Olio
Ultimo, Sydney
Restaurant in Sydney, Australia
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Olio is a Chippendale booking to consider when location and schedule matter more than awards, chef profile, or a published price tier. It is strongest as an in-person Kensington Street option, especially for diners already planning around Central or nearby hotels; do not rely on it as a takeout choice without confirming the current setup first.
About Olio
Olio is a Sydney dining option with practical planning details: schedule and dress code. It is open for dinner Monday to Saturday, with lunch listed on Friday and Saturday, and it is closed on Sunday. The dress code is smart casual.
The useful decision frame is simple. If the goal is a Sydney booking that fits those service times, Olio is worth considering. If the goal is a venue chosen for published awards, named chef credentials, a declared tasting-menu format, a specific cuisine, or a clearly signposted price tier, check the venue's own channels before relying on those criteria. Plan around the hours and check the venue's own channels for current menu and booking details.
Book for Sydney convenience, not a fully specified destination brief
For planning, the practical details are straightforward: Olio is in Sydney, the dress code is smart casual, and service is listed Monday to Saturday with Sunday closed. For broader planning, compare it with our full Sydney restaurants guide, then check sleep, drink, and itinerary options in our full Sydney hotels guide, our full Sydney bars guide, our full Sydney wineries guide, and our full Sydney experiences guide.
Plan this as an in-person booking unless the venue's own channels list takeout or delivery options.
Use peers to decide how much certainty you need
For diners comparing options, keep the shortlist focused on named comparison venues. Gavroche Brasserie, Holy Duck, La Terrazza Osteria Verde, Cartel, and The Old Clare Hotel are useful names to check alongside Olio when deciding where to book.
For wider cross-shopping, use general Sydney dining research rather than relying on claims about Olio's menu, format, awards, pricing, or service style. The key planning points for Olio are its Sydney location, smart-casual dress code, and hours: Monday to Thursday 5–9 PM, Friday 12–3 PM and 5–9:30 PM, Saturday 12–3 PM and 5:30–9:30 PM, and closed Sunday.
Planning details
- Location
- Level 2/2-10 Kensington St, Chippendale NSW 2008, Australia
- Reservations
- Book on OpenTable
- Website
- olio.kensingtonstreet.com.au
- Phone
- +61292811500
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Olio presents itself with a layer of remove: perched on the second floor of Kensington Street, it feels quietly significant rather than overtly theatrical. The elevation from street level shapes the visit, drawing away the casual foot traffic and creating a more contained dining room that rewards repeat visits. It sits comfortably as a neighbourhood anchor — less press-driven destination and more considered local address — where the mood is understated and focused on the meal rather than spectacle. That restraint gives the room an intimate, low-key charm that favours return customers over one-off impressions.
Best For
The restaurant reads as two distinct services: lunch and dinner operate as separate propositions. Midday trade skews to the area’s design-studio and university crowd, with a faster pace, lighter dishes and a room that largely clears by mid-afternoon. Evening service settles into a different rhythm, where tables stay longer and the meal becomes more of an occasion. That split makes Olio well suited to a quick, workday lunch or a slower, lingering dinner; locals and repeat diners are a natural fit for both services depending on the time of day.
Ordering Tips
Menus shift between the brisk midday service and the more lingering evening service, so order accordingly: lunch tends toward lighter plates and a quicker cadence, while dinner rewards time and attention. The description highlights the kitchen’s strengths — signature dishes include handmade seafood pasta and braised lamb neck — so factor those into a dinner reservation or when seeking the restaurant’s standout preparations. Given the contrasting services, plan a faster midday visit or allow extra time for an evening meal to enjoy the full experience.
Venue details
Ambiance
Contemporary indoor dining room with exposed brick, loft-style windows, natural light, and lush rooftop terrace overlooking Kensington Street.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
View
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Leisurely
- Capacity
- Medium
Signature Dishes
- handmade seafood pasta
- braised lamb neck
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- Level 2/2-10 Kensington St, Chippendale NSW 2008, Australia
Planning details
Location
Level 2/2-10 Kensington St, Chippendale NSW 2008, Australia · Directions
Also consider
Also Consider
- Gavroche Brasserie, Notable alternative
- Cartel, Notable alternative
- La Terrazza Osteria Verde, Notable alternative
- Holy Duck, Notable alternative
- The Old Clare Hotel, Notable alternative
Restaurant context
How Olio compares in Sydney
Choose Olio when Chippendale convenience is the main filter and an easy booking matters more than a heavily documented dining format. Gavroche Brasserie is the safer alternative for diners who want a clearer brasserie brief before committing, while Holy Duck reads as the more casual, direct choice for groups that prefer a simpler food focus.
La Terrazza Osteria Verde is the better cross-shop if the group wants an Italian-leaning night with a more explicit venue identity. Cartel is worth checking when the room and mood matter as much as the plate. The Old Clare Hotel makes more sense if the meal is part of a hotel-led Chippendale plan rather than a standalone restaurant decision.
Value is hard to rank without listed prices, so use certainty as the deciding factor. Olio works for diners comfortable booking on location and availability; the is stronger when the occasion needs a clearer promise before anyone commits.
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Olio guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Olio
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Olio | Sydney | No published awards |
| Gavroche Brasserie | Sydney | No published awards |
| Cartel | Sydney | No published awards |
| La Terrazza Osteria Verde | Sydney | No published awards |
| Holy Duck | Sydney | No published awards |
| The Old Clare Hotel | Sydney | No published awards |
How Olio Sydney compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What are alternatives to Olio in Sydney?
Other venues to compare with Olio include Gavroche Brasserie, Holy Duck, La Terrazza Osteria Verde, Cartel, and The Old Clare Hotel. Check each venue's current details before choosing.
What should I order at Olio?
Does Olio handle dietary restrictions?
Ask the venue directly before you commit, especially if you have strict requirements.
What should a first-timer know about Olio?
Treat it as a Sydney booking with a smart-casual dress code. Olio is open Monday to Thursday 5–9 PM, Friday 12–3 PM and 5–9:30 PM, Saturday 12–3 PM and 5:30–9:30 PM, and closed Sunday.
Is lunch or dinner better at Olio?
Choose based on the service times. Dinner is listed Monday to Saturday, while lunch is listed on Friday and Saturday from 12–3 PM.
Is Olio good for a special occasion?
That depends on what you need from the occasion. Plan around the Sydney location, smart-casual dress code, and opening hours; if awards, a tasting-menu format, pricing, cuisine, or specific dishes are important, check directly before booking.
How far ahead should I book Olio?
Use the hours to choose a suitable slot, then check the venue's official booking channels for availability.
