Sydney’s Smallest Slider + 7 Other Tiny Things to Try in Australia’s Biggest City

 By Marie-Antoinette Issa.

‘Shrinkflation’ - manufacturers reducing the size of their meals - has irked many a hungry (and budget-strapped) foodie, but sometimes big things really do come in small packages. 

Think a tasty slider you can hold in one hand and eat in two bites (no messy burger situation to see here), or, a compact cocktail that keeps you under the legal limit so you can try another flavour, without committing to a standard-drink portion.

If you’re hungry (although perhaps peckish would be more apt) for micro-versions of your favourite foods, then these Harbour City venues are dishing up the best mini meals in Sydney:

 

The Hyatt Regency’s in-house bar, Jackalberry, is proof that good things come in small pack…errr…glasses, specifically the adorable and flavourful mini cocktails.

These tiny concoctions are not only visually appealing but also pack a punch of taste, making them a must-try for cocktail enthusiasts seeking a tiny but mighty flavour experience.

With cute versions of classic cocktails including a Margarita, Negroni and mini Peruvian Pisco sour (made with Pisco, pomegranate liqueur, lemon and pomegranate syrup), it’s clear that size doesn't matter when it comes to enjoying these delightful sips.

Hidden behind a steel door disguised as a traditional Vietnamese sandwich cart and set in a space no bigger than two car spaces, it’s little surprise that VinaBar’s vibe is small but mighty.

Particularly popular alongside the creative cocktails are the baby banh mi, which, despite their petite package are bursting with traditional flavours and fresh ingredients, such as pork, chilli and coriander and, a perfect example of the power of small yet satisfying bites to leave a big impression on your taste buds.

 

Pier One's Pier Bar tacos defy the notion that tortillas need to be supersized to be satisfying. In fact, the tiny tuna tartar and cilantro flavoured (barely a palm span in proportion) Mexican meals are so packed with flavour that you could justifiably order twice as much. 

Despite their diminutiveness, Bartiga Wine and Cocktail Bar’s Wagyu beef sliders defy their dimensions. Packed with premium Wagyu beef and gourmet toppings such as cashew sambal, these bitty burgers may be small in size, but they deliver the big Mod-Aus/Southeast Asian tastes that have become Chef Faheem Noor’s signature. 

 

Dough Meats Cheese Bakery (or DMC for, well, short) offers a delightful treat with its mini munoosh. While the Lebanese version of breakfast pizza is traditionally served generously sized to satisfy hungry morning diners, these petite pastries filled with savoury or sweet fillings, making them the perfect snack for any time of day.

Spain is synonymous with Sangria, siestas, soccer and serving up small plates known as tapas. Fortunately, for those who won’t be able to slip away for a Summer escape to Sevilla, Bar Lucia serves up a tantalising array of tapas that is sure to delight your taste buds, closer to home.

Small yet satisfying, the best petit plates on the menu include sea scallops with saffron butter and salmon caviar, olives with green chillis and anchovy pintxos and spicy chorizo croquetas. 

 

Appetisers - but make them Aussie. They may lack the finesses of a plate of pinoxs, or the elegance of an antipasto board, but is there anything more iconically Australian when it comes to snack foods, than skewered cheeses and cured meats?

Head to Double Deuce Lounge in Sydney’s CBD, where you can tuck into The Dorris: a retro treat featuring cheese, cabanossi, hot mustard and a pickled onion, spiked onto a toothpick. 

 

 

Luc-San's 'classic' steak tartare is prepared the French way, but, with a Japanese twist - served with fried sushi rice on a wasabi leaf. The mini-dish is one of several tasty snacks on the menu, which was created by Luke Mangan and Head Chef Sammy Narang.