Friday Five: Eating and Drinking in Sydney

It was a few weeks ago, but it was memorable, so here are some more highlights of our weekend trip to Sydney, this time of the eating and drinking variety.

1. Arturo's Rooftop/ Woolly Bay Hotel

I love a rooftop bar, and since Cousin Rachael introduced us to Aperol Spritz in Ibizia, we now believe that it's not a holiday until you've had an Aperol Spritz. Arturo's is above the Woolly Bay Hotel and a fine place to sit with an antipasto platter and soak up the atmosphere of Woolloomooloo Bay. Later, we finished another day with a beer in the bar below which was buzzing and had large screens and comfy sofas. We also enjoyed a couple of glasses of wine with duck-fat hand-cut chips around the corner at The Tilbury Hotel, but I didn't take photos. 

2. Encasa
This is a handy stop just round the corner from the Capitol Theatre, where we were going to see a matinee - so we took in lunch and a show. It's a cheerful Spanish taverna which offers tapas, charcuterie and paella. Starting with cocktails while we chose our food, we enjoyed an Agua de Valencia and a Pisco Sour. We felt it was too warm for the rice dish and were concerned that we might nod off after consuming one, although they looked delicious and I'm tempted to return. We shared plates of chorizo a la plancha (grilled spanish sausage), patatas bravas (fired potatoes with spicy tomato and alioli) and croquetas de jamon Iberico (Iberian ham croquettes). The chorizo was a little greasy, the patatas a touch dry and overcooked, but the croquetas were deliciosas; crispy on the outside and gooey creamy goodness on the inside.

3. Burdekin Rooftop

A well-known hang-out on the Sydney Pride route, we stopped here for a refreshment on our way back from the theatre before going out for the evening. It was fairly empty when we visited for our Aperol Spritzes in the Aperitivo Hour, but all the tables were booked for groups later on. The food looks great for sharing, the venue is ideal for feeling part of the party, and the vibe is full-on fun. For example, the Saturday Brunch (1-3pm) offers 'bottomless drinks and delicious food'. What's it called? Spritz or Swallow.

4. Otto Ristorante

At the other end of the spectrum, we treated ourselves to some very fine dining by the water at Finger Wharf at Woolloomooloo Bay. OTTO received One Hat in the 2026 Good Food Guide and is, apparently, one of Sydney's most respected dining institutions. From the website, "The food at OTTO is delicious and unashamedly simple - modern Italian with roots firmly placed in the classics. Head Chef Richard Ptacnik's menu is fresh, seasonal and produce-driven; sourcing the finest ingredients and letting them speak for themselves." 

Naturally, we began with cocktails - Jasmine for me (Campari, Tanqueray gin, Cointreau, lemon, house syrup) - and then chose a bottle of wine to accompany our set menu, Mangia! The cocktails were perfectly dainty but I feel the wine list is a touch on the pretentious and exclusive side, listing all the sommeliers by name, although the Group Sommelier, Amanda Yallop was awarded Sommelier of the Year, so that might just be me. 

The food and the service are exceptional. We chose the three-course sharing menu and were not disappointed - pictures below. It is set in such a perfect location, and I would highly recommend, although maybe save the drinks until afterwards if you don't want to just simply empty your wallet into the bay.

Mortadella, salami, olives, house made grissini

Cannoli, prawn cocktail

Burrata, cherries, pistachio, balsamic, basil

Ricotta gnudi, burnt sage butter, pine nuts, raisins

Conchiglie, smoked Wagyu beef ragù, Parmigiano-Reggiano

Tiramisù

5. Stanley Green, Darlinghurst

Having completed our morning's activity and with an hour or so before our bus returned to Canberra, we stumbled across this place for a glass of wine and a chicken wrap. It presents as a coffee shop by day and moonlights as a wine bar in the evening. With cute little tables outside surrounded by greenery and fairy lights, it is an absolute side-street oasis. The shop is home to an array of indoor plants and all their accessories (such as pots), which can be admired with a cocktail in hand and I'm sure this is a charming place for an after-work tipple in the neighbourhood.

Friday Five: Getting High

  

Pink bubbles at Madame Brussels

One of the many things I like about Melbourne is her buildings. Old sandstone edifices erected in the wake of the gold rush are given new life with steel and glass designs while maintaining their classic integrity. The skyline reflected in the river; the Shrine of Remembrance hailing from the end of the avenue; the bustling and strangely elegant Flinders Street Station opposite the unashamedly flamboyant Federation Square with its focus on tourism, events and hospitality; and the sprinkling of churches and town halls on the tram thoroughfares all add up to a vibrant, eclectic and appealing cityscape.

And those Melburnians aren't afraid to take their buildings to new heights. While I was there recently, I discovered a 'thing' for rooftop bars. I know they're nothing new, but around the city pubs and bars have decided to maximise space (and sunshine) by putting patrons on the roof. And because some of these buildings are relatively high compared with their neighbours, if you're lucky you will get both views and fresh air.

5 Melbourne Rooftop Bars:

1. The Rooftop - Seven floors up (the lift wasn't working when we visited) it serves fine views along with champagne, cider and cheeseburgers. From December to March it also operates as a cinema complete with stripy deckchairs. 
2. Madame Brussels - Inspired by a German brother-keeper, the theme is pink and white stripes with sparkling rosé, cocktails, punch, cheese plates, fondues and an innuendo-laden menu.
3. Palmz at the Carlton - Kitsch and cheerful with faux flamingos and other exotic beasts, and plenty of palm trees as a backdrop to your piña colada. Fortunately, the bar also stocks a range of good beers, so you don't have to drink the eponymous brew.
4. Campari House - Wood-fired pizzas and an extensive wine list make this tucked-away corner down a land and up the stairs a wonderful find. The distant lights of the city hum and shine as you relax with plastic turf beneath your feet.
5. Aer Bar, European Bier Cafe - Well-stocked with Belgian and German favourites, this bar could be pricey but we stumbled (literally) across half-price European beer night and so had Leffes, Hoegaardens and Erdingers with a cool breeze after a hot day - a 'misting system' keeps temperatures down during the daylight hours.