Winnie’s

The Verdict:

Applejack has unveiled Winnie's, a new all-day eatery along the Opera House waterfront, inspired by the life of Winifred Atwell, the first woman to perform at the venue.

Located next door to sister venue Opera Bar, Winnie's stands as a destination restaurant and bar in its own right. The fit-out includes an extended shopfront of pastries and house-made goods, a brand-new electric kitchen, and an upgraded bar servicing more than 330 seats across the terrace and seawall, with harbour views on full display. The name pays tribute to Trinidad-born pianist Winifred Atwell, who in 1964 played "Waltzing Matilda" for the construction workers building the landmark, years before it officially opened.

"Winnie's is our chance to build on the legacy of Winifred Atwell to create a venue with its own identity that truly belongs here and feels as significant as the location itself," says Hamish Watts, Co-Founder of Applejack.

The menu, from Culinary Director Patrick Friesen and Opera Bar Executive Chef Daniel Cooper, leans on local NSW producers, with signature dishes including chicken and sweetcorn congee, a Blue Swimmer crab omelette with sriracha, and a conchiglie pasta loaded with king prawns, chilli and lime. Behind the bar, expect exclusive coffee from Sydney roasters Gabriel, native-leaning cocktails built around wattleseed and lilly pilly, and classics like espresso martinis and Aperol spritz, alongside a wine and beer list showcasing NSW producers such as Stone & Wood and Young Henrys.

The redesign, led by studio Luchetti Krelle, reimagines the Opera House's original material palette, red granite, dark terracotta, warm timber and bronze, keeping the space in step with the World Heritage, listed building around it.

Image credit: Winnie's | Supplied