Soulmate Newtown opens Splash, a poolside cafe slinging old-school favourites

The team behind renowned Newtown eatery Soulmate have opened poolside cafe Splash, in Petersham, just in time for summer.

The 40-seat venue is housed within the Fanny Durack Aquatic Centre at Petersham Park, where it will serve a nostalgia-inspired menu available to both swimmers and park-goers.

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That means splice milkshakes packed with pineapple and plant-based ice cream; fried fish sandwiches with pickled beetroot and old-school sliced cheese; and all the killer pythons your pocket money can buy.

There’s also old-school salad sangas and an Angus beef Bradman burger – a nod to cricket legend Donald Bradman’s first century, scored at Petersham Park in 1926 when he was just 18 years old.

For aspiring batters hitting the oval, or picnic-goers who’ve found a shady spot beneath one of the large, leafy trees, both the food and a collection of picnic rugs are available to take away.

And if you forgot your hat? No worries. Keeping with the theme (and the strong cafe merchandising seen at Soulmate), there will also be customised legionnaires hats for sale (you know, the caps with the stylish neck-covering flap at the back).

“It’s a completely different vibe from the typical Inner West cafe experience,” says Michael Ico, who co-owns Splash alongside Harry Paton, Daniel Harrison and head chef Mitch Jones.

“Splash feels like an oasis, away from the hustle and bustle. It gives people one more reason to visit the park, beyond meeting friends for a cricket match or a swim.”

Elements of the team’s first venture Soulmate – which consistently ranks among Sydney’s the top cafes – will appear at Splash, like the bestselling Single O oat milk cold-brew with maple and cinnamon, and the beloved banana bread.

But this time, the entire family is catered to with the addition of high chairs, kids menus, and grab-and-go snacks for little ones. Dogs are also welcome at outdoor, park-side seating.

“Most of the food, from the sausage rolls to the chip butties, will be made in-house,” Ico says.

“And we’ll have heaps of healthy options too, like brekkie bowls and green smoothies, because we’re trying to cater to residents who use the park frequently.”

Ico – a local himself – says the launch menu features options between $7 and $26.

Splash opens 6.30am-3pm every day (kitchen open from 7am).

2A Station St, Petersham, splashpetersham.com