exciting news, the NSW government has announced earlier this week that restaurants, cafes and even pubs and clubs can reopen for a limited dine-in trade of 10 people. While many venues aren’t able to trade under these restrictions, some are reopening their doors for dine-in. Find out more below!
6HEAD, The Rocks
After 3 months of closure, the modern Australian steakhouse, 6HEAD is reopening for dine-in from July 8th. During this time, Head of Culinary for Seagrass Boutique Hospitality Group, Sean Hall and 6HEAD Head Chef, Scott Grieve had time to reflect, refine and evolve the menu to an ambitious one that introduces 6HEAD’s new innovative Dry Ageing Program of large premium steaks designed for sharing from bespoke providores Collinson & Co and Tender Valley. The result? Expect an imaginative menu of dry-aged meats so tender you can cut with a spoon. Find out more here.
Babylon Rooftop, CBD
Babylon’s restaurant and bar are open, with separate menus available for the restaurant and bar. The venue’s iconic ‘Meze and Bottomless Mimosa’ offering has been updated to just $50 per person (running weekends from 10:30am to 12pm). Guests will receive unlimited mimosas matched with the chef’s selection of meze. Bookings are essential via bookings@babylonrooftop.com.au. Whilst bookings aren’t necessary across the venue, they are encouraged due to capacity restrictions (with bookings of up to 20 pax welcomed). Find out more here.
Baccomatto Osteria, Randwick
Attention Sydney, Bacco is back! Hatted Italian restaurant Baccomatto Osteria will be welcoming customers back into its Randwick restaurant from May 15th. The team will be bringing the signature Italian hand-made pasta and pizzas that we all know and love, dishing up a combination of beloved favourites such as Rigatoni Ragù with mouth-watering slow-cooked Roman ragù plus some more experimental specials.
Baccomatto Osteria (162-164 Barker St, Randwick) will be taking bookings for lunch and dinner (2-4 pax) via their websites (restrictions apply). Find out more here.
Banksia Bistro, Banksia
Since the lockdown began, the Banksia Bistro and chef Colin Fassnidge have been producing and coordinating (with a little help from their friends) free meals every week for the most hard-hit families in our community in the local area. In exciting news, the venue is reopening its doors for limited dine-in service (up to 10 people) from Thursday, May 21st. The venue will be offering dining only from Thursdays to Sundays with 1.5-hour seatings from 12pm to 3pm and 5pm to 8pm. Bookings are essential and takeaway (pick-up) is also available. Find out more here.
bibo Wine Bar, Double Bay
From the moment Sydneysiders were told venues could reopen for limited dine-in trade, Sydney’s intimidate wine bar bibo was completed booked out over two weekends (all in the space of 48 hours of the announcement). The team has now launched ‘the bibo dining experience’, available for $100 per person on Thursday-Sunday evenings and Sunday lunch. The experience features an eight-course set menu that includes many of the favourite dishes which have featured on their menu over the past four years and a glass of champagne, beer or cocktail on arrival.
This next available seating is from Sunday 24 May with a very limited number of seats remaining. As of next Thursday 21 May, bibo wine bar will open for Thursday night trading due to high demand. Bibo’s dining experience will be available Thurs to Sun with seatings at 6pm and 8:30pm (as well as on Sundays at 12pm and 2:30pm). Bookings are made via email: contact@bibowinebar.com.au.
Bopp & Tone, CBD
While the CBD restaurant and bar Bopp & Tone might not be swinging its door open again until August, we’re excited to see the return of this opulent venue. With a menu of Australian-meets-Mediterranean eats prepared using seasonal produce, we can’t wait to be drinking and dining in the glamorous spot this winter. Find out more here.
Bush, Redfern
The casual, New Australian-inspired eatery Bush has reopened its doors to dine-in customers from Friday, May 15th. Get your dose of delicious burgers and fairy bread pudding (seriously) from this innovative venue. Find Bush at 55 George Street, Redern. Lear more here.
