Dunbar House, one of Australia’s oldest standing buildings, has opened a sophisticated, fully-licensed café that boasts million-dollar harbour views, excellent service and a chic daytime menu offering breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea.
Located just 30 metres from the shores of Watsons Bay, this stunning heritage building (originally built in the 1830s) re-opened earlier in the year after a major refurbishment transformed it into one of Sydney’s most impressive event venues. Now, due to its increased popularity as a landmark destination, the venue has expanded operations to include a waterfront café, expected to become a hit with locals and visitors alike.
Dunbar House is operated by Grand Pacific Group, which is behind acclaimed Sydney venues The Tea Room QVB, Sergeants’ Mess, and The Tea Room Gunners’ Barracks. With a reputation for transforming historic Sydney buildings into unique event and dining venues, the new café features all the elements of the Group’s signature touch – beautiful interiors, breathtaking views and world-class dining.
Open from Wednesday to Sunday from 8am, guests can dine outside on the deck, or inside one of two rooms where William Morris wallpaper sets off custom-made furniture upholstered with colourful Missoni fabrics. Meanwhile, whimsical pastel-coloured Wedgewood china tea cups, saucers and stands from the Harlequin collection make the venue’s afternoon tea service a delight.
According to Manuel Spinola, founder and director of Grand Pacific Group, the café will provide the Eastern Suburbs with a much-needed waterside dining venue that is high on quality yet casual and relaxed in atmosphere. “The harbour foreshore of the Eastern suburbs features some of the most spectacular views in Sydney, if not the world, yet there are surprisingly few places for locals to enjoy great café-style food. Whether enjoying a cup of coffee over the morning’s paper at our communal table, having a lazy Sunday morning brunch with friends, or taking in the view over lunch and a glass of wine, we are delighted to be able to open up this iconic venue to the public to enjoy five days a week.”
Breakfast at Dunbar House includes traditional favourites such as eggs benedict and bircher muesli, as well as delectable temptations such as buttermilk pancakes with caramelised banana and maple cream, and waffles with honeycomb butter. The lunch menu is fresh, seasonal and high in flavour, with a focus on quality local produce and simple presentation. A simple high tea will also be available from 10am until close. The kitchen is headed by Irish-born chef Keith Murray, who joins Dunbar House from The Tea Room QVB and brings more than 14 years of experience including twice working in Michelin-starred restaurants in the UK.
For more information on Dunbar House, visit www.dunbarhouse.com.au.