Penelope’s

From Hello Auntie and Hey Chú's Cuong Nguyen, Penelope's is a 132-seat CBD restaurant in the Quay Quarter precinct that’s also home to French restaurant and bar Martinez, elevated Cantonese spot Pearl, and laneway Basque pintxos bar Deux Frères.

At Penelope's, Nguyen expands on his signature bright and buzzy Vietnamese fare and examines what Australian cuisine is right now—not fusion, but a diverse plate of influences with distinct elements of Indonesian, Italian, Vietnamese, Middle Eastern and Japanese elements working in synergy.

Head chef Bremmy Setiyoko (Smeg Young Chef of the Year Finalist 2024, ex-Spice Temple, Sepia) is doing dishes like a prawn cocktail with bush tomato Marie Rose sauce, charred witlof and nuoc cham, bakar chicken served with garlic toum and turmeric and lemongrass sambal, and a selection of dry-aged beef with sauces like red wine and soy jus.

Drinks follow the modern Aussie theme, too. The wine list is a "hottest 100", with an extensive glass list spanning Spain, France and Italy, and Australian producers with locations listed in their local First Nations languages. 

Signature cocktails reference Australiana, like the Bogan Old Fashioned with aged rum, macadamia, wattleseed, and Vegemite caramel, or the salt and vinegar martini with Poor Toms Sydney gin, dry vermouth, olive, saltbush and pickled soffrito.

With Harbour Bridge views and a handful of coveted al fresco tables, Penelope’s interior blends jewel tones with fresh textural elements like tiles, with banquette seating and a few counter seats overlooking the kitchen.

As well as a couple of banquet menus from $74pp, Penelope’s also has sundowner snacks from $6 on weekdays, and a $39 beverage package including bottomless punch available for weekend lunches.

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Image credit: Penelope's | Supplied