Elizabeth McDonald

In Sydney, there’s good Thai and there’s great Thai, and we’re all about the latter. From the best deep-fried snapper to the finest pad Thai outside of Chiang Mai, Time Out Sydney critics, including Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure (who has spent weeks happily eating her way around Bangkok, Krabi and Phuket), have rounded up our list of the best places to get your Sydney-Samui on in town. BYO milk. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. Want more? Check out the Secrets of Thaitown Food Tour here. Craving carbs? Try one of Sydney's best Italian restaurants. RECOMMENDED: The absolute best restaurants in Sydney

What’s the secret recipe for crafting an exceptional dining experience? In coming up with Time Out’s list of the best restaurants in Australia we considered a mix of ingredients. Talented chefs? Stylish decor? Lively ambience? Top-notch drinks? And of course, food that you can’t stop thinking about for days, months, or even years. Luckily, Australia’s restaurant scene is sizzling with spots that check all these boxes, plus so much more. Our nation’s top restaurants are a celebration of Australia’s native ingredients too. From an intimate 40-seat dining room cut into the rolling hills of Tasmania’s countryside to a 30-year-old institution overlooking Sydney’s sparkling Bondi Beach, these are the restaurants Time Out Australia’s team, including resident foodie Melissa Woodley, recommends for your next culinary adventure. RECOMMENDED: These are the best luxury hotels to book in Australia.

There are certain things in life that just never get old, no matter your age. Christmas morning, fireworks and hot chocolates are simple pleasures in life that never fail to make you feel like a kid again. There's a great deal of comfort to be found in a big mug of warmed milk with cocoa and sugar. To get that hit just right, our editors have scoured the streets of Sydney to find the best hot chocolates in town, and we're still on a jittery sugar high. From thick and rich, to smooth and creamy, these comforting cups of warmth will make any winter's day a whole lot sweeter.  Want more chocolate in your life? Check out the best chocolate shops in Sydney.

Leafy and buzzing Surry Hills might just be the neighbourhood with the very best of what this city has to offer in terms of eating and drinking. Whether it’s homestyle, hole-in-the-wall Korean or an all-out chef’s menu from a kitchen with nothing but open flames, each and every price point and palate is catered to on these streets, from the fringe of the city down to the bottom of Crown. Time Out Sydney's editors and critics, including Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure, have chosen their favourite picks from the 2010 postcode (and the home of Time Out Sydney HQ!). Go forth and eat well.  Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. Feel like a drink? These are the best bars in Surry Hills. After a bargain? Check out Sydney’s best cheap eats

July 2024 update: There’s no doubt about it, Sydney is cold right now. But it’s also still beautiful and delicious. Forget takeaway on the couch and instead rug up and visit one of our many excellent restaurants. Below, you’ll find new diners like Good Luck Restaurant Lounge and old faithfuls like Bennelong. One thing they have in common? They’re all worthy of your time. Here's our list of Time Out's best restaurants in Sydney right now, from hot newcomers to time-honoured institutions, curated by our expert local editors and critics who have tasted their way through Sydney, including Time Out's Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure. How did we narrow it down to the very best? When deciding, we considered fun, flavour, creativity, value for money – and 'wow' factor. So yes, of course, you’ll find a fine diner inside the Sydney Opera House here, but you’ll also find neighbourhood pasta, hole-in-the-wall Thai and venues right by the sea. Happy dining, Sydney. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED READ: Still hungry? Check out our guide to the best cheap eats in Sydney.

Barbecue and fried chicken might have once been the most popular manifestations of Korean cooking in Sydney, but that’s not even scratching the surface. When your cravings take you beyond the communal grills, Time Out Sydney's critics, including Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure – who visited South Korea in 2023 (read why you need to go Seoul here) – have rounded up the city’s top spots for platters of pork belly, hearty beef broths, kimchi hot pots, crunchy-leek pancakes, and cold buckwheat noodles, anju (Korean drinking food), and cheese-smothered rice-cakes.  And remember that restaurant-style Korean cuisine is often designed for big groups, so prepare for colossal hot pots and sizzling plates by bringing your gang with you.  Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED: Want more? Check out our guide to Sydney's top Korean barbecue joints here These are the best Japanese restauants in Sydney right now

Whether it's a lingering drizzle or a downpour for the ages, you don't want to get caught out in the city when it rains, nevermind with little ones in tow. It pays to have a few wet-weather tricks up your sleeve for when the cartoons and colouring-in book at home just aren't cutting it anymore. Luckily, our city is brimming with indoor playgrounds and kid-friendly museums – as well as craft workshops, leisure centres and active areas – so you can keep ’em busy 'til the rain, rain goes away.  That's the kids sorted, now what are you going to do? Check out our top picks of things to do in Sydney when it rains. Then when it stops raining, run off some steam at these outdoor playgrounds. 

