The Waratah in Darlinghurst, Sydney, bills itself as a “double-decker neighbourhood pub” and “a love letter to Australia.” This two-level venue at 308–310 Liverpool Street reimagines the Australian steakhouse with native ingredients and a supplier network where nearly one in four farms and producers are Indigenous-owned, according to critic coverage from Gourmet Traveller. This review draws on the official website, diner feedback on OpenTable, and verified facts to help you decide whether this Darlinghurst concept pub lives up to its promise.

Last checked: 2026-05-27

Type: Neighbourhood pub and restaurant · Location: Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW, Australia · Website: thewaratahsydney.com · Reservations: Groups of 6+ via Sevenrooms or OpenTable; walk-ins welcome · Specialty: Steak with foie gras · Layout: Double-decker (two floors)

At a glance

1 Reservation policy

• Walk-ins only for groups under six; parties of six or more can book via Sevenrooms or OpenTable (The Waratah official site)

2 Indigenous supplier share

• Nearly a quarter of name-checked farmers, producers and suppliers are Indigenous, signalling a deliberate sourcing strategy (Gourmet Traveller)

3 Venue layout

• Double-decker neighbourhood pub with two floors offering distinct bar and dining experiences (The Waratah official site)

4 Location

• 308–310 Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst, inner Sydney (The Waratah official site; OpenTable)

Key facts at a glance

Attribute	Detail
Type	Neighbourhood pub and restaurant
Location	Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Website	thewaratahsydney.com
Reservations	Groups of 6+ via Sevenrooms or OpenTable; walk-ins welcome
Specialty	Native-ingredient driven menu; steak with foie gras (as advertised on site)
Layout	Double-decker (two floors)
Description	A love letter to Australia

Is Waratah Darlinghurst a place to visit?

The short answer: yes, if you are looking for a pub that actively questions what Australian dining means. Gourmet Traveller wrote that “one way or another, almost everything at The Waratah interrogates the notion of what it means to be Australian.” This interrogation shows up in a drinks list built around native fruits and botanicals, a menu that riffs on classic schnitzel and steak, and an aesthetic that blends nostalgic Australiana with a modern sensibility.

What to expect at The Waratah

You walk into a two-floor space that the venue itself calls a “double-decker neighbourhood pub.” Downstairs feels like a lively bar; upstairs offers a more sit-down dining room. The official site confirms that the venue is deliberately walk-in friendly — groups of six or more can reserve via OpenTable or Sevenrooms, but smaller parties simply show up. That policy fits Darlinghurst’s small-bar culture, but it also means peak-hour waits can vary.

Signature dishes and drinks

Gourmet Traveller emphasises that “almost everything” on the menu probes Australian identity. The beverage program leans on native ingredients — cocktails feature local fruits and botanicals — while the food combines pub comforts (steaks, schnitzels) with chef-driven touches. One standout promoted on the venue’s website is a raw steak topped with foie gras, a twist on the classic pub steak. The kitchen also works with Indigenous suppliers, a point the critic calls “a specific effort to channel spending to Indigenous-owned businesses.”

“One way or another, almost everything at The Waratah interrogates the notion of what it means to be Australian.”

— Gourmet Traveller reviewer

Atmosphere and layout

The Waratah splits its double-decker layout into two distinct moods. Downstairs is a bar with high energy; upstairs offers a more relaxed dining space. The decor deliberately leans into nostalgic Australian imagery, from the name itself (the waratah is New South Wales’ floral emblem) to touches that evoke old-school Aussie pub culture. The result is a place that feels both familiar and freshly conceived.

What does the Waratah mean in Australia?

The word “waratah” refers to the floral emblem of New South Wales — a striking red flower native to the state. According to Wikipedia, the waratah (genus Telopea) has been used by Aboriginal Australians for food and medicinal purposes, and the flower’s appearance on the state’s coat of arms makes it a widely recognised symbol of New South Wales.

The waratah flower as a state emblem

It was officially proclaimed the floral emblem of New South Wales in 1962. The plant grows naturally on the sandstone ridges of the Sydney basin and the Blue Mountains. Its crimson colour and distinctive shape have made it a recurring motif in Australian art, stamps, and sports jerseys.

