As the mercury drops, often patronage does too. We explore the special events and deals happening around Australia to keep guests in seats – despite the cold.
Circl Wine House launches Masterclass Series
Friday evenings, fortnightly
Launched in 2024, Circl Wine House quickly established itself at the vanguard of wine with an expertly curated list of 1,500 bottles. Keen to share this passion for wine, the restaurant has launched a masterclass running fortnightly on Friday evenings. “Our goal at Circl is to shine the light on diverse wine regions and makers and provide access to these unique wines by offering them by the glass, empowering customer knowledge, and fostering a new culture around wine,” says Head Sommelier and Venue Manager Xavier Vigier. The next masterclass on 20 June will feature Riesling.
Photography by Pete Dillon.
Chin Chin hits the slopes
1 – 3 August
It’s not every day that a renowned restaurant ends up on the slopes of Mt Buller. But in August, Chin Chin will do just that, with an exclusive takeover at The Whitt. Chin Chin Executive Chef Benjamin Cooper will lead the weekend takeover, offering a $110 menu of Southeast Asian flavours. “Wineries, art galleries, sports stadiums, the nation’s capital – we’ve taken Chin Chin to stacks of different destinations, but hitting the snow is a real first,” the chef said. “I love sliding a board down a mountain almost as much as I love digging into a curry afterwards, so this really is my idea of the perfect cultural mash-up.”
A taste of winter at Laundy Hotels
17 June – 31 August
Each Laundy Hotels venue will showcase wine from celebrated wine regions – from Australia’s Orange, Mudgee, and the Hunter Valley, to international regions like Burgundy, Mendoza, and Tuscany. “Winter is the perfect time to show a different side of our venues,” says Danielle Richardson of Laundy Hotels. “Taste of Winter is about celebrating the season with comfort food, great wine, and that unique pub warmth that feels especially inviting when it’s cold.”
laundy.com.au/whats-on/taste-winter
Dear Florence winter offering
Dear Florence has launched a new range of winter flavours from a coconut, raspberry, and lychee ‘dream’, to the coffee, pecan, and Japanese whiskey ‘savour’. The patisserie is part of Prefecture 48, Azabu Group’s Japanese-style precinct which opened in Sydney’s CBD last year.
Solotel’s Sunday roast returns for winter
Ends 31 August
Thirteen Solotel pubs across Sydney will have Sunday roasts for the length of winter. With a set price of $30, the hearty roasts will include tender roast beef, honey and mustard parsnips, golden roast potatoes, carrots, rainbow chard, Yorkshire pudding, and rich gravy. The roasts will run every Sunday until sold out. Venues include The Albion in Parramatta, The Bank, Bridgeview in Willoughby, Camelia Grove in Alexandria, The Clock, Courthouse in Newtown, The Erko in Erskineville, Kings Cross Hotel, The Norfolk, Public House Petersham, The Sackville in Rozelle, The Golden Sheaf, and The Strand.
The Calile x Cantina OK!
17 June
The Calile Hotel Brisbane launched its Rooftop Harvest series in March this year as a celebration of new and experimental food concepts. This June, the hotel welcomes fellow World’s 50 Best accolade recipient, Sydney’s Cantina OK! to join the Lobby Bar team on a cocktail takeover. The one night only event will feature an exclusive Sandia OK! green and pink Margarita, inspired by the colours of The Calile pool.
Photograph by Dexter Kim.
Wunderlich Lane announces NightShift
16 – 22 June
The new Redfern precinct on the corner of Cleveland Street and Baptist Street has announced NightShift, a week long festival or music, art dining, and bar takeovers. The program includes an opening night party at popular Greek restaurant Olympus, live music, and poolside events. “NightShift is a celebration of Sydney’s after-dark magic – community-driven, immersive, and a tribute to the wonder of the longest night of the year,” says Toga Hospitality Executive General Manager Jacob Rolls.
