Dani Aneka

You’d be forgiven for missing this hidden nook located amongst the neighbourhood of Redfern, yet this innovative new restaurant has already got people talking. Bush is an Australian inspired cafe dreamt up by a couple of local lads passionate about the foods which represent and shape the culture of Aussie households.

As a good friend of mine is one of the team behind this new hotspot, we visited the cafe this Friday evening to experience it firsthand (and see our friend in action of course!) Dropping in on a blustery winter’s evening, we were greeted by toy wombats and kangaroos as we took our seats on the wooden benches. At 7pm on a Friday night the place was already packed out.

The menu is super simple with their famous cheeseburger taking pride of place as star of the show. We began with the Curry Roo Party Pie, a novelty for me as I’d never tried kangaroo meat before. Whilst this delicacy has struck a nerve with some customers, roo meat is actually very sustainable as there is an abundance of wild kangaroos which get killed and discarded of anyway.

That’s not to say this restaurant isn’t vegetarian friendly though – the mixed greens served on a smashed potato salad are delicious and the cheeseburger can even be made veggie with a mushroom pattie.

Opting for the traditional beef cheeseburger loaded with pickles and special sauce served on a steamed fresh brioche bun, I would go as far as to say this is one of the best burgers in town!

To complete the authentic Aussie feast, we had to try the Fairy Bread n Butter Pudding. Served hot from the oven with a scoop of ice cream, this delightful desert would take any Australian back to their childhood days.

Bush cafe has certainly filled a gap in the market when it comes to traditional and somewhat ironic Aussie fare. Whilst the interiors reflect the outback with sandstone walls and wooden table tops carved by locals, the nostalgic menu feels like you’re in the company of true Australians at home – well done lads, keep it real!