The 7 best summer food and drink pop-ups in Sydney

When: Wed-Sat 5-10pm

Ends: Late December

Commandeering the Quick Brown Fox kitchen, Buen Taco became a fast takeaway hero during Sydney's recent lockdown, with their deliciously drippy birria tacos tempting many a Mex fan into a Pyrmont excursion. 

Happily, the two-month pop-up has now carved out a breezy dine-in space in the alfresco laneway, cementing itself as the place to go for a frozen marg, at least until the year's end. Weekend DJ sets and some new additions, including a veggo taco, a Torta (pulled pork roll) and sangria should give fans of the takeaway a reason to keep coming back.

When: Tue–Sat noon-2am

Ends: Late 2022

Bringing lamb rolls, '90s tunes and slushie-related brain freeze to the buzzing Bligh Street stretch of the CBD, About Time is what happens when a team of seven Sydney hospitality lifers and mates decide to actually act on that beer-soaked fantasy to open a venue together. And we're so glad they did.

Catch them slinging slushie cocktails, tap seltzer, and Aussie summer barbecue classics including coal-fired lamb and pork, homemade French onion dip, and audaciously mayo-heavy potato salad until late 2022.

When: Mon-Wed 4pm-midnight; Thu-Sun noon-midnight

Ends: Late February, 2022

With a knack for acquiring sites that ooze character, Swillhouse – the team behind Restaurant Hubert's and Shady Pines – have taken over a former sailor's pub in The Rocks for their next major venture, Le Foote – a Euro-style wine bar. 

But first, they'll be farewelling the historic Phillip's Foote with a summer-long pop-up, offering a selection of specialty beers from Swillhouse's back catalogue, lo-fi wines, and retro-leaning décor.

When: Fri–Sat from 6pm

Ends: Check Instagram for updates

You'll find this real-deal Mexican diner tucked out the back of Surry Hills' Paddock Café on High Holborn Street, Friday and Saturday evenings, and its residency is set to linger until at least the end of November, with plans to find a permanent site already in the works. Founder Daniel Hanssen says his love of Mexican food began as a kid, growing up in the US, but turned into a full-fledged obsession when he returned to southern Arizona as an adult, on study exchange. 

"It was discovering the incredibly fresh ingredients, bold flavours and the vibrant energy of taquerias that drew me in once again – I was completely captivated," he tells Time Out Sydney. Of course, it was the moreish taco-kebab hybrid that is 'tacos al pastor' that inspired him to create his latest venture, bringing the Mexican taqueria concept to Surry Hills – vertical rotisserie (trompo) and all. Their quesabirria tacos are already a best-seller and, well, six-hour beef, handmade corn tortillas and rich consommé sound pretty ace to us. Happy dunking!

When: Thu-Sun 10am-7.30pm 

Ends: Late March

Riding the wave of seasonal nostalgia, the folks at Fellr thought it only fitting to team their summery brewed Watermelon Margarita Cocktail Seltzer release with an equally summery activation, in the form of an adorable little boozy sparkling water kiosk in the Royal Botanic Gardens. 

They'll also be hosting a monthly music series showcasing local artists until they wrap up in late March. So what the hell, 'tis the season to picnic – especially when there's a fizzy passionfruit, lime or watermelon brew with your name on it.