Snack Bar: Iggy’s and Pina Hit Bondi, Free Coffee, Maiz’s Summer Party and More Local Food News

What’s on around town

• Venroy is making it easier to stay in the Bondi bubble, setting up an Iggy’s and Pina cart out the front of its Hall Street store. Over three weekends – November 29 and 30, December 6 and 7, December 13 and 14 – get croissants, strawberry kouign amanns, baguettes, loaves from Iggys’s, and Pina’s oat matcha from a streetside cart. Plus, a just-launched range of Venroy x Iggy’s merch.

• The Deep North Festival arrives on the pointy end of the northern beaches next weekend. On December 5, 6 and 7, find food, art, music and design events at spaces across Avalon, Whale Beach and Palmy. Sunday Kitchen’s Karime Hazim is hosting a workshop, there are oysters and DJs at Elvina and more. 

• Soft-serve stop Kuki has a funky new range of matcha drinks at its Darling Square store. Find jasmine, oolong and earl grey numbers, and matcha mochi cookies too. 

• Messina and Brookfarm are joining forces to make breakfast gelato a thing. The limited-time scoop of honey gelato is studded with toasty, crunchy macadamia muesli. Available in all Messina stores for one week only, from Thursday November 27. 

• Hit up Salad Days’ new Alexandria store on Saturday November 29 for a salad on the house. From midday till 2pm, the new menu (made in collaboration with the Pina and Room Ten team) is free, along with The Grounds coffee and soda from Bobby. 

• Head to the Toby’s Estate cafe in Chippendale on November 27 and 28, between 4pm and 7pm, to find cocktails powered by Baileys. There’s a caramel coffee option and a s’mores number, plus a Baileys and matcha mix. 

• The Bat & Ball just added a seafood basket to the Saturday menu. Head in for golden fried fish, local oysters, tiger prawns, crumbed scallops, smoked salmon and chippies for just $34, until sold out. 

• Yirranma Place’s free community open day is Saturday November 29. Head to the Darlinghurst block for music, a social enterprise market hall, and a free bake sale – all in support of Two Good’s work supporting women experiencing homelessness and domestic violence. 

• Maiz is turning five, and it’s celebrating with a party at Yulli’s Brews in Alexandria. Head in on Saturday December 6 for a spread of vegan tacos, grilled corn and other Mexican snacks, along with Yulli’s Maisie Corn Lager, Palomas, Margs and more. Plus, DJs till late. It’s free entry, so arrive early. 

• Swish phone-free steak joint Bistecca has a new private dining room. There’s room for 16 at lunch and dinner sittings, and there are a range of menu options. 

• Find free coffee at Axil Coffee’s first Sydney store from November 28 to December 4. The first 100 coffees will be on the house, conditions apply. Plus, the 2025 World Barista champ, Jack Simpson, will be hosting four-person coffee workshops. Learn the art of espresso, milk and more on December 5 and 6. Bookings required.

What we covered this week

• The best new restaurants of 2025 span a dozen dining rooms, offering something fresh, dazzling or beautifully simple.

• The best new bars of 2025 are quenching our thirst – whether you’re looking for hot-cold Coladas, a great wine, an ace snack or somewhere to dance.

• The best new cafes, bakeries and casual eateries of 2025 prove we’re still mad for bread, plus scrolls, cream-filled mochi, birria tacos and more.

• Coming soon: Appizza is a Taylor Street pizzeria from the AP Bakery team and Cicerone’s Stefano de Caro. Head in for New Haven-style slices, dips for your crust and soft-serve.

• Tay is Sydney’s only spot for Thai-style barbeque chook in a classic chicken shop setting.