The Old Fitz

Tucked into a quiet corner of Woolloomooloo, somewhere beneath the sparkly lights of Kings Cross, The Old Fitz delivers on maximum character.

The old-timer has passed through a few owners in recent years, but now rests safely in the hands of the Odd Culture hospitality group, whose collection of top-notch pubs also includes The Oxford Tavern and The Duke of Enmore. The character comes from the pub's classic interior, its storied past, cosy fireplace, and its theatre, which to this day hosts a lineup of Sydney's best underground theatre. 

These days, chef Toby Stansfield leads the kitchen. The former head chef at Fabbrica wields his creative flair in the upstairs bistro (called Bistro Fitz) with dishes like semolina trofie with pine nut pesto, pangrattato, and pecorino, and beetroot tarte tatin with holy goat fromage frais. 

Downstairs in the pub, you'll find a pretty eclectic mix of snacks designed to suit anything from a fresh poured Resch's to a punchy "Fanta" Negroni. Like, oysters with whisky and pickle mignonette, steak frites, and fries with yuzu mayo. 

Stansfield has also added some cheeky takes on Aussie classics like confit rooster rolls, fairy bread, and vanilla slice. There's also a showstopping crepe cake available at both the bistro and the pub, served with dulce de leche cream, with fifteen layers of savoury crepes and fourteen layers of dulce de leche crème. 

Image credit: Kitti Gould