Chef Stone to return home to guide kitchen at Waldorf Astoria Sydney

Internationally acclaimed chef Curtis Stone will return home to open his first Australian restaurant as part of new Waldorf Astoria Sydney hotel.

After decades based in the US - and with e restaurant in Mexico - Stone will bring his culinary vision to Australia's first hotel under the luxury hotel brand.

Melbourne-born Stone will lead the way as the hotel will feature two original dining experiences. It will open in 2027 at One Circular Quay, and will be the first Waldorf Astoria hotel in Australia.

Waldorf Astoria Sydney is currently under construction and will be owned and developed by Perth-based developers Fiveight.

“Coming to Australia to create something of this scale is incredibly meaningful for me," Stone said.

"These dining experiences are deeply personal projects, inspired by the producers, seasons, and hospitality culture I grew up with.

”“To partner with Waldorf Astoria Sydney and bring these ideas to life overlooking one of the world’s most spectacular harbours is both an honour and a milestone in my career.”

Marlene Poynder, general manager of Waldorf Astoria Sydney, (pictured above on the 25th floor of the hotel with Stone) said: “Waldorf Astoria Sydney represents a defining moment as we introduce the brand to Australia.

"To work with a chef of Curtis’ calibre makes this especially meaningful. 

"Together, we're creating a destination where exceptional hospitality, world-class dining, and perhaps one of the world's most remarkable harbourfront settings come together to deliver an unforgettable guest experience."

* Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts is Hilton’s luxury brand of hotels with a legacy that dates back more than a century to Waldorf Astoria New York, the first hotel to offer 24-hour room service.

Sydney goes French for four days and nights in July

Sydney's four-day Bastille celebration of all things French returns in July. 

Now in its 14th year, the Bastille Festival returns to Circular Quay and The Rocks from July 16-19. 

Free to attend and open to all, the festival will offers four days of gourmet food, French wine, live Gallic music and cultural performances in the heart of the city.

The expanded 2026 edition will feature 130+ exhibitors, 80+ dishes, 110+ free performances, and a new French-inspired flea market at Gateway Plaza. 

For the first time, the festival will extends beyond Circular Quay through a collaboration with the City of Sydney's busking program. 

“Every year, our aim is to share a slice of France right in the heart of Sydney,” says Vincent Hernandez, founder and festival director. 

“This edition promises to be our most ambitious so far, larger, more daring and more immersive, inviting visitors on a true ‘Tour de France’ of flavours, culture and experiences.

“Our goal is to make every dish feel like a journey, whether it’s a traditional specialty or something completely new inspired by French cuisine.” 

There will be close to 20 bars across Circular Quay and The Rocks. 

The program features cabaret and roaming mimes to a selection of incontournables, bringing Parisian energy to the harbour city. 

“At its core, Bastille Festival is about connection, to food, to culture, and to each other,” says Hernandez. “It’s about creating joyful, unexpected moments that bring people together.” 

See https://bastillefestival.com.au/sydney/

Bastille Day celebrations will be a few days late this year in Sydney

With Bastille Day inconveniently falling on a Monday this year, Sydneysiders will have to be patient before Sydney’s iconic French festival returns from July 17-20.

The Bastille Festival - four days of food, wine, art and more - will be again be held across the Circular Quay/The Rocks precinct.

For over a decade, the Bastille Festival has been bringing joie de vivre to Sydney's Francophiles.

“Each year, we aim to recreate what we love about France right here in the heart of Sydney,” says Vincent Hernandez, the founder and event directorval Director. “This 12th edition is all about going bigger, bolder, and more immersive - offering Sydneysiders and visitors a true ‘Tour de France’ of flavours, sights, and sounds.”

Bastille Festival 2025 will feature more than 120 exhibitors and over 80 dishes.

Expect crowd favourites like raclette, escargots, crêpes, and macarons, along with international flavours reimagined with a French twist.

“Food is at the heart of French culture, and it’s at the heart of Bastille Festival too,” says Hernandez. “We want every bite to transport you - whether it’s through a traditional regional speciality or a creative new fusion you’ve never tried before.”

Bastille Festival’s wine program is promoted as its most extensive yet.

Eight wine regions will be offering a curated selection of four wines. From Bordeaux to Burgundy, Beaujolais to Provence, Languedoc to the Rhône Valley, and Alsace to the Loire Valley, it sounds a liquid delight.

“Our wine experiences aren’t just about tasting - they’re about storytelling,” says Hernandez. “Each glass is a journey through a region, its traditions, and its people.”

This year, Champagne will take centre stage, with pop-up stations throughout the festival and two distinctive wine bars offering Champagne paired with oysters and seafood.