July 2024 update: Let’s face it: life is expensive. But the good news is that you don’t need to stay home every night and survive on frozen pizza, thanks to our city’s incredible cheap eats. The best bit? Often they rival any dishes you would find in a fancy fine diner. We’ve rounded up the top places with prices that won’t burn a hole in your wallet, including our current faves Mami's, Spicy Joint and Albee's Kitchen. Because life’s too short to eat bad food. Going out for a meal is sometimes a big occasion, worth the splurge. But it doesn't have to be that way. From banh mi to tonkotsu ramen, biang biang noodles to vegan burgers, and pretty much everything else in between, some of Sydney's greatest culinary hits are the cheapest. Time Out Sydney critics, including Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure, have eaten their way around town to bring you this list, and while cheap isn't what it used to be, there are still lots of excellent affordable venues to check out. These are the ones well worth their salt. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. Want to spend less at the big-ticket players? Check out our cheap fine-dining hacks.

Sandwiches? Well, they're the best thing to come out of slicing bread. Here, the criteria is pretty simple: very good things in between two very good slices of well-sliced bread. No burgers, bagels, scrolls and banh mi (they’re a league of their own). No half-hearted strings of romaine here, no siree. Time Out Sydney critics, including Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure, have eaten their way around carb-town (which frankly, is the most delicious place to be) to curate this list of the best sandwiches in Sydney. 'wich on, friends.  Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. Want more budget food? Here are the best cheap eats in Sydney right now. Heading our later? Check out our ultimate guide to the best restaurants in Sydney.

For devotees of genuine Mexican fare, it's a great relief that Sydney is no longer only served by the tacky Tex-Mex, stand-and-stuff, burrito-centric eateries there were once the sole expression of the cuisine readily available here. There's now an exciting new wave of Mexican diners sweeping Sydney, with nary a pinata, sombrero or lucha libre mask in sight. We're not saying there isn't a time and a place for a bowl of liquid queso and a dorito or two - there really is - but with a culture and cuisine that spans thousands of years and dozens of regions, it's a crime to assume that Old El Paso and a cartoonishly large frozen Margarita is anything close to 'authentic'. Prime your palate for the true flavours of Mexico with our guide to the best Mexican eateries in Sydney, curated by Time Out Sydney's critics including Food & Drink Editor and Mexico-lover, Avril Treasure. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED READS: Keen to get around some killer spots for an arvo tequila or two? Check out Sydney's best rooftop bars Love spice? Check out our guide to Sydney's hottest Thai restaurants Thirsty? Have a look at the best bars in Sydney right now

There’s no doubt about it, Sydneysiders can’t get enough of Italian food. And who can blame us? There’s something about a bowl of perfectly al dente pasta paired with a luscious, rich ragu that just hits the spot. And white Italian cuisine differs throughout the 20 incredible regions – broadly speaking the northern regions eat more rice and polenta, and down south they feast more on seafood – Italians share a love of beautiful, seasonal produce, choosing simplicity rather than overcomplicating dishes, and cooking food with soul. No wonder we love it so much. Luckily, there are a wealth of excellent options to choose from when it comes to Italian dining in Sydney. Time Out’s editors and critics, including our Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure, have picked our favourite eateries covering all bases – from casual red-sauce joints and classic pizzerias to fine dining restaurants – so no matter what mood you're in, there's something here for you. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. Not in the mood for pasta? Here are our picks of the best spots for Greek and French food in Sydney.

People are choosing plant-based eating for its softer step on the Earth, concerns about animal cruelty, and the health benefits of vegetable-rich diets. Plus, there's been a rise in flexitarian diets – you might not be a full-time vegan, but where you can, you opt for more plants on your plate. Only a few years ago, vegan dining meant a whole lot of pulses and sprouts, but now Sydney is home to plant-based burger shops, classic Italian pizzerias that showcase cheese and meat alternatives, gelato shops that favour coconut bases, and a growing contingent of fine diners offering fancy degustations for vegans. Below, we've rounded up the best vegan restaurants in Sydney. Cool with eggs and dairy? Check out the best vegetarian restaurants in Sydney. Got a mixed group? Head to one of the best restaurants in Sydney. On a budget? Have a look at the best cheap eats in Sydney. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. Want to shop sustainably? Check out our guide to ethical shopping in Sydney here.

