5 Sizzling Winter Dining Trends
ANTE, Newtown
Sydney's Sizzling Winter Dining Trends: Comfort, Class, and a Touch of Decadence
As the sun dips lower and the air turns crisp, Sydney's dining habits are set to shift. This season, expect trends that cater to our desire for comfort, creativity, the dreaded cozzie liv and a dose of indulgence.
The Rise and Rise of the Bottomless Brunch
With the cost of living on everyone's mind, savvy diners want to stay on budget. The bottomless brunch phenomenon shows no signs of slowing down, and we’re even seeing it extend to lunch and dinner. Earlier this year, we saw Nobu enter the chat with a luxe take on boozy bottomless brunch - Nobu Gochiso Lunch. For $98PP, Wednesday - Friday 12-3pm, you can devour unlimited sushi, sashimi and oysters over a 90 minute dining time, the only catch is trying to snag a table. Over in Chippendale, Kensington Street’s Eastside Bar & Grill are beefing up weeknight trade with a $90PP free-flowing ‘Butcher’s Banquet’. From 6pm every Wednesday, some of Australia’s finest cuts are served tableside for 2hrs of decadent dining.
2. Music to Your Taste Buds
The Kissaten concept is making (sound) waves in Sydney. Following in the footsteps of Ante in Newtown and Rekodo in Barangaroo, Hemmes' recent venture, Jam Record Bar, is sure to ignite further interest in this trend. We’re expecting to see more and more restaurants weave music and performance into their offerings, creating a more immersive and entertaining dining experience.
3. Decadent Add Ons
So, chef wants to showcase some premo produce this month and while we love to boost that spend per head, we want to keep the menu accessible. Enter, the add on. Giving the option to add decadent ingredients like whole lobster, caviar, or truffle to an existing dish allows customers to customise their experience. Dress it up for a special occasion or strip it back for humpday catch ups. We love Casa Esquina’s Vognole Pasta Lobster add-on which is decadent as is, but when you opt for the whole lobster add-on for $258, you’ve got something truly special. Pre-orders must be made at least two days in advance, making it perfect for guests to plan ahead for their special occasion.
4. Classic Revival
When nights are cold and times are tough, comfort often takes the form of a well-executed classic. Forget trendy deconstructions – this winter, we're craving the nostalgic warmth of familiar favourites. Think Beef Wellington with its decadent pastry crust or how about a slice of The Sanderson’s Medjool Sticky Date Pudding with creme fraiche, Talisker 10yr whisky butterscotch, and Guinness -a delightful throwback we can’t stop thinking about. We’re seeing restaurants revisit these classics with a modern twist, ensuring they remain relevant for today's palate.
5. Transformative Spaces
The beer garden might not be the first place that springs to mind when we’re rallying the troops this winter, but tempt us with mulled wine, truffle cheese toasties and cosy blankets and we’ll be there in our winter best. Some venues need to do a little extra persuading in the cooler months. There’s a whole host of ways to transform a venue during the winter months but we especially love Harper Rooftop’s Sky High Chalet activation, transforming the outdoor space into a cosy alpine escape with stylish domes, $90PP Fondue, and endless aprés vibes.
Feeling inspired? Remember, successful activations are not one size fits all. We tailor bespoke campaigns based on our clients’ unique audience and goals. If you’re looking for help curating the perfect activation calendar this winter, drop us a message to enquire about our bespoke restaurant marketing packages.
