Lendlease announces the final nine retailers to join the diverse mix of cafes, shops and restaurants already open at Darling Square.
Little Hay Street welcomes Solemate Sneakers, a place for those with a serious sneaker obsession. The team stock a variety of sneakers that can’t be found in typical shoe stores and are one of the only sneaker stores in the world that sells private collections. For those on the run, they offer free delivery within 50 kilometres of the store.
Newcomer Omakase translates to ‘chef creates’ and that’s exactly what happens in this 11-seater restaurant on Little Hay Street. Sit at the kitchen counter and watch as head chef Fukada San prepares and serves a carefully curated 20-course menu of the freshest sushi and sashimi.
Adding to the existing international flair is Lilong by Taste of Shanghai, giving Darling Square a taste of authentic Shanghainese cuisine. Originating in Nagoya in Japan, IlKO Mazesoba provides brothless ramen that is rich in flavours including matcha green tea, beetroot and squid ink.
A three-metre high statue of Buddha watches over customers in Chinta Ria: Buddha Love, feasting on curry laksa, satays, rendang and gado gado salad all alongside hometown favourite noodles.
Goobne brings a fresh and healthy option with its oven-roasted Korean chicken and Sydney favourite, Pancakes on The Rocks, supplies its sought-afterfluffy pancakes, sweet and savoury crepes, as well as salads, pizzas, and ribs.
Lermont Skincare provides a little TLC with 20 exclusive signature skincare treatments and 15 different body treatments using the latest in skincare technology, including their signature Chinese medicine body mask used to draw out toxins.
Darling Square will also be home to Darling Square Community Bank, a bank that distributes profits back to locals via grants to community initiatives and businesses. Lendlease will seed fund Darling Square Community Bank with a $100,000 community fund to support the local area. Whether it be virtual gaming in the grove, community language classes or street dance classes under Pier Street, the community fund is designed to help kickstart great ideas.
Final retailers coming to Darling Square:1
1. Solemate Sneakers
Solemate Sneakers stocks a variety of sneakers that can’t be found in typical shoe stores. Sneaker enthusiasts can experience an extensive range of the latest styles from Nike, G-Shock, adidas, Vans, Lacoste, Timberland, as well as maintenance products from Crep Protect and Jason Markk. They are one of only a handful of sneaker stores in the world that offer both retail and consignment service, selling products on behalf of their customers, and offer same day delivery for customers within 50 kilometres of the store.
2. Lilong by Taste of Shanghai
Lilong by Taste of Shanghai brings Sydney a taste of authentic Shanghainese cuisine. It focuses on quality and innovation with a genuine passion for food. Inspired by that, the menu includes both Shanghai and Northern Chinese-style cuisines.
3. IIKO Mazesoba
Originating in Japan, IIKO Mazesoba specialise in a brothless ramen of mixed noodles. The broth is replaced with a savoury sauce, fragrant oils and a special vinegar that coats the noodles. The seasonal, fresh, homemade noodles take centre stage, including their signature multigrain noodle made from scratch. Upcoming flavours include matcha green tea, beetroot and squid ink with sides of Karaage fried chicken, DIY potato salad and sweet Japanese shaved iced dessert.
4. Goobne
Since launching in Korea in 2005 and growing to more than 1,000 stores in Asia, Goobne brings its first restaurant to Australia. Goobne takes pride in its healthy, oven roasted chicken which comes in eight flavours, including Sichuan, teriyaki, and sweet and spicy. Alongside its famous succulent chicken, Goobne also serves up a range of traditional Korean dishes.
5. Pancakes on the Rocks
Serving up breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert since 1975, Pancakes on the Rocks is a popular destination for Sydney locals and tourists alike. With a huge variety of meals including pancakes, pizzas, salads and crepes there is something for all tastes.
6. Bendigo Bank
City West Community Financial Services Limited relocates its Bendigo Bank Community Bank branch from Pyrmont’s Union Square to Darling Square. The bank is unique in that it provides funds back to the local community. Lendlease will contribute $100,000 to kickstart the community fund, which is designed to support the community in and around Darling Square, in their areas of interest or passion, such as virtual gaming in the grove, community language classes or street dance classes under Pier Street.
7. Chinta Ria: Buddha Love
Chinta Ria is a nostalgic Malaysian restaurant. The menu features Malaysian comfort food such as curry laksa, satays, rendang and gado gado salad all alongside hometown favourite noodles. The restaurant is designed by Melbourne-based Wayne Finschi and the centerpiece is a three-metre high statue of Buddha that resided in the original Chinta Ria restaurant. Chinta means ‘love’ and Ria ‘happiness’ in Malaysian.
8. Lermont Skincare
The team at Lermont Skincare use the latest in skincare technology to specialise in acne and acne scar revision, skin resurfacing and hair removal. They cover an array of therapies, with 20 exclusive signature skincare treatments and 15 different body treatments. Their signature treatment is a Chinese medicine body mask used to draw the toxins to the surface and bring fresh blood and fluid to the body. It has a smoothing effect and firms the skin whilst helping with sleep and physical recovery.
9. Omakase
Omakase translates to ‘chef creates’ and that’s exactly what happens in this 11-seater restaurant on Little Hay Street. Diners can sit at the kitchen counter and watch as head chef Fukada San prepares and serves a carefully curated around 24-piece menu of the freshest sushi, sashimi and seasonal produces. The menu changes daily depending on the season and produce available from the local fish market. Matching wine and sakes can be added to complete the Japanese dining experience. Bookings are required, with only one lunch sitting a day from 12pm until 2pm and two dinner sittings, 6pm until 8pm and 8pm until 10pm.
Darling Square
35 Tumbalong Boulevard, Haymarket