Gateway Sydney

Overview

If you've spent one too many nights wandering hungry around Circular Quay, dodging dodgy fish and chips and bad pizza, you'll welcome this news. The watery end of Sydney's CBD has finally sorted itself out, scoring a slew of decent eateries. It's part of a new $60 million development on Alfred Street called Gateway Sydney.

The new precinct has been transformed by Woods Bagot Architects from a very average walk-past-worthy food court into a slick new dining area. The ground floor features Gelato Messina's first CBD store (sorry Gelatissimo), Four Frogs Creperie (ham and cheese galettes for brekkie, yes please) and a new outlet for Adriano Zumbo's pastries. Also featured is Roll'd, Workshop Espresso, The Gozleme Co. and health food outlet Urban Orchard, among a slew of others.

You can enjoy it all sitting at banquette-esqe burnt orange seats, benches or out on the little park that's been created on the Loftus Street side. Some of the outlets even have their own cafe-like seating areas. The ground floor will be open from 7am until 5pm each day.

The second level houses Neil Perry's second incarnation of his Burger Project, Chat Thai, a 50-seater sushi train and 2015 World Barista champions, Canberra's Espresso Room, to name a few. It's more of a dining affair, and opens for dinner as well.

But that's not all. Remember that new rooftop venue that Salt Meats Cheese and Shuk last month announced they'll be opening later this year? That's slated to open in December.

The project is being developed by DEXUS Development Group, and the DEXUS Wholesale Property Fund own 100 percent of the new precinct. "The intent was to open up the Circular Quay end of the CBD, which we have done with great respect to the existing environment," said Liann Lim, development manager for city retail at DEXUS. "The surrounds set a spectacular stage for a dramatic dining experience to unfold, with each of our retailers serving their dishes with an element of theatre."

So is this the start of Circular Quay's renaissance? It could well be. This year, the Pullman opened Hacienda, an impressive new vista bar overlooking the harbour. Finally it looks like Bulletin Place will be getting some company.

Images: Mark Sherborne and Lauren Vadnjal.