If you’ve found yourself on the corner of Sydney's Cleveland and Baptist Street in recent weeks, you’ll have noticed something pretty impressive emerging. Wunderlich Lane – the mega new lifestyle and dining precinct on the Redfern/ Surry Hills border – has been drip-feeding openings over the past few weeks, with the jewel in its crown (The Eve Hotel) set to open in mid-Feb. Luxury hotel aside, there’s already a lot to get excited about already open in this newly revitalised corner of the city – with six major new venues slated to open over the the next two months.
Earlier this month, Wunderlich Lane welcomed playful Southeast Asian-inspired eatery (complete with a DJ booth and $15 noodle bowls) Island Radio, as well as Olympus: a stunning Greek-inspired restaurant from the team behind The Apollo and Cho Cho San.
Next up, doors opened at Saardé: the architecturally beautiful flagship store for the Sydney-born lifestyle brand of the same name. Here, you can pick up gorgeous artisan gifts including divine perfume made here in Sydney, and heavenly Turkish towels sourced from a family-run textile business in the co-founder’s home country.
This week, another key piece of the Wunderlich puzzle is opening its doors. Gelato Messina Wunderlich Lane opened on Monday, December 16 – celebrating its launch with a custom flavour, appropriately titled “Wunderlick”. Stop by for a scoop of the cookie and fudge-loaded Basque cheesecake gelato, or choose from any of the other 39 flavours.
In January, the doors will open at Euro-style hotel boozer Bar Julius, Regina La Pizzeria (a pizza joint serving wood-fired pizza made with unbleached flour and tasty organic toppings), rooftop Mexican restaurant Lottie, and the first inner-city outpost of The Parlour Room – one of the Eastern Suburbs’ favourite self-care sanctuaries.
February will see the launch of R by Raita Noda – an intimate omakase-style eatery with a daily changing menu – and The Eve Hotel, which is scheduled to open the day before Valentine's Day.
Later in the summer (exact launch date TBC), Wunderlich Lane will welcome Baptist St Rec Club – a new '80s-inspired neighbourhood hangout with a roster of live bands and DJs and a "Trophy Room" available to book for private parties.