The only thing better than a tonne of French cheese is a tonne of French cheese that’s free. And that's exactly what you will find at Bon Fromage – a three-day cheese festival presented by the French Dairy Interbranch Organisation in conjunction with the European Union to celebrate the beauty of French cheese. The delicious, stinky fest will be taking place from Friday, May 31 to Sunday, June 2, at the Overseas Passenger Terminal's Cargo Hall in Circular Quay. Over the weekend, cheese lovers will be able to taste some of France’s finest cheeses from a 30-metre tasting table with more than 14 varieties. Plus, fromage-admirers can take part in a series of complimentary masterclasses and demonstrations from Sydney’s best cheesemongers, with topics ranging from drinks pairings to comparative tastings and cheese history.  You’ll be able to feast on melted raclette, creamy Camembert and nutty, soft Comté, along with a whole host of others, on top of getting the chance to sample cheesy street food from a variety of food stalls on site. Think: The French Cob Loaf, Lobster House, French Kiss Creperie, Orleans Moules Frites, along with a whole lot of other cheese-centered excellence.  There will be bars across the space to ensure you have the perfect bevvy pairing for your cheesy snacks – and, of course, there will be kilos of French cheese available in the stinky market for purchase. At night, the venue will become a French disco. Francophile fromage fans can get down to a live DJ, wi

February 2024 update: Surry Hills' dimly-lit and handsome bar and bistro The Rover has joined together, now offering the same European-leaning food and excellent drinks across both levels. The Rover – which is by Liquid & Larder group, the team who brought us the steak-slinging likes of Bistecca and The Gidley – is also now open on Mondays, has a permanent happy hour, and night owls will be happy to know food is served until 10pm. But that’s not all – you can now order The Gidley’s famous burger – and one of the best burgers in Sydney – at The Rover. Think: double beef patties with sharp cheddar and house pickles on a soft bun. Plus, The Rover’s hits, like freshly shucked oysters with Champagne mignonette; the eel pate with horseradish jelly and glazed crumpets; and the must-order fisherman’s pie with smoked trout and potato gratin, will remain on the menu. If it’s been a while between drinks and snacks, come on down to The Rover. You know what to order already. - Avril Treasure Read on for our review of The Rover by Elizabeth Mcdonald from 2022. ***** Some things never change, and for that we are grateful. However, sometimes a change is just as good as a holiday. Case in point: the Rover. Toasting goodbye to its wilder days of foot-stomping shenanigans, whisky-centric speakeasy the Wild Rover is now full-grown and pretty darn sexy, reflecting the maturing drinking and dining scene of our town. Following a top-to-bottom refurb, the Surry Hills bar has come back as a sophist

If you can't think of anything better than handheld food and a couple of brewskies with the broskies, have we got news for you. Local favourite Willie the Boatman has curated a festival with all your favourite breweries, food trucks and market stalls, plus a ridiculously big jumping castle and free face painting for the kids. You can even bring your pooch. This year marks ten years of the booze-loving shindig – and it's set to be ace. For the low, low price of just $15, you'll be chugging suds by Willie the Boatman, as well as beers from regional breweries including the Central Coasts' Six String Brewing, Wollongong's Seeker Brewing, Gerringong's Stoic Brewing and Mortdale's Social Brewers. Tasty food trucks will keep your hunger in check, with confirmed meals-on-wheels including That's Amore, Satay Brothers, Jinny Burger, Chips on a Stick, Volkswurst, Vejoes and Mate Mexicano. Get your groove on to some live tunes from 11am until 5pm by classic bar band the Pragmatics who will be playing a massive set of all-party crowd favourites. Want to check out more of Sydney's best craft breweries? Here's the cream of the crop These are the best bars in Sydney right now Love pubs? Us too. Check out the best of the very best

July 2023 update: Pioneering restaurant Tetsuya’s was meant to be closing its doors in a few weeks' time after 22 years of service, as its building is slated to be redeveloped. Now, the fine-dining restaurant has announced it’s staying open for a bit longer and will be taking reservations beyond August. So, if you’ve always wanted to experience the magic of Tetsuya’s – and taste the famed confit ocean trout for yourself – this is your chance. A statement on Tetsuya’s Instagram said: “We are delighted to announce that reservations have been released for dine-in beyond August 2023 at our Kent Street Sydney location. Reservations can be made via our website. Please note that the reopening of the restaurant at our new location has been delayed. Stay tuned for updates on our socials and website.” We're not sure how long the OG Tetsuya’s will be open for, or when Tetsuya’s 2.0 will be here. But like all good things, nothing can last forever. We recommend you check out this trailblazing spot now while you can. -Avril Treasure ***** Read on for our review of Tetsuya’s from August 2022. When chef Tetsuya Wakuda and his team first swung open the doors of Tetsuya’s back in Rozelle in 1989, it sent shockwaves through the Sydney dining scene. With unconventional textures, exceptional flavours, reverent ceremony and a price tag to match, Tetsuya’s arrived with a splash and secured a place among the best restaurants not only in Australia, but the world. A move to a gated compound on Kent St