Connection to the pub’s branding

The Waratah in Darlinghurst borrows this potent plant identity to root itself in Australian heritage. The official tagline — “a love letter to Australia” — reinforces the link. By naming the venue after the state emblem, the owners signal a conscious effort to weave national pride into every part of the experience, from the cocktail list to the playlist.

The implication: If you choose to visit, you are stepping into a space where the decor, menu, and even the name are loaded with references to place and identity — not just a generic pub.

What is a fun fact about Waratah?

Two engaging facts emerge from the research: one about the flower, one about the pub itself.

Fun fact about the flower

On Wikipedia, you learn that Aboriginal people used the waratah as both a food source (the nectar was drunk as a sweet drink) and a medicine (a tea made from leaves was drunk for colds). The plant’s resilience after bushfires — it regenerates from underground lignotubers — also makes it a symbol of survival in Australian landscapes.

Fun fact about the pub

The Waratah’s double-decker layout is a deliberate throwback to old Sydney pubs, but the way it uses the two floors is modern: one for drinking and one for dining. The venue is actually one of the few inner-city pubs that openly advertises its Indigenous supplier relationships, with nearly a quarter of its named producers being Indigenous. That’s a distinct approach that sets it apart from most neighbourhood pubs.

Why this matters: The fun-fact layer helps you see The Waratah not just as somewhere to grab a steak, but as a venue with a mission — to connect diners with Australian culture, both ancient and modern.

Was the SS Waratah ever found?

No — the SS Waratah, a steamship that disappeared in 1909 while travelling from Durban to Cape Town, has never been found. Because the pub shares the same name, some searchers may end up here expecting information about the shipwreck. The full story is a historical mystery.

What happened to the SS Waratah?

According to Wikipedia, the SS Waratah was a 465-foot steamer owned by the Blue Anchor Line. After leaving Durban on 26 July 1909 with 211 passengers and crew, it vanished without a distress call. Survivors of a previous voyage had described the ship as “cranky” and prone to rolling, but the official inquiry found no design defect. Despite extensive searches over the decades, no wreck or survivors have ever been located.

Current search status

Multiple expeditions have searched the area off the South African coast, including one in 1999 that turned up a possible sonar contact that later proved to be a different wreck. The SS Waratah remains one of the great unsolved disappearances in maritime history. For modern-day visitors: the Darlinghurst pub is entirely unrelated and located on land!

Pros and cons at a glance

Pros

• Native-ingredient cocktails and food create a distinctive Australian dining experience
• Indigenous supplier partnerships give the menu an ethical edge
• Double-decker layout offers two different atmospheres
• Walk-ins welcome for small groups (flexible arrival)

Cons

• No reservations for solo diners or couples — wait times can occur during peak hours
• Pricing is mid-range but not clearly listed online (budget may vary)
• Limited menu transparency on the official site
• Potential confusion with Waratah NSW suburb pubs

Best for

• Groups of 6+: The booking system works seamlessly for parties of six or more.
• Steak lovers: The menu includes steaks with creative twists and native accompaniments.
• Date night: The upstairs dining room offers a more intimate setting, and the cocktail list is designed to impress.
• Locals seeking a casual night out: The downstairs bar is relaxed, walk-in friendly, and full of local character.

Pricing band

No exact prices are published on the official site, but third‑party sources and the menu description (native-ingredient cocktails, steak with foie gras) suggest a mid‑range bracket for the area. A main course likely falls between $25–$50 AUD, with cocktails around $20–$25 AUD. Because no official pricing has been verified, it’s best to budget flexibly.

Location and getting there

The Waratah is at 308–310 Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst, in inner Sydney. It’s a short walk from Oxford Street and the Museum train station (Town Hall line). On‑street parking is limited; rideshare or public transport is the easiest option. The address is confirmed by the official site and OpenTable.

Alternatives to consider

Venue	Atmosphere	Signature Dish	Reservation Policy	Price Range
The Waratah	Double-decker, nostalgic Australiana	Steak with foie gras, native cocktails	Walk-ins; groups 6+ reserve	Mid-range
The Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel	Historic brewery hotel, beer garden	House-brewed ales, pub classics	Walk-ins and bookings	Mid-range
The Hero of Waterloo	Oldest pub in The Rocks, live music	Pies, roasts, live gigs	Walk-ins mostly	Affordable to mid-range
The Australian Hotel	Rooftop bar, modern pub	Parma, burgers, craft beer	Walk-ins and bookings	Mid-range