By the end of Dine Out’s week-long run this August, I will be dangerously close to gout territory. There are just so many excellent dishes to be eaten and drinks to be drunk.

The hardest decisions of the week will be choosing where to go and when. This is my plan:

Monday August 11

I’m starting off strong, with a lunchtime burek at Bills Crown Street. The special carb is a collab with Baba’s Place, and is available all week long (at all Bills locations).

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I’m clocking off at 4pm to catch two happy hours in the CBD. First, a $7 mezcal at Cantina OK, and maybe a $14 Marg too. Then a $7 digestif at Herbs Taverne, just a few doors down.

Sugar queen Rhiann Mead’s revamping the dessert trolley at The Charles with a bunch of retro classics – I’m after that cheffy take on an Iced Vovo before bed; it would be rude not to.

Tuesday August 12

Ama’s Rowena and Kate Chansiri already count me as a fan, but they’re serving two special bowls during Dine Out and I’m here for the dessert option for lunch. One serve of the mung bean noodles – topped with salted coconut milk, chestnut pearls and shredded young coconut – for me, please.

For dinner, I’m doing a bakery tour of India, led by Kolkata Social’s Ahana Dutt and Fabbrica Bread Shop’s Aniruddha Bhosekar. A bread-led set menu with plenty of wine? See you there.

Wednesday August 13

I’ve seen the prototype for Pantry Story’s Dine Out exclusive, and I’m betting it’ll be the must-have accessory of the fest. On Wednesday morning, I’m picking up my handbag croissant – yes, handbag croissant – filled with truffle brûlée custard, and my morning coffee too.

An icon’s returning to The Old Fitz, and I’m not going to miss it. That neon teacup steaming away in the front bar’s corner is actually laksa, an early-2000s menu stalwart – and it’s on the menu for one day only. It’s available from 4pm, and I have dinner plans, so I’m getting one of the very first bowls.

I’m booked and busy for Fermenta, where the Babs gals are popping up at Ester Spirits. Briny, salty, tangy flavours, charcoal cooking and ripper drinks with that house-distilled booze. Get tickets, quick.

Thursday August 14

Today’s a big one. I’m after that saucy Kosta’s special: an eggplant parmi, ending this pescatarian’s frustration at never having sampled the classic chook the team is famed for.

I’m taking myself to Ricos Tacos to catch Chicago chef Jonathan “Goatboy” Zaragoza on the pans, then wandering down the road to The Bat & Ball, which is becoming a Tabasco-fuelled Creole tavern for the night.

I booked for a group, so I can try all of Cam Votano’s dishes – like jambalaya-inspired smoked fish lasagne, shellfish boil and rum bananas foster – with a live Americana funk band.

Friday August 15

Did you know you can normally only get the outrageously excellent Good Ways vanilla slice on the weekend? During Dine Out, the beautiful thing’s available all week long, and I’m having it for brekkie.

I can guarantee that lunch will be a green salad at my desk.

The Pavonis are pulling out all the stops: dinner at Ormeggio, with the best-loved dishes from the last 16 years – from across all their venues. We’re talking Ormeggio’s best snacks to start, then a main from Petersham’s Postino Osteria, and A’Mare’s tableside pesto. Why have dinner at just one Pavoni venue when you could eat at all of them at once?

I’ll miss the free Pizza Oltra slices at Bar Freda’s, but I’ll make it over the bridge for pizzaiolo Ben Fester’s DJ set – and dance till late.

Saturday August 16

It’s an inner west crawl today: starting at Wildflower for the Goldstreet Dairy sanga special. Phil Wood’s outstanding Jersey cheese is getting grilled on a roll with habanero hot sauce and cultured buttermilk.

Then it’s time for Africolas (and more PS40 drinks) at the PSGO drive-in at Petersham Public House, and a scoop of the Corner 75 cheese scone ice-cream at Mapo. Or maybe the fruity Pleasure Club scoop. Choices, choices.

Supper is a party at the Ace Hotel, which means late-night snacks and dancing at Kiln. Levins is curating a mix of DJs, Drnks is on wine duty and there’s a one-off menu till the wee hours.

Sunday August 17

Sleeping in (because of late-night dancing at Kiln) before hitting the record fair at The Duke, with a $15 Bloody Mary in hand.

Then it’s Hey Rosey time. The little bar in Orange is big on vibes – excellent food, standout wine and a fit-out like your cool friend’s loungeroom. Chef Hugh Piper is tripping in especially for Dine Out, taking over the kitchen at Odd Culture. It’s going to be good – walk-ins only.

Nightcap? The Pleasure Club x Mapo cocktail.

Broadsheet’s Dine Out festival makes its Sydney debut from August 11 to 17, 2025, after its run in Melbourne from August 4 to 10, 2025. There are 80 events across the two cities.

dineout.broadsheet.com.au