There will also be mulled wine, spiced hot cider, beer bars, and cocktail stations with 18 bars dotted around Circular Quay and The Rocks.

The program includes over 100 free shows, including live concerts, street theatre, dance lessons, fire performances, acrobatic displays, and more. And entry is free.

See https://bastillefestival.com.au/sydney/

Cruise is back with a bang - and new Australian flavours

 

A celebrity hangout that often boasts the best view in Sydney has reopened after extensive renovations.

Cruise Bar & Restaurant at the Overseas Passenger Terminal offers front-row views of the Sydney Opera House and ferries heading to Circular Quay has just reopened after months of work and boasts it is "arriving with a whole new look, feel, and flavour." 

A hangout for the likes of Kylie Minogue, Justin Beiber and members of Fleetwood Mac, Cruise has been reimagined by award-winning design firm Luchetti Krelle.

So think great vistas (except when a giant cruise ship is docked) a modern Australian menu, and cocktail list showcasing Australian native botanicals.

Head chef Han Chen (ex-Amare, Felix), says his new menu features dishes like bush tomato butter mussels, pan-seared Humpty Doo barramundi with macadamia cream, and confit duck risotto with butternut squash and crispy saltbush.

The Grande Cruise Seafood Tower showcases freshly shucked Royal Miyagi oysters, Australian prawns, scallop ceviche, and scallop mousse zucchini flowers.

The drinks list from Tom Bulmer (Margaret, O Bar, Jane) highlights creations like Lilly Flower with raspberry, lilly pilly, Casamigos tequila, and hibiscus, while the Afternoon Fashion reinvents a classic Old Fashioned with croissant-washed whisky and toasted wattle seed.



Taking over the top floor is Melba’s Rooftop, a new events space named for Dame Nellie Melba - and the namesake of a storied Australian cargo ship.

“Sydney has changed a lot in the past decade, but there’s always been a place for a venue like Cruise,” says general manager John Harvey. “It’s got history, it’s got views that stop you in your tracks, and now it’s got an elevated experience to match.

“We’ve carefully curated an offering that reflects Sydney’s evolving food and drink culture. From the menu to the design, every detail has been considered to create an experience that feels fresh, exciting, and uniquely Cruise.

"This isn’t just a comeback - it’s a statement, and we can’t wait to welcome Sydney back.”

For more details and to view the full menu, see www.cruisebar.com.au

Cruise and Melba’s are a part of the C!NC hospitality group. Discover more at c-inc.com.au.

Culinary Tour de France aims to be a tour de force

The one week of the year when Sydney has a French accent will return in July.

The Bastille Festival will run from July 17-20 around Circular Quay and The Rocks and feature food, wine, music and French joie de vivre.

Organisers are promising more than 120 exhibitors and over 80 dishes on offer, ranging from traditional favourites to sweet treats. 

So expect crowd favourites like raclette, escargots, crêpes, moules and macarons. 

“Food is at the heart of French culture, and it’s at the heart of Bastille Festival too,” says founder and festival director Vincent Hernandez. “We want every bite to transport you - whether it’s through a traditional regional speciality or a creative new fusion you’ve never tried before.”

This year will be the 12th Bastille Festival with the food and music joined by cinema and cabaret. 

“Each year, we aim to recreate what we love about France right here in the heart of Sydney,” says Hernandez. “This 12th edition is all about going bigger, bolder, and more immersive - offering Sydneysiders and visitors a true Tour de France of flavours, sights, and sounds.”

And, of course, French wine will play a starring role. 

This year, the Festival will present tipples from eight iconic wine regions, each offering a curated selection of four wines. 

From Bordeaux to Burgundy, Beaujolais to Provence, Languedoc to the Rhône Valley, and Alsace to the Loire Valley, there should be something for everyone. 

“Our wine experiences aren’t just about tasting - they’re about storytelling,” explains Hernandez. “Each glass is a journey through a region, its traditions, and its people.”

This year, Champagne will also take centre stage, with pop-up stations throughout the festival and two  wine bars offering Champagne paired with oysters and seafood. 

For those seeking something heartier, mulled wine, spiced hot cider, beer bars, and cocktail stations will keep the winter chill at bay. There will be 18 bars in total. 

Visitors will be able to enjoy over 100 free shows, including live concerts, street theatre, dance lessons, fire performances and acrobatic displays. 

Two main stages and a dozen busking spots will operate from morning until late into the night.

“At its core, Bastille Festival is about connection - to food, to culture, and to each other,” says Hernandez. “We’re creating moments where Sydney can come together, celebrate, dance, and rediscover a little bit of magic in the middle of winter.”

See https://bastillefestival.com.au/sydney/

Hot new Sydney precinct gets a little bit festive

Sydney Place, tucked behind Sydney's vibrant Circular Quay quarter, is offering a range of pre-Christmas drawcards. 

