Strudel Gelato, Mini Martinis and Pizza Parties – A Last-Minute Guide To Dine Out

Next week is the inaugural edition of Dine Out, Broadsheet ’s brand new winter food festival. And we’re getting pretty excited about it.

Even though I work at Broadsheet, my chronic lack of preparedness means that I’ve either double-booked myself or completely stuffed up scoring tickets to some of next week’s headline events. But there’s still a stacked menu of free events, parties and specials to check out.

Plenty of your favourite Hot-Listed venues are getting in on the action. These spots are running exclusive specials for Dine Out week, so if you’ve been meaning to scope these places out – and want to soak up some of the Dine Out fun – why not check two things off your list in one outing?

Corner 75 scoops at Mapo Gelato

Corner 75 is a cherished Hungarian restaurant that’s been preserved – and given a new lease on life – by the owners of Sixpenny and Baba’s Place. Since its reopening it’s become one of the most popular venues on The Hot List. For Dine Out, Corner 75 has collaborated with the gelato legends at Mapo on two limited-run flavours inspired by the restaurant: apple strudel and a sour cream-infused number. They’ll be available at Mapo’s Bondi and Newtown locations throughout Dine Out. We’ll have to wait till next year for a scoop dedicated to schnitzel, though.

Mini lobster rolls and mini Martinis at Maybe Sammy

Maybe Sammy, in addition to being one of the best bars in Australia, also has one of Sydney’s finest happy hours. And this happy hour is dominated by a range of mini Martinis. For Dine Out, the deal’s even better: for the length of the festival, stop by Maybe Sammy at happy hour and $30 will get you a mini Martini and a lobster roll – a teeny version of the celebrated cocktail bar’s signature snack.

Chicken waldorf sangas are back at Good Ways

After a larger sandwich? Look no further than Good Ways Deli in Redfern and Alexandria. Back in its early days, its chicken waldorf sandwich was a breakout hit, stacked with poached chicken, mayo, apple, walnuts and dressed rocket. Now for Dine Out week, it’s back for a limited time only. Good Ways is also bringing its beloved weekend-only vanilla slice onto the regular menu every day, for the length of the festival. Owner Tom Pye likes to talk about doing things the right way, aka “the good way”. We reckon he’s doing things right, here.

Kosta’s x Fratelli Paradiso Calamari Sant’ Andrea Sandwich

Sandwich fans will also want to pencil Friday August 15 into the diary. That’s when, for one day only, Fratelli Paradiso and Kosta’s – two Hot List faves – are partnering up for a very special squid sanga. Golden rings of calamari Sant’ Andrea – a staple on the Frat Paz menu for over two decades – are partnered together here with a crusty white roll. It’ll be available from Kosta’s Rosebery location.

Cantina OK and Herbs Taverne dual Happy Hour

These sibling bars – and Hot List mainstays – are two of the finest in Sydney. For Dine Out, both bars are doing a happy hour special. Head on over to either – or flit between both – between 4pm and 6pm to get involved. At Herbs there’ll be $12 Aperol Spritz, and over at Cantina its signature Margarita – a drink we once called the best Margarita in Sydney – also for $12. Cantina OK is the smaller of the two, so it could be worth heading there first to make sure you get in. Herbs, with more seating and a larger capacity, makes sense for later on.

Special steak lunch at Ursula’s

Chef Phil Wood is acclaimed for his intricate and elegant cooking. But before opening Ursula’s and Cafe Cressida, the man knew his way around a grill – especially during his seven-year stint as Rockpool’s executive chef, in its beefy heyday. For Dine Out he’s throwing back to his steak days with a weeklong lunchtime special. From Tuesday through to Sunday next week, Ursula’s will be running a Dine Out special comprising a one-kilo T-bone steak with wasabi, lime and mustard, paired with a bottle of Mount Pleasant shiraz for $195. Come with a carnivore – and come hungry.

The Lost Dishes at Ama Surry Hills

In addition to being the home of what was arguably team Broadsheet’s favourite soup of 2024, Surry Hills’ Ama will also play host to two very special bowls of noodles during Dine Out weekend. These bowls pay homage to the “lost dishes” of Thailand. The first is kanom jeen sao nam – a savoury noodle salad — and the second is sarim: sweet dessert noodles. The dynamic duo is available as a set from Friday August 15 to Saturday August 17.

Two Dine Out parties that don’t need bookings: PSGO’s Drive-In and City Oltra at Bar Freda’s

Although these events aren’t running throughout Dine Out, they’re both free entry on a first-come, first-served basis. On Saturday August 16, make sure to stop by Petersham Public House to nab a cocktail from PSGO – the mobile version of PS40 will be parked there for the day. Later on that night, stop at Bar Freda’s. The latest incarnation of Freda’s is throwing a Dine Out pizza party with the crew from City Oltra. They’ll be cooking pizzas in the courtyard – and spinning tunes – all night long. And entry is free before 11pm.

Dine Out runs from Monday August 11 to Sunday August 17.

The Hot List is proudly sponsored by Square.