Deux Frères is a Basque-style bar focusing on tapas and pintxos, small bite sized finger food served on toothpicks.

Tucked away in Circular Quay, it’s a 10-minute stroll from the Sydney Opera House and the ideal spot for pre-show bites.

Tapas and pintxos are designed to have with drinks, and Deux Frères have an extensive drinks list, featuring European and Australian wines, sangria and spirits. The drinks menu includes a vermouth section with nine red and four whites to choose from. Guided by our friendly waiter, I decided to start with an apéritif and ordered a glass of Italian vermut, Antica-Formula, served on ice.

Deux Frères offer a variety of hot and cold small plates. There are three types of house croquetas: ham and cheese, confit duck and bacalao fish. We ordered one of each, devoured in two mouthfuls, the delicious bites are served with shaved ossau iraty and gribiche sauce. The gildas were a must have. The salty anchovies skewered between big green olives and lemons. Resisting filling up on patatas bravas, we opted for the breaded flash-fried artichokes. And a more substantial dish of gambas al ajillo (garlic prawns) that begged for crusty bread to mop up the remaining oil. Our little table was quickly covered with tapas plates.

The venue offers indoor and outdoor seating but if you are coming with a group, outdoor is best as its close quarter dining for those inside. Deux Frères is a lively, busy restaurant and the ambient setting encourages chatting to your fellow indoor dining companions. The packed space squeezes guests in with high stool window and bar seating, plus small booths. Deux Frères is a feast for the eyes with colourful murals decorating the walls, cured meats on display via a slicer plinth and meat display cabinet, and a bar counter laden with tempting morsels.

Deux Freres (translating to two brothers in French) is part of the Entrecote Group, who owns the traditional Gallic restaurants, Bouillon l’Entrecote and Brasserie l’Entrecote. The brothers grew close to the Basque region in France and wanted to bring authentic Basque Country tastes to the city. 

Bookings are highly recommended for the popular spot.

Find Deux Frères at 6 Loftus Lane, Sydney

Open Monday-Saturday11:30am – 10pm

To book visit: https://deuxfreres.com.au/