With a mix of activities for workers, visitors and families until December 20, the precinct is hosting prize giveaways, roving entertainers and festive-themed fun.

Sydney Place has three new, intimate city laneways with a diverse mix of day and late-night attractions. 

The area sits by the 55-storey Salesforce Tower - the city’s tallest office building. 

Ah Toy Lane, Sai Ying Lane and Underwood Street ware home to 23 eating and drinking destinations including Jacksons on George, Joel Best’s Bar Besuto - a Japanese Omakase restaurant and whisky bar - and Lode Pies & Pastries, by Sydney chef Federico Zanellato. 

Live roving entertainment throughout the precinct pre-Christmas includes The Shoppers, a troupe of retro juggling performers, and The Gagliardies (above), a group of circus performers, along with gingerbread men on stilts. Spot them 11:30am-1:30pm every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. 

Santa’s Mailbox, meanwhile, is a festive installation inviting visitors to write and deposit their ‘naughty or nice’ lists into Santa’s Mailbox. A QR code on the box offers entry into a giveaway for a series of  prizes.

Shoppers who spend $10 or more at Sydney Place can head over to the festive pop-up Prize Wheel with a chance to win prizes including free drinks lunchtime Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday until December 20. 

For two nights only: Singapore to hit Sydney

Folk in the Sydney CBD can enjoy a little slice of Singapore in September.

Head to Circular Quay on September 7-8 to sample a slice of Singapore nightlife without leaving town.

The event will be called The Singaportal and is a joint venture between travel and experiences portal Klook and the Singapore Tourism Board.

The PR blurb says Sydneysiders will have the chance to immerse themselves "in the vibrant, pulsating, and colourful world of Singaporean nightlife".

Among the highlights will be:

# Giant SuperTree Grove, Merlion re-creation and Haji Lane walk-through.

# Raffles Long Bar experience: A recreation of Raffles Long Bar, where guests can sip on the famous Singapore Slings in partnership with Raffles and Long Bar Singapore.

# Satay Street: An opportunity to experience the signature food of Singapore in a Hawker street food ambience.

# A DJ set by some of Australia and Singapore's leading DJs.

# Brass Lion Distillery and Tiger Beer will be the alcohol partners.

There will be only 2000 tickets available and The Singaportal will feature two sessions per night to cater to different audiences.

The first session, from 6-8:30pm will provide a family-friendly and relaxed atmosphere, while the second session, from 9pm- midnight will be more adult focused.

At each session, a lucky guest’s PortalBand will light up and the wearer will win return tickets to Singapore courtesy of airline Scoot with a free stay at Raffle’s Hotel and all their Singapore activities sponsored by Klook.

Henry Hooper, general manager at Klook ANZ, said: "We are delighted to collaborate with the Singapore Tourism Board to bring the vibrant Singapore nightlife to Sydney.

"The Singaportal will offer Sydneysiders a truly immersive experience, enabling them to savour the diverse and thrilling aspects of Singaporean culture. We are excited to showcase some of the best aspects of the Singaporean culture in this unique event and provide an unforgettable night for our guests."

For more information and ticket sales visit here.

Circular Quay welcomes a hip new wine bar

Circular Quay in Sydney will this week welcome a new wine bar with a idiosyncratic food offering.

Mulpha Hospitality Group will on Friday open the doors to Bar Messenger, situated next to the iconic InterContinental Sydney Hotel.

The wine selection will include labels from the group's Bimbadgen and Alter wines in the Hunter Valley, as well as from around the world.

So think names like Taittinger, Henschke, Craggy Range and Moss Wood by the glass paired with snacks like taramasalata, smoked salmon and confit sardines. 

The art deco interior of the venue draws inspiration from its heritage and a sculpture depicting the Roman God Mercury.



Opening just in time for the Vivid Sydney festival, the venue aims to provide a "sophisticated yet relaxed ambiance" for both wine enthusiasts and casual drinkers.

With a seating capacity of 120, this venue will feature wines chosen by venue manager Aaron Rothe.

To complement the wine selection, Bar Messenger will offer a menu of small grazing items such as charcuterie boards, salumi selections and share plates, as well as classic Aussie toasties.

“We are delighted to announce the opening of Bar Messenger and are thrilled to welcome guests to our establishment," says Mulpha GM Belinda Stapleton.

"The team is incredibly excited about this unique venture, as it allows us to provide an exceptional wine and food experience to our patrons. Our shared passion for quality wine and delectable cuisine is at the heart of what we offer."

Bar Messenger will be on Wednesday and Thursday 3pm- late; Friday noon-late and Saturday 3pm-late.

Images: Tim Pascoe