With the successful Wulugul Pop Up at Barangaroo winding down in August everything seems to be moving into place for The Streets of Barangaroo to truly spring to life. Over the next few months Sydney is going to start to see the permanent bars, restaurants, and retailers who will making up the character of this monstrously large development, and whether or not it becomes the destination it was designed to be will depend on those businesses lining the sparkling waterfront of the Wulugul Walk, already a sight that has become synonymous with the ‘new’ face of Sydney.
Somer Sivrioglu’s excellent Anason has already gone done as one of the best new restaurants of the year, and slowly the vibrant Turkish restaurant is starting to see some strong company. The following are the Wulugul Walk openings we are most excited about, some have just been unveiled but most are yet to come and will be open for business over the next few months, making this precinct something really special and a huge part of Sydney’s redevelopment.
Cirrus
Now open
Cirrus is that long awaited opening from the award-winning duo behind Sydney favourites Bentley, Monopole, and Yellow. For their fourth restaurant chef Brent Savage and sommelier Nick Hildebrandt will be placing a particular focus on sustainable seafood – think caviar, lobster, and mud crabs – and a high quality wine list. It has opened in the shadows of Rene Redzepi as it takes over the site that was reserved for the eccentric chef’s much talked about Noma Australia residency.
Ume Burger
Late September
Kerby Craig is no stranger to watching his burgers sell out in record time. The man behind Ume Bar (formerly the famed Ume Restaurant) in Surry Hills will be opening a burger extension of the brand in Barangaroo, bringing his highly sought after creations to the permanent venue. If his legendary burger pop ups in the past are any indication, expect queues to be feverish when this long awaited venture finally opens to the public, with creations like the Ebi (prawn katsu, Japanese tartare, shredded cabbage) and the classic Ume Cheeseburger (beef patty, American cheese, rice-vinegar pickles, mustard, and special sauce).
Muum Maam
Late September
This will be the precinct’s Thai-focused restaurant, a cult-favourite extended from Surry Hills with Santo Bun (ex-Longrain) at the head of the kitchen. The menu is said to offer a large selection, with a sharp focus on Thai flavours and fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Phomo
Late September
The team behind Me Oi will be opening up this home-style Vietnamese restaurant, bringing a focus on a casual, relaxed, and authentic experience with communal tables for those that want to dine-in. Takeaway will also be offered.
Belles Hot Chicken
Late September (Fri 23rd)
Before the Wulugul Pop Up, Morgan McGlone’s much talked about hub of fried chicken was a distant fantasy for Sydneysiders who looked at Melbourne with envy. Since popping up late last year, many have fallen head over heels with the chicken here, easily pushing up enough demand to justify two permanent venues from Belles (the other will be at Tramsheds in Rozelle). This one will have an expanded menu with Belles natural wines, Coopers on tap, house-made lemonade at the ready, and Hot Fish Sandwiches along with the excellent Belles Hot Chicken Sandwich. This is the start of something special.
Lotus
Late September
Lotus have expanded quite rapidly since their sole restaurant in Walsh Bay. Lotus at The Galeries is very well established now, the team have recently given Sydney the incredible The Resident, and now this. Dumplings and modern Chinese cooking will define Lotus here, with a focus on seafood given it’s waterfront location. Both indoor and outdoor seating will be available.
Banksii
Early October
Here’s another opening from one of the most reliable duos in Sydney, this time husband-wife team Hamish Ingham and Rebecca Lines, who are best known for the stunning Bar H in Surry Hills. For Banksii they have designed a vermouth bar and bistro with a lean towards experimental Mediterranean style food making use of botanical elements and ingredients. It’s a rather large venue, with enough indoor and outdoor seating for 200 and designed handled by Luchetti Krelle, who are known for the lush fit-outs of Momofuku Seiobo and The Butler.
Spiced by Billu’s
Mid-October
Chef Billu Singh is well known among the more discerning of Indian food lovers across Sydney. For the past 25 years he has been serving everyone from the local public to Bollywood celebrities out of his famous Harris Park restaurant Billu’s Eatery, and finally he’ll be expanding to somewhere more central as he opens Spiced by Billu’s on Wulugul Walk. The city has been scoring some big wins in terms of good Indian restaurants lately, so this addition should fit in nicely.
Zushi
Mid October
What would a precinct be without a sushi bar? Designer Koichi Takada is handling a 100-seater Sushi restaurant that will have all the favourites from the Surry Hills original plus a yakitori bar and a wide selection of sake. It’s said the interiors have been inspired by a traditional makisu sushi rolling mat, with all outdoor seating to make full use of that stunning view.
Born by Tapavino
Late October
Spanish bar Tapavino already enjoys a great reputation for sourcing some of the most exciting boutique and artisan wines from around Spain to the Australia market, an approach they’ll be bringing to this waterfront venture along with food that leans towards the the unique Galicia region in Spain’s north-west.
Love.fish
Mid-December
Rozelle’s local favourite is expanding. The takeaway-focused seafood shop with a sharp focus on sustainable practices and biodynamic, organic wines will be settling onto the walk come this December, bringing native Australian ingredients like lemon myrtle, wattle seed, and Australian dessert lime to show the public what real fresh fresh and chips taste like. There will also be an Australian made cocktail list for the drinkers.
Matt Moran’s Restaurant & Roof Bar
There will be plenty of star power at Barangaroo, particularly from renowned chef Matt Moran as next year he plans his huge three-level restaurant with a rooftop bar. Sydney architects Collins and Turner are working on the space for him now and all should be ready early next year (fingers crossed!)
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For more information on the Wulugul Walk at The Streets of Barangaroo click HERE.
Images supplied
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