Table Manners unveils first winter menu
June – August
Alex Cameron’s Bronte restaurant has launched its very first full winter menu since opening in 2024. The seasonal menu is simultaneously luxurious yet approachable with items like Fremantle octopus with smoked almond purée, saltbush, and sauce Bilbaina; chicken, celeriac, and mushrooms; koji-glazed pork chops with red cabbage and kale; and roast hāpuku, green garlic sauce, and Jerusalem artichoke.
Bondi restaurants Ikaria and Iberica introduce daily specials
Ends 31 August
Guests can pick up steak and chips or paella for $28 with additional wine for $7 on Wednesdays and Sundays at Iberica. The Spanish restaurant also has $10 sangrias from 5pm to 7pm, and $15 margaritas from 10pm to midnight daily. At Greek restaurant Ikaria, guests can score $10 Campari or Aperol Spritz, and $15 pita and dip daily; and $15 margaritas from 10pm to midnight.
Three Blue Ducks Nimbo starts winter culinary series
28 June – 25 October
Running on the last Saturday of each month is Three Blue Ducks Nimbo’s Regioni d’Italia – Chef Frankie’s Italian Food Tour. The series celebrates Italy’s diverse regions, with each lunch presenting a $69 three course meal plus snack dedicated to a specific region. Curated wines will also be available. “This series is a chance for me to show that Italian food is about so much more than pizza and pasta,” said Chef Frankie. “Each region has its own identity, its own ingredients, its own soul. Friuli, where I’m from, has food that’s rich, bold and shaped by the mountains.”
threeblueducks.com/regioni-ditalia
Rotating weekly bowl specials at Maha
Ends 31 August
Shane Delia’s Middle-Eastern inspired Melbourne Flagship Maha has announced $15 bowl specials. Each special will run for a week over 12 weeks. Bowls include a burnt tomato and chipotle braised wagyu served with BBQ corn, coriander and pineapple salsa, and garlic rice and fried arepa (16 – 22 June) and a five-spice soy braised chicken leg with daikon, ginger rice, and mizuna (28 July – 3 August).
Ito serves up winter ramen specials
Ends 1 August
Head Chef Erik Ortolani has developed a limited time set menu at Surry Hills izakaya Ito. The $49 menu includes edamame with nori and chilli; vegetable tempura with ginger dashi; shio Kohaku chicken and beef ramen with sesame layu; and mochi sorbetto. It is available for lunch Wednesday to Friday.
Photograph by Jiwon Kim.
Oyster specials, truffles, and an Italian menu with Grossi Group.
Cocktail and wine bar Arlechin is offering $3 oysters every Wednesday from 5:30pm until sold out. Two variations are available: natural, served with lemon and vinaigrette, and Florentine, served with cream, parmesan, and spinach. The bar has plenty of drink pairings to take the occasion up a notch. Walk ins only.
Grossi Florentino presents Il Tartufo Truffle Dinner, celebrating truffle season over a five-course menu with wines from Levantine Hill Estate. Limited tickets are available for $290pp for the one-night-only event on 26 June.
Meanwhile, Grossi Grill has introduced the Love Italy menu, available for lunch Monday to Saturday. The special features bold Roman flavours and timeless classics. Two courses for $45 or three for just $55.
Ishizuka’s Winter menu
June – September
Bourke Street Melbourne’s two-hatted kaiseki restaurant Ishizuka has a new menu that celebrates the serene beauty of Japanese winters. Executive Chef Katsuji Yoshino developed the seasonal menu with courses like zoni, a white miso broth with a subtle touch of mustard; tsukidashi – four curated small bites including daikon gently simmered in kombu dashi and finished with luxurious seasonal garnishes; and kanmi, a desert of puree and granita mikan and lemon, reminiscent of snow, and paired with an airy sponge cake and mascarpone cream.
YTB launches high tea
Saturday and Sunday
South Yarra’s specialty cafe and eatery has launched an afternoon high tea running weekends from midday to 2:30pm. The offer includes range of sweet and savoury bites and a glass of champagne and coffee or tea for $130 per person. Savoury bites include a carrot tart, mini bagels, kung pao chicken sandwiches and spam onigiri, while the sweet highlights include buckwheat taiyaki, macarons, a sesame choux bun and more.
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