Fresh Sydney rock oysters bolstered with nuoc cham and black caviar. Grilled, succulent chicken skewers, fragrant with lemongrass and even better when dipped in a creamy peanut sauce. Slices of rosy roasted duck resting on a banana blossom salad with aromatic Vietnamese herbs, a kick of chilli and roasted rice for crunch. And tender, slow-cooked lamb shoulder bathed in a coconut curry, balanced with a tangy cucumber pickle. These are some of the standout dishes on the menu at Annamese, a high-end Vietnamese restaurant found by Sydney Harbour in Barangaroo. Our tip? Get here just before golden hour for a cracking view of the sunset.
Welcoming guests from January 2025, Annamese makes an excellent addition to Barangaroo’s dining line-up. It’s by the team behind nearby Thai restaurant Muum Maam. At Annamese, executive chef Andy Pruksa draws on his Thai and Vietnamese heritage, creating fresh, punchy dishes with bags of flavour.
"We want to showcase the depth and vibrancy of Vietnamese cuisine in a way that is both elegant and exciting. With the introduction of these broader culinary influences, we’ve created a menu full of bold flavours, with creativity and balance,” Pruksa says.
To drink, try the pho-inspired cocktail made with Espolon tequila, dry vermouth, spices, Vietnamese herbs and lime. The Ca Phe Martini features Absolut vodka, Vietnamese cold-brew coffee, coffee liqueur, condensed milk and nutmeg. Or go for the Yuzu and Lemongrass Fizz, a fruity, refreshing tipple with Four Pillars dry gin, Choya Yuzu liqueur and lemongrass. Plus, the wine list features more than 80 drops from Australia, New Zealand and Europe – our pick is the 2022 bottle of Vermentino from Puglia.
Designed by Rod Faucheux from Loopecreative – the team behind other slick-looking venues Woodcut and Victor Churchill Melbourne – the indoor-outdoor space is smart and elegant, all soft green tones and golden finishes with a beautiful horseshoe marble bar.
Wondering about the name? Annamese is a nod to ‘Annam,’ an old word once used by the Chinese and French for Vietnam.
Time Out tip: Going to see a show at Sydney Theatre Company? Come here and dine before – it’s about a 15-minute stroll door-to-door.
Address: Retail 2/2 Watermans Quay, Barangaroo NSW 2000
Find out more here.
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