Jimmy’s Falafel 2.0 opens at new George St location (and it’s open until 2am)

Jimmy’s Falafel 2.0 opens today on George Street, with the popular CBD venue moving to a new spot near Merivale stablemates Bar Totti’s and MuMu.

The three-year-old Jimmy’s Falafel has relocated 80 metres along George Street, into a strip that delivers Sydney something in short supply: late-night dining options.

The venue doesn’t close until 2am from Thursdays to Saturdays, says Jimmy’s founding head chef Simon Zalloua, who describes the area as an emerging after-midnight hub.

“We’ve got 50-odd more seats, the wine list is bigger [and] there are some premium wines on there,” he says.

The cocktail list is longer, and there are some new larger dishes, too.

While original Jimmy’s Falafel classics such as chicken and kofta shish, and stuffed pitas, have survived the move, Zalloua’s recent trip to the Middle East inspired some new menu items.

He didn’t have to travel for inspiration for the lamb dish, however.

“I grew up on lamb my father cooked in a one-gallon drum he converted. He didn’t use overarching spices; just some oregano and a brush of fresh thyme,” he says.

A wagyu steak with purple cabbage, baba ghanoush and sumac onions has also made the opening menu, alongside a whole flounder with paprika and almond tarator.

Jimmy’s will continue to offer takeaways to daytime and evening customers.

Zalloua admits he’ll still probably be called Jimmy by customers. “Jimmy [the restaurant’s namesake] is a close friend of Justin [Merivale chief Justin Hemmes], but people still ask if I’m Jimmy. I’ve given up correcting them, depending on my mood,” Zalloua says.

The new cluster of late-night Merivale venues around the Ivy precinct is set to be added to again next month with a new eatery led by Totti’s executive chef Mike Eggert.

Totti’s spin-off Oti will slide into the former home of Lorraine’s Patisserie, the site vacated at the end of 2022 following the retirement of Sydney pastry guru Lorraine Godsmark.

Oti will focus on Roman-style pizza by the slice and Tuscan flatbread schiacciata.

If the Oti product is as popular as Totti’s cushion of wood-fired bread, the precinct will have another drawcard.

Open Mon-Wed 11.30am-midnight; Thu-Fri 11.30am-2am; Sat noon-2am; Sun noon-10pm.

Shop D, 330 George Street, Sydney, merivale.com/venues/jimmys-falafel/