Top Sydney Takeaway This Week: 10 William St’s Famed Pretzels and a Big Lamb Bolognaise

You don’t need us to tell you that, in the middle of week 10 of lockdown, things are getting a bit monotonous. Takeaway will never replace a pub (or bar or restaurant or cafe) visit, and it’s no solution to, say, a global pandemic – but it will add a little bit of joy and variety to the days. Here’s what we’re ordering this week.

10 William St, Paddington
Even in lockdown, stepping into this narrow Paddington wine bar is a joy. Last Saturday it had a lovely vibe going on: wait staff were renewing its culinary stocks by bringing out slabs of just-out-the-oven pissaladière (pastry topped with olives, caramelised onion and anchovies); piling up its signature pretzels, Jenga-style; grabbing bottles of vino from the cellar; and upselling me to more of everything. Saturday mornings it’s selling what it calls “non-essential” provisions, and its menu changes each week. Either way, you can expect delicious breads, pastry packages and pasta packs to heat-and-eat at home. And desserts. Grab a bottle of wine while you’re there so you can add a little 10 William St sophistication to your home.

Check 10 William St’s Instagram account for its Saturday morning trading times, as they vary.

Continental Deli Bar and Bistro, Newtown
A special occasion recently fell on a Monday night – and finding somewhere doing a fancy takeaway nearby proved tough. Enter Continental, which offers pick-up and delivery every night of the week. We started with a couple of Canhattans (canned Manhattans), before moving onto a supremely generous cheese and charcuterie plate that probably would have tided us over for the night. But we had other dishes to get through: a beautifully juicy roasted chook with zingy carrot puree, and a container of lamb bolognaise with springy, ruffle-y gigli pasta. We finished it all off with, yes, a Neapoli-tin – vanilla, chocolate and strawberry gelato in a can.

Order here until 8pm daily for delivery or pick-up from 210 Australia Street, Newtown.

The Duke of Clarence, CBD
We’ve only got a few weeks left until it’s no longer Sunday roast weather – so we’re getting our orders in while it’s (not) hot. The Duke of Clarence is one of Sydney’s best English-style pubs, and what’s more, it delivers its Sunday roasts to the inner west, the eastern suburbs, the City of Sydney, north Sydney and the northern beaches. You get a choice of pork, lamb, chicken, beef or pumpkin; all roasts come with veggies, roasted potatoes, gravy and Yorkshire puddings. Plus, you can add on beer, bottled cocktails and wine. There’s also a good range of British grocery items that’ll tick boxes for both the Brits and non-Brits among us. Think pork pie, bacon, pork sausages, haggis and black pudding.

Order here for Sunday pick-up at 152–156 Clarence Street, Sydney or delivery.

Mapo, Bondi and Newtown
Ordinarily, one scoop of Mapo’s gelato can instantly lift our mood. In lockdown, one scoop became a half-litre tub. Next week it’ll be a litre. The relative newcomer to Sydney’s gelato-making scene makes exceedingly good icy treats – whether it’s a bitter chinotto blended with creamy mascarpone, or an earthy, sweet classic pistachio. What we love about Mapo is all its flavours are created with seasonal fruits or local ingredients, such as Pepe Saya’s sea-salt caramel. And nothing is artificial. The menu changes often enough to keep us curious, too – handy in monotonous lockdowns. And there’s always an old faithful like stracciatella with shavings of organic Bolivian single-origin chocolate for when you need it most. You can pick up orders from a local store or order delivery online.

Pick up in person between 12pm and 9pm, or order via Uber Eats or Deliveroo. 123 King Street, Newtown or 64–66 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach.