The Dine Out Specials Board Has Noodles, Sandwiches, Cocktails and More

Dine Out debuts in Sydney on August 11, delivering seven days of one-off events, standout specials and funky collaborations – all so we can get around our hospo industry. Many of our favourite venues are putting forward creative one-off dishes or bringing back old favourites – making it a great week to forget your lunch and skip the home cooking.

Here are the specials jazzing up Sydney during Dine Out.

Wildflower
Head to the Marrickville brewery for a sensational grilled cheese sandwich. Goldstreet’s signature Jersey cheese will be grilled to perfection, then slapped in a roll with cultured buttermilk and habanero hot sauce. They’re $18 each, available from August 14 to 17.

Fratelli Paradiso x Kosta’s Takeaway
Chef Trisha Greentree, from the Potts Point Italian stalwart, is heading to Rosebery, ready to put a top dish in sanga form. Golden rings of Fratelli’s calamari Sant’ Andrea, the signature sauce and rocket will fill a crusty white roll. It’s $18 and available exclusively on Friday August 15.

Ama
The Chansiri sisters are honouring the “lost” noodle dishes of Thailand this Dine Out. The savoury kanom jeen sao nam is a salad of house-made fermented rice noodles, pineapple, garlic, ginger, dried shrimp and coconut milk. Then there’s the sweet sarim, where bright mung bean noodles come topped with salted coconut milk and shredded young coconut. Available exclusively as a pair for $35, from August 15 to 17.

Shadow Baking
The team with Messina DNA is putting on two limited-edition baked goods especially for the fest. The Mississippi Mud Pie packs brownie, chocolate ganache and whipped vanilla Chantilly into a croissant-tart shell, while the confit leek and caramelised onion tart comes topped with lemon labneh, pecorino and crushed pistachios. Available in Darlinghurst and Marrickville, from August 11 to 17.

Bar Planet
Enmore Road’s the spot to find The World’s Dirtiest Martini Bar. Expect extra-filthy garnishes from the Martini haven’s back bar – think pickles, stuffed olives, pickled baby octopus, anchovies and much more. Walk-ins only, from 5pm on August 12.

Mapo
The gelateria’s scooping two flash new flavours – apple strudel and sour cream – created in collaboration with Carley Scheidegger, head chef at Hungarian favourite Corner 75. Available in Newtown and Bondi, from August 11 till 17.

Bistro Moncur
The Woollahra institution’s resurrecting the dish that captured its diners’ hearts: seafood bouillabaisse. Shellfish and market fish, seasoned with saffron, orange and Ricard, are served in a lobster bisque. Each bowl comes with a side of rouille and a baguette. Market price, available exclusively from August 12 till 17.

Bella Brutta
Sydney meat maestro Luke Powell is putting a Germanic spin on a suburban icon, the Hawaiian pizza. The $28 leopard-crusted Neapolitan pies come studded with LP’s Quality Meats new schinkenwurst (German for “ham sausage”), oven-roasted pineapples and a chilli kick. Plus, there’s a $20 pouding chômeur (self-saucing pudding à la Québécois) with ice-cream. Both limited-edition items are takeaway-only, and can be ordered online.

The Charles
Head pastry chef Rhiann Mead’s putting a swish spin on her late-night dessert trolley, adding her takes on nostalgic childhood favourites. Mini Wagon Wheels, neenish tarts, a Battenberg cake, an Iced Vovo tart and more will be wheeled around the dining room every night during the festival. Prices vary.

Vermuteria
Hit the Potts Point bar for a Spanish special – two Estrella Damm beers and a tin of Conservas Silvia boquerones (white anchovies) with potato crisps for $32 – that’s $10 off. Available from August 13 to 17.

Butter
Drop into the home of fried chicken, champagne and hip-hop for a strictly limited spicy fried chicken ramen made in collaboration with condiment kings The Fermentalists. The bowl’s $26, and is available from August 12 to 17.

Woodcut
The Barangaroo dining room’s on sandwich duty during Dine Out. Grab the “ultimate” French Dip sanga, where roast beef, pastrami and bresaola are layered in crunchy bread, with a pot of beef sauce for dipping alongside. They are $28 each, available from August 12 to 17.

Ursula’s
Grab some mates and hit the yolk-yellow Paddington dining room for a whopping one-kilogram T-bone steak served with wasabi, lime and mustard, plus a bottle of Mount Pleasant Philip shiraz. The $195 meal to share is available at lunch and dinner, from August 12 to 15. Bookings recommended.

The Old Fitz
The Woolloomooloo pub’s locals know the legend of its laksa – and the beloved dish is returning for one night only, especially for Dine Out. Rice noodles, roasted chicken thigh and fried tofu come swimming in a fragrant coconut broth, topped with coriander, bean sprouts, lime and chilli. Bowls are $24 each, and available from 5pm until sold out on August 13.

Maybe Sammy
The outstanding CBD cocktail bar’s putting on a mini special. Three-bite lobster rolls will arrive with your choice of mini cocktail – either a lychee Martini, tropical Margarita, eucalyptus Gimlet, chamomile Martini or jasmine Negroni. The duo will cost you $30, available from August 13 to 16.

Good Ways Deli
Dine Out marks the return of a day-one favourite: the Waldorf sanga. Poached chook, celery, apple, mayo, walnuts and dressed rocket. Plus, the coveted, weekend-only vanilla slice will be available all seven days. Both are available in Redfern and Alexandria, from August 11 till 17.

Pantry Story
The uber-chic croissant handbag – filled with truffle brûlée custard – is set to be the accessory of the week. The bags are $15 each, and available from August 11 to 17.

Continental Deli x Tokyo Lamington
The Australia Street beauties are pairing up, serving Laming’tins and cheese-and-charcuterie pies. Jam, chocolate and coconut come layered inside a Continental tin, where you’d usually find a Mar-tinny or Can-hattan. The savoury serve is all golden, flaky pastry filled with house-cured meats, cheeses and pickles. Available at Tokyo Lamington in Newtown and Marrickville, and Continental Deli, from August 11 to 17.

Brendan King x The Lamb Lab
The team known for its “super lamb soup” is welcoming Derrel’s chef Brendan King, for a one-day-only menu takeover. That means an Anglo-Indian spin on the joint’s northern Chinese dishes. Available to eat in and take away on August 16.