Food & Drink

Sam Prince Hospitality Group, the team behind Sydney heavy-hitters INDU and Mejico, will be adding a Japanese restaurant to their portfolio later this year when Kid Kyoto opens on Bridge Lane in spring. Promising their most ambitious project to date, the group plan to mesh a “rebellious” take on Japanese cuisine with an “unplugged” grungy…

Good Food Month is once again fixing to take over Sydney with a ridiculous amount of exclusive food and drink focused events. In addition to the always jam-packed Night Noodle Markets, the program each year gives the best chefs from Sydney and beyond a chance to collaborate, showcase, and experiment to feed the masses (or…

An Indonesian-themed experience is now open at Taronga Zoo to get you frighteningly close to Taronga’s Sumatran Tiger conservation and education program. A simulated plane cabin will transport you to the jungles of Sumatra to begin your education journey about how choosing Certified Sustainable Palm Oil will have a role in saving this tiger species….

Caribbean influences sit alongside flavours from Cuba and Southern America at Windsor’s recently opened Saint Lucia, which popped up on Chapel Street earlier this year. The tropical-minded BBQ and rum bar offers a soulful, colourful space to Melbourne’s famously dynamic hospitality scene, illustrated with eclectic trinkets and lush greenery. With an inclusive dining experience (vegetarians…

Some people love to plan for Sydney’s famously beautiful summer season early in the year, no less the organisers behind IceBar, a new pop-up bar experience set to stretch across five days in January 2018. IceBar, a space operating at minus five degrees, will be location in the CBD and offer respite from the the…

Sicilian-style pizza by the slice will be landing in the heart of Newtown as of later this week as Ballaro opens on King Street. Drawing on the lively street food culture of the famous Mediterranean island, the new venture from Daniele Arnone and Stefano Zanco will be adding something distinctive to the plethora of multicultural…

Aboriginal arts, crafts, bushfoods and entertainment are heading back to Sydney’s stunning harbour headland park at Barangaroo Reserve on Sunday 24th September. Blak Markets, a dedicated pop-up market showcasing many aspects of Aboriginal culture, will pop-up at Stargazer Lawn on the day, kicking off at 10am and wrapping up at 4pm. The open-air market will…

Delivery service Foodora has teamed up with the folks behind Cracker Barrel for a new campaign designed to encourage people to be less glued to their phones and more in-tune with each other. In an attempt to bring back “real conversation”, the well known Australian cheese brand, which is produced locally by Warrnambool Cheese and…

A street party in Milsons Point that isn’t New Year’s Eve? We’re down for that. Across two days in October the affluent harbourside Sydney suburb will be hosting a two-day interactive pop up designed along the theme of “Now and Then, New and Old”, borrowing patches of the 20s, 70s, 80s and 90s for an…

Across Australia this weekend, thousands of barbecues will be lit up on Father’s Day to show appreciation for the paternal figures in our lives. To help you look like a pro and impress at the dining table this weekend, learn the best secrets and tips from two-time winner of best steak in the world chef…

Helping refresh and refocus a big player in Liverpool’s dining scene, chef Leigh Mcdivitt (ex-Merivale) has teamed up with Clayton Ries to head the big renewal of the Macquarie Hotel’s bistro. The team have moved on from Collin Fassnidge’s Banksia Bistro to transform the new project into a star dining destination for the greater Western…

Across the Carriageworks multi-art precinct this September, Sydney Contemporary will have a lineup of food and drink menus for the art-loving public to enjoy each day of the fair. Kylie Kwong of Billy Kwong and Mike McEnearney of Kitchen by Mike have been announced as two of the pop-up restaurants to be featured amidst the…

Around 30 stallholders will soon come together to celebrate Newtown’s unique, cultural and eclectic offering of drinks, food and the pub scene. The event returns for its fourth year to showcase the areas community spirit and party vibe. On Sunday the 8th of October guest can expect to relish in the likes of Bloodwood, Bovine…

Along with Papi Chulo in Manly and The Newport in Pittwater, The Collaroy is now under the ownership of Merivale as they advance their Northern Beaches portfolio. Justin Hemmes, CEO of Merivale, says, “The Collaroy is in a truly spectacular location, with sweeping views of the ocean and sand literally at its door step. This…

The Entertainment Quarter, in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, has welcomed an Italian favourite Fratelli Fresh to join the precinct. Rockpool Dining Group brings this 300-seat indoor-outdoor restaurant to life with an inviting open kitchen and, beer and wine garden. “The Entertainment Quarter is the perfect, convenient location for one of our largest Fratelli Fresh yet,” says…

