The sound of creaking hinges echoes around Sydney as restaurants reopen their doors to brunch starved patrons looking for a quality foodie experience once again. With new menus, weekday specials, live performances and scrumptious food, your grand debut back into society will have been worth the wait.
This should be obvious but if you do make a booking at these places (or any, for that matter) you should show up or cancel as far in advance as possible. The hospitality industry has just gone through unbearable pain and is only now beginning to see what economic recovery could look like post-lockdown. Not showing up for your booking at a time like this is unforgivable, especially since these venues can only serve a very limited number of diners at any one time.
Do note that many of these venues are also still going ahead with their pick-up and delivery options, so even if you can’t score a booking or walk-in table, you’ve always got the option to order some food and drink for takeaway.
Employees Only
On June 24th Employees Only, one of Sydney’s most beloved speakeasies reopened to lovers of world-class food and magnificent cocktails. With the launch of a brand new menu and glorious burlesque performances on Friday & Saturday nights, there’s no excuse not to enjoy the festivities. You can even have your tarot cards read while sipping champagne. A live music program for weekday nights is a welcome addition in the coming weeks. No doubt sittings will sell out, so get in quick to book your table and prepare to be utterly mesmerised.
Address: 9A Barrack Street, Martin Place, 2000
Trading Hours: Wednesday and Thursday – 4pm-midnight, Friday – 3pm – 3am, Saturday – 5pm – 3am, Sunday – Tuesday – closed, open for private bookings & functions, and private Room also open for bookings – enquire with the event team [email protected]
Make a booking: Two-hour limit on sittings, with an early and late session. Bookings essential: Reservations
Visit: employeesonlysyd.com
Parlour Cucina
Nestled inside Sydney’s Qt Hotel, this secret destinations decor will make you feel like your trip to Europe was never cancelled. Sporting a brand new menu, Parlour Cucina is back with a bang. Whether you’re in the market for espresso or wine, pop past for breakfast, lunch or dinner and be rewarded with mouth-watering Italian fare made with locally sourced ingredients.
Address: 49 Market St, Sydney NSW 2000
Trading Hours: Monday – Saturday 7am – 9pm, Sunday 7am – 12pm
Make a booking: Reservations
Visit: www.qthotels.com/sydney-cbd/eat-drink/parlour-cucina
Don’t Tell Aunty
Open for dinner seven nights a week, Don’t Tell Aunty is now open for lunch on weekends. From Friday to Sunday 11am – 3pm enjoy some genuinely spectacular Indian fare. Not only are dishes beautifully presented, but the restaurant itself is also dazzling, and the food full of flavour. If you’re feeling dinner at home is more your vibe, any pickup orders over $75 will receive a free bottle of wine.
Address: 1414 Bourke Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Trading Hours: Open 7 nights, Monday – Saturday 5pm – 10pm, Sunday 5pm – 9pm, Friday to Sunday lunch 11.00am to 3.00pm
Make a booking: Reservations
Visit: www.donttellaunty.com.au
SoCal
Do you like Tacos? How about $3 tacos? If you answered yes, then you’re in luck because not only has SoCal flung its doors wide open, Taco Tuesdays are officially back on! You can also enjoy a Southern California style menu all week long, with Bottomless Rosé Lunches back again from Saturday, June 27th. If you’re not already excited, Applejack hospitality group has also opened its other restaurants The Butler (Potts Point), The Botanist (Kirribilli), Endeavour Tap Rooms (The Rocks), and Bopp & Tone (CBD).
Address: 1 Young Street, Neutral Bay, 2089, Sydney
Trading Hours: Monday & Tuesday: 5pm – late, Wednesday & Thursday: 12pm – late, Friday & Saturday: 12pm – 2am, Sunday: 12pm – 12am
Make a booking: Reservations
Visit: www.socalsydney.com.au
Bills
All three Sydney locations (Bondi Beach, Darlinghurst & Surry Hills) are now open. Known for ‘The best breakfast in the world’, owner Bill Granger popularised avocado on toast by putting it on his menu back in 1993. Catching up on all those missed brunches has never been so historical. Their dinner menu is equally as impressive, so don’t limit yourself to the typical Bills brunch.
Address: Bondi Beach, Darlinghurst & Surry Hills
Trading Hours Bondi & Surry Hills: Monday to Friday 7.00am – 10pm, Saturday to Sunday 7.30am – 10pm. Lunch from midday. Dinner from 5pm. Public Holidays 7:30am – 10pm.
Trading Hours Darlinghurst: Monday to Saturday 7:30am – 3pm, Sun 8:30am – 3pm, Public Holidays 7:30am – 3pm
Make a booking: Reservations
Visit: www.bills.com.au
