Category: New Openings

New Cafes you must try in Sydney | April 2022

If you are looking for a new cafe to try in Sydney check out our list below.

We like to support new cafes that open in Sydney – it’s a tough market and so many are now popping up. We have selected a few we have come across on Instagram that deserve some attention. Check out our list below of new cafes in Sydney that you must try.

1. Malika Bakehouse, Botany

If coffee, all day brunch and baked goods brings music to your ears, you must try Malika Bakehouse at Botany. Just looking at their Instagram is making our mouth water. They opened late 2021 as our lockdown restrictions ended and seem to be thriving since! Some of the stand out items on their menu are the spiced potato pogaca (freshly baked every morning), home made kunefe, bagels and spinach feta and ricotta borek. We highly suggest you check out their Instagram! They also open nice and early during the week at 5:30 for your pre-work coffee fix.

Smoothie Factory, Rouse Hill

Smoothie Factory at Rouse Hill is an international juice bar from the USA! All their smoothies are made with fresh fruit, with no sorbet, fillers and they are also gluten free. They have just opened in January 2022 inside Rouse Hill Town Centre. Some of the stand out items on their menu include the Pina Colada (coconut, pineapple, banana, honey and protein) and Peanut Butter Power House (peanut butter, banana, soy milk, honey and protein blend.) There are so many smoothies to pick from, you may need to go back multiple times.

My Kiki Shop, Darlinghurst

My Kiki Shop in Darlinghurst recently opened in January 2022 as well. They are a dessert shop with a twist… they make desserts shaped as human body parts (we will let you check out their Instagram to see what we mean). We have seen this place all over Instagram so it seems to be taking Sydney by storm already! It would also be the perfect stop before your next hens night haha.

Botswana Butchery, Sydney

If you like a New York City vibe and roof top bars, Botswana Butchery may be the perfect new hot spot for you. Situated in Martin Place on level 8, they go by simple, locally sourced, incredible food. They opened in December 2021 and have a menu that you will never forget, the dishes are beautifully presented and it is a very premium dining experience (even the onion soup looks amazing!)

Wan, Mascot

Wan in Mascot opened in November 2021 and their food is influenced by Taiwan and Japan. They have some awesome items on the menu including Cheeseburger Rolls, Wagyu Somen and Salt and Pepper Prawns. Their drinks menu also looks fun and exciting and they live by their slogan ‘don’t let your drink get lonely’ which we love!

Let us know if you decide to go to any of these new cafes in Sydney and what you decided to order!

Have you seen our latest blog on our review of Saddles, Mt White?

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram to stay up to date with where are we eating: https://www.instagram.com/whatthehaloumi and subscribe to our newsletter for our next article!

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Five Guys USA is coming to Penrith

American fast food giant Five Guys is coming to Australia and they have picked their first location in Sydney.

For those that love American fast food, this is the news you have been waiting for. Five Guys is coming to Australia for the first time and opening their first store in Penrith NSW. There doesn’t seem to be an official date yet when they will open but it does say they will open mid-2021 which could be any day now! We are so excited.

Update: They will be opening 20 September 2021!

For those that have never heard of Five Guys, they have been around since 1986 and started as a small family business. They have had huge success since and have opened over 1,500 locations around the world. They are well known for their burgers, hotdogs, fries and milkshakes and they claim to not own any freezers… which we assume means everything is made fresh.

Photography – Panthers Penrith

You will be able to find the new Five Guys once it opens in Penrith NSW in the Penrith Panthers Precinct (which also already includes Krispy Kreme – what a combo!) and next door to McDonalds and KFC.

We had a look into their American reviews and people seem to love that their menu is customisable on how you like your food and you can get unlimited add-ons (hopefully this continues in their Australian store).

What will be on the menu?

Five Guys have not yet released what will be on their Australian menu, but if their American one is anything to go off, here are some of the burgers we can expect:

  • Hamburger
  • Cheeseburger
  • Bacon Burger
  • Bacon Cheeseburger
  • Little Hamburger
  • Little Cheeseburger
  • Little Bacon Burger
  • Little Bacon Cheeseburger

Then it seems you can add whatever you want to your burger including simple things like lettuce and tomato or all the way up to peppers and grilled mushrooms.

