Legendary Sorrento Spot Stringers Has Been Reborn As an All-Day Restaurant, Bar and Providore
The 126-year-old corner site has scored a head-to-toe makeover from the owners of Higher Ground and Kettle Black.
For Mornington Peninsula locals and regular holiday blow-ins, the Sorrento corner store and cafe known as Stringers is as much an institution as the recently revamped Continental across the road. And now, just like its neighbour, this historic site has scored a head-to-toe makeover, out to capture a fresh generation of seaside winers and diners.
Stringers has been resurrected by The Darling Group (Higher Ground, Kettle Black, Top Paddock), with the Melbourne-based hospitality crew this month completing a full restoration of the building. It's seen various incarnations over the decades, but its latest role is as an all-day restaurant, pizzeria, bar and providore that aims to be a year-round go-to.
Griffin Simm
The space is rocking a breezy, coastal style with big Mediterranean energy, courtesy of designer Chris Connell. You'll find a sunny courtyard with street access, a custom woodfired pizza oven imported from Verona in the kitchen, and downstairs, a subterranean wine cellar stocked with rare and high-end drops.
By day, you're in for cafe-style plates with a familiar Darling Group lean — a berry-topped ricotta hotcake, breakfast salad, chilli scrambled eggs teamed with flatbread and goat's curd, and the smoked salmon open omelette with caviar and creme fraiche.
At lunch and dinner, you might find yourself digging into lobster rolls stuffed with iceberg and chilli mayo; rotisserie chook or grilled crayfish to share; or a fresh pasta like the salted ricotta and lamb ragu pappardelle.
Earl Carter
Meanwhile, pizzas nod to Napoli, crafted traditionally on dough that's fermented and proofed for 72 hours. Try toppings like salami with pickled peppers and red onion, or a decadent four-cheese number. To match, a broad drinks offering carries happily from aperitivo hour to after-dinner cocktails.
And for those on the go, Stringers' sleek providore, deli, grocer and gelateria are sure to be a hit, slinging everything from grab-and-go bites to pantry staples.
Griffin Simm
Find Stringers at 2-8 Ocean Beach Road, Sorrento. Currently, the providore is open from 7am–5pm daily, with the restaurant and bar open from 8am–4pm daily. Dinner service is set to kick off shortly.
Top Images: Griffin Simm and Earl Carter
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