Joe's Tavern, Restaurant & Bar

Overview

Australia Street, Newtown, is home to Joe's Tavern, an intimate 30-seater paying homage to the timeless craft of hospitality. The latest venture from Paisano & Daughters (Continental Deli, Mister Grotto), the New York–inspired tavern is named after the hospo group's founding partner, Joe Valore, serving as both a tribute to his years of quiet generosity and mentorship and a celebration of classic food and drink.

The considered one-page menu from Elvis Abrahanowicz (Porteño, Becasse) and Måns Engberg (Saint Peter, Au Passage, Paris) has no truck with trends. Instead, it champions dishes that never go out of style — think: prawn cocktail, devilled eggs and hearty steaks, plus sides like onion rings and béarnaise-topped asparagus. There's a focus on nose-to-tail cooking in both a dedicated offal selection and a section dubbed Parts & Labour, where whole animals are broken down in-house and transformed into large-format dishes that showcase time-honoured techniques.

Elsewhere, Joe's 50/50 Burger blends lamb and beef in what Valore calls "the perfect ratio", while desserts by the group's acclaimed pastry chef Lauren Eldridge — including a PB&J ice cream sandwich and a standout Knickerbocker Glory — go all-in on nostalgia.

This pared-back approach carries through to the cocktail program by Michael Nicolian (Continental Deli, London's award-winning Milk & Honey). It's a concise selection of classics (mint julep, anyone?) that spotlights gin and rum, executed with a quiet confidence and minimal fuss — the hallmarks of a true tavern.

Despite its modest footprint, the venue packs plenty of personality. Portraits of culinary mentors and legends line the walls, a quiet nod to the figures who shaped the team's ethos — and a fitting reminder that in an age of fast openings and fleeting trends, the classics never go out of style.

Images: Supplied.