6 Sunday Session Venues for Shedding the Cares of the Week

Sunday sessions epitomise a lifestyle of leisure and indulgence, inviting us to bask in the essence of brightness, lightness and luxury - it’s a day dedicated to unwinding, shedding the cares of the week and relishing the finer moments of life.

The atmosphere is characterised by an air of relaxation and unhurried enjoyment where every element from the ambience to the offerings, is carefully curated to enhance a sense of well-being. 

Whether it is sipping a chilled glass of Champagne under the sun’s warm embrace, lounging in comfortable seating surrounded by serene landscapes or savouring gourmet delights – Sunday sessions are an oasis of tranquillity and opulence where time seems to slow down, allowing you to enjoy life’s pleasures to the fullest.

Here are six of our fave spots for a weekend sesh:

Dine surrounded by landscaped gardens and vines at The Quarry Restaurant on Lachlan Valley Way in Cowra. Expect Modern Australian fine dining paired with an extensive wine collection at this elegant restaurant where rusticity abounds from exposed brick and timber, while white-clothed tables beckon for lingering over a meal with someone special. 

 

Stop in for brunch or lunch and devour slow-cooked pork belly with cucumber and strawberry relish, apple and apple glaze to start a relaxing Sunday session; then slice your knife into ribeye on the bone with baked potato, eschalots, pickled beet and feta salad. Cherry panna cotta and berries make for a decadent end to a memorable meal.

Whether after casual dining for the whole family or a suitable wedding venue, visit the award-winning Renmark Club on Murray Avenue by the river's edge. Four exclusive dining areas ensure a wide range of catering options, so stop by for a meal in a spacious bistro setting, organise a formal function or relax on the outdoor decking and make the most of balmy weather with a coffee and slice of cake.

 

Choose from an à la carte menu of light lunch options and a selection of traditional favourites like pizzas, steak and seafood mains and enjoy an abundance of fresh, local produce; for the ultimate Sunday comfort food, choose slow-cooked lamb shank, with creamy herbed garlic mash, broccolini and jus, or garlic prawns in creamy garlic sauce, with steamed jasmine rice and lemon.

Nestled next to the Sydney Harbour Bridge and just steps from the city’s historic Rocks district is where you’ll find the Harbour View Hotel on Lower Fort Street. Rich in history, this hotel boasts a rooftop terrace bar for soaking up rays and the stunning view, private event rooms and a great food offering in the upstairs restaurant; perhaps sip on a refreshing ale and enjoy a bite to eat in the downstairs bar.

 

From pub classics like chicken schnitzel with Parmesan crumb to seafood and pasta, there is something to tempt all tastes; for Sunday perfection, savour a juicy steak with mesclun mixed leaves, potato purée and Diane sauce, or linguine with prawns, crab meat, calamari, zucchini, chilli lime and tomato vierge.

Look to the skies to find Mediterranean-inspired cuisine in the heart of the city, served at Fable Melbourne restaurant and bar on the top storey of a Lonsdale Street building. Kick back and relax with a cocktail or two, surrounded by a warm ambience as the last rays of sunshine fade into darkness and bright city lights begin to glitter; or organise business meetings over sumptuous share plates sure to promote new perspectives, sitting elevated above bustling streets.

 

After settling in for a Sunday to remember, snack on roasted scallops in the shell with cauliflower, black garlic and almonds; before melt in the mouth za’atar grilled chicken with a refreshing oregano tabouli salad, drizzled with miso and mustard dressing, or slow-roasted lamb shoulder, labneh, pickled cucumbers and black sesame.

Those seeking Tex-Mex fare with flair on the Gold Coast head to Panchos on Gold Coast Springbrook Road in Mudgeeraba. There are sombreros and bright murals on the walls, along with well-worn brick, a fireplace and an alfresco area which feels like you are in Baja with cacti, wagon wheels and wine barrels.

 

Grab your amigos and a Margarita this Sunday to go with starters of grilled corn, chipotle aioli, queso fresco and tajin, then wrap your hands around tantalising tacos such as garlic prawns, with smoked paprika, fresh chilli, mango, jalapeño salsa and rocket leaves. Perhaps say arriba to sharing a Mexican steak served on a sizzling platter with chimichurri, chips, slaw, refried beans and rice.

Taste the quality of Great Southern and Western Australian produce while enjoying estate-grown wines at Monty's Leap on South Coast Highway in Albany. Based on the banks of the ancient Kalgan River, the vineyard, cellar door and restaurant offer beautiful vistas overlooking the vines; ideal for lingering over a leisurely lunch with family and friends, from an ever-changing menu showcasing seasonal and local ingredients.

 

Sundays are for chilling out with family and friends over a cheese platter with preserves and lavash crackers to start, followed by BBQ octopus, chorizo, nduja salsa, pickled potato and lime mayo; mains such as Green Range lamb, smoked labneh, muhammara and pomegranate are sure to entice, then indulge your sweet tooth with a dessert of chocolate cake, hazelnuts, salted whey caramel and ice cream.