It’s summer in Sydney, which means long days down at the beach, picnics in the park and balmy evenings at Sydney’s exciting new hotspots. To celebrate the launch of Bird & Knoll’s latest collection “The Dreamcatchers” (in particular the Sydney | Wharf Review’ – the inspiration for this piece!), we thought it would be perfect to curate a collection of our top 5 places to eat, drink and swim around Sydney this summer. Read on below to see our guide to Sydney’s hottest new restaurants and where you should be making a splash this Summer…
Where to eat…
Chin Chin, Surry Hills
We knew we wouldn’t be disappointed when one of our favourite Melbourne restaurants came to Sydney. The atmosphere is buzzy, the food is fantastic and if you’re stuck on what to order, you cannot go wrong with the ‘Feed Me’ option (trust us, it’s worth leaving the restaurant with a few extra kilos… of happiness). Only downside is the waiting time as you can’t book a table for under 6 in advance. So we recommend popping your name down on the waitlist (if there is a wait) and enjoy a cocktail at the Go Go Bar. You will receive a text message when your table is ready.
69 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills, 02 9281 3322 chinchinrestaurant.com.au
Bert’s Bar & Brasserie, The Newport
Justin Hemmes has done it again and we agree this is one of his finest restaurants to date. Bert’s Bar & Brasserie is the latest opening by the Merivale Group, located on level one of the iconic Northern Beaches pub, The Newport. With inspiration from 1930s grand hotel dining rooms, Bert’s coastal European menu creates a sense of relaxed indulgence you experience on a coastal European holiday. Bert’s bar also serves a selection of snacks from the main menu… and we actually think a seat up at the bar overlooking the The Newport is the best seat in the house!
2 Kalinya Street, Level 1, Newport, 02 9114 7350 merivale.com.au
Panama House, Bondi Beach
Panama House has been a Bondi favourite since first opening in 2012 and now our favourite Latin American eatery has a new design, a new menu and a new location! It was recently located on Bondi Road for five years and has since moved into Campbell Parade’s The Pacific building. The new restaurant is double the size of the old venue and was designed by one of our favourite local stylists, Jason Grant. When booking a table, make sure to request a spot next to the glass balcony overlooking the beach.
180-186 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach panamahouse.com.au
Fonda, Bondi Beach
Melbourne favourite – Fonda, opened in Hall Street, Bondi last year and they are serving up what we believe to be the best mexican food in Sydney. The atmosphere is trendy, the space is warm and casual and it’s the perfect venue to go to with your girlfriends on a hot summers night to enjoy a cold margarita and delicious mexican street food. The tuna ceviche bowl, kingfish ceviche and the salmon poke are our favourite picks of the whole menu. And make sure you order the jalapeño kombucha Margarita!
85 Hall Street, Bondi Beach, 02 8583 6767 fonda.com.au/location/bondi
Barangaroo House, by Matt Moran
The design of Matt Moran’s three level Barangaroo House is one of a kind. The building comprises of three floors…
House Bar (the ground level) perfect for after work drinks and weekend catch ups. Upstairs is Bea, a 180 person restaurant overlooking the water, making the most of Barangaroo House’s elevated position. Bea also has an impressive menu and wine list – perfect for a date night with your partner or a special occasion. On the rooftop is our favourite, Smoke Bar. There are over 50 cocktails to choose from, many of which feature ingredients such as rosemary and cinnamon treated with smoke.
33 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo, 02 8587 5400 barangaroohouse.com.au
Where to enjoy a drink…
Icebergs Bar
What to order: No 242 from the Icebergs cocktail menu.
What to wear: An evening dress and heels with our Florence Duomo Details thrown over your shoulders as a wrap.
Details: 1 Notts Ave, Bondi Beach, 02 9365 9000 idrb.com
Smoke Bar, Barangaroo House
What to order: Smoke ‘n Screens or the Coming up Rose.
What to wear: Our Frieda Shirt Dress, cute pair of sandals and a pair of sunnies if you are there in the afternoon.