July 2023 update: When Time Out first reviewed the Blue Door back in August 2022, we said: “The Blue Door’s wine list is curated by general manager (and ray-of-sunshine incarnate) Angelica Nohra, and is almost entirely Australian, heavily focusing on the diversity of wine from all over NSW.” Now, the Blue Door’s stellar vino list has been recognised (for the second year running) in the 2023 NSW Sommelier's Wine List Awards, with the team taking home the award for 2023 Best NSW Wine List in a Sydney venue, with less than 60 seats. Run by the NSW Wine Industry Association, and spanning eight categories, these prestigious wine awards aim to shine a light on excellent NSW-based sommeliers and venues with killer wine lists that support local winemakers, and showcase NSW’s great and diverse drops. So, if you need any more reason to make a booking (and drink wine) at the Blue Door – take this as your sign. And, you can check out all the winners here. Congrats, team. Read on for our review of the Blue Door by Elizabeth McDonald from August 2022.  *****   For the team at the Blue Door, it’s all about giving back more than what they’ve taken. Chef Dylan Cashman’s entire ethos is about grass-roots operations, literally. The ambitious and innovative 24-seat restaurant on Waterloo Street places sustainability on the same rung as deliciousness, and Cashman is as exacting in his ethics as he is in his execution. From the heritage wheat sourced from the tiny 400 person town of North Star,

Sydney has scored a big-ticket rooftop bar atop the historic Mitchell Building at the State Library, taking full advantage of the stunning vista from one of Sydney's most prized locations. The secreted away spot has been a favoured staff lunch spot since the 1940s and now, thankfully, the team have decided to share it with the rest of us.The bar is divided into three sections; the observation deck offers a panorama of the harbour and across the Domain. Enjoy open-air sunset cocktails with friends in the spacious courtyard before the city skyline lights up the night, or find a spot inside at the front of the bar for some old world charm. A mix of plush cocktail chairs, banquette seating and small bar tables are arranged around a baby grand piano, and if you're lucky there might be a player tickling the ivories on the weekend. Entry to the bar is cloaked in mystique, with guests entering via giant 1930s timber arch doors where visitors are then ushered through hidden areas of the library before being delivered into the venue by lift four floors up. The simple bar menu aims to highlight NSW as much as possible and that’s evident through cocktails like the Library Martini using Rosebery’s Archie Rose gin, the Hunter Valley’s Margan Vermouth and even the garnish coming from Alto Olives of the Southern Tablelands. The Library has also teamed up with Staves Brewery in Glebe for a Library Bar signature rale ale, one of the many beers from an offering that pledges to be 100% NSW brews

May 2023 update: It’s a lazy Saturday afternoon and you get a text from Jane. She’s in the mood for a tipple with some snacks. Luckily, you’re in the know. Text Jane to meet you at 478 Bourke St for their brand new Australiano hour. This local gem has teamed up with the award-winning Rhubi Mistelle  – a Victorian-crafted rhubarb aperitif – on one of the happiest hours in town. Every weeknight from 5 to 6pm, and with extended hours of 4 to 6pm on weekends, you can sip through Jane’s drinks list, complemented by a solid selection of Australian-focused snacks. The fun starts at $6 with Jane’s top-selling Australiano cocktail featuring Rhubi Mistelle, Regal Rouge vermouth, bitter citrus and mandarin; a tall and refreshing Rhubi and Soda; a classic G&T; an all-Aussie VB; or a chilled red from Jilly’s Wine Co. When you need something a little stronger after work, there’s also the Jane Martini featuring White Possum Gin for $10. Jane hits the nail on the head for happy hour snacks, with $2 Sydney rock oysters and $6 light bites including duck croquettes, ebi prawn brioche toast, and Jane's take on the Gilda, with layers of marinated sardines, kingfish nduja, green olives and pickled native lime. For $15, you can also sample some of Jane’s house specialities, like the lamb dumplings with saltbush, chilli and yogurt or the Kangaroo tartare with pickled cucumber, bush tomato harissa and potato.  Jane is sure to become a regular here. We don’t blame her – it’s hard to pass up happy hour

April 2023 update: Good news for fellow booze hounds: Marrickville brewery Wildflower Brewing and Blending is now making their own beers on site after. Come along and try out the 13 rotating beers on tap (though, maybe not on the same day), as well as the extensive cellar list filled with hundreds of aged bottles of beers. Plus, there’s funky wine and non-alcoholic drinks for those in your crew who are cutting back. All that drinking is hungry work, so thankfully there is a new kitchen serving tasty food run by the legends at A.P. Bakery – another reason to swing by. Read on for our review of Wildflower Brewing and Blending from 2019  ***** There seems to be a brewery on every other block in Marrickville by now, but there’s something a bit different going on at Wildflower Brewing and Blending. Dotted around this charming, rustic cellar door are bunches of native flowers, an omnipresent reminder of co-founders Topher Boehm and Chris Allen’s dedication to their local ethos. It looks like the perfect setting for an outback soirée, albeit a little more refined: corrugated iron walls and burnished wooden furniture drive home the Australiana vibe, and stacks of barrels – some hidden behind canvas, others in plain sight – quietly cradle ageing brews. While many breweries now try their hand at barrel-ageing, the crew at Wildflower are breathing new life into this old technique and leading the charge for its revival. This is not a brewery in the traditional sense. Boehm makes his wor

