Explore hidden bars and restaurants and uncover those lesser-known gastronomic gems – after all, it’s how the Australian locals do it.
Mill Place Merchants
Wander off Flinders Lane and into a little nook between Elizabeth and Queen Street. At the end of Mill Place, within a heritage building dating back to the 1840’s, you’ll find a rustic and charming speakeasy. Settle into plush, aged furniture amidst the warmth of flickering candlelight dancing off brick walls. Mill Place cocktails are an ode to the heydays of this concoction; using recipes from fifty to three hundred years ago, they are the maestros of this tradition in the 21st century.
Eau De Vie
This venue has been neatly plucked right out of 1920’s prohibition America. The skillful mélange of flair, flame, smoke, jazz, cocktails and whisky, served by staff dressed to the nines in sharp waistcoats brings the golden age of speakeasies to your table. Oh, and don’t forget the secret behind the bookcase. Venture beyond what meets the eye to the Whisky Room, where you can discover a collection of rare and exclusive whiskies. The Whisky Room can also be transformed into a private space, for those events that need a little blast from the past.
Miss Arry
Sydney’s very first Korean street food trailer was born out of love for soulful food, reinterpreted with contemporary twists by chef and owner Giwan Kim and pastry chef Sun Young Park. It all started in their backyard in Mount Druitt during Covid-19, before the duo’s immense popularity led to opening an official restaurant in Strathfield. Try the soupy tok bok ki to round off winter, made with wheat cakes, TBK sauce, fish cakes and topped with shredded shallots. Rather hungry? Dig into the bibim bag – rice, kale, cabbage, omelette, with your choice of either wagyu beef, fried chicken or cooked tuna.
La Buvette
Find a little slice of Paris tucked into Adelaide’s West End. It’s an ode to iconic French bistros, with the checkered chairs tucked into classic tiny round tables, moody lighting that’s dimmed to just the right brightness and an impressive selection of French beverages to complement a refined menu. Start your course with escargots a l’alsacienne, followed by the cult favourite porterhouse steak frites with pepper sauce. For the seafood lovers, savour the mariniere mussels with white wine, cream, garlic and mirepoix. Break into a crème brulee or an apple tarte tatin flavoured with house bourbon vanilla ice cream for those warmer nights.
Strollio’s Luncheonette
Founders of this culinary gem, baker Nathan Alexander and creative Hannah Budge, are locals in every sense of the word – they know their regulars by name, their orders by heart, and have created the kind of place where both newcomers and neighbourhood faithful happily linger a little longer. It’s one of Perth’s standout delis, serving sandwiches on bread baked fresh each morning alongside an irresistible lineup of sweets – from lemon meringue and key lime pies to cinnamon donuts and chocolate cream pies.
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