The Sydney Morning Herald logo
Advertisement

A dozen delicious picnic packs, boxes and hampers to welcome spring in Sydney

Emma Breheny
Emma Breheny

Aplenty's picnic packs change all the time so they include whatever is in its prime.
Aplenty's picnic packs change all the time so they include whatever is in its prime.Nikki To

As Sydney reunites on picnic blankets across the city, what will be part of your spread? Sushi, falafel, French cheese or something else?

Aplenty, Leichhardt and delivery to inner Sydney

Michaela Johansson loves making sure people eat well, whether that's at an event or at the local park having a long overdue catch-up with friends. Her Mediterranean-influenced "spreads" are boxes of goodies such as cannellini bean dip with salsa verde, porchetta stuffed with apricot and sage, shaved spring greens, focaccia and more. And the line-up changes all the time so you get whatever's at its prime. Boxes come in two sizes, with a small feeding two to three people ($80) and a large great for five ($150).

Orders close Thursday 6pm for Saturday collection or delivery. Order via aplenty.com.au/order-a-spread

Advertisement

La Boite A Fromages, Balgowlah and local delivery

This gem of a cheese shop is doing its thing during Sydney's festival of the picnic, putting together boxes of cheese and accompaniments that will keep everyone on your rug happy. Let them know if prefer cow's, goat's or sheep's milk varieties, washed rind, blue, soft or hard, and which sandwiches you'd like: eggplant-mozzarella, Paris ham and comte, or smoked chicken and brie (among others). Pellegrino drinks, sweets, proscuitto, olives, jam, fruits and crackers are included, as well as plates, cutlery and napkins ($79). You can also add on favourite cheeses from the online store, or custom order a family box with children's options.

Pre-order Sun-Wed for pick up or delivery on Fri-Sat. Order via laboiteafromages.com.au/products/picnic-box-for-2

Continental Deli, Newtown and delivery within 5km

Advertisement

Located just an olive's throw from Camperdown Memorial Rest Park is the inner west's favourite shop for park supplies. Go for one of the boxes of charcuterie and cheese that the team has picked out or build your own perfect hamper brimming with sandwiches, gildas, Ortiz anchovies and more. The only piece of advice you need is don't buy the whole shop. Or do – it's been a while between picnics.

Available daily from 10am for pick up from 210 Australia Street, Newtown or delivery up to 5km. Order via Bopple

Kepos Street Kitchen, Redfern and delivery to select suburbs

Get out the calendar: Kepos Street Kitchen's delivery schedule requires a bit of planning but the reward is well worth it. Once you line up your picnic date, you and your pals will be treated to top-shelf hummus, zucchini tzatziki, labne with za'atar, pickled cauliflower and crisp pita. All that and more are yours for $49 in the mezze box (serves two to four).

Available Wed-Sat, 2pm-6pm. Order by 10am the day prior to your area's delivery day or pick up from Redfern. See details and order via keposstreetkitchen.com.au/order-online

Advertisement
Antipasti, seafood and spritzes from Fratelli Fresh.
Antipasti, seafood and spritzes from Fratelli Fresh.Supplied

Fratelli Fresh, Manly and delivery to greater Sydney

You can easily spend all day under a tree with the picnic packs designed by Fratelli Fresh. The starter pack ($89, serves up to four) includes antipasti, three Italian cheeses, a dozen prawns with cocktail sauce, potato salad, a loaf of Sonoma sourdough, fresh fruit and Aperol spritzes. If seafood is your thing, dive into a hamper featuring a dozen oysters and fresh prawns on top of the usual antipasti, fresh fruit and drinks ($109, serves four). Add bottled cocktails or dessert if you're really making a day of it.

Order by 3pm for next-day delivery Thu-Sat, noon-6pm. Order by 3pm for next-day pick-up Wed-Sat, 4pm-8pm. Order via shop.fratellifresh.com.au

Oliveto, Rhodes and delivery to select suburbs

Advertisement

Bring la dolce vita to the park with Oliveto's snacks and drinks inspired by Italian culture. Negronis of all kinds make a perfect pair with the grazing box ($100, serves two to four), which spans just about every snack category. Salumi, artichokes, olives, grissini, figs, walnuts and cheese from Holy Goat are all there. But if Balmain bugs, grilled octopus salad, smoked salmon and oysters gets you more excited, the seafood platter is ready and waiting ($150, serves two to four).

Order by 6pm Fri for pick up Sat-Sun, 11am-3pm or delivery. Order via oliveto.com.au/shop

Yum Yum Bakery, Guildford

Lebanese bakery Yum Yum has packaged up some of its all-time favourites and called it the "lunch box". Serving up to five people, the box contains cooked items like kibbeh, falafel and two kinds of the crescent-shaped pastry called sambousek (meat and cheese), plus there's fattoush, hummus, babaganoush, olives, flatbread and more ($95).

Advertisement

Order by 8pm the day prior for pick up daily from 273 Guildford Road, Guildford. Order via Instagram at instagram.com/yumyumbakeryguildford

Mosman Rowing Club, Mosman

Pick up light and bright boxes for two to three people filled with antipasti ($60) or seafood ($80). Expect La Stella cheese, cornichons and baguette, or prawns, cocktail sauce and oysters.