Café Mckenzie, Randwick
Coffee lovers will rejoice with the reopening of Café Mckenzie, serving specialty blended coffee and Middle Eastern menu to the locals with spaced out seating areas throughout. The family-oriented café are still offering takeaway for those looking for a bite to eat on-the-go.
Café Mckenzie is now open at 154 Barker Street, Randwick). Open 7 days, 7am to 4pm. Find out more here.
Cento 22, Castlecrag
Cuckoo Callay, Surry Hills
From May 15th, the iconic Surry Hills cafe Cuckoo Callay will be reopening their doors for limited dine-in seating. The team has enforced strict new policies such as hand sanitizer for all guest, enforcing 1.5m social distancing with limited tables for seating and a preference for contactless transactions. Plus, they are still offering their #StaySafe takeaway menu of brunch eats and drinks.
Find Cuckoo Callay at 413-415 Crown Street, Surry Hills. Find out more here.
Devon Cafe, North Sydney
Bringing its signature fine-dining approach to casual café food, Devon Cafe’s North Sydney outpost is reopening to punters from Friday, May 15th. The best bit? Their reopening for dine in with a new menu! Find out more here.
DOC Sydney, Surry Hills
Delicious pizza and Italian eats are returning to Surry Hills. The crew from DOC Sydney are now taking limited bookings for dine-in from Friday, May 15th. Simply call the venue on (02) 9211 1507 to secure your spot. Find out more here.
Don’t Tell Aunty, Surry Hills
No-frills inauthentic Indian food from the colourful Don’t Tell Aunty restaurant is now available for dine-in. From Friday, May 15th the venue will be serving 10 dine in customers for lunch Fri, Sat and Sun from 11am-3pm, with 1 hour seatings. Find out more here.
Edition, Haymarket
Score specialty coffee brews and Japanese-inspired brunch eats from Edition Haymarket. Reopening for dine-in from Monday, May 17th, get ready to enjoy delicious bites in the inner city. Find out more here.
Endeavour Tap Rooms, The Rocks
We’re getting mighty excited for Endeavour Tap Rooms to swing open their doors for dine-in from August 2020. This premium brew and smokehouse is the perfect spot for a hearty feed for your crew in one of Sydney’s most historic neighbourhoods. Find out more here.
Estate, Coogee
Estate in Coogee Beach is Sydney’s newest super venue. Estate is a three-restaurant venue including Terrace (an open-air casual diner); Kitchen (a formal restaurant); and Taqueria (a Mexican eatery and Margarita bar). There’s also a private karaoke room as well.
Estate is currently open to all guests – no bookings required. Taqueria is open 7 days a week and accepts walk-ins only, with Kitchen open for dinner Thursday to Sunday, and weekend lunches. Until further notice, Terrace will be closed. To book your spot at the Kitchen, click here.
Hartsyard, Newtown
From June 3rd, the team from Hartsyard will be welcoming limited numbers of punters through their doors for dine-in. The team are offering 2 x 10 pax sittings Wednesday through to Saturday (6pm – 8pm and then 8.30pm until close, leaving a good gap between seatings for proper cleaning and sanitising procedures!) and will be offering an $88pp 5-course set menu. They have also created a bit more of a relaxed bar theme by adding a lounge area.
I Maccheroni, Woollahra
Want to score authentic Italian eats with 9 of your mates? The team from Woollahra’s I Maccheroni are opening up for private dining takeovers of 10 people, perfect for enjoying a quality dining with your nearest and dearest. The 3-course feast and $500 drinks tab is available to book in now for $1,000 (that works out to be $100 per person). Find out more here.
Jackalberry, CBD
This CBD eatery offering breakfast, lunch and dinner from Monday- Saturday from 7am ‘til late. Enjoy an eclectic mix of globally inspired dishes, cocktails, beers and wines. Bookings and walk-ins welcomed. Find out more here.
