The Specials Board: These Are Sydney's Must-Try Food and Drink Specials for March
New month, new flavours — these are the standout new dishes and deals to check out this month.
March in Sydney brings plenty of reasons to book a table, with a calendar stacked with limited-time menus worth planning around. From luxe champagne and fried chicken menus to rooftop spritz sessions and taco takeovers direct from Mexico City, this month's specials board is big on flavour and light on excuses. Here's what to eat and drink in Sydney right now — get in while it's good.
Front of House
The Chicken & Champagne Club arrives at Barangaroo House
Throughout March, Barangaroo House is going high-low with its month-long Chicken & Champagne Club. Available across House Bar, Rekōdo and Smoke Bar, the limited-time menu pairs Japanese fried chicken — think: togarashi fried chicken buckets, lobster-stuffed wings and karaage topped with caviar — with pours of Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot and Dom Pérignon by the glass or bottle. It runs from March 5–31, just ahead of Australian Venue Company's takeover of the three-level landmark in April. Find out more here.
Mushroom pizza takeover at Gigi's
This month, celebrated Balmain pizzeria Gigi's is putting mushrooms front and centre with a limited-time menu designed to prove they're the true heroes of pizza. Chef-owner Daniel Semrani — whose pies have earned praise from Jamie Oliver — is swapping tomato bases for whipped mushroom butter and topping slices with seared, steak-style Swiss browns for a juicy, umami-packed bite. Highlights include the prosciutto-topped Mushroom Whip and the marinara-inspired Umamified (both available until March 6) and the rich and creamy Mushroom Royale — so popular it's joining the permanent menu.
Philthy Chapel: 20 Chapel takes over the Philter Brewing kitchen
On Sunday, March 8, Marrickville favourites 20 Chapel and Philter Brewing join forces for a one-day collab dubbed Philthy Chapel. Corey Costelloe and his team will take over the brewery kitchen with a fire-led lineup including barbecue octopus with romesco, leek and hazelnut, grilled Mooloolaba prawn skewers and exclusive 20 Chapel snack packs, in which the restaurant's cult-fave wagyu fat wedges are topped with Blackmore wagyu, CopperTree Farms crème fraiche and housemade chilli jam — with Philter beers pouring all day long. It all kicks off at 11.30am and runs until sold out. Book your table here.
Ramadan Nights at IFTAR
Merrylands hotspot IFTAR returns with its Ramadan Nights series, extending into evening service this month with a dedicated post-sunset menu. Served at 7.30pm nightly throughout Ramadan, the shared menu moves from dates and lentil soup into generous plates of kibbeh nayyeh, lamb shish and mujadara rice, alongside new additions like burning cheese made for tearing and dipping, golden sambousek cigars and a fried fish sando. It's a warm, communal shift for the daytime cafe — and one of Sydney's most meaningful seasonal tables. Book your table here.
Michelin-recommended Mexico City taqueria El Vilsito lands at Manly Wharf
Michelin Guide-recommended taqueria El Vilsito is heading to Sydney for the first time this March, taking over Manly Wharf. Across two weekends (March 19–22 and 26–29), visiting chefs will recreate the Mexico City institution's famed tacos al pastor — marinated pork shaved from the spit and tucked into corn tortillas — exactly as they're served back home. The pop-up runs alongside Margarita Week, so expect plenty of Patrón-fuelled riffs on the classic cocktail. Find out more here.
Nick De Lorenzo
Aperol Long Lunch Sessions at Shaffa
Weekends in March are spritz o'clock at Shaffa, Surry Hills' vibey Middle Eastern dining room. From 12pm Saturdays and Sundays, an eight-course grazing menu ($79pp) — with dishes like eggplant labneh, octopus al ha'esh and fire-roasted cabbage with thyme, sage and cumin — comes with the option to add 90 minutes of bottomless Apérol spritz, margaritas, beer, wine or sparkling wine for $49. Plus, Saturdays come soundtracked by guest DJs from midday. Find out more here.
Nat Thaipun takes over Pullman Hotels with Thai-inspired snacks
Chef Nat Thaipun is taking over bars at Pullman Hotels & Resorts with a bold, snack-led menu designed for drinks-hour dining. Expect punchy Thai flavours — from silky crab and egg custard with roasted chilli oil to Panang curry-glazed lamb ribs and mango sticky rice with coconut sorbet — made for sharing between rounds. The rollout kicks off in Sydney at Acapulco El Vista, before extending to participating Pullman properties in Australia, New Zealand and Asia through to October, with dishes adapted for each venue along the way.
Ovata Sundays at Arturo's Rooftop
Perched atop the historic Woolly Bay Hotel, Arturo's Rooftop is popping corks with Ovata Sundays — a limited-time takeover in partnership with Yarra Valley sparkling label Ovata by Oakridge. Running every Sunday until April 19 (excluding March 29), the 90-minute session pairs free-flowing sparkling and spritzes with roaming canapés and DJs, all set against sweeping harbour and skyline views. Expect luxe bites like wagyu katsu sandos and jamon croquettes, plus optional South Coast rock oysters and tempura Yamba prawns to level up your afternoon. Tickets are $75 per person, with seatings from midday. Find out more here.
Top image: Front of House.
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