Redfern Continental

Three years after opening the much-loved Arcadia Liquors, owners Dave Jank and Brett Pritchard set up an all-day European eatery just a short stumble away.

The European menu, designed by Katie Cooper (Almond Bar, Il Baretto), gives a nod to Jank’s Austrian heritage. Served from 7.30am, breakfast may seem pretty basic with paninis, pastries and fruit the only choices. However, when you look at it together, with the street-facing window serving takeaway coffee, it lends itself nicely to grabbing breakfast on the run. Stay for lunch and order panini, except this time with heartier fillings such as meatballs or eggplant parmigiana. A few salads, pastas and schnitzels complete the menu.

Dinner brings more variety with some of the lunch favourites plus heavier mains such as bratwurst or kransky with fried potatoes and sauerkraut, or chargrilled, herbed spatchcock. There’s also a selection of smaller share plates and crostini on offer.

The cocktail bar at the back, known as GDR (Gunther’s Dining Room), is, in Jank’s own words, “slightly porno. It’s like a porn shoot from the ‘70s.” It features floor-to-ceiling wood panels, olive-coloured velour booths and parquetry floors – even a disco ball spinning from the roof. Though with a full cocktail list, a decent selection of wine and plenty of beer options, we’re not complaining.