We are really looking forward to visiting once they open! Let us know if you have tried Five Guys before in another country?

Have you seen our latest blog on Chargrill Charlie’s moving west?

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram to stay up to date with where are we eating: https://www.instagram.com/whatthehaloumi and subscribe to our newsletter for our next article!

Chargrill Charlie’s moving west?

Chargrill Charlie’s has opened a new location further in Sydney’s west. If you haven not been to the new location we’ve highlighted the important information for you.

There are many cafes/restaurants those in the west must go on a trek to experience and vice versa for those living in the east. However, Chargrill Charlie’s is taking their locations another step further towards the western suburbs of Sydney with a new Beecroft location. We know Beecroft isn’t really ‘west’ but it is close enough. This is exciting news for those in the Hills District and surrounding areas.

If you have never heard of Chargrill Charlie’s it is basically your local neighbourhood chicken shop that has been around since 1989. They started in Coogee and now have 17 locations across Sydney and Melbourne – this is amazing for a family business. They live by their slogan of ‘Simple food. Done well.’ And they have avoided falling into the hype of the latest trends and kept their own originality.

What’s on Chargrill Charlie’s menu?

  1. Their famous chargrilled chickens
  2. Hot chips and wedges
  3. Chicken and beef burgers or a schnitzel roll
  4. A huge selection of salads (15)
  5. A range of sides including, fried rice, wings, pad Thai and more!
  6. They can also do catering

According to Chargrill Charlie’s website, every day everything is made fresh in store for their customers. This even includes their sauces, spice recipes and handmade rolls.

Photography – Chargrill Charlies

Where else can you find Chargrill Charlies?

If their new Beecroft location isn’t close enough for you, they have plenty of other stores in Sydney you can visit (they may just be further East):

  • Beecroft
  • Bondi
  • Coogee (The original store)
  • Dee Why
  • Drummoyne
  • Frenchs Forest
  • Lane Cove
  • Mona Vale
  • Mosman
  • Neutral Bay
  • Randwick
  • Rose Bay
  • St Ives
  • Wahroonga
  • Willoughby
  • Woollahra

Let us know if you’ve tried Chargrill Charlie’s or if you have a local chicken shop that deserves a mention – we would love to know!

Have you seen our latest blog on takeaway options for Sydney’s June 2021 lockdown?

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram to stay up to date with where are we eating: https://www.instagram.com/whatthehaloumi and subscribe to our newsletter for our next article!

US Diner in Marrickville ? Valentinas Sydney

If you’ve always wanted to dine at an American roadside diner, there is now one in Sydney!

If you’ve ever watched a few US movies and wished to dine at one of their roadside diners, you no longer have to travel all the way there. Valentinas Sydney, has recently opened in Marrickville and is inspired by long road trips in the USA. We’ve done the research for you, so you know exactly what to expect when you arrive.

Now lets start with the most important element, the style and decor – yes when you walk into this diner you will feel like you walked straight into a US movie set. All the little details come together and make the experience exceptional. If you’ve ever been to the US, you would know how wonderful the service is there – and Valentinas brings that same friendly service to our doorstep.

Once you are seated, you’ll find yourself with a diner style menu with a few US favourites. You’ll also find vegan and gluten-free options available to suit dietary requirements. There are menus for breakfast and lunch and there are even some delicious looking fried chicken items! Of course, it wouldn’t be American without some delicious doughnuts to have for dessert… or lunch. The breakfast menu is all day and you can order lunch from 11am.

And lastly, we have read that the coffee is great here and it is served in diner style mugs – and that is important to us Aussies, as we have the best coffee in the world.

We hope you enjoyed this blog, let us know your review if you end up going to Valentinas!

Have you seen our latest blog on why Starbucks always get your name wrong?

