Applejack has unveiled Winnie’s, a new all-day dining venue at the Sydney Opera House, expanding the hospitality offering at one of Australia’s busiest tourism and dining precincts while celebrating a little-known piece of the landmark’s history.
Opening on 6 August, the harbourside venue sits alongside Opera Bar and has been designed to cater to both locals and visitors with an all-day menu, takeaway offering and upgraded hospitality facilities capable of servicing more than 330 guests across the terrace and seawall.
The venue is named after Trinidad-born pianist Winifred Atwell, who became the first woman to perform at the Opera House when she played for construction workers in 1964, almost a decade before the building officially opened.
Applejack Co-Founder Hamish Watts said the business wanted to create a venue with its own identity while respecting the site’s cultural significance.
“We were deeply inspired after watching footage of Winifred performing for the Opera House construction workers back in the 1960s. It captures exactly the energy we wanted for this venue: warm, joyous and uniquely fun.”
A focus on local produce
The opening forms part of a broader investment in the Opera House precinct, with neighbouring venue Opera Bar set to undergo a significant refurbishment following Winnie’s launch.
The redevelopment includes a new electric kitchen, an expanded pastry and grab-and-go offering, and a redesigned bar to improve service across the large waterfront footprint.
On the menu, Applejack Culinary Director Patrick Friesen and Opera Bar Executive Chef Daniel Cooper have focused on seasonal NSW produce, with dishes including chicken and sweetcorn congee, Blue Swimmer crab omelette, and king prawn conchiglie.
The drinks program features coffee from Sydney roaster Gabriel alongside cocktails incorporating native Australian ingredients such as wattleseed and lilly pilly. Local producers are also reflected throughout the beer and wine list.
According to Friesen, the venue aims to showcase Australian café culture through a produce-driven menu that highlights local suppliers.
First stage of a broader redevelopment
The interior, designed by Australian studio Luchetti Krelle, draws inspiration from the Opera House’s original material palette, incorporating red granite, terracotta, timber, bronze and oxblood finishes while retaining significant heritage features.
Winnie’s will trade seven days a week from 7.30am until late, offering both dine-in and takeaway options.
For Applejack, the opening represents the first stage of a broader vision for the Sydney Opera House dining precinct, with the Opera Bar refurbishment expected to be completed ahead of the summer season.