Kazabah, Darling Harbour
Kepos & Co, Waterloo
From Thursday, May 21st Waterloo’s Kepos & Co restaurant will be open for dine-in on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. The venue will have 2 sittings, 6pm-8pm or 8pm onwards for a max. of 10 people at the moment until more restrictions are lifted. Diners will be served a chef’s selection menu ($65 per person, with the restaurant able to cater to dietary requirements) and pre-payment essential. The restaurant has already sold out multiple nights, so get in quick! Find out more here.
Kuro, Sydney CBD
The team from Sydney’s upscale Japanese restaurant Kuro is now welcoming bookings for both lunch and dinner from Tuesdays to Saturdays. The restaurant will be serving a chef selection set menu for dinner ($80 or $120 per head) as well as a set menu ($40) and a standard lunch menu available for lunch seatings. Lunch will seated from 12pm (last orders 2:30pm) and dinner from 5:30pm (last orders 10pm). To find out more and book your spot, click here.
Kurumac, Marrickville
Craving a dose of Japanese comfort food? Thankfully, the team from Marrickville’s Kurumac cafe has reopened for dine-in from Friday, May 15th. The venue will be inviting up to 10 punters into the space at a time, serving delicious dishes such as Japanese-style white toast with seaweed butter, dashi scrambled eggs, mixed veggie tempura and green tea soba plus more. Find out more here.
La Palma, Bondi
Bondi’s new Cuban-inspired cocktail bar and eatery has reopened. The venue is now taking bookings for private parties of 10 people, offering a 2.5-hour bottomless brunch package for $105 per person (including unlimited tacos, margaritas, wine and beer). To make a booking, please email the venue info@lapalma.com.au or send us a direct message on Instagram here.
Lotus Dumpling Bar, Walsh Bar
Lotus Dumpling Bar is open for dine-in once again, offering intimate dining experiences for 2 on Fridays and Saturdays (with plans to open for lunch in June). With an open kitchen, watch the dumpling chefs practice their much sought-after skills as they continue to fold and create perfect dumplings, time and time again. Diners can choose between a classic or vegetarian set banquet while dining at Lotus Dumpling Bar. Find out more here.
Madame Shanghai, Darlinghurst
The contemporary Chinese eatery and bar, Madame Shanghai has reopened for dine-in. Set in the heart of Darlinghurst, the venue is now open from Wednesday to Saturday, 2 sitting times available (5:30 – 7:30pm / 7:45 -9:00pm) with 2 set menus for diners to choose from. Plus, the restaurant has plans to reopen for launch in June. Find out more here.
Manta, Woolloomooloo
It’s probably been a while since you last enjoyed a fresh seafood feast prepared by world-class chefs, washed down with a glass of wine, overlooking one of the best harbour views in Sydney. Well, the wait is almost over! Manta reopens next week and Sydney’s freshest seafood awaits. Find out more here.
Matteo, Double Bay
The Italian eatery Matteo Double Bay has reopened for dine-in from lunch, Friday, May 15th. Bookings are now available for tables of 2 to 10 guests on one table. Guests no longer need to dine on a set menu, but a minimum spend for both food and drink is in place ($80 for Wed, Thur and Sun and $100 for Fri and Sat). Find out more here.
Métisse, Potts Point
Score French fine dining eats from Potts Point restaurant Métisse. The venue has reopened for a limited dine-in trade from Friday, May 15th. Bookings are only open via the website, with two sitting available at 6pm and 8:30pm. Find out more here.
Mode Kitchen + Bar, CBD
The team from Mode Kitchen has reopened for dine-in service, welcoming up to 50 guests into their venue (while practicing social distancing and COVID-safe procedures). Presently, their chef’s are preparing a reduced menu of starters, mains and dessert (but in due course, they will build back up to a full menu). To browse the menu and book your spot, click here.
Molo, Woolloomooloo
Nakano Darling, Haymarket
Delicious Japanese izakaya snacks are back! The team from Haymarket’s Nakano Darling has reopened for dine-in, allowing up to 10 customers to grab a seat from Friday, May 15th from 11am to 10pm. Find out more here.
