Winnie’s: New Harbourside Dining Destination Unveiled At Sydney Opera House
Applejack has just unveiled Winnie’s – a new eatery along the waterfront of the Sydney Opera House – inspired by the extraordinary life of Winifred Atwell, the first woman to perform at the Opera House.
Located next door to its iconic neighbour Opera Bar, Winnie’s is an all-day dining venue designed to welcome more visitors to the Opera House precinct and enhance the venue’s status as a destination restaurant and bar. It includes an extended shopfront of pastries and house-made goods, an entirely new electric kitchen and an upgraded, fully operational bar now servicing more than 330 seats across the terrace and seawall, allowing even more visitors to enjoy the venue’s show-stopping views.
The name Winnie’s pays homage to Trinidad-born ragtime pianist Winifred Atwell, who in 1964, years before the Opera House officially opened, played ‘Waltzing Matilda’ for the construction workers building what is now one of the world’s most recognisable landmarks.
“This harbourside dining venue has always had incredible energy, people coming and going, meeting before shows, catching up over a drink. 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. We were deeply inspired after watching footage of Winifred performing for the Opera House construction workers back in the 1960s — it captures exactly the energy we wanted for this venue: warm, joyous and uniquely fun,” said Hamish Watts, Co-Founder, Applejack.
“We’re so excited for Sydney to fall in love with this beautiful new venue. Winifred Atwell was a true trailblazer and her incredible performance here all those years ago is such a special part of the building’s history. I love that we’re bringing her story to life in a new way. Great music, delicious menus and good company feels like the perfect next chapter for the Opera House,” said Jade McKellar, Chief Customer Officer, Sydney Opera House.
The new menu by Applejack Culinary Director Patrick Friesen and Opera Bar Executive Chef Daniel Cooper heroes a range of local NSW producers and ingredients with signature dishes including chicken and sweetcorn congee, a Blue Swimmer crab omelette with beansprouts, herbs and sriracha, and a mouthwatering conchiglie pasta with king prawns, chilli, basil and lime.
The drinks list, curated by Applejack Group Beverage Manager Matt Johnson and Opera Bar Precinct Beverage Manager James “Rusty” Russell, features exclusive coffee from Sydney-based roasters Gabriel, alongside delicious matcha, chai and freshly squeezed juices. As the day continues, the signature cocktail menu draws on native and locally sourced flavours including Wattleseed and Lilly Pilly. Both sit alongside classics including crowd favourites espresso martinis, House margaritas and Aperol spritz. The drinks menu is complemented by a wine and beer list showcasing the best of NSW producers such as Stone & Wood, Young Henrys, Aaron Mercer and Tyrrell’s Family Wines.
“The café is Australia’s greatest cultural export. It’s where we come together, where cultures meet and where we celebrate the city we live in. At Winnie’s, we’re just building on that – great NSW produce, cooked with the creativity and generosity that defines Australian café culture,” said Patrick Friesen, Director of Culinary, Applejack.
The space, redesigned by acclaimed Australian studio Luchetti Krelle, draws on the architectural beauty of the Opera House itself by reimagining the original material palette of red granite, dark terracotta, warm timber joinery, rich oxblood and bronze accents ensuring the space reflects the excellence and beauty of the World-Heritage listed building and retains significant heritage features.
Winnie’s is open every day of the week for all-day dining, with both dine-in and takeaway options available for visitors on-the-go.
The opening of Winnie’s marks the first chapter in Applejack’s vision to reimagine one of the world’s most popular dining locations while honouring its extraordinary heritage. Following the opening of Winnie’s, renovations will commence at its neighbouring venue, Opera Bar, which is set to undergo significant refurbishment and reopen to the public ahead of the busy summer season.
Winnie’s
Sydney Opera House, Lower Concourse Level, Sydney
Open from 7.30am to late, 7 days a week