Sydney’s Cantonese offering went up a notch in 2022 with the opening of Jinja, a killer Asian restaurant for when the mood strikes, which, to be fair, could be breakfast, lunch or dinner any day of the week. Found within the Governor Hotel in Macquarie Park, Jinja is named for owner and entrepreneur, local Sydney legend Jinghua (more often dubbed “Jinja” due to her obsession with ginger spice), the muse of Sydney-based artist Ronnie Samuels, whose paintings pepper the restaurant space. Leaning hard into food-meets-style, Jinja is all about super traditional dishes like gentle steamed market fish with shallots and, of course, ginger; crisp Peking duck; and honey glazed Kurobuta pork; as well as a few less conventional numbers like lobster san choy bao; truffled spring rolls; and prawn mousse fried brioche. Now, seven months after opening, the team has launched a yum cha offering, created by hatted chef Sebastian Tan (Silks). Featuring over 30 plates of traditional Cantonese brunch dishes and dim sum hits, the new menu is available weekly for lunch, Wednesday through Sunday. Order fluffy pork buns; pork and chive dumplings; crispy-skinned Cantonese roast duck; and honey glazed char siu pork. Of course, Chinese pastries will be served (custard buns, we’ve got our eyes on you), and for an additional $5 you can pair the plates with bottomless Keemun black tea, a famed black drink with a light aroma and sweet, toasted notes. If you come along with a group of four or more, which, l

  The folks that brought us Love, Tilly Devine, Ragazzi and Dear Sainte Èloise have set the standard pretty darn high in terms of Sydney wine bars (and the snacks aren't bad either). Their latest venture is a Catalan-inspired watering hole that isn't taking itself too seriously.  La Salut is a joint venture between the Love Tilly Group and newly launched hospitality and accommodation group the people_ (helmed by Paul Schulte and Andrew Taylor). It aims to be a little piece of Catalonia in the heart of Redfern, with all the colour and vibrancy that comes along with it. The 40-seat venue features blushing earthy tones and polished concrete, with outdoor dining along Walker Street.  Waiters will encourage you to start with a tipple from the extensive range of vermouths, and when in Rome (or Catalonia, as it were) it's not a bad way to kick off. Here, the fortified vino comes poured over ice, with three anchovy-stuffed olives and a little bottle of sparkling water, so you can choose your own adventure. While La Salut is, for all intents and purposes, a wine bar – there's even an adjoining bottle shop where the old pokies room was – make sure you come hungry. The former sports bar corner of the Norfolk Hotel cleverly utilises the tiny space by churning out brilliantly simple, little dishes that largely come out of a tin. But don't feel shortchanged – Europe, and more recently Sydney at large has come to recognise that some of the best things in life need fewer flourishes and more

Grab your shin-grazer jeans and tie-dye shirts! California quartet the Red Hot Chili Peppers have announced a 2023 tour Down Under. The tour kicks off in Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium and hits Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium on February 7 and 9, 2023. The tour is to promote the band's new album, Unlimited Love, which we're betting approximately zero people are there to hear, but in excellent news, musical genius John Frusciante will be re-joining the band and playing songs from across the group's prolific 40-year career. Along for the ride is mumble-rapper and face tattoo enthusiast Austin Richard Post, aka Post Malone, who is known for mixing genres, much like the Chili Peppers themselves, and we reckon it'll be worth the price of admission just to see the confused looks on the crowd's faces. General public tickets are on sale now. If you prefer your music local, check out our pick of the best gigs happening in Melbourne this month.

If you've even been to a Cirque du Soleil show, you've probably been ushered into a bigtop or an arena to watch the ultra-limber Montreal-based acrobats perform gravity-defying and breathtaking acts of magic. The circus company has been touring and delighting for years, and now, they've taken to the ice. For the first time in the company's history – and a first for Australian audiences – Cirque du Soleil: Crystal heads Down Under and onto the frosty stage. Kicking off in NZ on June 16 before heading over to Brissy on July 21, the death-defying show hits Sydney's Qudos Bank Arena from August 3-13, 2023. The story follows the show's namesake, Crystal, as she embarks on a journey of self-discovery through the age old medium of bendy dance (and aerial stunts, and interpretive figure skating, naturally). The show, which has toured other parts of the world, features remastered pop songs, including Beyoncé's 'Halo', U2's 'Beautiful Day', Nina Simone's 'Sinnerman' and Sia's 'Chandelier', yet another first for the company. The sub-zero show has toured 115 cities world-wide to an audience of over 1.8 million dazzled onlookers, and now – we finally get a taste. Head to the show's website here to get more information and to book your tickets. Don't forget a jacket. Want more magical theatre in your life? Don't forget to check out the best shows in Sydney this month.

