Tucked along William Street, The Strand Bistro has long been a Darlinghurst favourite — a place where locals gather for good food, great conversation, and a touch of old-world charm. The recent renovation breathes new life into this heritage venue, carefully balancing the building’s turn-of-the-century character with a refined contemporary edge. The project celebrates the site’s layered history while introducing a fresh material palette of warm timber, brass detailing, and soft lighting that creates a timeless, intimate dining atmosphere.

The redesign extends beyond aesthetics, rethinking how the venue operates day to night. A reconfigured bar and open kitchen bring a lively energy to the ground floor, while the addition of subtle acoustic treatments and spatial zoning ensures comfort for both casual lunches and late-night dining. Every intervention was guided by a respect for the existing architecture — reinstating original detailing, revealing hidden textures, and working within the constraints of a tight inner-city site.

Now reopened, The Strand Bistro stands as a model of contemporary hospitality design rooted in heritage. The renovation enhances the customer experience while reinforcing the venue’s identity as a cornerstone of Darlinghurst’s urban fabric — elegant, approachable, and unmistakably local.