Darling St Diner

When the high tea craze hit Sydney, Darling St Diner was better equipped than most to host such soirees. Having already made a name for itself on the basis of its continental sophistication, it was as if this Balmain gem was destined to stack up the towers of delicate cakes and pastries, pots of boutique teas – and complimentary glasses of French bubbles, too. Darling St Diner’s reputation rests upon its modern Australian cuisine and atmosphere, a passionate combination covering simple breakfasts, an upscale bistro offering come lunchtime, and a more painstakingly restrained gourmet offering when dinner rolls around at the weekend.

A signature of Darling St Diner’s lunch and dinner offering is its range of shareable platters, all bearing the stamp of modern Australian cuisine with a little European flair. Balmain locals with their finger on the area’s culinary pulse are queuing up for the chance to take a table at Darling St Diner’s tantalisingly limited dinner sittings. Set in peerlessly elegant surrounds down Darling Street, and sometimes accompanied by live acoustic performances, dinner guests are treated to modern Australian cuisine such as cured salmon and pork belly entrees, classic eye fillet steaks, mushroom risotto with porcini, parmesan, and truffle oil, and slow-braised lamb. Those in Sydney looking to book are well advised to gather a crowd and make the most of Darling St Diner’s downstairs function room.