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram to stay up to date with where are we eating: https://www.instagram.com/whatthehaloumi and subscribe to our newsletter for our next article!

Sydney’s restaurants in the Crown

You may be wondering what the new Crown Sydney has to offer in the dining department? We’ve listed all your options below.

Over the past few years, if you’ve driven into Sydney’s CBD, you have definitely seen the construction of the Crown Tower. Now that they are open for business, there are 11 new restaurants and bars you can try, all in the heart of the city.

1. Nobu

If you know your international dining, Nobu is a big deal and has even had praise in the Michelin Guide. This is fine dining at its best, with world-class wines, local produce and Japanese tradition. To top it off, you have beautiful views from straight out over Sydney Harbour in a stylishly designed restaurant.

Photography – Crown Sydney

2. Epicurean

One of the Crown’s all day dining options is Epicurean. This restaurant’s menu features dishes from across the globe with many varying cuisines to select from. The menu here will change as Australia’s seasonal produce goes through the year. And we have heard there is a decent dessert bar to complete your dining experience.

3. TWR

TWR stands for The Waiting Room and is your typical hotel bar. If you’re looking for cocktails, spirits or a vintage champagne this is the place for you. For those of you who work in the CBD, this would be the perfect location to unwind and socialise after a long day in the office. They also have a small food menu here as well, including oysters and club sandwiches.

Photography – Crown Sydney

4. a’Mare Restaurant

Another Crown restaurant in Sydney is a’Mare. Another changing menu (don’t get too hooked on your favourite dish) includes seasonal Italian produce and simple ingredients that showcases a time when food was ‘simply delicious’. This will be your new go to traditional Italian restaurant.

5. Woodcut

Of course the Crown were also going to include a Modern Australian dining experience. The name Woodcut comes from the traditional methods of cooking and simply cooked dishes. They claim that this is an experience that cannot be replicated and will be a one of a kind dining experience for visitors.

Photography – Crown Sydney

6. Silks Restaurant

Included in their range of restaurants is Silks, a Chinese fine dining experience. At lunch time, you’ll be able to enjoy the Yum Cha menu and for dinner, they offer an à la carte menu. The restaurant is designed to look like a Chinese mansion with stunning views over the city. Some of the images of the dim sims here look amazing – we haven’t seen anything like it.

7. CIRQ

If you’re after panoramic views of Sydney, this is the terrace bar you must come to. On floor 26, you will find indoor and outdoor spaces to enjoy a drink with a stunning view. Similar to the other bar, you will find fine wines and cocktails with a native twist. There is also a food menu here, with tapas style dishes to share.

Photography – Crown Sydney

8. The Tea House

If you’re looking for a cocktail bar, you will find The Tea House amongst the Crown restaurants in Sydney. Here you will find bespoke cocktails and the best the globe has to offer in champagne. The food menu includes sweet and savoury Asian dishes for you to enjoy. The decor in this cocktail bar is amazing and really gives you that luxury feel.

9. Youshii’s Omakase

Now we are getting really fancy. This is a 10 seat private dining experience in Nobu. Youshii is known as one of the leading sushi masters in Australia. You’ll also get to watch him craft the food right in front of you. With fresh seafood and a sushi master in charge this will be a one of a kind experience – especially for a sushi enthusiast.

10. 88 Noodle

If you love hot pot and Chinese, 88 Noodle is calling your name. You will find traditional dishes from Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia on this menu and plenty of noodles. 88 Noodle has an open kitchen so you can view the chef in his element and watch as you order comes to life. I can imagine the smell in here would be amazing.

Photography – Crown Sydney

11. Il Caffé

With the boarders shut in Australia, if you are missing all the traditional cafes you would usually find in Italy, this will be the place for you. The menu includes a range of breakfast and lunch classics – all fresh and full of flavour. They also have homemade gelato which you will definitely find us at during the warmer months. This is also more of a casual experience compared to all the Crown restaurants we listed above and perfect for the family.

