Ost. Cafe

Overview

North Sydney has scored a brand-new local, and it comes with serious pedigree. Hospitality veteran Michael Broome (Ette, formerly Jacksons on George) has turned his attention north of the bridge with Ost., a welcoming all-day eatery and neighbourhood bar designed for everything from morning coffee stops to after-work cocktails.

Taking its name from 'osteria', Ost. is built around — and for — the local community. At its heart is an expansive, light-filled beer garden, complete with ten-metre ceilings, communal benches, intimate tables and plenty of greenery. By day, it's awash with sunlight for coffee catch-ups and laptop sessions; at night, it transforms into a sophisticated yet relaxed local with soft lighting and live acoustic tunes on Friday evenings. Inside, earthy timbers and stone textures set a warm, understated tone.

Head in from 7.30am for Dutch Smuggler coffee, toasties, hearty breakfast wraps and pastries, plus the option to toast the day with a morning mimosa thanks to a 10am liquor license. As the day rolls on, the menu shifts to pizzas, steaks, burgers and bar snacks, including a run of $15 daily food specials from Monday to Friday spanning schnitzels, wings, burgers and fish and chips. Behind the bar, Ette's Beverage Director Claudio Matricini has crafted a lineup of approachable cocktails, local wines and beers, complemented by a daily happy hour (4.30–5.30pm) featuring $10 margaritas and $5 house spirits.

With its wallet-friendly drinks and crowd-pleasing food menu, as well as one of North Sydney's most impressive beer gardens, Ost. is a smart new addition to Sydney's northside CBD.

Images: Chris Chen.