By Marie-Antoinette Issa.
North Sydney is quietly transforming. Once dominated by office towers and quick lunches, the precinct is now showing off a more sophisticated, social side. Leading the charge is Ost., short for Osteria, the latest all-day eatery and small bar from hospitality heavyweight Michael Broome.
It’s the kind of neighbourhood venue that encourages lingering, whether it’s a mid-morning coffee, a casual lunch, or a glass of wine as the sun dips behind the skyline.
The heart of Ost. is its beer garden. Ten-metre ceilings, lush greenery and communal tables create a light-filled, airy space that instantly feels like a retreat from the office commute. During the day it’s a sun-soaked spot for coffee, pastries and breakfast wraps and by night soft lighting transforms it into a welcoming, intimate backdrop for cocktails and casual dining.
Michael’s design balances polish with warmth: earthy timber, stone textures and subtle greenery give the space a contemporary yet approachable feel.
The menu mirrors the venue’s all-day versatility. Mornings champion Dutch Smuggler coffee, hearty breakfast wraps, breakfast burgers and freshly baked pastries, while a 10 am liquor licence lets a mid-morning Mimosa feel entirely justified.
Come lunch and dinner, pizzas emerge from the oven alongside stacked burgers, steaks and shareable bar snacks. Drinks are thoughtfully curated and easy to enjoy. Ette’s Claudio Matricini has put together a cocktail list that blends approachable classics with subtle creative twists, alongside local beers and a concise wine list.
Fridays bring live acoustic music to the beer garden, the perfect complement to shared plates and casual cocktails, turning the end of the workweek into something to look forward to.
Standout dishes reflect Michael’s knack for balancing comfort with refinement. The breakfast burgers are stacked, indulgent and worth the early wake-up call, while the pizzas are crisp, generously topped and perfectly charred.
Schnitzels and chicken wings hit the mark for those chasing casual favourites done well and the burgers are generously proportioned with imaginative housemade sauces. On the cocktail front, the classics shine - think Negronis with just the right bitterness and Martinis that feel perfectly chilled - while the occasional inventive pour, like a coconut-tinged twist on the Espresso Martini, keeps the program lively without feeling gimmicky.
Ost. is designed for community as much as it is for food. It caters to office crowds, families and locals looking for a relaxed evening out. Michael describes it as a place to call your own, where the day flows naturally from coffee to cocktails and the menu feels both familiar and thoughtfully curated.
In a precinct that is finding its social rhythm, Ost. anchors the neighbourhood while elevating it, blending approachable dining with polished design and a generous helping of personality.
