Contemporary meets traditional Vietnamese cuisine is possibly the best way to describe the newly launched authentic Vietnamese Restaurant, Cash Only Diner in the heart of Sydney CBD, but don’t worry, they take cards!
Focusing on the regional area of Hue is a large part of what makes this new venue so unique because unlike most Vietnamese restaurants in Australia you won’t find pho or banh mi at Cash Only Diner, and instead, you’ll find a style of food that hasn’t been done locally before with a desire to not shy away from very authentic accoutrements.
Signature dishes include Bún bò Huế (an aromatic and layered beef soup), Cơm Hến (baby clam rice with pour-over broth), Cá Kho Tộ (caramelised and braised clay pot fish) and Chả Cá Thăng Long (Tumeric and Dill fish served whole).
You’ll find the new Vietnamese venue on the corner of Clarence and Barrack Streets, the light-filled restaurant is brimming with character and with a modern open setting, just below is the award-winning cocktail and spirits venue, Burrow Bar, a stark contrast with moody tones, and vintage décor owned by the same team, Chau Tran and Bryce McDonough.
The team behind Burrow Bar have introduced a new chapter to their already impressive hospitality journey with operators Chau Tran and Bryce McDonough at the reigns and paying homage to Chau’s mother’s heritage and traditional regional dishes from Hue, Vietnam.
Chau’s mother learned the traditional cooking style in a French finishing school in Hue. Now Sydneysiders have the pleasure of experiencing the carefully crafted menu with the team of chefs behind an impressive pedigree from Rockpool, Spice Temple and Quay.
This year, Burrow Bar was a finalist for Australian Bartender Magazine’s Bar of the Year, Bar Team of the Year and Small Bar of the Year. With a reputable history in hospitality, under her belt, Chau won Host of the Year at the 2021 Bartender Magazine Awards as well as being listed in DrinksWorld’s Top 25 Bartenders.
Bryce is also co-owner of a popular hospitality spot, Neighbourhood in Bondi. Together, Chau and Bryce are bringing their years of expertise to Cash Only Diner, serving authentic Vietnamese food that is new and fresh to Sydney’s restaurant scene.
On the launch, Chau says “Our team has worked for months to create contemporary versions of dishes that have decades of tradition behind them. We want this to be a place where people who love authentic Vietnamese food come to, but we also want to share these new flavours with all Sydney foodies.”
Cash Only Diner and Burrow Bar are open now for bookings and walk-ins and trust me when I say get the Cá Kho Tộ (caramelised and braised clay pot fish)!
Cash Only Diner and Burrow Bar, 1 Barrack St, Sydney, NSW 2000
0450 862 147
Images: supplied