Share plates is a type of dining that became popular in the United States after 2000 and has gone on to take the culinary world by the whisk.
When you are out with friends enjoying Friday night drinks, most of us just want to graze on several different plates that tantalise taste buds and harmonise with our cocktails.
Here are six venues that epitomise share-plate dining:
Catch Your Own Fish to Share
Reel in good times at Melbourne’s first catch-and-cook restaurant, Fishing Season on Russell Street in the heart of the city. From bait to plate, cast away your worries and savour the finest catch of the day at this Yunnan-style stone pot steamed fish restaurant, where an eclectic vibe awaits, with green leather banquettes, curved windows, wood panelling and interesting artwork setting the tone for a memorable meal.
Order à la carte, or head downstairs where you can catch your own fish to be processed in the kitchen, then brought to your table and cooked in front of you; perhaps share marinated prawns to start, before plates such as whole cod, with jujube, shallots, mushrooms and chicken stock.
Decades of Family Recipes
Taste decades of family recipes offering traditional and innovative dishes at The Baan Kurrjong – Thai Flavours on Blaxlands Ridge Road in Sydney. With a name meaning ‘house’ in Thai, find a warm welcome at this stylish restaurant, where plants hang from the ceiling, walls are adorned with cane hats and trays and sparkling glassware adorns blond wood table settings.
Settle in to enjoy a memorable meal with a glass of wine and share a mixed starter plate of everyone’s favourite spring rolls, curry puffs, money bags and satay chicken skewers; before specialties such as roast duck red curry, with fresh vegetables and a side of steamed rice.
Sweeping Views of Rolling Hills
Take in sweeping views over the rolling hills of Goonoo Goonoo Station and the distant Liverpool Range from the contemporary surrounds of Glasshouse Restaurant on New England Highway in Tamworth. Completed in 2016, this state-of-the-art venue sits seamlessly between two re-purposed heritage buildings, with a full glass frontage and sleek interior vibe of subtle downlights, stacked stone feature wall and splashes of greenery.
From a menu focusing on fresh, local produce share starters of prawn toast and sambal aioli, along with artisan burrata; before memorable mains such as roasted lamb rump with garlic cream, pea purée, jus and sides of fried potatoes with garden herb butter, rosemary salt and broccolini.
Tradition Meets Modern Inspiration
Just like its owners, Olive Thyme Turkish Cuisine on Sandgate Road in Albion is where Turkish tradition meets modern inspiration. Nestled in a beautiful heritage-listed 1920s building, this restaurant has a warm, welcoming ambience of polished wood floors, intimate table settings clothed in white linen and walls adorned with colourful china plates.
In true Turkish style, a centrepiece counter displays tempting entrée platters and desserts so guests can take a peek before ordering mezze plates to share like halloumi, beef sujuk and fig purée and larger offerings of lamb backstrap, smokey eggplant, onion cups and pilav.
Exceptional Fusion of Share Plates
Step into Luna for an exceptional fusion of Modern Australian cuisine, situated in the heart of Canberra's bustling CBD. Nestled within the historic Sydney Building, Luna offers a blend of classic art-deco ambience with dramatic flair, ensuring an experience that's as visually stunning as it is gastronomically fulfilling.
Immerse yourself in an atmosphere where romance meets revelry, savouring expertly crafted cocktails, both timeless and innovative. From a menu designed for sharing, create moments over plates like swordfish piccata, rocket, pear, walnuts, lemon and capers, or wild-fire lamb and potato galette.
Best Fish & Chips in Town
Dishing up the freshest seafood and Mediterranean cuisine to Marrickville foodies for more than 30 years, head into Gribbels on Illawarra Road for the best fish and chips in town. Step into a coastal vibe of aqua and admire pictures of delicious seafood on the walls and in front of your eyes with fresh catches waiting to be hooked for a tasty meal.
Dine in with family and friends and enjoy a glass of wine or craft beer with shared plates such as saganaki mussels topped with tomato sauce and feta; then devour a hot seafood platter of calamari, octopus, prawns, fish, bugs, crabs, chips and a garden salad.
