Belles Hot Chicken Finally Opens Permanent Restaurant at Barangaroo

Hot fried chicken has been walking out the door down at Barangaroo since Belles Hot Chicken set up their wildly popular pop-up in November 2015. Apparently serving up over 1000 kilograms of chicken weekly (you fiends), Belles is ready to make things permanent with Sydney, opening the doors on a 130-seat eatery in South Barangaroo.

Seemingly all grown up (sorta), Belles operates as a restaurant now instead of a canteen counter, developed by OLA Architects (responsible for Melbourne's Bomba) and co-owners Morgan McGlone and Miranda Campbell. Think table service, space for larger groups, an expanded menu and Belles' infamous bedfellow: Australian natural wines. Not keen for a sit-down meal? You'll still be able to order takeaway from a separate, dedicated window.

McGlone and Campbell gave Sydney but a taste of their coveted Melbourne menu at the pop-up, and now they've expanded the menu to include their hot chicken sandwich and hot fish sandwich. You might have already snacked on Belles' fried Portobello mushrooms, crinkle cut chips, three bean salad, and you've probably dug into a personal serving of their signature chicken wings, lovingly laden with different levels of spiciness: southern, medium, hot, really hot, or really f**kin hot (and don't forget All The Sauces, from peach barbecue sauce to the Mississippi Comeback). Expect drumsticks, tenders, red cabbage slaw and mac 'n' cheese too — even $20 chicken and waffles for lunch on weekends.

Picked the really f**kin hot wings? Put out the fire with a glass of natural wine, something Belles has championed since opening in Melbourne (they even opened their own natural wine bar, Bar Clarine, which has sadly now closed).

Belles' permanent digs won't be the only Sydney opening for the crew this year, with another eatery set to open at Harold Park Tramsheds in October.

Find Belles Hot Chicken is located at Shop 5, 33 Barangaroo Ave, Wulugul Walk, Barangaroo. Open Monday to Saturday 12pm to 11pm and Sunday 12pm to 10pm.

Images: Nikki To.