The APO

The Verdict

TUL fave The APO has gone and relaunched itself; no longer an experimental fine-dining spot, it’s taken a much more relaxed direction. Having undergone a mini facelift and a change in attitude, The APO still has that same, classy laneway charm we fell in love with, but with more of a fun, gastropub-come-neighbourhood bar-style flair.

So, what’s new? Dialling up the chill-factor, The APO has held onto the upstairs loft and alfresco dining area that spills out onto Bakery Lane, but, the private dining room and exclusive atmosphere has been given the boot, having been replaced with a huge pool table, flat-screen TVs to catch the game on, R&B tunes playing on loudspeaker (because bangers), all accompanied by a switched-up cocktail menu and share plates galore, perfect for late night bites. 

With the casual feels comes a new menu, too. The APO menu 2:0 is packed with exciting crowd-pleasers; delish share plates, haloumi fries (ohh yeah), oysters, burgers, tacos, and some downright enticing-sounding desserts (deep fried brownies with coconut custard, anyone?). The brand-new cocktail list also doesn’t disappoint, and their expertly-mixed drinks are the perfect companion to The APO’s killer food and electric Valley atmosphere.

It’s still got the creative panache we love The APO for, but with much more wallet-friendly prices and a chilled, loungey vibe—meaning we can go there that much more often. Win!

Image credit: Tash Sorensen / Judit Losh