Snack Bar: Caravin Hits the CBD, Three Closures, the Ace’s Pizza Party and More Food News This Week

What’s on around town

• Ahana Dutt is hosting a one-night pop-up with the “King of Curry” Nip Liyanapathirana (aka Nipcooks) at her King Street social enterprise restaurant Kolkata Social. On Tuesday January 20, the pair’s eight-course menu will span Sri Lankan and Bengali flavours while sticking to the Bengali flow of starting with bitter dishes, then flowing through fried, sour and spicy. Two sittings, bookings essential.

• The next laneway pizza party at Ace is on this Sunday, from 3pm till 7pm. Chef Isobel Little will be on the Gozneys with Ellie Bouhadana, with aperitivo by Marionette Liqueur and Grifter cans. 

• Beat the heat at Barbetta – the Paddington spot has added gelato-stuffed brioche to the menu. Enjoy in-store or takeaway for $10 each.

• Chef Marcelo Munoz, former head chef of Bar Louise, is popping up for one night only at Valentina’s in Marrickville. Dinner at Celo’s returns for two sittings on Thursday January 29, serving a six-course menu (with plenty of add-ons). Bookings went quick, but you can join the waitlist.

• Mucho’s happy hours are new for the new year. All month, find $13 Margs at Cantina OK, $13 Martinis at Bar Planet and Bar Herbs, $7 spritzes at The Cliff Dive and more. Times and days vary between each venue.

• One of the world’s most exceptional champagnes is now exclusively being poured beneath the sails at Bennelong. Krug Clos Du Mesnil 2008 has been described as the “greatest champagne of the modern era” by Bennelong’s wine director Amanda Yallop. Enjoy the $650 glass in the dining room or bar.

• A Potts Point duo is up next for PS40’s Takeover Tuesday series. Caravin’s Philip Stenvall and Izel Tijerina will ditch the Euro bent for the Mexican funk of their spot around the corner, Tacos Tacos Tacos. Book in for the $65 set menu – which includes scallop aguachile and pork neck barbacoa, plus an add-on coriander caramel flan – on January 20 and 27. Three sittings available per evening.

• Hit North Bondi Fish for a summer line-up of spicy Margs – and some shooters – all on Patron. Plus, there’s free merch to be won with bookings.

• Yan Yan Chan is behind two new specials at Pina: a ginger matcha affogato (with Mapo ice-cream) and a scallion pancake wrapped around an omelette, cucumber and herbs. The menu is available until the end of Lunar New Year on March 3, and all proceeds will go to the Soul of Chinatown Rice Fund.

Closures

• Newtown favourite Rolling Penny is closing its doors this month after more than a decade on King Street. The cafe’s final service is Sunday January 25 but, along with heartfelt farewells, the team hinted there were exciting things coming.

• CBD cocktail bar Kittyhawk is pouring last drinks on Saturday January 24 after “10 amazing years” on Phillip Lane. “Unfortunately, we have come to the end of our current lease and the market conditions do not allow for us to continue with a new lease,” the team wrote on Instagram. The same $49 set menu and dance floor will continue till the end.

• The Dining Room, within the revamped Argyle space, has closed to make way for Sahtein. Hunter St Hospitality’s incoming Lebanese restaurant will open on Thursday February 12 with a lengthy menu of traditional dishes cooked over wood fire.

What we covered this week

• Koda, Sydney’s newest Japanese-ish grill restaurant, revamps the old Monopole site. Find robata-kissed seafood, lasagne gyoza and a lobster ramen that’s already the most-ordered.

• Kiki Dessert supplies Ultimo with zingy madeleines, custardy canelés and fruit-studded cream cakes in a Studio Ghibli-inspired arcade space.

• Aalia Wine Room was always the plan – and it opens very soon.

• Mark your calendars with the best food festivals in Sydney and NSW for 2026.

You might’ve missed

• 12 to try: the best regional bakeries in NSW. Find everything from a charming bakehouse with plump doughnuts, a Central Coast spot with perfect pastries and a no-frills Blue Mountains patisserie with very good laksa.

• Penelope is a teeny beachside micro-bakery – with big cinnamon scrolls. Plus, a 72-hour-fermented bread program, house-roasted coffee and thousands of buns going to one of Sydney’s top burger spots.

• With Flaminia, the Pilu team anchors in Circular Quay with harbour views, an exceptionally tasty mozzarella in carrozza, a crudo bar and fried custard cream.