If you’re not a wine or champagne expert, it might be wise to do some reading up on what’s what before you enter these restaurants which may have an overwhelming selection to pick from. We would recommend The Essential Guide to Wine.

Have you seen our latest blog on the best restaurants in Airlie Beach?

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram to stay up to date with where are we eating: https://www.instagram.com/whatthehaloumi and subscribe to our newsletter for our next article!

Italian Street Kitchen – Bella Vista

We had been hearing some good things about the recently opened Italian Street Kitchen, located on the lake on Solent Circuit, Norwest. We are always on the lookout for new places to eat in the Hills area and this place was amazing.

Arriving for a Sunday lunch, the restaurant is offering both indoor and outdoor seating with a great view overlooking the lake. There are a few restaurants on this strip, situated under the Esplanade high rise building. Very tastefully decorated, the restaurant is inviting and comfortable.

The Capricciosa Pizza

We ordered the Wood-Fired Italian Cheese Bread for starters. Just the right amount of cheese and garlic on a perfectly cooked Italian flatbread. This was followed by the Gnocchi Bolognese, a huge dish of tender gnocchi with a very tasty bolognese sauce. The Capricciosa Pizza and Salsiccia E Patate Pizza were perfectly cooked with great flavour. These guys know their pizzas, the bases melted in your mouth and allowed the flavours of the toppings to come through.

It is always good to have great service and we experienced this from the moment we walked into this restaurant. The food and drinks arrived in good time and the waiters were friendly.

If you are after an authentic Italian restaurant where you can sit back and relax and enjoy your surrounds, this place ticks all the boxes. We will definitely be back to try some of the other dishes on the menu. We’ve already made our next reservation!

Have you seen our latest blog on A Cafe’s Guide: Working with Food Bloggers?

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram to stay up to date with where are we eating: https://www.instagram.com/whatthehaloumi and subscribe to our newsletter for our next article!

Japanese fluffy pancakes in Chatswood

You’ve probably seen these Japanese fluffy pancakes all over Instagram and you’ve probably been on the hunt to find them? Well, they are from Japan and more and more places are popping up all over Sydney that serve them. Gram – a Japanese cafe just moved into Chatswood in Sydney’s North Shore! This is especially exciting because their executive chef has flown here to teach the Australian chefs how to make these highly demanded pancakes just like they do in Japan!

japanese fluffy pancakes
Photography – Gram

So how are they made? It doesn’t look easy but according to Gram the Japanese ultra-fluffy pancakes are made with egg-whites made into a heavy batter that’s then whipped and then steamed until they get to the final stage of cooking them. The end product is a stack of 3 wobbly-sponge like pancakes (perfect for your Instagram boomerang story haha). According to their menu they also come in a tiramisu flavour, which sounds delicious!

Are you going to be bringing along friends and family that don’t want these pancakes? (surely not but just in case lol) they have french toast, soup, savory pancakes and a BLT. They also have a large drink menu with a range of smoothies, tea and coffees.

We’re so excited to try this place out and we’re sure it will be great! Gram has over 60 cafes throughout the world (the success must have something to do with those unique fluffy pancakes haha)

japanese fluffy pancakes
Photography – Gram

Let us know in the comments if you have been to one of their stores before! Which flavour of the pancakes would you recommend?

Happy Instagraming!

Have you seen our latest blog on restaurants with a view outside the Sydney CBD?

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram to stay up to date with where are we eating: https://www.instagram.com/whatthehaloumi and subscribe to our newsletter for our next article!

New Cafe in Sydney: Cadenza Floral Cafe

If you are a North Sydney local or are wanting to try a new Instagram worthy cafe than we have found a new cafe you must visit. Cadenza Floral Cafe, looks exactly as what you would imagine it looks like after reading the name. It has your good looking dishes with beautiful pink and floral background decor (that’s bound to get you a few Instagram likes right?)

