SOUL Dining

Sydney’s contemporary dining crowd has a serious crush on this Carrington Street spot—and honestly, the obsession is justified. Helmed by husband-and-wife duo Illa and Daero, SOUL Dining bridges the gap between upscale European technique and deep-rooted culinary nostalgia. Chef Daero channels his Italian and French training into the Korean flavors of his childhood—resulting in a menu that pushes boundaries without losing its essence. Dimly lit. Moody. The exact sultry, relaxed vibe you want for an impressive dinner date. Those in the loop always kick things off with the fermented makgeolli rice bread—crispy-crusted, pillowy inside, and served with a heavy hand of butter. From there, it’s a masterclass in texture. Braised ox tongue donuts wrapped in a fried glutinous shell. Tangy seafood mulhoe loaded with tender octopus. Prawn tteokbokki that hits the palate like an elite, chewy seafood gnocchi. Even strict traditionalists give their nod of approval to the sweet galbi-style beef short rib paired with delicate potato pavé. But the undisputed heavyweight champion of the menu? The cooked-to-order claypot rice. Laced with truffle butter and crowned with luxurious Glacier 51 toothfish, it delivers an umami punch that lingers long after you walk out the door.