While you may be super devo to wave goodbye to long hot days by the beach and that bangin’ (real) tan, a new season means a whole batch of new bar, restaurant and café openings.
So, grab your jacket (autumn is alllll about layers), build up your appetite and spring into the best (pun totalllyyyyy intended) March has to offer.
Cornersmith
Marrickville
Technically this Sydney institution has been around for yonks, but they’ve recently opened with a modest face lift and are officially doing dinner and drinks. You’ll wanna skip the usual brunch feeds (put the eggs down) and get your mitts on the smoked Memphis pork coated in a peach BBQ sauce for dinner. Trust me, you’ll be thanking us.
Ketchup Canteen
Kings Park
From the trio that gave us the Holy Heffa burger truck comes Ketchup Canteen, a permanent residence for the legendary burgers, plus a whole brand-spanking new menu including infamous sweat-inducing spicy chicken wings (served with milk on the side… Yeah, they’re THAT hot) and delish shakes. Open for breakie and lunch during the week, and dinner on Friday and Saturday nights, catch ya at ketchup!
The Blob
Zetland
Pop on over to The Blob’s pop-up store this month and get amongst the #veganlife with their completely gluten free, dairy free and vegan ice cream. Forget your basic vanilla, with regularly changing flavours such as sky coco (coconut, blue pea powder) and blobbero rocher (Dutch choc, roasted peanuts), dietary-friendly desserts never tasted so good.
La Reina
Newtown
Finally, the genius’ behind the Venezuelan food in those bright orange food stalls at your local weekend markets have permanent digs. Here you can find the South American speciality, arepas (basically the Venezuelan equivalent of what smashed avo is to Sydney millennials), which are cornmeal patties stuffed with a selection of meats or beans. Yet to lose your arepas virginity? Start with the sampler pack and try them all!
The Gantry Garden
Pier One Hotel
If The Gantry couldn’t get any better, they’ve just opened a new al fresco oasis for you to sip on the bubbles all afternoon. They’ve turned down the fine dining, and turned up the casual vibes, complete with harbour views, oysters on ice and ultra-cute botanical décor. It’s safe to say you’ll catch us soaking in the last of the warm weather in the garden!
Green Dream
Bondi
The saying goes that you don’t win friends with salad… But watch out, Green Dream have thrown a curve ball. This make-your-own salad bar showcases the best of the best ingredients, with options such as quinoa, salted edamame, shredded apple, and hot smoked salmon. Who would’ve thought salads could be so cool?
Hopper Kadé
Surry ills
A taste of Sri Lanka has found its forever home on Crown Street this month with the opening of Hopper Kadé, selling none other than delicious hoppers. If you’re yet to witness the greatness of a hopper, it’s a bowl-shaped pancake made with rice and coconut milk, and filled with sweet or savoury toppings. Hop on over and grab a hopper ASAP!
PaRi Pasticceria
Concord
Gone are the days of travelling to Sicily for authentic Italian pastries, granita and brioche, the inner west is the furthest you’ll have to go. Forget your large skim cap, start your day with here granita café con panna (coffee granita with cream) in true Italian style. Oh, and while you’re there grab a couple of cannoli to go. Ciao!
Bar Patron
Circular Quay
The newest venue by The Rockpool Group and Neil Perry, Bar Patron is a 90-seater restaurant and bar serving up some of the world's best tequilas. If you want to bring the baller vibes in really strong, order the Millionaire Marg which is served up table-side in a glass, with a sugar and salt dusted rim, filled with a Platinum Patrón marg and fresh-squeezed lime juice.
Ready to hit the markets next? These are our top picks in Sydney.
Image credit: Bar Patron & The Gantry Garden