New Cafe in Sydney – Cadenza Floral Cafe

The cafe is influenced by Korean cooking with meals including waffles, bulgogi burgers and huge bacon sandwiches! They also have some beautiful drinks and regular breakfast items including french toast and granola! It seems to be the perfect place for your next girls day brunch. Or i’m sure you can drag your boyfriend along haha.

The pricing seems quite reasonable for the area and has quite a lot to pick from, which is great for our fussy eaters! It also has a great kids menu with cute little meals for them. It does seem to get quite busy, especially during brunch time so make sure to get there early.

New cafe in Sydney – Cadenza Floral Cafe

Where can you find them: 2a/211 Pacific Hwy, North Sydney
When are they open: Mon-Fri 6:30am-5:30pm or Sat 7am-5:30pm or Sun 7am-3:30pm

Happy eating! And let us know your thoughts on the cafe in the comments below if you go!

Have you seen our latest blog on our last minute Valentine’s Day Ideas?

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram to stay up to date with where are we eating: https://www.instagram.com/whatthehaloumi and subscribe to our newsletter for our next article!

New Spot: PeanutButterLove Dessert Bar

As Peanut Butter lovers, we are excited for Market Lane Manly’s newest edition PeanutButterLove Dessert Bar. As would any other Peanut Butter lover right? The best part is, it was the idea of fitness fanatics and designed to be healthy! So if you want a guilt-free dessert, this may be the right place for you.

For all our friends that are gluten free, dairy free, sugar free, paleo, vegan, (I think I mentioned them all) the majority of the menu is made for them. Some of their signature and permanent menu items include:

1. Triple Decker

As the name suggests this 3 layer slice, that is full of peanut butter has definitely got your sweet tooth covered. Oh and its healthy and did I mention full of peanut butter?

2. Pineapple Express

For our Hawaiian… or pineapple lovers, there is a healthy option for you too. Pineapple may not belong on pizza but it belongs with peanut butter haha. It is the perfect summer snack to have especially when you are having a sweet tooth for fruit.

3. The Pim and Pams

Are you craving a Tim Tam, but a healthy version? Well this is similar and has rocky road vegan ice cream inside and includes peanut butter of course! I think this is the option I would pick from the menu. Yum!

Photography – PeanutButterLove

We hope you enjoy your healthy peanut butter desserts! And let us know your thoughts if you end up going.

Where can you find them? 13 Market Lane, Manly 
When are they open? Tues-Sun 10am-7pm

Have you seen our latest blog on where to find a good sausage sizzle in Sydney?

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram to stay up to date with where are we eating: https://www.instagram.com/whatthehaloumi and subscribe to our newsletter for our next article!

Sydney’s new cafes, restaurants and places in 2020

We all want to start a new year off with a fresh start. So why not also add fresh new places to eat at to your list? Plus, if you joined the gym as part of your new years resolution then you can eat as much as you want right?

1.The Four Pillars Gin

Yes, that’s right! The Four Pillars Gin and Drinks Lab is coming to Surry Hills, Sydney after many years in Melbourne. And has made our list of new places to visit in 2020. It looks like they are planning to deck the place out with their Creative Director specing out the bar to showcase all the things you can do with Four Pillars Gin. So, I can do more than a Gin and Tonic? haha

Photography – Four Pillars Gin

Where can you find them? 410 Crown Street, Surry Hills

2.Cinnabon

You will no longer need to book a flight to the United States to enjoy some Cinnabon. They are finally coming to Australia, with one of their stores landing in Sydney! We’re so excited for this one, especially some of their classic rolls.

Photography – Taste.com.au

Where can you find them? TBC

3.Taco Bell

This one opened in December 2019 but lets be honest, who had time to visit it during the crazy holiday season. Hence, why we had to add it to our list to visit in 2020. It has two stores in NSW – one in Blacktown and the other in Newcastle.

Photography – Timeout

Where can you find them? Westpoint Shopping Centre, Blacktown or Jesmond Central

Will you be trying any of these in 2020?

Have you seen our latest article on the best of Sydney’s Food trucks?

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram to stay up to date with where are we eating: https://www.instagram.com/whatthehaloumi