Kitchen by Mike, Bar Patron reopen as confidence returns to Sydney CBD

Is the Sydney CBD finally getting its dining mojo back? The restaurant openings and reopenings at the northern end of the city are starting to come thick and fast.

On May 2, the pandemic-interrupted Kitchen by Mike is set to join them after a two-year hiatus.

Kitchen by Mike owner-chef Mike McEnearney says being surrounded by large institutions that weren't in a hurry to get staff back at their desks affected trade at the Bent Street location. "But they are starting to mandate staff be back at least three days a week," he says.

With many workers opting to stay at home on Fridays or Mondays, he explains the dynamic of city dining has changed: "The power days are now mid-week."

Bar Patron also reopens this week after sitting out the past few years. The Phillip Street restaurant will find a much more competitive market at Circular Quay than it faced when it last traded.

A rash of new venues has popped up in its neighbourhood, the multi-venue Hinchcliff House, Besuto and Londres 126 just a few of the new arrivals.

Confidence to invest in new projects has also returned. Restaurateur Maurice Terzini is part of a group that has snared the large redeveloped site of Jacksons on George, plans for which include a gastropub, restaurant-wine bar and rooftop bar.