Now Open: Barangaroo's Newest Cocktail Bar Baharat Is Bringing Authentic Turkish Cuisine to Tombik's Old Digs
Rock up to Baharat for lahmacun and customary pickle plates, Turkish psychedelic rock music and spice-infused cocktails.
Joining the slew of up-and-coming restaurants finding their footing in Barangaroo is the Efendy group's recently revamped venue Baharat. Previously home to Tombik, the outpost has relaunched as a cocktail bar, casual eatery and spice shop all in one. Taking its name from the Turkish word for 'spice', the Baharat is inspired by the street bars of Taksim Square and the spice markets of Istanbul.
The suburb's newest bar and eatery is headed by renowned chef Somer Sivrioğlu, backed by an all-star team of Turkey's top bartenders and chefs. The standout lineup includes the likes of Emre Bilgin (ex-Geyik) as Baharat's appointed bar manager, and Berk Abdullahoglu (ex-Kaia) as the assistant bar manager, alongside a flavour-filled menu curated by Arman Uz, the Efendy group's Executive Chef.
Venture to the 50-seat venue and you'll be greeted with a warm and casual atmosphere, reminiscent of a Taksim-style bar. Your welcome will either be accompanied by Turkish psychedelic rock music from the 70s or live music from a regular program of gigs. For those opting for a relaxed, snacking atmosphere, the new addition of the outdoor seating will encourage you to soak in primo people watching while sipping on your drink of choice and tucking into delightful Turkish eats.
As for the space, Jordan Design Studio have refreshed the area with a timber and brass fit-out paired with warmer tones. You may even notice that the kitchen's setup is quite similar to that of a spice bazaar in Turkey, with jars of spices lining the shelves and drying and curing meats along the benches.
Baharat's dining menu boasts authentic dishes that will bring the flavours of Istanbul to your table. You can expect to find Turkish street food classics on the menu like the pide and lahmacun — variations of flatbreads topped with options including vegetables, minced meat, herbs and spices. You'll also discover a range of sides to accompany your order with dips, salads and customary pickle plates aplenty. And if you find yourself in a rush or are not able to dine in, all these options will be available for takeaway.
"We look forward to welcoming guests and showcasing the incredible offering we have pulled together...We believe that every spice has a story, and we are dedicated to sharing those stories with our customers, imparting knowledge and promoting cultural understanding!", explains Somer Sivrioğlu. "Our mission is to share the rich history and culture of Turkish spices through our unique blend of beverage and food experiences."
Glance over the cocktail list and you'll even find that the inspiration behind Baharat's particular cocktail selection is drawn from its own Spice Bazaar, with traditional spices infused into the drinks list. You'll spot a Turkish twist on classics, like the pickled shalgam Bloody Mary, a barrel-spiced negroni or the sumac and black salt margaritas. The drinks program extends to Turkish beer (like the Efes Fatboy) and wine (like drops from the Sevilen winery known for its sauvignon blanc).
Baharat is open from 12pm til late Monday to Friday and 4pm til late on Saturdays — you'll find the bar and restaurant at Tower One, 100 Barangaroo Ave in Barangaroo. They only accept walk-ins.
Images: Steve Woodburn.
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