Firepop’s Owners Are Enamoured by Enmore Road – Here Are Their Favourite Spots

It’s been two years since Firepop graduated from a beloved pop-up to a bricks-and-mortar eatery, but co-owners Alina Van and Raymond Hou have hardly had time to catch their breath.

“We’ve been going nonstop,” says Van, who acts as head sommelier and manager in close concert with head chef Hou.

Their perpetual busyness is due in part to the quality of their food and drinks – from freshly fired skewers to a deep wine list – but also to their choice of location. Situated on a dining-dense stretch of Enmore Road near the Enmore Theatre, Firepop has become a valued addition to the suburb’s neighbourhood feel.

“We chose Enmore because it’s so diverse,” Van says. “That’s part of its charm: it’s really diverse in terms of cuisines and price points. You step into one venue and feel a certain way; you step into another and feel completely different. It’s the same with the small bars. There’s something for everyone, and for any occasion. Everyone’s doing their own thing that’s really true to themselves.”

The pair opened their food stall in 2018, serving menu staples like beautifully marbled Wagyu cubes and fire-cooked veggo options all over the city. When they were ready to transition from their travelling operation to something more permanent, Enmore was a clear fit. Now there’s plenty more space to fire up those signature skewers and showcase their curated wines, cocktails, saké and other drinks.

“Enmore has become really well known because everyone has their own individual thing they bring to the table,” says Van. “From stalwarts like The Sultan’s Table to newer operators like us, everyone has their own thing going. You can also go to one bar and have a drink, then go to another for dinner and another for dessert.”

Vibe-wise, Bar Demo is leading the charge on Enmore Road. “It has become a much-loved home for Sydney’s hospo community,” says Van, citing the small bar’s quality drinks and vinyl-led atmosphere. “More than a bar, it adds soul, community and a real sense of occasion to Enmore."

Another favourite of hers and Hou’s is Silver’s Motel, a whisky bar that’s become a cherished hang in the neighbourhood. “It has helped elevate Enmore’s drinking scene with one of the country’s great whisky collections, balanced by a sense of fun and genuine warmth,” Van says. “It’s serious about what’s in the glass, but never serious in spirit – welcoming, generous and full of character."

As a sommelier, Van is especially drawn to the other local wine spots that are slowly coming out of the woodwork. That includes Famelia, a wine bar heroing women in the industry. “Famelia is quietly reshaping wine culture in Enmore by making it more open, joyful and inclusive,” she says. “Through celebrating female winemakers and creating a true community hub, Amelia and her team bring deep knowledge with warmth and generosity. [They’re] shifting the conversation toward connection, discovery and sharing a bottle in good company."

Of course, Firepop is doing similar things. Beyond the dining experience, which includes multiple set menu options, the restaurant hosts a resident jazz band on Thursday nights and a casual wine club on Tuesdays. Both are big hits with the locals, with the wine club centring on tasting flights of small pours or glasses from a designated “hero bottle”. Tuesdays are also BYO, so regulars can bring their own bottle from home to share with others (or keep all for themselves).

“It’s all about sharing a love of wine,” says Van. “It’s something to share with the community.”

Now that the locals know Firepop and the co-owners know the locals, Van and Hou are aiming to further refine the restaurant. And in a full-circle moment, Hou is hoping to dust off the pop-up kitchen, which will in turn bring people back to Enmore for the expanded menu at the proper location.

“We strive for consistency,” says Van. “We work on it every day. It’s only been two years, so it’s still fairly new. The team have matured and grown a lot. It’s all about small details: together they make a big difference.”

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