You can have one of two experiences at Darlinghurst’s newest Japanese Izakaya bar, Kaya. Enter via hustling Oxford Street and enjoy an airy amber-lit restaurant boasting good design and some of the best people-watching vistas Sydney has to offer. Antics aplenty! Or enter rock star style from the rear laneway (shimmy down Foley Lane near Shady Pines Saloon) and slip in for a long night of cocktails and DJs in the moody downstairs bar.

Either way, you’ll be privy to excellent hospitality – thanks to co-owners Tim Lackey and James Pollard – a snappy contemporary Japanese menu courtesy of Head Chef Stephen Lim (Monkey Magic and Azuma) and a cracking cocktail menu that’ll keep you happy for hours. Rhubarb infused sake, fresh passionfruit, lemon juice and vodka tickly your fancy?

Get the chopsticks dancing with starters like green tea and dashi poached octopus arm with plum wine jelly and pickled apple, and rice wine and seaweed cured kingfish and ocean trout with ponzu, ginger and chives. Turn your attention to the Robata dishes (a traditional Japanese charcoal grill) and tuck into smoky dishes like crispy skin ocean trout with yuzu salt, shiso and pea puree.

Be it day or night, upstairs or downstairs, dinner or cocktails. Choose your pleasure at Kaya.

Kaya Sydney
96 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst 2010
Open Tuesday to Thursday noon–midnight, Friday & Sunday noon–1am, Sunday noon–midnight