New Shanghai, Various Locations
Nikkei Bar & Restaurant, Surry Hills
From July 2nd, the Peruvian-Japanese restaurant Nikkei will be reopening. Nikkei Bar & Restaurant will re-open with two new menu offerings from Thursday to Saturday evenings: bookings-only set menu dining in the restaurant with two sittings per night, and a more casual bar food menu in its smaller, no-bookings bar side. To find out more about their reservation policy and to book your spot, click here.
No.5 Restaurant, Alexandria
One Another, Newtown
One of Sydney’s best cafes, One Another Newtown, has reopened for dine-in from Friday, May 15th. There won’t be bookings available, so it’s first in best dressed. Swing by weekends from 8-2pm and weekdays 7-2pm. Find out more here.
Ormeggio at The Spit 2.0
Peppe’s, Bondi
The all-vegan gnocchi ba, Peppe’s is serving Sydneysiders for dine-in once again. Located in the heart of Bondi, punters can book in for a bite to eat from Friday, May 15th. Bookings only with a max. of 10 diners, open Wed to Sun with 5:30pm and 7pm sittings (with a $65 set menu and glass of wine included). Head to their website to book your spot here.
Pizza Fritta 180, Surry Hills
Calzone-like pizza frittas are back on the menu! The team from Pizza Fritta 180 are reopening their venue to allow up to 10 dine-in customers at a time. Their full menu will be on offer and the eatery will be open from Tuesday to Sunday from 12pm to 10pm. Find out more here.
Poly, Surry Hills
The restaurant-meets-wine-bar Poly, situated in the heart of Surry Hills has just reopened for dine-in. The venue will be taking bookings for 6:30pm and 8:30pm seatings and will open from 5pm for limited walk-in spots. Although the menu will be limited, the wine list will not. Find out more here.
Raphael’s, CBD
Rolling Penny, Newtown
The neighbourhood cafe Rolling Penny will be reopening for dine-in service as of Saturday, May 16th. The venue will be serving up some of their much-loved classics along with a range of specials. They will be taking bookings via Facebook or Instagram DM. Find out more here.
Sailmaker Restaurant, CBD
Sailmaker’s Signature Seafood Table is back with a twist, now served directly to your table, high tea style.
Expected three tiers of fresh seafood from the iconic Sydney Seafood Market (prawns, oysters, octopus, blue swimmer crab and mussel ceviche), a selection of charcuterie, marinated vegetables, artisan cheeses and salads. Plus two hot main dishes with vegetables and an assortment of 5 desserts.
Sailmaker’s Signature Seafood Table is available every Friday & Saturday Dinner: $79 per person (1 1/2 hour sitting) and every Saturday & Sunday Lunch: $95 per person with free-flowing Sparkling Wine (2 hour sitting). To book your spot, click here.
Sample Coffee Pro Shop, St Peters
The team from Sample Coffee has reopened dine-in at their Pro Shop in St Peters. There are will be limited seating of up to 10 people, with dine-in food and coffee all served in disposable takeaway wares to keep everyone healthy and safe. Find out more here.
Sáng by MABASA, Surry Hills
The intimate Korean restaurant Sang by MABASA will be reopening for a very limited dine-in offering from Friday, May 15th. Due to the size of the venue, only 7 punters will be able to dine-in at a time, with the venue now taking bookings for 2 seatings for the evenings of Wednesday – Sunday, maximum of 4 people in a single group. The venue has already booked out numerous nights, so get in quick to secure your spot here.
Secolo Dining, CBD
Single O, Surry Hills
The crew from beloved specialty coffee and brunch spot Single O have reopened with 5 tables from Friday, May 15th. Their new autumn menu will be served along with delicious brews. Find out more here.