This weekend Sydney is getting a back-alley restaurant dedicated to buffalo wings and ice cold tinnies. Opening August 26th, Wings X Tins will open its doors to serve insane chicken wings and the biggest collection of ice cold tinnies. Wings X Tins is the product of two wing obsessed mates, Anthony MacFarlane & Alfredo Perez,…

It’s been their hidden secret since the luxury property opened last year, but now the luxurious Art-Deco Primus Hotel in Sydney CBD has decided to share their New York inspired Level Seven rooftop bar with the wider public. Focused on positioning the urban oasis as a stylish champagne and cocktail destination, the heritage hotel will…

It’s been almost a year since the last time we first walked through the glossy brass doors of QT Melbourne, and up the sapphire blue stairs to Pascale Bar & Grill. While our last visit focused on the luxurious venue’s food offerings, this time we decided to sample their seasonally updated cocktail menu. Built adjacent…

The Orange Wine Festival returns October 13th for ten days to celebrate the regions cool climate wines. The festival will showcase vineyards and cellar doors from the Orange region while also highlighting restaurants and produce form the area. Orange is a three and half hour drive from Sydney located in the Central Wesy of New…

Father’s Day fast approaches on Sunday, September 3rd, and those who plan early can often find some of the best gifts around. Make sure you’re not leaving these ones to the last minute, because they are surely going to be the popular gift choices as the big day creeps towards us. From a beer curating…

We at the AU are honoured to have Batch Brewing Co. on board as sponsors for our upcoming 9th Birthday Party in Sydney. Now a staple of the Marrickville scene, we caught up with Iain McKelvey to talk about the origins of the group, running a community minded brewery and producing damn good beer… How did Batch Brewing Co. get…

The iconic George building’s basement bar, The Long Room, recently underwent a huge $4million transformation to become The George on Collins. During its 12 years of operation, the bar was a hotspot for after work drinks for many of Melbourne’s young corporate hustlers. But owners Greg Kahan and Simon Jones decided it was due time…

We’re surprised someone didn’t think of this sooner to be honest. Melbourne’s popular St Kilda Burger Bar (STKBB) are slinging a different kind of burger special to celebrate the AFL finals series, pushing out a very, very ‘Strayan hybrid food that takes the ever-loved burger and mashes it up with a meat pie. Dubbed “The…

Distillery Days music festival is coming to Riverland, South Australia this October long weekend. Twenty Third Street Distillery, Renmark will host the two-day event featuring both Australian Music legends and, an array of hip-hop and electronic artists. Festival goers can expect to sample local specialty eats, great entertainment and drink creations from the distillery. The…

Not sure where you’re going to be taking dad come this year’s Father’s Day weekend? Not to worry, plenty of restaurants, bars, cafes, event spaces and hotels will be putting on their very best for the occasion but for those who live in or around either Sydney, Melbourne or Canberra we’re picked out some of…

An intimate four-part dining experience is coming to Sydney with an Australian-first concept. Sunday Sous Sessions. Sous Chefs from some of Australia’s top restaurants will come together to show off their skills and creativity at the iconic Marque by Mark Best from September 3rd. Each chef will create their own unique five-course degustation menu, prepare…

Good Food Month have announced their return to Sydney with the detailing of over 180 events that incorporate talks, chef collaborations, experiences and events. Kicking off on October 5, the crowd-favorite Night Noodle Markets will again take place in Hyde Park with forty food stalls. Guests can expect the likes of House of Crabs, Mr…

Japanese dining powerhouse Saké Restaurant & Bar in Double Bay (nope, not the one in The Rocks) certainly knows how to connect to their locale. We’re surprised they didn’t do this one sooner to be honest, which is introduce an epic and decadent free-flow champagne package to their popular weekend lunch sessions. And it won’t…

Bing’s Bao and Beer is the newest restaurant by the Lotus Dining group to hit the Street of Barangaroo. This retro-style eatery has chosen to hero the humble steamed bao on the menu, with a soft baked milk bun for those who are less adventurous. Essentially a Chinese take on a burger or sandwich these…

Merivale, who acquired The Tennyson Hotel in December 2016, have announced their pursuit of “warehouse Italian” will be taking over what is currently the venue’s drive-in bottle shop for six months, crafting what will be titled “Mr. Liquor Dirty Italian Disco”. It will be a joint effort between Sydney chefs Mike Eggert and Jemma Whiteman,…