Ease into autumn in Sydney with an array of incredible food and drink venues, plus a new stay and an Aboriginal experience. Traverse the complex and diverse world of tequila at a CBD bar, immerse yourself in the sensory delight of the Lakemba night markets, amble along an Aboriginal art trail, plus more this month. 

FOOD AND DRINK 

Underground tequila in the CBD 

At underground Martin Place bar Centro 86 you’ll be greeted with the same unique delights (interior design, drinks, service) that the Mucho Group’s other venues Tio’s, Cantina OK!, The Cliff Dive and Bar Planet offer. Centro 86, a dedicated tequila bar, offers a range of different margaritas, plus plenty of tequilas and free spiced popcorn on arrival. Its lime green walls are adorned with posters and paintings, a nod to Mexican cantinas. 

A tiny pub in Enmore 

Inner West suburb Enmore is now home to a tiny pub: The Magpie. Pull up a stool at this 30-seat, ‘80s-inspired pub for local beers on tap, sports on the telly and a very low-key vibe. While there isn't a kitchen to order food from, punters are welcome to order something from the nearby chicken shop via the bar staff. 

Fiery Argentinean in Balmain 

Balmain has landed a hot new Argentinian restaurant and bar, Casa Esquina. The sun-drenched venue resides in the former Efendy space, and features Argentinian meats cooked over charcoal. On Wednesdays there’s a street food-style lunch menu, and on the last Sunday of every month there’s a special Asado menu, cooked over the courtyard’s open-flame barbecue.  

New Korean omakase 

Circular Quay has landed another top-notch venue in Matkim, a Korean omakase restaurant in the Sydney Place dining precinct. This tiny, dark-and-moody eight-seater space melds traditional Korean cuisine with western ingredients over 18 courses. Dishes you may find on the menu include yukhoe tangtangi (beef tartare with octopus) and liquid nitrogen ice-cream.  

A Filipino carinderia in the Inner West 

The team behind cult doughnut shop Donut Papi has opened Tita, a modern Filipino carinderia (Filipino eatery serving affordable, local dishes) in its former Gluten Free Friends shop. Drop into Tita for silogs (a classic Filipino breakfast of garlic fried rice and fried eggs), breakfast sandwiches and a special Manila latte (vanilla and condensed milk with coffee).   

The Continental Deli team’s Australia Street expansion 

Those behind much-loved Sydney venues Continental Deli and Bar Louise are opening three new venues on Newtown’s Australia Street, the same street home to Continental Deli. There’ll be Flora, a plant-based all-day diner heroing local produce; Mister Gotto a seafood bar serving drinks ‘fit for a fisherman’; and Osteria Mucca, a restaurant offering handmade pasta, charcoal meats and rare wines, set in an old butcher’s shop.  

New Italian from the Pellegrino 2000 team 

The hospitality trio behind venues Clam Bar, Pellegrino 2000 and Bistrot 916 is opening Neptune's Grotto, a northern Italian restaurant. The hot new venue will reside underneath CBD venue Clam Bar, and will have a secret entrance on Loftus Lane. 

A sensory food experience in Lakemba 

Lakemba’s Ramadan Nights market is well underway. During Ramadan the suburb’s Haldon Street comes alive from 6pm until 3am every night with an array of local businesses plating up delicious food from Indonesia, Pakistan, Lebanon, Syria and beyond. On until 8 April, all are welcome at the markets, and cash is preferred.   

ACCOMODATION 

Luxurious lodging in the Mountains 

Just 700m from the Blue Mountains’ Echo Point, Sentosa is a new, luxurious five-bedroom property with a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor. Admire the parquetry floors, elegant furnishings and Miele kitchen as you spend mornings on the private terrace and days in the indoor heated pool and sauna.   

EXPERIENCES 

An Aboriginal artwork first in the west 

Gabrugal Yana is the first Aboriginal art bushwalk, located on Dharug Country in Western Sydney. The walk aims to connect people with Dharug Country and culture, over an 11km loop trail, with First Nations artworks telling stories of the six Dharug seasons. Walkers will also enjoy views of the distant Blue Mountains and Sydney’s skyline, plus a bounty of wildlife.