Sydney has a vibrant and eclectic new urban neighbourhood bursting with eats, beats, bars, and street art on its way – Darling Square.
The first eateries will open in this emerging inner city ‘hood by May 2018 on Steam Mill Lane. Melbourne’s favourite 8bit brings its video-game inspired burgers, milkshakes and fries to Sydney for the first time. It’s joined by Belles Hot Chicken; sashimi salad bowls by Fishbowl; Sydney’s cult-favourite bánh mì vendor, Marrickville Pork Roll; and Darlinghurst’s Edition Coffee Roasters. Toby’s Estate is the first retailer in the precinct, open since July this year.
Darling Square is a true urban hub made up of small laneways and narrow streets connecting communal open spaces, bars, restaurants, cafés, student accommodation, apartments and offices. Edgy bars and eateries and offbeat boutiques set the creative vibe in this inner-city community. There’s also services and amenities catering to the local residents and students who call this neighbourhood home. This new pocket of Sydney is on the doorstep of the CBD and the university scene, and located on the Boulevard which connects from Darling Harbour all the way to Central, via the Goods Line.
What’s coming to the Darling Square:
8bit (due to open by May 2018)
- Melbourne’s 8bit brings its video-game inspired burgers, milkshakes and fries to Sydney for the first time at Darling Square. 8bit is an American-style diner that takes its inspiration from everyone’s favourite video games from the 80s and 90s. Craft beers are also on offer to wash down chef Shayne McCallum’s dangerously delicious burgers.
Fishbowl (due to open by May 2018)
- Fishbowl rocks it LA style while using modern Japanese ingredients to create sashimi salad bowls (which is basically a deconstructed sushi roll, FYI). The five-step build-your-own-bowl makes ordering simple. Pick a base, add a protein, some Japanese-style vegetables, toss in a dressing, and then top it off with something crunchy.
Marrickville Pork Roll (due to open by May 2018)
- Already a huge hit in its namesake suburb, Marrickville Pork Roll will have visitors lining up for a taste of its famous Vietnamese bánh mì. They are famous for a reason. With more than 10 ingredients to choose from for that crunchy bread roll, you can get any variation you like on roast pork, cold pork, chicken, tuna, paté, mayonnaise, fresh and pickled vegetables, all with a good kick of chilli.
Belles Hot Chicken (due to open by May 2018)
- Morgan McGlone of Belles Hot Chicken is onto a good thing and knows that fried chicken and natural wines are a winning combo, create a fiery Nashville-style eatery. Think fried chicken tenders, mac and cheese, hot fish sliders and chicken ribs in peach BBQ sauce. With stores already established in Melbourne and Sydney, this is the seventh venue for Belles.
Edition Coffee Roasters (due to open by May 2018)
- Edition Coffee Roasters owner Daniel Jackson selects single origin/estate green beans and roasts them for batch brew, pour-over, Japanese drip and cold brew. Chef Jack New combines Nordic and Japanese cuisines to create the menu of seasonal breakfast and lunch dishes. A selection of teas are also available.
Toby’s Estate (opened July 2017)
- Located in the lobby of the new Commonwealth Bank of Australia offices, Toby’s brings its ‘Espresso Bar’ concept to Darling Square with a state-of-the-art mavam machine. Chef Joseph Assanti dishes up a range of hot and cold breakfast and lunch options including fresh seasonal salads, soups, stews, and rice and pasta dishes. There’s also pastries, cakes and muffins from the Bread and Butter Project.