Sydney’s much-loved hospitality group will open a new venue in a stunning heritage site.
Cult-favourite The Grounds took Sydney by storm when it first opened its doors in Alexandria in 2012. The cafe, restaurant and market complex quickly became the go-to spot for relaxed hangs, adored for its beautifully plated food posted all over Instagram, lush greenery, rustic-industrial design and adorable farm animals. Now, the hospitality group is set to open its third Sydney outpost in one of the city’s most beautiful locations: The Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney. And it’s the most exciting news since Putricia bloomed in 2025.
The Grounds in The Domain will be set against lush gardens. (Image: Supplied)
The Grounds in The Domain is set to be the group’s most beautiful venue yet. It will sit at the edge of the Botanic Gardens Sydney at the Domain Gateway, a historic precinct once home to a gatekeeper’s cottage and a horticultural workshop area. Chief Executive of Botanic Gardens of Sydney Simon Duffy AM, shared his excitement for the development. “We are delighted to open this precinct to the public for the first time in its 190-year history to enhance our role in Sydney as a place to inspire enjoyment, learning and conservation of nature."
With works scheduled to begin in 2026, The Grounds in The Domain will combine its well-known hospitality with the natural, heritage setting of the Botanic Gardens. Visitors will enjoy seasonal, locally-sourced produce in an elegant space reminiscent of an English country garden. Think manicured lawns, flowerbeds and seasonal blooms framing greenhouses and romantic archways.
The precinct will be opened to the public for the first time in its 190-year history. (Image: Supplied)
Ramzey Choker, Founder and Director of The Grounds Group, highlighted how the project will elevate the experience of visiting the gardens. “At The Grounds, we’re truly excited to bring a touch of our magic to the Domain Gateway precinct, opening a space that has been largely inaccessible for nearly two centuries. This is a rare opportunity to welcome the public back into one of Sydney’s most historically significant locations, creating a hospitality experience that both respects its heritage and adds new life to the surroundings."
The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney sits along the Sydney Harbour foreshore. (Image: Destination NSW)
Established in 1816, the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney is Australia’s oldest botanical garden, sweeping across 30 hectares of the Sydney Harbour foreshore. Visitors can make a day of exploring the distinct themed gardens from the Palace Rose Garden and Succulent Garden to the Palm Grove and Jacaranda Walk, while admiring the iconic views of Sydney Harbour, the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
The addition of The Grounds in The Domain brings yet another reason to linger longer in these magical gardens. “Through this collaboration with Botanic Gardens of Sydney, we hope to craft a space where people can explore, learn and enjoy the precinct in ways that haven’t been possible before," shared Choker.
Stay tuned.
Want to see more stories from Australian Traveller in your Google search results?
Tick the box next to "Australian Traveller". That's it.
Rachael Thompson is Australian Traveller's Evergreen Editor and Hotel Addict. She's responsible for the foundational content on AustralianTraveller.com, helping to manage and grow the brand’s destination guides. With a background in design and travel media, Rachael is dedicated to curating content that is as much informational as it is beautiful. She began her career at Belle magazine, before taking up editorial roles at Homes to Love and Bed Threads. When she's not writing, editing or optimising content, Rachael enjoys exploring the city's newest restaurants, bars and hotels. Next on her Aussie travel wish list is Lord Howe Island.
With more than 60 nationalities calling it home and a century of Italian influence shaping its paddocks and plates, Griffith is a regional Australian town with serious culinary cred.
It might feel surprising to learn that Griffith is one of Australia’s leading food destinations. In-the-know Italians have understood this for generations, drawn to the Riverina region’s fertile soils that reminded them of the terrain they’d left behind more than a century ago. These days, Griffith supplies much of the nation’s pantry: 95 per cent of Australia’s prunes come from the region, it’s the country’s largest citrus-growing area, and it’s a leading producer of almonds and walnuts. Even the pickles in every McDonald’s burger nationwide are produced in Griffith. This is not just a farming town; the Griffith food scene is leading the way.
Here, culinary confidence is rooted in migration. Italian families began arriving from 1913, with a second wave settling after the Second World War. Today, Griffith has the highest proportion of Italian ancestry of any Local Government Area in Australia. Add to that more than 60 nationalities represented across the community and you have a town where food is driven not by trends, but by tradition. Griffith’s motto, ‘Taste our culture’, isn’t marketing spin; it’s the reality.
