12 hottest eats in Pyrmont right now
From Sydney’s best fish and chips and Insta-worthy brunches to chef’s choice croissants and hatted fine dining, Pyrmont is becoming the go-to for memorable eats in this city. So what are the top new places to pick for your dining experience?
Sydney is home to pocket after pocket of exceptional dining and drinking experiences. There’s the obvious postcodes which have shown their culinary prowess for years, like Paddington, Chinatown, Surry Hills and Newtown.
But one of the most up-and-coming areas with a concentration of excellent eats may surprise some… and this inner-city of Sydney is full of hole-in-the-wall eateries, alfresco cafes, waterside restaurants and heritage gastro pubs.
We’re of course talking about Pyrmont, our own neighbourhood. From some of the city’s best fish and chips at Sydney Fish Market and beautiful brunches at Two Sis & Co and Social Brew, to artisan baked goods at PiOiK and hatted fine dining at LuMi and Sokyo, you are spoiled for choice here.
And it just keeps getting more exciting, as dining institutions continue to be complemented by fresh new options, opening their doors up throughout the tree-lined laneways and harborside walkways of our charming, buzzing little village.
Here are our picks of the hottest new restaurants and cafes opening up in our neighborhood of late.
Quick Brown Fox Eatery
The most popular cafe in leafy Union Square, Quick Brown Fox delights with elevated cafe classics and creative signatures for breakfast, brunch and lunch. Pick from popular dishes like Banoffee Waffles and Koshihikari Rice Congee, or go something new from head chef Dani el Gray (ex AALIA, The Apollo) like Whipped Roe taramasalata or Pan-Fried Snapper with apple cucumber, spinach and kombu ponzu. Pair these with wine, cocktails or cold pressed juice, with chilled vibes and alfresco dining this place is known for.
Umami Dojo
Lovers of ramen will fall head over heels for this hole-in-the-wall joint. Take a seat in the quaint setting of the Umami Dojo ramen-ya and watch as the experts here siphon their delicious bonito fish stock in glass siphons, equivalent to a cold brew or science lab. They use three types of stock to make the broth for their delicious ramen dishes, bonito, sardine and chicken, to maximize the umami flavour. It’s a fun new experience even for a seasoned ramen lover.
SALA
For modern Italian seafood right by the water, one of Pyrmont’s latest addition Sala is bringing a refreshing combination of fresh Australian seafood and unique Italian cuisine to our local hood. Located in the iconic Jones Bay Wharf. Embracing the coastal style of the venue, dine in style on top of Sydney Harbour with a mix of shared menus and a la carte options. Their extensive signature collection of drinks includes an array of cocktails, wines and spirits designed to bring Italy to you in a glass.
KKO KKO
Serving authentic Balinese cuisine, Kko Kko might be your new favourite Indonesian joint in Sydney. Pull up a seat and choose from their signature specialties like Taliwang chicken and chicken satay or straight into their mouth-watering Balinese Barbeque Chicken sets for the full experience.
GALLON
Looking for a drop-in-for-a-quick-drink kind of place? Go for Gallon. This unasumming neighbourhood bar/pub is as inviting as they come, offering a wide range of dishes, from peking duck pizzas to calamari salads, perfectly paired with your favourite go to bevvy. Swing in through the sandstone facade, grab a seat in the hidden leafy courtyard and you’re set. Say hi to husband-and-wife team Julian and Jarina for us, and pick a wonderful wine from their list – Moscato or Merlot, anyone?
LUMI DINING
Enjoy waterside dining at its best, sat atop a wharf in the glass-fronted LuMi Dining restaurant, with a ceiling covered in softly sparkling pendant lights. Work your way through a degustation menu of dishes which are perhaps even more beautiful than the interiors and harbour views, courtesy of talented Italian chef Federico Zanellato. It’s fine dining but relaxed, with a big open kitchen pumping out delicious, artfully plated creations, designed to pair with LuMi’s selection of wines.
LUCKY PICKLE
Put crunching down on one of Sydney’s best chicken katsu baguettes on your to-do list, with famous sandwich shop Lucky Pickle opening up an outpost in our Pyrmont neighbourhood. Fried chicken layered with cabbage, sesame, mayo and a house-made tonkatsu sauce that blends Worcestershire and tomato. One may not be enough. Enjoy in their spacious courtyard, which they share with the vet next door (so you may get to pat a pooch too!), all just a short stroll from our hotel.
TWO SIS & CO
If you’re looking for an Instagrammable brunch right around the corner, look no further than Two Sis & Co, a quaint café known for eye-poppingly colourful dishes and drinks. Easily one of the most beautiful brunches in Sydney, spoil yourself with a selection of specialty coffee and rainbow-hued lattes like their signature Blue Latte, Rose Latte and Turmeric Latte. Their ever-changing seasonal menu brings a burst of culinary creativity for whichever time of year you visit. Our hot tip? Dive in to their bestselling Mermaid Pancake – it’s iconic for a reason!
QUARRYMAN’S HOTEL
Looking for a relaxing place for a pint? Head on over to Quarryman’s Hotel, a century-old pub known as ‘The Q’ as locals affectionately call it, for plenty of refreshments and pub grub in a laidback setting. Keep the good times flowing with a range of cocktails and wines, or settle in for a schooner with one of the 34 craft beers on tap, sourced from mainly independent breweries throughout Australia.
CALLA BAKERY
We love how the humble sandwich is getting so much attention and love in Sydney lately. And one of the best places in the city to get a sensational sanga is in our hood. Calla Bakery on Harris Street is a delightful little artisanal bakery and sourdough sandwich shop pumping out delicious sandwiches on freshly baked bread, alongside a heady array of housemade pastries. Stop by for breakfast or lunch the next time you’re in the area.
Nativo Mexican
NATIVO MEXICAN
Renowned Mexican Chef Manuel Diaz has opened an authentic taqueria in Pyrmont. The Spanish word for ‘native’, Nativo Mexican serves up a concise street-inspired menu of tacos and snacks, with focus on takeaway, and outdoor seating for just 14 customers. The shop may be small but it is certainly big on flavour with an innovative spin on traditional Mexican street food, combined with native Australian ingredients as seen in their Al Pastor Pork Shoulder Tacos with Saltbush Morita Salsa and Guacamole with Lemon Myrtle Oil.
Wayfarer’s Bar & Café
The closest to our heart, our very own Wayfarers Bar & Café opened in early 2022, as a café by day and wine bar vibes by night. With a sleek black marble central bar, monochrome tiles and brass fittings, Wayfarer’s is a sophisticated place to meet and eat but casual enough to grab a quick coffee while you overlook Darling Harbour and Pyrmont Bridge through floor-to-ceiling windows. Breakfast, all-day and evening snacks and dessert, curated coffee blends, an all-Australian wine list, and collection of classic and locally-crafted cocktails, including the hotel’s signature mixes made with top-selling spirits.