While it’s undoubtedly been a rough week as cult-favourite Agnes Bakery closed, the silver lining is officially here in the form of a bakery, market and neighbourhood kitchen. Meet Idle—the next chapter in the Agnes Bakery journey serving all-day dining alongside many of the original venue’s celebrated handmade offerings.
The latest venture from Anyday Group (Agnes, sAme sAme, Hôntô, Biànca), Idle is the bridge between house-baked breads, pastries, and generous brunch dishes. “Idle was born from a desire to grow beyond the walls of Agnes Bakery,” said the Anyday team. “It’s a natural evolution that holds onto the spirit of Agnes Bakery while creating something new. We wanted to provide a place for people to have room to slow down, settle in and stay a while.”
The New Farm spot will offer a seasonal menu, which includes made-to-order savoury dishes, coal fired rotisserie chickens, handmade salads, and a curation of artisanal provisions for home. Well suited for solo lunches, long catch-ups or a pantry restock, Idle is bound to be your new go-to for honest flavours and time spent at ease. “New Farm felt like the right fit. It is a beautiful neighbourhood—we were drawn to the strong sense of community and the opportunity to create a space that feels lived-in and loved.”
So what’s on the menu? Start your day with a Euro-inspired continental breakfast featuring prosciutto cotto, Asiago cheese, soft-boiled egg and baguette. A heartier start to your day lies in the Baghdad eggs with smoked almond crumb and labne, while the house-made sourdough crumpets served with crème fraîche and berry compote sits on the sweeter side. As for lunch, the charcoal-roasted chicken with both staple and globally inspired bastes will undoubtedly be a crowd-favourite, or take your pick from a selection of nourishing grain salads and sandwiches.
On the coffee front, Single O is the brew of choice and make sure to explore Idle’s retail offering which includes housemade dips, garnishes, jams, and thoughtfully selected artisanal pantry staples like sardines, honey, preserves, and Anyday’s own boutique wines and small-batch spirits.
The fitout of Idle is also a departure from the cosy Agnes Bakery interiors, premiering as one of three new group venue openings slated for 2025—and the first in collaboration with internationally recognised interior designer Tamsin Johnson. Seating 36 guests on a sleek and industrial backdrop accented by rich furnishings and custom terrazzo tiles, Idle is a looker.
“Idle is not just a new venue, but the next part of a story that started with pop up origins, then a place on James Street and a team all about connection. It carries the same intention: thoughtful food, good people and a space that brings all of these things together.”
Idle opens on Saturday 21 June and accepts walk-ins only.
Image credit: Idle | Parker Blain