Overview
It's no secret Marrickville is already one of Sydney's best places to eat. Perhaps the most diverse cultural melting pot of the inner west, the suburb is home to food from most corners of the globe.
And now, there's even more variety on offer thanks to the opening of Marrickville Metro's much-anticipated extension on Smidmore Street. It had been in the works for a couple of years, and we're thrilled to report that the wait was well worth it — the vibrant former warehouse boasts a great selection of new retail stores, large-scale murals, and, of course, excellent dining options.
In partnership with Marrickville Metro, we've rounded up five of the restaurants we're most excited about. These will keep you fuelled from morning through to night.
RICE PANTRY
St Peters diner Rice Pantry has made a name for itself thanks to its modern take on South East Asian dishes. It's just opened a second site on Smidmore Street — a modern Asian diner and bar — where it will continue to showcase the bold flavours of Asian dishes in a creative way. The sharing menu features playful small bites like okonomiyaki loaded tots, while bigger dishes include spicy eight-hour braised wagyu short ribs with house pickles and a seasonal salsa and a whole grilled squid with fermented chilli, pineapple tamarind chutney and lemongrass. You'll want to save room for dessert, too — there's a Vietnamese coffee lamington that would be rude not to order, as well as a Hainan chicken 'rice-cream' with ginger and toasted rice gelato, coconut, crackling, brown butter and chicken fat caramel.
KARL'S CHARCOAL CHICKEN
Need a protein fix? If you're in the inner west, make sure Karl's Charcoal Chicken is on your list. Swing by this Smidmore Street spot for juicy, Lebanese-style charcoal chicken served with excellent sides like a dangerously addictive toum. It's perfect for an easy dinner option or a grab-and-go lunch.
KÜRTŐSH
Named for the traditional Hungarian pastry kürtőskalács, Kürtősh is another Sydney favourite that has joined the ranks at Marrickville Metro. As the name suggests, the carb temple slings baked goods inspired mostly by Central European favourites — think babka loaves, golden bureka and the eponymous kürtőskalács. The latter, perhaps more famously known as a chimney cake, boasts a caramelised, crispy and flaky outer that gives way to light and fluffy inner walls, and is baked to perfection before being finished with a roll in chopped nuts, chocolate or spices. Kurtosh also sells cake by the weight — perfect if you're tempted to try a number of things. The cake menu rotates but usually features treats ranging from fudgy chocolate slices to light-as-air cheesecakes and gluten-free sponges.
FIRESTONE
All-day cafe fare is on the menu at Firestone. The spacious dining room is set to be a go-to for Mod Oz-inspired dishes, with an approachable (and affordable) menu that includes vibrant brunch plates and hearty lunch and dinner options. Come hungry and tuck into dishes like the signature wagyu steak served on a heated hot stone. The relaxed diner will also feature a cute outdoor dining space, perfect for unwinding over a relaxed meal or coffee.
RAMAN
Man'ouche and a cocktail, anyone? This enticing combination is what's on offer at Raman, a contemporary, all-day, Lebanese restaurant and bar that has just debuted on Smidmore Street. Stop by for breakfast plates including falafel and poached eggs (a clever take on the classic eggs benny if we ever did see one), and all-day bites such as freshly baked flatbreads topped with the likes of za'atar and lahmajun. The sleek venue also serves up cocktails and mocktails, and a range of Middle Eastern teas.
Find out more about the new wing of Marrickville Metro via the official website.
Top image: Raman