Like tickets to Tay and Blue Mountains’ vistas, nothing worth having comes easy. And that seems to be the case with Lune, Melbourne’s world-famous croissanterie which has been leaving golden, flaky crumbs of a Sydney opening for more than a year now. But we’ve got an update for you – and it’s a goodie. Originally slated to open in Darlinghurst, it’s been confirmed that Lune will now be opening in Rosebery, housed in a heritage-listed and industrial space similar to Lune’s OG Fitzroy home. And the team says they're swinging open the doors this spring. Hi, picnics in the park with buttery treats! Photograph: Supplied/Lune Lune founder Kate Reid said: “Due to unforeseen delays with Darlinghurst, we’ve shifted to a new location in order to keep our plans on track and honour our commitment to bring the Lune experience to Sydney in 2024. “The Rosebery site aligns perfectly with our vision, and we’re excited to have that opening in sight.” A statement (well, a love letter to Sydney) on Lune’s Instagram said: “Right now, the painters and decorators are hard at work turning a big old factory space into a croissant wonderland. Sydney, when spring comes, you shall have our croissants. Finally.⁠” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lune Croissanterie (@lunecroissant) Lune’s second Sydney spot at Metro Martin Place is still on track to open in 2024 as well. So it’s good news all around. Purveyors of those golden beauties, Lune Croissanterie – which is r

April 28, 2023 Update: Restaurant food delivery service Providoor, which launched during one of Sydney's lockdowns, bringing joy to many bored food lovers. Now, in a statement on the company’s website, founder Shane Delia said Providoor would be placed in liquidation, and could no longer accept new orders. “It is with a heavy heart that I announce the closure of Providoor, a business borne out of the very worst days the hospitality industry has ever seen,” he wrote. “While today is a very sad day, I am proud of Providoor and what it has achieved. We served more than one million meals and built something that made a difference during some very dark days.” Read on for more info about Providoor, which we wrote when they first launched. ***** Do you want the good news or the bad news first? The bad news is that Sydney’s extended lockdown doesn’t seem to have an end in sight, with case numbers on the rise and the community adjusting again to the new normal of life indoors. The good (great) news however is that premium meal delivery service Providoor is expanding and now Sydneysiders have access to more top-tier restaurants than ever before. Since its founding in March 2020 by Melbourne-based chef, Shane Delia (Maha, Maha Bar and Maha East) Providoor has been delivering meals from some of the best restaurants in Melbourne including Longrain, Cumulus Inc, Maha, Entrecôte, Supernormal and Gingerboy to customers stuck inside and missing that special dining experience.  Joining the fle

Beloved cult restaurant, Ron's Upstairs, on Redfern Street has announced via an Instagram post on April 19 that they will be bidding a fond farewell, causing tantrums and stages of grief to ripple across Sydney (and the Time Out office).  The kitsch first-floor eatery burst onto the scene back in 2018, maintaining much of the décor of the Thai restaurant that occupied the space for decades before the Arcadia Liquor and Redfern Continental team took over. The delightfully retro dining room with a menu that lists gently in the direction of the European continent is like a ‘70s-toned holiday snap from your parents’ photo album, complete with plastic grapevines looped across the walls, fairy lights, big round tables and comfy straight-backed dining chairs. The brown, orange and green colour scheme set the tone for the vintage fantasy with a very modern menu.  The final service will be on Saturday May 7, so don't miss your last chance to get some of that deadly garlic toum, whatever genius incarnation of occy is being served up, and a very serious wine on the pour by the ultra-friendly team. RIP Ron's, you will be missed. Get out there and support Sydney's other great restaurants. Check out our favourites here.