SoCal, Neutral Bay
On Monday, June 22nd the crew from SoCal will be reopening their doors for dine-in. The Neutral Bay restaurant and bar will reopen on June 22, and the sunny rooftop terrace has also had a complete re-vamp whilst in hibernation! During the first 3-nights of trade (Mon 22 – Weds 24 June), SoCal will operate as a Taqueria, serving up their legendary Tacos, along with all-time favourites Guac and Black Corn Tortilla Chips and Churros with Dulce de Leche sauce. All food sales will be on-the-house with diners encouraged to leave a ‘Taco tip’, choosing what they pay – with all tips going to Applejack employees as part of the group-wide Food Sales For Staff initiative. Find out more here.
Sonora Mexican, Potts Point
The newly launched taqueria and mezcal bar, Sorona has just reopened for up to 10 guests at a time from 5pm Friday, May 15th. Bookings are essential, with each sitting running 1.5 hours. To book, contact the venue on info@sonora-mexican.com.au. Find out more here.
Sugarcane, Coogee
The Botanist, Kirribili
It’s only a few weeks to go until The Botanist Kirribilli swings open its doors. Set to reopen on July 13th 2020, the venue is already taking bookings so you can secure your spot ahead of time. Find out more here.
The Butler, Potts Point
From July 6th, Pott’s Points The Butler will be reopening for dine-in and we couldn’t be more excited. This forest-like oasis offers panoramic views of the city skyline with a terrace made for sipping delicious wines and cocktails. Find out more here.
The Dolphin, Surry Hills
Have a craving for a get together with everyone you’ve been missing? The Dolphin team is pleased to also be able to offer your own private dining experience for up to groups of 10. Enjoy your own set menu, bespoke wine
list, private table and courtyard with an open fireplace. You can even walk into the wine store and select any bottle you like! Bookings essential.
Plus, the Delfino Burger & Wine Bar will be offering limited dine-in (walk-ins only!). As the first step in re-opening, the venue has a seated drink and dining area which opens with 10 people and will increase as soon as restrictions are lifted. Order from the Delfino Burger & Wine Bar all day long or from the extended kitchen menu of entrees, pizza, pasta and main dishes on the weekends. Limited seats until restrictions lift, walk-in and waitlist only, no pre-bookings. Find out more here.
The Fine Food Store, The Rocks
The Fine Food Store is a small family business operating from a cobblestone lane in The Rocks for 16 years. No stranger to reinvention, launching in 2004 as a gourmet food providore (with teeny café on the side) later extending to a full Café in line with demand on local creative businesses adopting it’s quirky, warm space as a community hub. The team has been open throughout the shutdown period, offering takeaway eats for pick-up and local delivery 7 days a week. Now, you can sit-down for dine-in service weekdays (8am to 2pm) and weekends (8am to 3pm). Find out more here.
The Meat & Wine Co., Various Locations
Putting Afro-centric dining front-and-centre, The Meat & Wine Co delivers some of Sydney’s best steaks from hand-selected farms across Australia (and equally delicious wines to match). The restaurants Parramatta location is now taking bookings, due to reopen on June 25th. Find out more here.
The Stinking Bishops, Newtown
Need a dose of Fromage? The team from The Stinking Bishops are reopening for table service from Friday, May 15th. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday they will be offering 3 sittings: 5pm, 6:30pm and 8pm. According to government restrictions, we will limit to 10 people at a time. To book your spot, call the team on 02 95506116. The venue will also remain open for takeaway and delivery, and their retail shop is still open with usual hours.
Find The Stinking Bishops at Shop 5, 63-71 Enmore Road, Newtown. Find out more here.
The Squire’s Landing, The Rocks
Head to the waterfront spot The Squire’s Landing, now open with just one menu on offer (available both in their Brewhouse on the Ground Level and Outdoor Terrace as well as upstairs in the venue’s restaurant). Due to capacity restrictions, bookings are highly recommended. Find out more here.
Three Blue Ducks, Bronte
Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel
Yullis’ Brews, Alexandria
Get your dose of delicious vegan eats and local craft brews from Yullis’ Brews, Alexandria. The taproom and eatery have reopened for dine-in from Friday, May 15th. Call 9519 0161 or email brewery@yullis.com.au to make a reservation. Find out more here.