Where the vines tell a story
Uncover the stories behind every glass. (Image: Destination NSW)
The Riverina has long been dubbed the food bowl of Australia, but it’s also a wine region that remains largely under the radar. What sets Griffith apart is that every one of its wineries is family-owned, many spanning generations.
Calabria Family Wines is one of the region’s standard-bearers. The Calabria story began in 1945 when Francesco Calabria planted his first vines; today, the family continues to shape the region’s identity while also stewarding the historic McWilliam’s Wines brand. McWilliam’s was the first winery to plant vines in the area, and its barrel-shaped cellar door – complete with a soaring stained-glass window – remains one of the most distinctive in regional NSW.
Yarran Wines, run by the Brewer family, showcases estate-grown fruit across Mediterranean varietals that thrive in the warm climate. Expect bold reds and textured whites that reflect both heritage and innovation.
Set inside the old ambulance station, Harvest HQ is owned and operated by the Riverina Winemakers Association and pours a rotating selection of local wines under one roof. It also features spirits from The Aisling Distillery, reinforcing the region’s collaborative approach to craft.
At the table
Dine where tradition meets a bold new generation. (Image: Visit Griffith)
If the vineyards tell one story, the dining rooms tell another. Griffith’s restaurants are where tradition and next-gen confidence meet.
Zecca Handmade Italian occupies the former Rural Bank building, an imposing Art Deco landmark from the late 1930s. ‘Zecca’ means money print, and the name is a nod to the Zecca di Venezia in Venice. Here, find the Riverina’s only producer of dried artisan pasta and traditional Italian recipes. Importantly, the growers and producers supplying the kitchen are listed on the menu as a transparent expression of the region’s farm-to-table ethos.
Established in 1977 and still run by the Vico family, La Scala puts authentic Italian cuisine on centre stage. Expect handmade pasta, traditional wood-fired pizzas, slow-cooked sauces and dishes that follow recipes guarded like family heirlooms. For something more contemporary, Bull & Bell in Gem Hotelis a shrine to the Euro-style steakhouse that works closely with local farmers and artisans to showcase Riverina produce.
And then there are the institutions. Bertoldo’s Pasticceria, now in its third generation, draws locals daily for cannoli, biscotti, crostoli and house-made gelato, alongside classic sausage rolls and potato pies. La Piccola Grosseria feels like stepping into an Italian alimentari, its shelves lined with continental goods that wouldn’t feel out of place in Puglia.
Meanwhile, Limone celebrates local and seasonal produce across breakfast and lunch menus, enriched by the produce and stories of Piccolo Family Farm. Find pastries and sourdough baked daily, and pop into the onsite retail pantry for products from regional producers – including the Piccolo family’s own wine range, Caro Piccolo.
From the source
Taste world-renowned Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod, straight from its source. (Image: Visit Griffith)
Behind every menu is a producer. Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod is perhaps Griffith’s most high-profile export; the brand’s Murray cod and Aquna Gold Murray Cod Caviar have achieved global recognition. In October 2024, Aquna presented its products to King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the NSW Premier’s Community BBQ in Parramatta. Impressed by the producer’s sustainable farming practices, the King requested the cod be sent to Buckingham Palace – not bad for a fish farm in regional NSW.
Mandolé Orchard champions almonds grown on a family-run farm, transforming them into almond milk and value-added products. At Morella Grove, olives are pressed into premium olive oil and pantry staples that speak to Griffith’s Mediterranean heart. These producers are not peripheral; they are central to the town’s culinary ecosystem. Learn about local sustainable farming practices during a farm tour.
Mark your calendar
Plan your visit around A Taste of Italy Griffith. (Image: Visit Griffith)
For a town that helps stock Australia’s supermarkets, Griffith has remained curiously absent from the national dining conversation. That’s beginning to change. If you’ve been searching for a regional food destination with substance, heritage and a clear sense of identity, you’ll find it here in the Riverina, right under your nose.
Time your visit to the Riverina region to coincide with A Taste of Italy Griffith, held every August. This week-long celebration of Italian heritage and culture offers a wide range of Italian-inspired events and experiences to enjoy. Expect long-table lunches, wine tasting experiences, cooking classes and a Makers in the Piazza market. The headline event is a ticketed long lunch – Festa delle Salsicce (Salami Festival) – where winners of the best salami are announced.