Returning bigger and better, the multi-level heritage-listed Abercrombie has undergone an incredible transformation, with three venues now under the one roof to create one big party palace that will open in December. On the ground floor is the Abercrombie’s incredible performance and club space, public bar and beer garden, which should flood a few elder millennials' brains with memories. The rave-cave of yesteryear will play host to some of the best party crews in Sydney – including House of Mince, Sweat it Out, Future Classic, Purple Sneakers and Motorik – to put on an incredible, curated roster of events. With the reopening comes a 24-hour licence, so expect some epic, non-stop parties. Venture upstairs to Casa Rosa, a playful, late-night Italo-disco cocktail lounge and rooftop terrazza with DJs. Then sidle into the adjoining terraces, which expand the footprint of the new Abercrombie, for an aperitivo wine bar and shop, Lil Sis, also open until the early hours. To mark the opening, the Abercrombie, FKA "Scabbers", is getting ready for a 36-hour party, kicking off at 5pm on December 23 and running non-stop until 5am on Christmas Day. Look forward to a packed line-up of some of Australia’s best tastemakers, including Mike Who, Andy Garvey, Ayebatonye and Dameeela. Closing out the year, hit up a seven-day run of events from Boxing Day through to New Year's Day. International heavyweights Webbha and Jaytech (Anjunabeats) join a stacked NYD party; record label 'Sweat It Out' re

What a day to be a sports fan! Licensed NSW venues will be allowed to stay open if they are broadcasting the soccer (fine, football). The NSW Government has granted special trading extensions from midnight til 5am so that Sydneysiders can watch grown men run around for a while and sometimes score a goal! The extended trading hours will also apply to the World Cup final, with venues able to open from 10pm on December 18, through to 5am on December 19. It's basically government permission to pull an all-nighter. Bloody, cheers as to that! Is your local showing the FIFA World Cup? Check out which Sydney venues are gonna be up all night here.

In exciting news for the Sydney drinking and dining scene, twenty food and beverage operators have been announced today, November 29, as retailers at Sydney Place, a new vibrant precinct in one of Sydney’s most-loved waterfront destinations, Circular Quay. Some of Australia’s most recognisable and awarded chefs, restaurateurs and lifestyle retailers will open from March 2023 across the intimate laneways of Sydney Place. Renowned tenants include chef Federico Zanellato’s (Lumi Dining), much-loved pie and pastry store, Lode Pies; sophisticated rotisserie chicken shop, Sunday by chef Morgan McGlone (ex-Belles Hot Chicken); and a Japanese-inspired whiskey bar and dining by Joel Best of Besuto. They will be joined by Toby’s Estate, Kosta’s, Malay Chinese Noodle Bar, BoBo Dumplings, Toastiesmith and many more of Sydney’s casual dining favourites in some of the city’s newest laneways. The news of these quality food and beverage operators opening follows the announcement earlier this year of the much-anticipated rebirth of Jacksons on George by Maurice Terzini and DTLE, now set to open in mid-2023. Sydney Place also comprises a landmark 55-storey office tower designed by one of the world’s leading architecture firms, Foster + Partners. The 263-metre tower has officially completed construction and taken the title of Sydney’s tallest office building. At the base of the office tower, the precinct will include retail, community experience and intimate laneways, all designed to enhance th

Petty news today from the animal kingdom: a lyrebird at Taronga Zoo has been blasting the "evacuate now" alarm with eerie accuracy since the lions escaped their enclosure less than two weeks ago. Though according to an interview on ABC Radio with an expert on lyrebird language, the sardonic bird has been singing the alarm for some time: "The zoo and a lyrebird expert have thrown cold water on the reports, and say the bird is actually making the sound of the fire alarm – something it's done for years." It doesn't make the bird's antics any less amusing. The bird has swapped out its usual mimic of a baby crying for the blood-chilling alarm that also sounded when five lions slipped out of their exhibit around 6.30am on November 2. The lyrebird even has an Australian accent. Lyrebirds are one of nature's most impressive (and petty) mimickers and have been recorded copying sounds of construction, car alarms, other bird-folk like kookaburras, and now, the sound that will continue to send shivers down zoo handlers' backs for years to come. Shine on, you crazy diamond. May we all aspire to this level of deep-cuts. Want to get up close and personal with some of Sydney's wildest? Check out our top picks of where to see animals around town.

The unstoppable trio behind Pellegrino 2000 and Bistrot 916 are set to take over the coveted Art Deco-style Bridge Room space on York Street in a pretty slick homage to New York's steakhouses and grills. The yet-to-be-named new venue will be serving up superb steaks for two, whole turbot grilled over coals, and (praise be) a shrimp cocktail, complete with iceberg lettuce and pink sauce. This will be the third restaurant Dan Pepperell, Mikey Clift and Andy Tyson have opened in as many years, and we are absolutely here for it. Known for nouveau approaches to Italian and French fare – and some absolutely killer wines to boot – the dream team are quickly becoming some of Sydney's most recognisable and respected restaurateurs, with both Bistrot 916 and Pellegrino 2000 housing some of the most coveted seats in town.  The Bridge Room is a highly prized and stunning location, with expansive windows and classic Art Deco features, and we reckon it'll be the perfect spot to throw back a few oysters and a Martini or two come February next year. Don't wanna miss a thing? Check out our top picks of the best new restaurants in Sydney right here.