Details: Level 2/33 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo, 02 8587 5400 barangaroohouse.com.au
North Bondi Fish
What to order: Order a Seasonal Spritzer or Seasonal G&T.
What to wear: Denim shorts, white t-shirt and our Bird & Knoll Maui Shades of Navy scarf.
Details: 120 Ramsgate Avenue, North Bondi, 02 9130 2155, northbondifish.com.au
Hacienda Bar
What to order: Garden Path, Monks secret to happiness 20 are our favs.
What to wear: Jeans, T-shirt, white trainers (to walk around Sydney Harbour) and our Sydney Wharf Review scarf.
Details: Level 3, 61 Macquarie Street, Sydney, 02 9256 4022, haciendasydney.com.au
Henry Deane
What to order: We always like to try the ‘Bartenders Potion’
What to wear: Valentina Slip Dress, slides and a silk skinny scarf around your neck/hair.
Details: 35 Bettington St, Millers Point, 02 9018 0123 hotelpalisade.com.au/henrydeane
Where to take a dip…
Kutti Beach
A secluded harbour beachscape perfect for a private swim with close friends. Tucked away between Parsley Beach and Watsons Bay, Kutti Beach is not easy to find! You can only access this beach via a narrow, wooden stairwell. You’ll spot the set of stairs to the left of Vaucluse Amateur 12 Foot Sailing Club and if you follow these steps down you will discover a perfect secluded beach with beautiful beachfront homes and their boathouses. Our favourite spot is the far left corner under the shady trees. And an added bonus, Kutti Beach is one of Sydney’s few dog beaches, so don’t be surprised if you see a few frenchies running around!
Address: Hopetoun Avenue, Vaucluse (make sure to pop the address in your iPhone apps and you won’t get lost).
Parsley Bay Reserve
Parsley Bay Reserve is on the Watson’s Bay coastal walk and is one of the east’s best kept secrets. Definitely one of the nicest harbour beaches in Sydney. And if you are not a sand lover, there are plenty of areas to relax where there is no sand at all! Grab a good spot around the rocks or off the jetty.
Address: Parsley Road, Vaucluse
Balmoral Beach
Only a fifteen-minute drive from Sydney’s CBD, this family friendly, protected beach is one of Sydney’s most beautiful beaches. Make sure you spend the whole day here as there is just so much to do… It has a netted off section as well as a boardwalk you can jump off, plus you can swim, canoe, paddle board or kayak. A visit to Balmoral really isn’t complete without a stop at the iconic The Boathouse (open for breakfast and lunch) or make sure you head to the most amazing fish and chips at Bottom of the Harbour.
Little tip: Make sure you get there early to grab an all day park otherwise parking can be expensive!
Address: The Esplanade, Mosman NSW 2088 (Pictured is The Boathouse at Balmoral Beach)
Nielson Park Beach
Nielson Park is a little oasis tucked away in Sydney Harbour. The beach itself is ringed with trees, giving it that ‘tucked away’ feel. There is also a cute cafe there if you’d like a sit down lunch. Perfect to come and unwind and great for snorkelling!
Address: Fig Tree Road, Vaucluse NSW 2030
Lady Martins Beach, Point Piper
A very well kept secret of Sydney’s most exclusive is the pristine and well-sheltered Lady Martins Beach. A tiny, secluded beach in Point Piper with an entry that is very hard to find (it is via a lane off Wolseley Rd that runs alongside the Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club). The beach is open to the general public but because of its restrictive access, it does not get over crowded… (yay!)
Address: Wolseley Road, Point Piper NSW 2027
Camp Cove
This beach is a stunner. It’s secluded, relaxing and you can admire Sydney from a distance while strolling along the beach. Located next to the tourist hotspot of Watsons Bay, Camp Cove has managed to maintain its locals only vibe. With a sandy beach that doubles as a backyard for some of the most exclusive waterfront properties in Sydney, this little cove is one of the most idyllic beaches in Sydney.
Address: Camp Cove Reserve, Cove Street, Watsons Bay