Orders close Friday for weekend collection: mosmanrowers.com.au/shop/harbourside-hamper

Catalina offers two picnic pack options.
Catalina offers two picnic pack options.Paul McMahon
Advertisement

Catalina, Rose Bay or local delivery

In this era of pre-ordering and planning your every move, you've got to love a venue that still encourages spontaneity. If the mood strikes you, you can picnic with one of Catalina's boxes simply by swinging past the restaurant and choosing between seafood ($150, serves two to three) or antipasto ($120, serves two to three), and whether to add one martini or two. Picnic rugs are available for loan or purchase, too. Can't get to the restaurant? Delivery is still available.

No pre-orders required for pick-up from Catalina, Lyne Park, New South Head Road, Rose Bay, daily. Order delivery ($15), available daily, via catalinarosebay.com.au/picnics

Sokyo, Pyrmont and delivery within 5km

Does sushi taste better eaten in the great outdoors? We can't prove it, but it's definitely a thrill to unbox 16 pieces of Sokyo's finest work at your first big social outing in months. There's also the added bonus of earning serious brownie points if everyone else at the picnic brings chips and dip. The sushi box ($65, 16 pieces) features tuna, scallop, salmon belly, kingfish and more. It'd be a crime not to add some Champagne or sake from The Star's bar.

Advertisement

Order at least two hours prior for delivery or pick-up daily from noon-10pm. Order via star.com.au/sydney/thestarathome

Otto, Woolloomooloo and delivery across NSW

Who better to trust with your alfresco dining than this waterside Italian institution? Otto's aperitivi box that's available on Providoor for picnic season is simple, understated and all about quality, whether in the wagyu bresaola or the Woodside goat's curd with truffle honey. House-baked focaccia, mortadella, olives and barrel-aged negronis round out the fun ($115, serves two).

Order by 4pm the day prior for pick up or delivery Thu-Sun. Order via sydney.providoor.com.au/promo/otto

Advertisement

Bitton, Alexandria and Rose Bay

Bitton is bringing the best of France to you with a picture-perfect picnic hamper of saucisson, mini baguettes, French cheese, macarons and more. From Bitton's own range of condiments there's tapenade and orange jelly, and to fill your cup, wine or the collaboration beer the team made with Frenchies: a malty style of drink with light tropical notes and stone fruit aromas. The hamper feeds up to five people ($120). Did someone say spring?

Order between 7am and 4pm, daily for pick-up. Order via bittongourmet.com.au/shop/take-away-food/bitton-picnic-hamper

More to try

Lucky Pickle, Surry Hills Big news: this pocket rocket of a cafe is opening on weekends to make sure your picnics go off without a hitch. The pack, sized for one, includes a sandwich (chicken katsu or cauliflower), cookie and Sanpellegrino soda for $20. Order in-store or via Instagram instagram.com/luckypicklesydney/

Advertisement

Lox In A Box, Bondi Made for this moment, Lox In A Box's bagels by delivery are a smart option for a socially distanced (but still delicious) picnic. Available Wed-Sat for pick-up or local delivery. Order via loxinabox.com.au

The Cove, Abbotsford Bring the spring vibes with The Cove's selection of house-made hummus with crudites, finger sandwiches, salads and crostini, which are conveniently delivered with napkins and cutlery. Order via 02 9713 7896 or see instagram.com/thecovediningco

L'Heritage, Chowder Bay L'Heritage's hampers offer the complete picnic package: from the cutlery down to the blanket, all for you to pick up and keep. The "Bordeaux" starts at $120 for two, or if seafood is your thing the "St Tropez" starts at $160 for two. Order 24 hours prior, pick up Fri-Sun from 7b Chowder Bay Road, Mosman. Order via lheritage.com.au/index.php/picnics

Room Ten, Potts Point It's all about bagel boxes at this laneway cafe, with crusty seeded rolls, hot and cold smoked trout and delicious trimmings. Order via 0432 445 342 or see instagram.com/_roomten

Stinking Bishops, Newtown Crackers, cheese, quince, excellent cheeses and meats – Stinking Bishops' hampers have everything you need for a good time outdoors. Pick up from 63-71 Enmore Road, Newtown. Local delivery is free, or delivery to greater Sydney for a fee. Order via thestinkingbishops.com/shop

Continue this series

October 2021 hit list: Top food and drink takeaways in Sydney this month
Up next
Shortstop Coffee & Donuts - doughnut box
Supplied

Sydney lockdown: 12 sweet treats to deliver cheer to friends in need

We all know someone in need of a little TLC right now.

From left: Besuto's Lenny Ng, Tomi Bjorck, Joel Best and Hirofumi Fujita.

Pint-sized Japanese restaurants Besuto and Bay Nine Omakase lead Sydney's reopening wave

Two new omakase restaurants are slated to open as lockdown ends, joining a swathe of other Japanese places to have opened this year.

Previous
Lockdown lunch doesn't get more luxe: Simulation Senpai's hoseki bako, 15 pieces of 'treasures from the sea'.

Sydney lockdown: Top restaurant takeaway options to try

Sydney's lockdown has been extended, so while we're not going anywhere, let's make the most of the best takeaway and delivery options our restaurants have to offer.

See all stories

Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox.

Sign up
Emma BrehenyEmma BrehenyEmma is Good Food's Melbourne-based reporter and co-editor of The Age Good Food Guide 2024.

From our partners

Advertisement
Advertisement