First Look: RAFI Urbnsurf Is the Stylish Diner and Bar Overlooking Sydney's Manmade Surfing Lagoon

Sydney's $75-million state-of-the-art surf park — which finally opened in May following seven years of La Niña-hampered construction — is an obvious drawcard for any avid boarders in search of guaranteed two-metre waves. And with the imminent opening of the second of two on-site hospitality venues on Thursday, July 25, it's soon to become an equally tempting go-to for any hungry Sydneysiders who enjoy water views — albeit of the manmade variety.

Urbnsurf at Sydney Olympic Park is now home to the city's second RAFI — the first being the airy rooftop diner and bar that opened in North Sydney in 2022. Operated by Applejack Hospitality — the group behind top Sydney venues such as Bopp & Tone, Forrester's and The Butler — RAFI Urbnsurf will be located on the upper level of the park's main building, with stunning views of the vast lagoon and a large al fresco terrace.

With capacity for 165 guests, the restaurant's seafood-heavy menu will feature many of the most-popular dishes from its sister venue, including a raw platter starring premium Sydney rock oysters from East33, Bermagui yellowfin tuna and kingfish from South Australia's Spencer Gulf. Steamed Cone Bay barramundi served with a rich yet delicate chickpea miso and yuzu kosho sauce, and RAFI's famed crispy eggplant chips drizzled in honey and dusted with a lip-smacking mix of herbs and spices, are two more tried-and-trusted crowd pleasers on offer.

RAFI Bar Manager Cameron Freno has created a cocktail menu that showcases closed-loop sustainability, making use of kitchen leftovers to craft drinks such as the Sub-Zero Oyster Martini, the Sub-Zero burnt butter and pecan old fashioned, and a riff on the mai tai using unsold Sonoma croissants from the downstairs cafe, Sandy's.

RAFI Urbnsurf's stylish interiors have been designed by Luchetti Krelle, and make use of natural finishes and a palette of earth tones to create an intimate, quietly luxe space. Undulating timbre surfaces and circular motifs throughout take their cues from the rippling waters just beyond the dining room's wide windows, while brushed-brass light fixtures, woven rush dining chairs and a large-scale bespoke wool carpet by First Nations artist Colleen Ngwarraye that's inspired by bush medicine herbs add an inviting sense of warmth.

The expansive terrace summons a beachier vibe, with strings of bistro lights and lush planting creating a laidback feel perfect for relaxing after catching a few waves.

Find RAFI Urbnsurf at 15 Hill Road, Pod 5B, Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush, open Wednesday–Sunday, 11.30am–11pm. Head to the venue's website for more details. 

Images: Steven Woodburn