Kyu By Kyue

Kyu by Kyue is taking over the former Mayflower Cafe site in Darlinghurst, with a menu centred around kushikatsu—one of Japan’s most beloved comfort foods.

From the team behind Kyue Japanese in Willoughby, the new venue shifts away from the gyukatsu and tendon dishes that built their following and instead adopts the casual, energetic dining culture of Osaka. At the heart of the menu are kushikatsu: skewers of meat, seafood and vegetables coated in a light crumb before being fried until golden and crisp.

The intimate Liverpool Street space pairs those skewers with a lineup of signature katsu dishes, Japanese beers, sake, whisky and highballs. And while Sydney has no shortage of ramen bars, izakayas and omakase counters, Osaka's famously playful street food culture remains relatively underrepresented. Kyu by Kyue aims to fill that gap, drawing inspiration from the nostalgic neighbourhood eateries and kushikatsu bars that line the city's backstreets.

Currently operating in soft-opening mode ahead of its official launch, Kyu by Kyue feels like a welcome addition to Darlinghurst's dining scene—particularly for anyone looking to venture beyond the usual sushi-and-sashimi playbook and explore a different side of Japanese cuisine.

Image credit: Kyu by Kye | Instagram