Hydeaway cafe brings salad bar lunches to Sydney's Hyde Park

Eugene Giesinger worked at the Michelin-starred Pied a Terre in London and owns Bronte cafe Eugene's, but has different plans entirely for his latest venture. He wants to bring back the salad bar to the southern end of the CBD.

Hydeaway opens on Monday, October 17, with the city eatery taking its punny moniker from its hidden-away location behind Museum Station in Hyde Park.

A collaboration with Arthur Choi (Coffee Lab, Canberra), the restaurant structure has views towards the Anzac Memorial. "It's really tucked away and quiet," Giesinger says.

"We're using Ona coffee, and Helen Diab from Moxhe is preparing a short wine list," he says.

The venue will start with a la carte brunch, including some favourites from Eugene's (yes, the magic mushrooms made it), plus some fresh dishes for the new space.

Giesinger will juggle a la carte with a "seasonal lunch bar".

The bar is inspired by seasonality and freshness, he says, skipping tired buffet staples for options such as meatballs with lentil rice pilaf, poached salmon with cucumber scales and pumpkin and gorgonzola quiche.

The pricing is still being finalised, but $20 should buy you some protein with a salad. It's a clever idea for busy city clientele, and there's also a breakfast menu. "We'll do dinners in the new year," the chef adds.

Open daily 7am-4pm.

Corner Liverpool and Elizabeth Streets, Sydney