Over the last couple of weeks, Sydney’s pubs, cafes, restaurants and bars have been slowly emerging from lockdown. Since May 15, dine-in has been permitted for up to 10 guests, and starting June 1, venues in NSW will be allowed to admit up to 50 patrons (as long as spaces are big enough for the four-square-metre rule).

This week, we’ve seen a stack of our favourite venues announce that they’re reopening or taking bookings, including Sydney hospitality giant Merivale. From Monday, it will progressively reopen 30 more venues (Mr Wong, Bar Totti’s, The Paddington, Lotus 2.0 and Jimmy’s Falafel all began accepting dine-in customers a couple of weeks ago). The newbies include Charlie Parker’s, Fred’s, Mimi’s, Ms G’s, Queen Chow Enmore and Una Mas. Bert’s, Little Felix and Queen Chow Manly will reopen on Tuesday. (Read this story for more info.)

Another dining group, Solotel, announced it will reopen 14 of its venues, including Newtown’s Courthouse and The Bank, The Clock, North Bondi Fish and Chiswick.

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We’re also excited to see Hubert and Alberto’s Lounge now taking bookings, as well Newtown’s Cafe Paci,
Malaysian eatery group Ho Jiak, and all the ramen joints run by Rara Ramen. Find more restaurant reopenings here.

This weekend you can have breakfast at Quick Brown Fox, Auvers or Devon North Sydney, or grab a coffee at Sample. Find more cafe reopenings here.

And if you want to grab just a drink without a meal, you’ll be able to do so from June 1, but you won’t be able to order at the bar – it’s table-service only for booze. Do that at Enmore’s Jacoby’s, Bondi’s Ode and Leichhardt’s Golden Gully. Find more bar and pub reopenings here.