Belles opens in Circular Quay
Barangaroo’s Belles Hot Chicken has been one of Sydney’s cult favourites since 2015 thanks to its Nashville-style chicken and no-nonsense hospitality.
Fast forward to 2023 and the team have just opened their first bona fide Belles restaurant in Sydney. Belles Circular Quay is a flagship restaurant for the brand – a dining experience that blurs the lines between a dedicated chicken joint, restaurant and rowdy local diner.
Seating 130 people, it’s a cosy venue with warm tones, cork detailing, neon galore, vintage tiles and even a merch vending machine. To round this out, the space has loads of natural light, bespoke interior signage courtesy of a collaboration with Nick Cox (Lucas Restaurants & Trader House Restaurants), permanent DJ decks and an entirely chrome ceiling. The design represents a dream collab between Belles Design Director Vicki Punch and Ewert Leaf (Lune Interiors).
When it comes to the menu, you’re in for a real treat. Wings, drumsticks, tenders and buffalo cauli are each available in Belles’ signature flavours – chicken salt, original, traveller, hot and really f**kin hot. Our top pick are the flavour-packed tenders which are crispy, juicy and just ridiculously delicious. If you’re extremely daring, go on and try the ‘really f**kin hot’ spice but stick to ‘hot’ or even the ‘traveller’ if you’re a little more conservative.
Another highlight on the menu are the Nashville-style chicken sandwiches. Options include the Spicy Chicken Sandwich (thigh tossed in traveller heat, cheese iceberg, onion, pickles, good-good sauce and milk bun) and the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich (thigh tossed in Buffalo sauce, cheese, slaw, pickles, ranch and milk bun). Super crunchy on the outside and moist on the inside, these are simply finger-licking good.
Wash all this goodness down with Belles Original Draught or take it to the next level with the Pappy Van Winkle 15yo shot. There’s also Louis Roederer Cristal Brut, because nothing goes better with chicken than champagne. And even a special canned cocktail, a Rakija and Tonic, created by the inner-west legends at Baba’s Place. The entire drinks menu is chock-full of Sydney hospitality icons making it a great place for after-work drinks too.
With its good vibes, delicious food and friendly staff, Belles Circular Quay is the perfect spot to kick back and have a top-notch feed any night of the week. And we haven’t even mentioned its stunning views of Sydney Harbour. What more could you want?
Belles Circular Quay
50 Bridge St, Sydney (Entry from 9 Young St)
Open Mon-Thur (11.30am-9.00pm), Fri/Sat (11.30-10.30pm)