Hundreds of confirmed Covid-positive passengers disembarked into Sydney from cruise ship Majestic Princess over the weekend. On Saturday, November 12, approximately 800 of the ship's 4,400 passengers and crew were confirmed to have the virus. The passengers were instructed to not take public transport upon disembarking. The Majestic Princess had just completed a 12-night cruise to New Zealand and back to Circular Quay around 6am. The operator, Carnival Cruise Line, said in a statement: "All guests disembarking have undertaken a rapid antigen test in the past 24 hours, which will determine how they will disembark the ship." The statement also confirmed all positive cases (around 20 per cent of the ship's population) were kept separate from negative passengers while disembarking. While isolation for Covid-positive cases have been scrapped across NSW, don't forget the ways we can limit the spread and keep vulnerable members of the community safe. Everyone should observe social distancing where possible, keep hands sanitised, and stay home if you have those two lines on your RAT. Ya' know. Feeling sicky? Here's our guide to having the perfect date night at home.

One of the first restaurants to open at the Barangaroo precinct back in 2016, Bel & Brio, has this week had its doors shuttered amid an ongoing lease dispute with landlords, Lendlease, with a staggering $1.8m in owed rent outstanding. Restaurateur Mark Richardson said in a statement to The Daily Telegraph that he was "blindsided" by Lendlease's decision to board the venue up on October 29, despite falling behind on rent payments for at least the last two years. “We’ve been in negotiations and mediations… to get the fee to something reasonable, however Lendlease had enough and pulled the plug and so they should have,” he told The Daily Telegraph. Staff of the restaurant claim they knew the venue was in dire straits and say they have not received paycheques for several weeks.  Richardson has assured them he is working towards getting the 140 staff what they are owed. "It is a shame for staff but I’ve lost the most. I’ve lost eight years and $11 million." Richardson at this stage has no intention of re-entering the restaurant business, citing the pandemic and the work-from-home culture that many CBD workers have adopted, opting for work/life balance rather than commuting daily. At the time of writing, reservations for the restaurant have been suspended until January 2023, but purchases can still be made on the Bel & Brio online market. Want to get more insights into the crazy Sydney hospitality business? Check out our Chef's Specials interview series here.

Stop the presses! Very big news has come to the Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre in Marrickville! On Monday, November 7, the brewery named for the former Australian prime minister and beer enthusiast unveiled (or rather, unpeeled) arguably their biggest accomplishment to date. How? By way of a giant, animatronic golden prawn.  Affectionately dubbed "Shane Prawn" the crustacean is the crown jewel of the Centre's bistro, the Lucky Prawn. The dramatic deveining also marked the venue's first ever Monday service, a permanent addition which means you can cop an eye-full every day of the week. Sure, the brewery may have donated nearly half a million bucks to Land Care Australia, and yeah the team may have given away free slabs of beer to encourage people to get Covid-19 vaccinations, but frankly we reckon their greatest contribution to the community is the fact that the Big Prawn's arms move. Be gently swayed into a trance by your new arthropod overlord while smashing a schooner and a succulent Chinese meal. The prawn demands it. And we thought the Inner West suburb couldn't get any cooler!

The Inner West Council this week has unanimously voted to grant heritage listings to 27 pubs across Balmain, Leichhardt, Newtown, Petersham, Marrickville, Rozelle, Annandale, Enmore and Lewisham, joining the existing 31 pubs already listed. Mayor Darcy Byrne said on the progressive decision: "Our pubs are community institutions, many of which have been serving local patrons for more than a century. "It’s time for new heritage protections to make sure that our Inner West pub culture is still here for another 100 years to come."  The heritage listing ensures that not only do the facades of the pubs have to remain intact, but many elements of the interiors that identify the venues as pubs must remain.  So, what new pubs will be added to the heritage list? Annandale Hotel, AnnandaleNorth Annandale Hotel, AnnandaleUnity Hall Hotel, BalmainThe Balmain Hotel, BalmainDick’s Hotel, BalmainCat & Fiddle Hotel, BalmainTown Hall Hotel, BalmainCricketers Arms Hotel, BalmainEast Village Hotel, Balmain EastThe Milestone Hotel, LeichhardtVic on the Park Hotel, MarrickvilleThe Royal Exchange Hotel, MarrickvilleWebsters Bar, NewtownKelly’s on King, NewtownSandringham Hotel (former), NewtownCarlisle Castle Hotel, NewtownLivingstone Hotel, PetershamBridge Hotel, RozelleThe Welcome Hotel, Rozelle3 Weeds Hotel, RozelleSackville Hotel, RozelleGarry Owen Hotel, RozelleNative Rose Hotel, RozelleLewisham Hotel, LewishamWarren View Hotel, EnmoreDuke of Enmore Hotel, EnmoreQueens Hotel, Enmore  What doe